Affordable Group Health Insurance For Small Business Owners

By Todd Taylor  |  Last updated: May 5, 2026

Group health insurance for small business plans, even small ones, can be very affordable for employees to pay into. Costs for employees can start around $270 per month, or $3240 per year, which is more than three times less than the cost the average American pays into their healthcare annually.

Small Plans vs. Large Plans

The package you choose from the private insurance company will dictate your rates, premiums, and health care coverage. Sometimes, people assume that their healthcare coverage will diminish by choosing a small crew medical coverage.

However, this is not automatically the case. While healthcare protection packages offered by private insurance providers, or on the state and federal exchanges, are not very customizable, plans from independent insurance agencies like Taylor Benefits are.

 

With an independent agency, you can receive the health care coverage you need at an attractive price. Health insurance companies need to offer healthcare policies at affordable monthly premiums in order to remain in medical insurance business. These medical coverage providers are in competition with each other, while independent agencies are not.

With an independent agency, you can shop health insurance that covers preexisting conditions and save money by avoiding high insurance premium costs as much as possible. It provides essential health benefits like dental plans coverage, out of network care, family coverage for equivalent employees, etc.

The size of the health packages does not matter as much as the agency offering the plan.

shop marketplace

How Much Does Group Health Insurance for Small Business Cost?

Insurance is a numbers game, no matter which type of health package you choose from the insurance company. Fortunately for those interested in a group health insurance for small business plan which is cost-saving in their zip code, premiums are showing a downward trend in the last few years. This is due to Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed by the president Barack Obama in 2010.

According to 2018 research, the average premium per person fell (lower costs) to $409 in 2018 for small business medical coverage plans. This is a drop from $416 in 2017; while it might not sound like a huge improvement, it speaks to health trends that small businesses can certainly get behind.

Single coverage funding options

It’s worth noting that the group health coverage premiums have risen by about 5% since 2015, but this is to be expected when accounting for inflation.

Group medical insurance for small business is still likely to cost both employer and employee a couple hundred dollars in health protection premiums (assuming that the cost is being shared), but this is a significant improvement over some of the alternatives, both in terms of premiums and deductibles.

Moreover, the deductible for small group insurance averages about $3,000, which is much lower than that for individual health plans.

Health Insurance For Companies

 

What Are My Different Options?

When it comes to group health care plans for small business, there are essentially five different options that can be explored by small business owners, including the SHOP Small Business Health Options Program..

First Option

The first and most traditional option is a simple crew medical coverage option for small employers. This option is appealing to those who don’t want to wade through the confusing world of business medical coverage, as it’s doubtlessly the easiest choice.

Employers pay a fixed health plan premium, part of which may be paid by full-time employees and their unique needs for medical plans, and in return offer health benefits to their workforce and possibly their staff members’ dependents. It’s a straightforward option for a small business owner, but premiums to provide health insurance can be quite high for small businesses.

Complete Group Health Coverage
Second Option

A newer option for small group health insurance gaining popularity is something called the qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA). Though it’s a mouthful, the right plan concept is relatively simple thanks to the legislation passed in 2016.

Basically, employers can offer a certain amount of money (of their choosing) in benefits to employees’ health each month. Covered staff members can purchase healthcare policy premiums, pay toward deductibles, and fill prescriptions within this amount and provide receipts to receive reimbursement. This option is wholly customizable to each worker but adds some extra administrative services burden all the way around.

Compare prices and get your shop plan
Third Option 

Similarly, another option is to invest in something called a team coverage health reimbursement arrangement. This means that an employer would offer group medical coverage, but they would also offer a certain monthly allowance to go toward copays, deductibles, and the like.

As with any reimbursement program, employees would need to submit proof of their expenditures, and there are stipulations for what is eligible for reimbursement.

Group Health Benefits Plans

 

Fourth Option 

The riskiest option for group health insurance for small business is for a business to provide self funded plans (or level funded plans, deductible health plans). This means that rather than paying premiums each month, workers submit their medical bills/prescription drugs and employers reimburse them directly.

This healthcare option is an obvious gamble for small businesses sole proprietor, and although it sometimes plays to employers’ favors, it also has the potential to put them out of business.

Fifth Option

Finally, associate health plans (AHPs) are a somewhat precarious option in which small businesses can invest. They are precarious due to the fact that a judge ruled against allowing them in 2019, though this is likely to be appealed. Basically, AHPs are when a number of smaller businesses within an industry or region band together to purchase larger group healthcare policy from the insurance company.

Defining The Size

Some small business owners are under the misconception that there is a certain threshold in terms of employee access funding options numbers that they must meet in order to be eligible for small crew healthcare policy. While this isn’t strictly untrue, the threshold is incredibly low: at least one employee.

