TROUT INSURANCE SERVICES
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Group Health Insurance

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We represent all the major carriers including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina®, United HealthCare, Coventry /Aetna. We will shop your coverage to find the most effective plan and competitive premium.  We transfer the burden of shopping your coverage from your desk to ours.

We can provide several innovative alternatives including health reimbursement arrangements, dual option plans, FSA and HSA plans.

We help over 80 companies in our area, from one person professional corporations to large employers with employees in several states.  We are always available to assist your employees with policy questions, procedures and claims issues.
How does the Affordable Care Act impact small businesses?

Under the ACA, businesses with fewer than 100 full-time-equivalent employees aren't required to provide health insurance to their employees and won't face tax penalties for not doing so.
​
Small business employers may receive tax credits when they provide coverage, as follows:
  • Employers with 25 or fewer employees with average annual wages of less than $50,000, may be eligible for a special tax credit of up to 35% of the amount the employer contributes (at least 50%) toward employee insurance premiums.​
​
  • In 2014, that tax credit increases to 50% for employers who pay at least 50% of their employees' monthly health insurance premiums.
​
  • Whether you offer health insurance to employees or not, it is absolutely critical that you make your employees aware of their obligation to seek health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. And, you have to let your employees know that they have access to guaranteed coverage in the individual market, and that they may be eligible for government subsidies if the coverage you provide them is not deemed to be affordable ​under the law.
​
  • Beginning in 2015, businesses with the equivalent of 100 or more full-time employees must provide "affordable" health insurance or pay a tax penalty.

Do I have to provide health insurance for my employees?

Under the Affordable Care Act (also known as "Obamacare"), businesses with fewer than 100 full-time-equivalent employees aren't required to provide health insurance to their employees and won't face tax penalties for not doing so. But that doesn't mean small businesses should not, or will not, provide health insurance  for employees. In fact, there are a number of good reasons why employers choose to provide health insurance today.
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First and foremost, many wise employers offer health insurance because it's better for their workforce. Health benefits allow them to recruit and retain talented employees who expect to get health insurance with a job. And, when employees have access to health care, they're more likely to take care of preventative care, which reduces illnesses, reduces absenteeism, and increases productivity.​

In addition, small business employers may receive tax credits when they provide coverage, as follows:
  • Employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees with average annual wages of less than $50,000, may be eligible for a special tax credit of up to 35% of the amount the employer contributes (at least 50%) toward employee insurance premiums.
​
  • In 2014, that tax credit increases to 50% for employers who pay at least fifty percent of their employees' monthly health insurance premiums.
​
  • Whether you offer health insurance to employees or not, it is absolutely critical that you make your employees aware of their obligation to seek health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. You also have to let your employees know that they have access to guaranteed coverage in the individual market and that they may be eligible for government subsidies if the coverage you provide them is not deemed to be affordable under the law.

  • ​Beginning in 2015, businesses with the equivalent of 100 or more full-time employees must provide "affordable" health insurance or pay a tax penalty.​
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How much do I pay for group health insurance? How much do my employees pay?

Typically, an employer covers at least 50% of the employee's monthly premium. In these cases, the employee covers the remainder of his or her own premium and then covers the full premium for any of his or her dependents. Minimum employer contribution levels may differ from state to state and from one insurance company to the next. 
​
Also, some employers opt to cover a higher percentage of the employee's monthly premium and sometimes a portion of the premium costs for an employee's dependents.​

During the application process, you'll be able to indicate how much of your employees' (and their dependents') monthly premiums you would like to cover.
​
Will my company get tax credits for group health insurance?​
  • Employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees with average annual wages of less than $50,000 may be eligible for a special tax credit of up to 35% of the amount the employer contributes (at least 50%) toward employee insurance premiums.
​
  • And, in 2014, that tax credit increases to 50% for employers who pay at least 50% of their employees' monthly health insurance premiums.
​
  • Significant tax advantages may also be available to employers who offer group health insurance coverage to their employees:
​
  • Employers can generally deduct 100% of the health insurance premiums they pay on qualifying group health plans.
​
  • Providing health insurance coverage to employees as part of a total compensation package may also result in reduced payroll taxes for employers.
​
  • Additionally, when the employer offers group health coverage, it's possible for an employee's share of the premium to be paid with pre-tax dollars, resulting in tax savings for the employee as well.
​
  • Check with your accountant or tax advisor for specific tax benefits for your business and employees.
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Trout Insurance Services

Monday-Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm & by appointment


​Visit: 29 N Main St
Weaverville, NC 28787
     
Mail: PO Box 1414     
Weaverville, NC 28787  
Ph: 828.279.4681
​
Fax: 1.888.221.4842
​

[email protected]
Trout Insurance is an Independent Insurance Agency Based in WNC. 
Privacy Notice Statement  | Privacy Policy
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“We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or call 1.800.Medicare to get information on all of your options.”
Trout Insurance is an independent authorized agency licensed to sell and promote products from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC). The content contained in this site is maintained by Trout Insurance. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®, SM Registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.”
  • Insurance
    • Home & Auto Insurance >
      • Home & Auto Intro
      • Travelers - Customer Services
      • Hartford - Customer Services
      • Nationwide Customer Service
      • National General Customer Service
    • Health Insurance >
      • ACA 2025 Checklist
      • Blue Cross Blue Shield Customer Services
      • Aetna/CVS Customer Services
    • Medicare
    • Accident & Hospital >
      • Accident Plans
      • Critical Illness
      • Long-Term Care
      • Disability Insurance
    • Pet Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Travel Medical and Trip Protection
    • Dental and Vision
    • Employee Benefits
    • Business Owners >
      • Group Health Insurance
      • Commercial Property & Liability
      • Business Overhead Expense Disability
      • Disability for Business Owners
      • Critical Illness
    • Short Term Health
  • Trout Team
    • Our Story
    • Dave Trout
    • David Hanson
    • Idelle Davids
    • Linnea Conway
    • Jan Trout
    • Steve Dillingham
  • Resources
    • Employee Success
    • Fixing the ACA "Family Glitch"
    • Medicaid Expansion
    • Client Center
    • Newsletter
    • Thank You
    • Reviews
    • Blog
    • Articles >
      • Fine Homes WNC
      • Privacy Policy
      • Insurance Partners
      • No Income Cap
      • ACA Income Verification
      • BCBS Online Setup
      • APTC Income 2023 & Tax Form 1040
      • Prior Agents
      • Lost Subsidy
  • Community
    • Built to Last
    • Candlelight Stroll
    • Music on Main
    • Goombay & YMI
    • Weaverville Primary Spring Fling
    • 50+ WNC Articles
    • Understanding Medicare 2024
    • Mural on Main Street
    • Alignment's 5-Star Switch
    • YMI Winter Coat Drive
    • Employer Networking w/ Just Economics
    • Blue Ridge Pride Festival
    • Medicare Seminar
    • Art in Autumn + MANNA
    • Western Women's Business Center Conference
    • Back to School
  • Contact Us