Group Health Insurance

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.
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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.​
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  • In 2014, that tax credit increases to 50% for employers who pay at least 50% of their employees' monthly health insurance premiums.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • In 2014, that tax credit increases to 50% for employers who pay at least fifty percent of their employees' monthly health insurance premiums.
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  • 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.​
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. 
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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.
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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.
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  • And, in 2014, that tax credit increases to 50% for employers who pay at least 50% of their employees' monthly health insurance premiums.
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  • Significant tax advantages may also be available to employers who offer group health insurance coverage to their employees:
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  • Employers can generally deduct 100% of the health insurance premiums they pay on qualifying group health plans.
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  • Providing health insurance coverage to employees as part of a total compensation package may also result in reduced payroll taxes for employers.
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  • 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.
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  • Check with your accountant or tax advisor for specific tax benefits for your business and employees.