From Cost to Coverage: A Straightforward Health Guide for Small Business Employers
Christopher Johnson
Executive Director at HealthChoice of Michigan | HealthChoice offers affordable health care for small business owners and their employees.
For small business owners, every day brings a new challenge and a different hat to wear. You're the boss, the problem solver, and the go-to person for just about everything.
So when someone brings up health coverage, it's completely understandable if it feels like just one more thing to figure out — especially when your plate's full.
The good news? It doesn't have to be overwhelming. Let's walk through and answer some of the most common questions small business owners have about offering health coverage so they can make informed decisions without the added stress.
Q: Do I have to offer health insurance?
A: If your business has 50 or more full-time employees (or the same number of hours worked by part-time staff), the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires you to offer health insurance to at least 95% of your full-time staff. If you don’t, you may have to pay a penalty to the IRS.
However, if you have fewer than 50 full-time employees, offering health insurance is usually voluntary and can be entirely up to you. In most cases, you're not legally required to provide health or wellness benefits.
Still, offering health coverage can be a smart move. It can help your business in more ways than one. For example, it can help you:
Offering coverage shows your employees you’ve invested in their well-being — which can go a long way.
Q: Is offering health coverage expensive?
A: It doesn’t have to be! There's a way to meet your needs without breaking the bank.
HealthChoice of Michigan’s Small Business Plan offers level-rate monthly health plans at just $255 per employee. That means you pay the same monthly rate, with no price changes based on age, gender, or health status.
We understand the time, effort and heart it takes to run a local business. That’s why our plans are made to be simple, affordable and dependable.
Employees get reliable coverage with low out-of-pocket costs and the monthly rate stays the same regardless of age, gender, or health.
That’s a small price to show your team you care and help them stay healthy enough to keep working.
Q: What should I look for in a health plan?
A: When reviewing health coverage options for your team, focus on features that offer the most value. Here are the key features to look out for:
HealthChoice of Michigan's Small Business Plan includes all of these. Plus, through our partnership with Community Care Associates, your employees get access to a top-tier network of doctors and hospitals in Metro Detroit.
Our Small Business Plan also offers FREE online health coaching for extra support.
Q: How hard is it to sign up?
A: Getting your team covered is easier than you think! You can qualify for health coverage if your business has at least two full-time employees working 30 hours or more weekly.
Enrollment is open all year, so you can get started whenever it works best for your business. The process is straightforward — complete the online application, submit the required documents and take the first step toward providing your employees the coverage they deserve.
A healthier team starts here!
Knowing the answers to these important questions shows your employees that you care about their health. Build a team that feels supported and sticks with you for the long run.
HealthChoice of Michigan is a government-powered program with health plans tailored to the needs of small businesses in Wayne and Oakland County.
For over 30 years, we’ve been helping small businesses make health coverage possible for employees who often go without it.
Join the satisfied business owners and entrepreneurs who trust us – visit our website to learn more and start your application today!