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Small Business and Group
Small Business Group Health Insurance
Traditional group plans, level-funded plans, and HRAs solve the same problem in different ways. Which one fits depends on your team size, budget predictability, and how much plan control you want to keep.
- Employer contributes 50% of the employee-only premium
- Employees may add dependents at their own cost
- Employer sets a single reference plan; employees may buy up to a richer plan and pay the difference
Traditional Group, Level-Funded, or HRA?
Among businesses with 2 to 50 employees, health coverage is consistently the benefit employees value most. The question isn't whether to offer it, usually, but which funding structure fits your team.
You pick one plan, share premiums with employees, and everyone gets the same structure. Predictable, simple, but the least flexible on cost.
A predictable monthly payment that can return money at year-end if your team's claims run low, while capping your risk if claims run high. Tends to suit healthier, smaller teams.
You set a fixed monthly allowance and employees buy their own individual coverage. Keeps your costs fixed and predictable, with less plan-design control.
A Sample Contribution Structure
The numbers below are a fictional example for illustration only. They are not a quote, guarantee, or offer of coverage. Your actual contribution structure and premiums are determined during a personalized consultation.
Example business: A 12-employee company choosing to offer a traditional group plan.
- Employer contributes 50% of the employee-only premium
- Employees may add dependents at their own cost
- Employer sets a single reference plan; employees may buy up to a richer plan and pay the difference
This structure is one of many ways contributions can be arranged. A level-funded or HRA structure would look different. Your consultation will build a structure around your actual budget and team.
Who Qualifies
Most carriers require at least two enrolled employees, though minimums can vary by carrier and state. From an initial conversation to active coverage typically runs two to four weeks.
Common Questions
Small Business and Group FAQ
How many employees do I need to offer group health insurance?
Most carriers require at least two enrolled employees, though minimums can vary by carrier and state. If you're a solo owner without employees, individual or self-employed coverage is typically the better starting point.
What's the difference between a level-funded plan and a traditional group plan?
A traditional group plan charges a fixed premium regardless of your team's actual claims. A level-funded plan sets a predictable monthly payment but can return money at year-end if your team's claims come in low, while capping your risk if claims run high.
How does an HRA work compared to a group plan?
With an HRA, you set a fixed monthly allowance and employees use it to buy their own individual coverage, which keeps your costs fixed and predictable. With a traditional group plan, everyone is on the same plan design and the employer typically shares the premium directly.
How long does it take to get a small business plan active?
From an initial conversation to active coverage typically runs two to four weeks, depending on the carrier, plan type, and how quickly enrollment paperwork is completed.
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