There is, however, a stricter upper limit by which employers must abide. The maximum number of staff members that can still be considered a small team for Medicaid services maxes out at 50. This means that businesses with more than 50 workers must explore large crew health solutions by the insurance companies and check their eligibility for such plans.

Employee wellness programs

Criteria and Eligibility

It’s important to note that in order to be eligible for small group coverage options, the one employee that is required must meet a number of criteria.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not require small businesses to offer healthcare policy to their workers. However, there are some states that have their own medical coverage requirements for small businesses.

  • California: California requires all businesses with 50 or more workers to offer medical coverage or pay a penalty.
  • New Jersey: New Jersey requires all businesses with 10 or more workers to offer health insurance or pay a penalty.
  • Hawaii: Hawaii requires all businesses with 5 or more employees to offer medical benefits or pay a penalty.
  • Massachusetts: Massachusetts requires all businesses with 11 or more crew members to offer healthcare policy or pay a penalty.
  • Vermont: Vermont requires all businesses with 50 or more employees to offer medical coverage or pay a penalty.

If you’re a small business owner operating in a state with its own healthcare policy requirements, it’s essential to understand the small business health insurance requirements across states and consult your state’s department of insurance for detailed guidance..

Even if your state does not have its own medical coverage requirements, you may still want to consider offering health insurance to your employees. There are many benefits to offering medical coverage, including:

  • Attracting and retaining top talent
  • Improving employee morale and productivity
  • Reducing the financial burden of healthcare costs on your workers
  • Protecting your business from liability

If you are considering offering health insurance to your workers, there are a few things you need to do:

  1. Estimate the cost of medical benefits for your workers.
  2. Choose a medical coverage plan that meets your crews’ needs.
  3. Communicate the health insurance plan to your employees.
Get tax credit on group health insurance

Is Group Health Plan Cheaper Than Individual Health Insurance Plans?

Cost is always a huge factor when employers are considering different medical benefits plans, but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to comparing medical coverage for small team and individual health package.

If you only look at the premiums for each type of insurance, there’s not that much of a difference. On average, a small group plan’s premium will work out to an average of $409 per person by the insurance company; an individual plan premium is an average of $440 by the insurance company.

Looking a little closer, you’ll notice that the deductible for small business coverage is more than $1,000 less than that for individual coverage, but there’s even more to unpack than that.

Employee Group Health Insurance

Which one is Better?

Because employers contribute to the cost of premiums fixed by the health insurance company, the employee premiums amount for insurance is significantly lower with a small team medical coverage plan than an individual one.

This makes a small team program an obvious choice for employers looking to offer their valuable workers a competitive benefits package at the minimum contribution.

Shop plans and medical plans

Benefits

There are many reasons that employers ought to invest in team health insurance options, but not all of them are immediately evident. Make sure you thoroughly consider all of the ways that a group plan could positively impact your business before making your decision.

First and foremost, team packages save both businesses and staff members money from payroll taxes. This is possible due to the fact that a larger risk pool translates to lower premiums from the best healthcare policy providers.

1. Affordability: One of the primary advantages of small crew medical benefits is that it often provides affordable rates compared to individual programs. The pooling of workers often allows for better negotiation of premiums.

2. Customization: Independent agencies, in particular, offer flexibility in creating health care packages tailored to the needs of the group.

3. Employee Attraction and Retention: Offering health insurance can make a business more attractive to potential workers and can help retain existing staff. Quality health benefits are often a deciding factor in job selection.

4. Tax Advantages: Both employers and workers can enjoy tax benefits. Employers can usually deduct premiums they pay on a qualifying team health program.

5. Improved Workforce Morale and Productivity: When crews know they’re covered, they’re often happier, less stressed, and more productive.

6. Risk is Spread: With more participants, the risk associated with medical coverage is spread out, which can stabilize costs and premiums.

7. Comprehensive Coverage Options: Group packages often come with the option to include various types of coverage, including dental, vision insurance, and other specialized care small business group medical insurance options, ensuring that employees have holistic health coverage.

8. Employer Contribution: Employers can contribute to premiums, further reducing the cost burden on workers.

9. Employee Wellness and Preventive Care: Many small team packages emphasize wellness programs and preventive care, which can lead to healthier crews and reduced healthcare expenses in the long run.

10. Regulatory Protections: Group health insurance plans for small business are often subject to state and federal regulations that protect both the employer and the employee, ensuring that certain standards and protections are in place.

11. Simplified Administration: Though there’s a learning curve, once set up, team programs often provide a streamlined process for administration, especially if outsourced to professional HR or benefits administrators.

12. Continuous Coverage: Even if a worker faces health challenges, they can’t be singled out for premium hikes or dropped from the package, as might happen with individual coverage.

13. Encourages a Healthier Workforce: Access to healthcare can lead to earlier diagnoses and treatments, minimizing downtime and ensuring a healthier workforce.

