ForumsEmployee Benefits and Retirement Planning

Yiou might want to call a healthcare provider in your area, or a larger company like Blue Cross Blue Shield. They have people waiting to sell your business their health plan benefits. They will be able to give you pricing and options.

There are number of choices available for you.

1. First thing you need to find if your type business has any association. Contact them and see if they are offering any type of insurance program
2. Contact local chamber of commerce and ask them if they areoffering any type of insurance program. Most do and get the program.
3. Check the local insurance broker and see what type of program are being offered for your small company.
4. Check directly from Kaiser, Blue shield and other and get the program offered for small businesses.
5. Contact other local association which offers health care program and you can be member of them. gettheir programs.

Now you have enoughdata to decide what program is best for you and your company.

The best option for small businesses, especially those who did not currently have a plan in place would be a HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) or Deductible First Insurance linked with an employer funded HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement or HSA (Health Savings Account). For small businesses starting a plan, the HDHP with an HSA would probably work best as it can sucsessfully and sustainably provide:

-a robust benefits program at reasonable premiums
-level premiums (premiums would trend or increase only 3% a year - approx.)
-you can fund employees' HSA accounts to provide them the money to fund the deductible or save for future medical expenses or retirement (many employers see this as a way to maitain thier employee talent)

To learn more:
1. Watch the Whole Foods segment of John Stoessel's report, Sick in America at www.abc.com
2. Check out my book on the topic - Stop Buying Health Plans and Start Buting Health Insurance - available on http://www.amazon.com/ at http://www.amazon.com/Buying-Health-Plans-Insurance-Understand/dp/0595429858/ref=sr_1_6/103-4256601-7938248?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192483338&sr=1-6

The best health benefit for your money that you can offer is a combination of high deductible

health insurance with a consumer driven first-dollar coverage plan. Email me if you need details

of the companies that offer such products. Also, you should buy dental and vision coverage

separately for best value.

Techie,

Network Guru gave you the best advice. Many small businesses I work with have asked about Healthcare and I always recommend they use eHealthInsurance.com Here you have access to over 160 vendors online and you have the ability to compare offerings/prices side-by-side to get the best bang for your buck.

I think this is a big need out there for many small business owners. Please let us know how it turns out.

TinMan - Houston, TX

Blue Cross has a new program for small business owners where you can customize your options. They give pretty reasonable rates as well.

Depending on how much you love your people. Average family plan costs 16,000. and 9,500 for individuals. It's around those areas. Alot of businesses can not retain talent due to fringe. If you can afford it, it's a must have for most employees.

Most businesses share the costs 10/90 (large companies) 15/85 (small companies) and 25/75.

Another thing to look at is the HSAs and FSAs as well. There are also different health programs sponsored by different states that you are in. Some states actually require Small Businesses to insure their employees if they have a x number of employees. Some even offer assistance in getting group coverage!