"Meg McComb does a great job explaining the Affordable Care Act and helping people select insurance policies."
–Tam Nguyen
President
Advance Beauty College
Small Business
What is small employer group health insurance coverage?
Small employer group health insurance coverage is a policy that is purchased by an employer with 1-99 employees and is offered to eligible employees of the company (and often to employees' family members) as a benefit of working for that company. A group health insurance plan is a key component of many employee benefits packages that employers provide for employees. The majority of Americans have group health insurance coverage through their employer or the employer of a family member. (Source: National Association of Health Underwriters)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law March 23, 2010, and impacts all insurance policies sold in America.
What benefits are available?
All small group policies (1-99 employees) must include these essential benefits:
Ambulatory Patient services
Emergency services
Hospitalization
Maternity and newborn care
Mental health and substance use disorder services
Prescription drugs
Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
Laboratory services
Preventive and wellness services; chronic disease management
Pediatric services, including dental and vision care
What plans are available?
Small group plan designs are available in four categories: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. The insurance company is responsible for the following percentages of qualifying medical expenses per plan category:
Platinum—90%
Gold—80%
Silver—70%
Bronze—60%
What must small business owners do to comply with health care reform and avoid penalties?
Small Business owners offering medical insurance must comply with federal and state mandates or face significant penalties. A qualified insurance broker provides essential guidance which may save the business owner time and thousands of dollars. Learn more about which provisions may apply to your business by contacting Meg McComb.
“If you don’t plan to succeed,
you plan to fail.”
Strategic planning and analysis of your employee benefits package is essential for today’s business success. All employee groups should proactively survey their insurance portfolio to check for compliance with stringent state and federal Health Care Reform legislation. McComb Insurance Services will conduct a comprehensive compliance audit for your group, and present an overview of Health Care Reform requirements and components.
Contact Meg McComb for help with:
Major medical, dental, vision, life, long-term care, long-term disability, AFLAC, and key-man insurance
Strategic employee benefits design and renewal management
Health Care Reform implementation
One-on-one employee advocacy and support
Compliance with federal and state regulations
Health Fairs and Educational Seminars
Overseas travel insurance
Eligibility for Health Care Tax Credits
“Pay-or-Play” Calculation
COBRA, ERISA, FLMA
FSA, HRA, and HSA Plans
Online enrollment
Plan Document Preparation and Nondiscrimination Testing
As a client of McComb Insurance Services, you will receive constant communication on state and federal insurance legislation and the evolving California marketplace. Annual renewal meetings include an in-depth analysis of all insurance policies, customized to your group’s budget considerations and benefits expectation. Meg aggressively promotes wellness programs, to maximize employee productivity and achieve maximum premium discounts.
Frequently asked questions:
What is the best way to notify my employees of all the changes taking place with health care reform?
There are many new mandates which require employee notification by you. For example, employers must supply all eligible full-time employees with Summaries of Benefits and Coverage, which describe the group medical insurance their company offers.
Employers should work with a broker who conducts Health Care Reform workshops regularly for your staff, and/or assists with written communications.