14. Spousal and Dependent Coverage: Workforce can often extend their coverage to include their families, ensuring that their loved ones are also protected.

15. Competitive Advantage: For small businesses, in particular, offering health insurance can give them an edge over competitors that don’t offer such benefits, especially when trying to attract top talent. 

In summary, while there are costs associated with offering a small team medical coverage plan, the myriad benefits, both tangible and intangible, can far outweigh them. It not only supports the health and wellbeing of workers but can also have positive repercussions for the business’s bottom line and overall success.

Additionally, covering more people under a single package helps drive down costs so that employers can afford to purchase better insurance from the broker. This means that collective packages are basically a no-brainer for employers.

Find the best health insurance companies

 

Costs Comparison

When comparing the costs of group medical insurance for small business, behavioral health, life insurance company, small business health plans and individual medical coverage, several factors come into play that can influence the relative costs of each. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Premium Costs: 

  1. Small Group Health Insurance: Typically, the premiums for team plans might be lower per person than individual packages because of the larger risk pool. The business often shares the cost of premiums with staff members, which can reduce the financial burden on the individual.
  2. Individual Health Insurance: Premium costs depend on individual factors, including age, health status, geographical area, and program selected. Without the pooling of a crew, some people might find individual coverage more expensive, especially if they’re older or have health issues.

2. Benefits and Coverage:

  1. Small Group Health Insurance: Collective packages usually offer comprehensive coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and sometimes other types of group insurance like life or disability. This broad coverage can provide more value.
  2. Individual Health Insurance: The coverage can vary widely based on the plan chosen. Some may offer bare-bones coverage with lower premiums, while others might be comprehensive but come with a higher cost.

3. Tax Benefits:

  1. Small Crew Health Insurance: Businesses often get tax deductions for the contributions they make to employees’ premiums. Employees can also benefit by paying their share of premiums with pre-tax dollars.
  2. Individual Health Insurance: Individuals who buy insurance on the medical benefits marketplaces may be eligible for subsidies based on their income. Additionally, if individual health insurance premiums and other medical expenses exceed a certain percentage of the individual’s adjusted gross income, they may be deductible.

4. Risk Pooling:

  1. Small Team Health Insurance: Risks are spread out over a larger number of individuals, potentially stabilizing costs.
  2. Individual Health Insurance: The costs are determined by the individual’s own risk factors, which can make it more expensive for those with pre-existing conditions (although the Affordable Care Act has put regulations in place to prevent excessive pricing based on health status).

5. Administrative Costs:

  1. Small Group Health Insurance: There might be some administrative costs related to managing the health benefits for employees, especially for very small businesses without a dedicated HR department.
  2. Individual Health Insurance: There’s no administrative cost to the individual beyond personal time spent researching and choosing a plan.

6. Cost Stability:

  1. Small Group Health Insurance: Team packages may have more stable premiums year-to-year because the risk is spread out over a larger team of people.
  2. Individual Health Insurance: Premiums might be more susceptible to significant year-to-year changes based on factors like regional healthcare costs, personal health changes, or market dynamics.

7. Contributions and Cost-sharing:

  1. Small Crew Health Insurance: Employers typically share the cost, which can significantly reduce the burden on staff members. There are also often out-of-pocket maximums in place.
  2. Individual Health Insurance: The individual shoulders the full premium cost unless they qualify for a subsidy. There might be a wider range of potential out-of-pocket costs based on the plan selected.

Why is group health insurance for small business important?

A small crew package offers a host of benefits to staff members. Because the program is offered through the employer, employees pay a portion of the premium cost generally to offset a comprehensive health coverage for each employee. Additionally, staff members are able to enjoy a higher quality protection plan than they would be able to afford on their own.

You Get Happy Workforce

All of this creates a brighter company culture and more positive work environment. When workforce feel valued and their medical expenses taken care of, the quality of their work inevitably improves. Plus, staff members are less likely to jump ship when they feel that they’re receiving a quality benefits package for the Medicaid services. Finally, tax incentives and tax-free money is another way in which businesses benefit from offering collective health protection. This only further solidifies the assertion that team health packages are a smart financial move for both businesses and their staff members. Small businesses should consult their tax advisor to avoid any tax penalty for not providing medical benefits to keep the workforce healthy when they need it.

Additional coverage for employee's dependents

Types 

The following are popular forms of healthcare policy that you may decide you want included in your plan by the insurance company. The specifics of your package and how much coverage is required, however, will depend on your employee’s health trends and goals.

  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Subsidies
  • Eligibility for tax credits
  • Non-prescription drug coverage options (like Tylenol or Aspirin)
  • Copayment
  • Family health plans and coverage options for staff members’ families
  • Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
  • Long term care

The benefits you can include in your group health program are endless.

