Group Health Insurance
We work with all major carriers that offer employer health plans. You can offer your employees a diverse portfolio of benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Supplemental Insurance. Don’t wait, work with us to uncover your employees benefits.
We are the best Group Health Insurance Brokers, evident through client satisfaction and reviews.
What is Group Health Insurance and How Does it Work?
Group health insurance—sometimes called employer-based coverage—is a type of health insurance plan offered by an employer of a member organization. Members of a group health insurance plan usually receive coverage at a lower cost because the risk to the insurer is distributed across multiple members.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), businesses with 50 or more full-time employees must provide health insurance to full-time employees and dependents under the age of 26 or pay a fee. Insurers are also required to provide group coverage to organizations with as few as two employees. Some states allow self-employed individuals to qualify for group coverage plans as well.
Group health insurance plans are selected and purchased by companies or organizations and then offered to employees. In most states, a group insurance plan is required to have a 70% participation rate, though some states’ minimum rate is higher or lower.
How to Enroll in Group Health Insurance?
To enroll in a group health care plan provided by your employer, ask about the deadline for enrollment once hired. If you miss this deadline, you might have to wait until the annual open enrollment period to join. Some employers may have waiting periods of up to 90 days before new employee health insurance kicks in. You won’t have to pay premiums during this time, but you won’t have access to any health care coverage, either. In this case you can enroll in a Short Term Health Insurance plan.
Some group health insurance plans offer different tiers of coverage or supplemental coverage like dental, vision and/or pharmacy. During open enrollment periods, you can make decisions about these insurance choices your employer provides, as well as add or remove any dependents. If a major life event like marriage, the birth of a child or a spouse’s loss of employment changes your circumstances, you may be able to enroll these new dependents in your group health insurance plan outside the open enrollment period. This is called a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to a Qualifying Life Event.
Who is this for?
Employers with all sizes can offer benefits to their full time or part time employees. Contact us to learn more about the options available to you and your employees.
Small Business
Groups with 1-50 employees are eligible for Small Business group plans. These plans follow the Affordable Care Act rules.
Independent Contractors
There are multiple options available for independent contractors including Health Reimbursement Arrangement, and QESHRA.
Family Business
If you own a family business and you have another full time employee (non – family member and non spouse) you are eligible to get a group health policy. Contact us to learn more.
Small Business Savings
Why Should You Offer Health Insurance?
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Employee Retention
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Talent Attraction
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Increased Productivity
Still have questions?
We’ve got answers.
How many employees do I need to qualify for a small business health plan?
You need only 2 full time employees to enroll in a small business health plan. One employee has to be non spouse, and non family member.
What if my business already has insurance through a PEO?
No problem. You can keep your PEO for everything except benefits and get those through Smart Insurance Agents. It is common for our customers to carve out benefits for us and keep the rest with their PEO.
Can Smart Insurance Agents Save Employers Money?
Absolutely. We are independent health and life agents, and work with all available carriers. With us you will always sign up for the best in class benefits and save the utmost.
What if we would like to keep the same plans but change our broker or agent?
If you would like to keep your benefits and plans as is until the end of the year renewal, but you would like to change your agent you can make us the agent of record. This is easy, contact us for more instructions.
How it Works?
Our Smart Insurance Agents have made the process of offering employer coverage a breeze. Tell us about your business and your employees, will take care of the rest.
Request a Quote
Start by filling in some information about your business and employees.
Get a Smart Proposal
Review all the available plans among different carriers. Offer up to 6 plans for your employees to choose from.
Enroll
Fill the paperwork digitally. Your group policy will be issued before you know it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the eligibility to sign up for a small group plan?
Small group plans need at least two full time employees to get coverage. At least one employee should enroll other than the owner, owner’s spouse, or family member. The business should be registered in the state operating and in good standing.
What are the benefits of offering group health coverage to my employees?
Countless. Offering employee benefits makes your business more competitive. Your business will be differentiated than your rivals. According to a survey we conducted in Q3 2021, business owner who offered health insurance to their employees received a higher job satisfaction.
Are the premiums paid by the employer tax deductible for the business?
Yes. 100%
How many full time employees do I need to start a small group plan?
A small business needs at least 2 full time employees to start a group policy.
Is there an enrollment period to start group coverage for my small business?
No. You can start a group policy at any time of the year. The plan coverage will start the first day of the following month.
Do small group plans ask for medical questions in underwriting?
Small group plans follow the ACA rules. There are no medical questions for the enrollees and no underwriting based on pre-existing conditions.
Can I decline my employer’s health coverage?
Yes. But always weigh all your options before declining Employer’s coverage.
Can i schedule a phone call to review current group policy?
Yes, we encourage you to chat with us about your different options. You may be eligible for additional savings. We can also suggest other plans that are more feasible for your group.
What are the benefits of group health insurance versus individual health insurance plans?
Group health insurance plans premiums are pre-taxed. This means you can offer the health insurance benefit to your employees exempted from taxes. In addition the premiums paid towards employees group health plan is tax deducted at the end of the year.
Can I cancel my ACA health insurance plan and join a group health plan?
Yes. You can cancel your ACA health insurance plan and join the group health insurance plan offered by your employer or your small business at any time.
What is group health insurance?
Group Health Insurance is a health policy issued to the business and offered to the full time employees. Also known as W-2 employees.
What is the Small Business Health insurance eligibility?
- Two full time employees.
- At least one person is a W2 employee.
- One person is not a family member (husband and wife only).
What is ERISA health insurance?
The Employee Retirement Income Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans.
What is the difference between ERISA and non ERISA health plans?
In an ERISA plan, an employer chooses the investment options, controls the deposit and timing of employee contributions and may also provide an employer matching contribution. In a non-ERISA plan, an employer is not involved except in compliance activities.
Why healthier employees means a healthier business:
- 👷👷♂️👷♀️Retain Employees: Encourage your team to stay and help your company grow.
- 👨⚕️Protect Your Health: Provide heath care coverage for you and your family as well as your team.
- 💵Potential Tax Savings: Heath care exemptions, tax credits, and deductions could mean significant savings for you and your team.
- 📈Boost Productivity: Reduce sick days and help your employees stay healthy longer.
- 🤝Attract New Talent: Superior benefits can help you recruit the best possible team.
Essential Health Coverage For Your Employees:
✅Ambulatory patient services
✅Emergency services
✅Hospitalization
✅Prescription drugs
✅Maternity and newborn care
✅Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
✅Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
✅Laboratory services
✅Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
✅Pediatric services, including dental and vision
More Access to Health Care
We offer small business health plans that give you and your employees more access to care with in network Telehealth visits at the same costs as in-office visit.
$0 Preventative Drugs on Health Savings Account (HSA) Plans
Select an HSA plan for you and your employees that features $0 copay for some preventative drugs. HSA plans help employees stick to their treatment regimen and better manager their health conditions.
Health Savings Account Copays
Specific HSA-compatible plans have copays after the deductible is met for office visits with a primary care physician and specialist. Plus, pharmacy benefit copays.
Group Health Insurance Quote
