Healthcare Reform: How does it affect large groups?

The new Healthcare Reform policies will affect everyone in different ways. Large and small business owners will definitely be affected, as well as health care organizations. As a large group employer, which is an organization that have over 50 full-time employees, you may already offer an insurance option to your employees. If you don’t, you will definitely be required to as the full policy goes into effect January 2014. What does this mean?

If you do not comply with federal regulations and provide an adequate health insurance option, you will pay stiff penalties. You have to offer it to at least ninety-five percent of your employees and prove it, even if they choose to opt out of the program.  Make sure to keep proper documentation. If you don’t currently offer an adequate health insurance plan for your employees, now is the time to start looking for one. It may save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

For more information on insurance options and the law, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

 

How to Determine if you are Considered Large Group

As a business employer, there are several parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that may affect your business and your group plan. Beginning in 2014, business owners with 50 full-time workers or full-time equivalents (FTEs), are considered a large group employer. As a business owner, the act requires you to offer affordable health insurance coverage to all of your full-time workers, as well as their dependent children, or be subject to penalties.

Am I a ‘large group’ or ‘small group’ employer?
If you are a business that employs at least 50 full-time employees or 50 full-time equivalents during the prior calendar year, you are subject to the play or pay penalties and the employer-shared responsibility provisions.

There is a one-time special six-month transition rule, which applies only for 2014, which allows you to use any consecutive six -month period in 2013 rather than using the full previous twelve months to determine whether you are a large employer.

What is a full-time employee or equivalent?
A common law employee who averages at least 30 hours per week or 130 hours in a calendar month is considered a full-time employee. You must calculate your hourly worker’s service hours based on hours worked and hours of earned paid leave.

If you are a California business in the Redlands or Inland Empire, and have questions about health reform legislation, and how it will affect your large group plan, contact the experts at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

5 Steps to Get the Group Health Insurance Everyone Is Happy With

Your business has grown to the point where you can hire as many employees that you need to handle operations. You’ve developed the employee positions and hired the qualified workers. There is just one other thing you need to do: find the right employer’s health insurance plan that you can afford.

5 Steps Business Owners Can Take To Find the Right Group Health Insurance           

Finding the right health insurance and employee benefits does not have to be a long and arduous process. You can find the insurance you want and the one that your employees will be happy with by following these 5 steps.

Step #1: Research the Insurance Industry

Never purchase a product without finding out more about it. This includes health insurance. Find out about the industry and how it personally affects you as you can make smart decisions when it comes to buying group health insurance.

Step #2: Talk With Your Employees about Benefits

While you don’t have to ask your employees about health insurance, it is a good idea to get their opinion about it. Create a survey and ask them about the types of employee benefits they would like to have. In this manner, you can look for insurance that will cover their needs.

Step #3: Get Quotes

Ask your agent or broker to prepare different quotes so you can get a general idea on how much the insurance will cost.

Step #4: Compare Plans

Once you get the quotes, you can now compare the insurance plans so you are getting the most affordable prices with the best offered coverage. Now is the time to pull out the questionnaires your employees filled out so you can use their opinions to help with the decision-making.

Step #5: Commit To the Policy

Once you choose the policy, you need to commit to it without second-guessing yourself. Just move forward with your choice with the full knowledge that your employees are properly protected.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services Provides the Quotes You Need

Choosing insurance is never easy, but it can be done if you are using the right company who offers affordable insurance products. Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services offers premium group health insurance at the quotes you can afford. For more information about Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in the Redlands area, and throughout California, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services at 877-251-2447.

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