Health reimbursement arrangements

Your Rights and Protections Under Health Care Law

The rights and protections you will receive are determined by both the federal and state government you reside under. For federal rights and protections, you can go here for more information. For your rights and protections under state law, you should go to the websites specific to your state.

The state official website to go to if you live in New York, for example, is the Department of Health’s website. There, you will find the rights and protections that apply to you.

A great many things are determined under the state law, which determine policies that pertain to your health care provider, like:

  • Health coverage
  • Health insurance options
  • Insurance policies
  • Health savings accounts
  • Tax penalties
  • Tax benefits
  • Tax savings
  • Tax credits
  • Obamacare/ACA
  • Health care reform
  • Small business health options programs (if you offer shop plans/shop coverage)
  • Small business taxes
  • Employer mandates
Tailored Group Health Insurance

Where Should I Look?

Look to an independent licensed agent like Taylor Benefits Insurance first to point you to various group health care plans for small business with quality care and a plan type that supports your small business health care priorities. Independent agencies can help you get affordable health protection that covers preexisting conditions, lowers your insurance agent healthcare costs, covers catastrophic care, and more.

A plan from an independent agency will be better than a package provided by the federal government or an established health care insurance company with digital tools that your eligible employees need.

Relevant Statistics

  • Small crew health insurance covers approximately 60% of employees in small businesses.
  • Over 80% of small team medical coverage plans offer coverage for preventive care services.
  • The average monthly premium for small business health protection is $450 per staff member.
  • Small group medical benefits typically have a deductible ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. High deductible small group health plans are available for health maintenance organization.
  • Around 70% of small businesses that offer healthcare policy contribute at least 50% towards the premium plan cost.

General Facts

  • Small group medical coverage provides coverage for businesses with a small number of employees, typically between 2 and 50.
  • It offers a range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Small team medical benefits are often more affordable compared to individual health insurance packages.
  • Employers typically contribute a portion of the premium costs, while staff members also contribute through payroll deductions.
  • Small crew health protection plans must comply with regulations set by the Affordable Care Act, ensuring essential health benefits are included in the coverage.

Who are the top providers?

The top providers for small business medical coverage are:

  • Cigna
  • Aetna
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Kaiser Permanente

These providers offer a variety of plans to fit the needs of small businesses, and they have a good reputation for customer service.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can add or remove employees during the year and maintain your group health plan, but there are a few guidelines to make sure everything stays compliant. When you hire a new full-time eligible employee, you’ll need to add them to the plan within the timeframe specified by your insurer, typically within 30 to 60 days. For employees who leave or become ineligible, you’ll remove them from the plan and update the policy accordingly.

It’s important to communicate changes promptly so premiums adjust correctly and your insurer’s eligibility records match your actual workforce. If your employee count drops significantly, your carrier may re-evaluate the group’s status or adjust pricing. Consistency in eligibility criteria also matters, your full-time employees should follow the same rules for enrollment so you don’t run into issues.

By keeping your roster up to date and working with your broker to handle additions or reductions, you ensure your small business remains covered, your employees stay protected, and your plan continues smoothly throughout the year.

No, you generally cannot offer coverage only to select employees and exclude others without a valid business reason. If you decide to provide a group health plan, you must define your eligibility criteria clearly (for example, full-time vs part-time status or a waiting period) and apply it consistently to all similarly situated employees. Treating employees differently without objective, job-related reasons can lead to compliance risks or discrimination concerns.

It’s best to work with a benefits advisor to establish fair eligibility rules, verify which employees qualify, and ensure the plan design aligns with both federal and state regulations. Keeping eligibility rules transparent and applied uniformly helps protect your business and your team.

Once you add a new full‑time employee who meets your eligibility criteria, you’ll typically need to enrol them within the timeframe set by your insurance carrier often 30 to 60 days. Make sure your eligibility rules apply to all employees in the same category and that you communicate the change promptly. Keeping your records current and working closely with your broker helps ensure the plan remains compliant and properly covers your team.

Self-funded or level-funded plans can be more financially risky for very small businesses. While they provide flexibility, under some models you reimburse actual claims rather than paying a fixed premium which means higher exposure if there are high-claim years.

Plans should be reviewed annually or whenever significant changes occur, such as hiring new employees, changes in employee demographics, or updates in federal and state regulations, to ensure the plan continues to meet both business and employee needs.

Many insurers require a minimum participation level before approving a small business group plan. Typically, about 70 to 75 percent of eligible employees must enroll, although requirements vary by insurer and state regulations.

Common options include HMO, PPO, and high-deductible plans. Each differs in cost, flexibility, and provider network size.

Written by Todd Taylor

Todd Taylor

Todd Taylor oversees most of the marketing and client administration for the agency with help of an incredible team. Todd is a seasoned benefits insurance broker with over 35 years of industry experience. As the Founder and CEO of Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency, Inc., he provides strategic consultations and high-quality support to ensure his clients’ competitive position in the market.



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