Health Benefits, Explained in Plain English
Clear guides on ICHRA, group plans, and the other ways to cover your team, written for small business owners in PA, NJ, and DE.
Your Options for Covering Your Team
Most small businesses choose from three paths: a traditional group health plan, an ICHRA that reimburses employees for coverage they pick themselves, or the SHOP marketplace. The right fit depends on your team size, your budget, and how much choice you want your employees to have. Start with the guide that matches your question.
What Is an ICHRA and How Does It Work?
How an ICHRA works, who it fits best, and what employers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware can expect.
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SHOP Marketplace vs. ICHRA
See how the two options compare on cost, control, and paperwork, so you can pick the one that fits your team.
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Is It Cheaper to Use a Benefits Broker?
Learn how broker pay works and what it means for what you pay for coverage.
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Managing and Reducing Employee Benefits Costs
Practical ways to shape your plan design and keep benefits costs under control.
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ICHRA vs. Group Health Insurance
Put group coverage and an ICHRA side by side on cost, plan choice, and day-to-day work, then see which way your team leans.
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What Is a MERP?
How a medical expense reimbursement plan works alongside a group health plan, what employees experience, and what to check before you set one up.
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ICHRA Pros and Cons
An honest look at what an ICHRA does well, where it asks more of you and your team, and the questions to answer before you decide.
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Do I Need a Broker for Small Business Health Insurance?
How to tell whether working with a broker makes sense for your business, what a broker does, and what you would handle on your own without one.
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What Does an Employee Benefits Broker Do?
What a benefits broker does for a small business from your first conversation through renewal, and what they leave to you.
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Health Insurance Broker in Greater Philadelphia
How a local advisor helps small businesses around Greater Philadelphia choose coverage, enroll employees, and stay supported in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
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Best Small Business Health Insurance in Pennsylvania
How to choose the right small business coverage in Pennsylvania, what is different about the state's rules and marketplace, and the options worth comparing.
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Best Small Business Health Insurance in New Jersey
How to choose the right small business coverage in New Jersey, what is different about the state's rules and marketplace, and the options worth comparing.
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Best Small Business Health Insurance in Delaware
How to choose the right small business coverage in Delaware, what is different about the state's rules and marketplace, and the options worth comparing.
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How Much Does Small Business Health Insurance Cost Per Employee?
What shapes your cost per employee, who pays what, and where to find current averages from trusted sources.
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Health Insurance Broker in Northeastern Pennsylvania
How advisors help small businesses across Northeastern Pennsylvania choose coverage by phone or in person, and what to know about the region's plans and rules.
Read moreWhich Option Fits Your Team?
A quick way to see where you might start. An advisor can walk through the details with you.
A Traditional Group Plan
You want to choose one set of plans for everyone and share the cost of premiums. A good fit when you want one shared benefit for the whole team.
Explore group health plans
An ICHRA
You want to set a monthly allowance and let each employee pick coverage that suits them. A good fit when your team is spread out or needs different things from coverage. Employees shop for individual plans, and we can help them choose.
Explore ICHRA plans
The SHOP Marketplace
You want to compare small group plans in one place. A good fit when you like the group plan model and want a marketplace to shop it.
Compare SHOP and ICHRAQuestions Small Business Owners Ask
What health insurance options can a small business offer?
Most small businesses choose between a traditional group health plan, an ICHRA that reimburses employees for coverage they pick themselves, or a small group plan through the SHOP marketplace. Offering no coverage is also an option for many employers.
What is the difference between an ICHRA and a group health plan?
With a group plan, you choose the plans and share the premium cost. With an ICHRA, you set a monthly allowance, and each employee picks an individual plan and is reimbursed tax-free.
Do I have to offer health insurance to my employees?
Under the ACA, the federal employer mandate applies to employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees. Smaller employers are not required to offer coverage under federal law. An advisor can confirm how this applies to your business.
Where do employees shop for coverage in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware?
Pennsylvania residents shop through Pennie, New Jersey residents through GetCoveredNJ, and Delaware residents through HealthCare.gov. Employees with an ICHRA can also buy a plan directly from an insurer, off the exchange.
How many employees do I need to offer a group plan?
In most cases you need at least one employee who is not an owner or the owner's spouse. Insurance carriers also set participation minimums, so the exact requirement depends on the plan.
Can I offer different benefits to different employees?
With an ICHRA, yes. You can set different allowances for employee classes such as full-time and part-time staff, as long as the rules are applied fairly. Group plans allow much less variation, so ask an advisor before setting different terms.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax advisor to determine how regulations apply to your situation.
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Not Sure Which Option Fits Your Team?
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Disclosures
We are compensated by the insurance carriers for policies you choose through us. There is no direct cost to you. Compensation may vary by carrier and product. Information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. Please consult your professional advisors about your specific situation. Tax treatment of ICHRA reimbursements can vary by employer and employee. We are licensed to advise clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Contact us to confirm availability in other states.
