According to the Maine small business profile, 97.5 percent
of total firms were small firms as of 2004.
Women also represent roughly 35.6 percent of the self-employed in Maine.
Health Plan One can help your business find plans that best fit your needs. Enter your zip code above and select “Small
Business Group” to find a quote in your area.
Group plans for small businesses are offered to companies
who have two to 50 full time employees.
Full time employees are characterized as non-seasonal employees who work
at least 30 hours a week. At least 50
percent of the company must be insured under the group plan. In the state of Maine, underwriting is legal,
therefore it is recommended to speak with your employees on their health
insurance history to ensure the best health plan is being pursued for your
company. Medical underwriting for a
small business means that premiums are not increased on an individual basis,
based on health history, rather the group plan as a whole is charged a
flat-rate premium.
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider
Organizations (PPOs) and Point of Service Organizations (POS) are the three
most common plans that employers choose for their company.
HMOs are the most affordable option out of the three,
because it requires employees to choose in-network providers such as primary
care physicians, specialists and hospitals.
Each health insurance carrier has health care providers in which they
recommend to members. While this plan is
the most affordable option, they may not always be the most popular with employees.
PPO plans offer employees to keep their family doctors or
specialists that they are more comfortable with that happen to not be in the
network of the carrier the employer chose at a higher deductible cost.
POS plans are the most flexible for employees while also the
most costly of deductibles and premiums.
Health Savings Accounts, (HSA) are what is known as “consumer-driven”
accounts. They allow employees to take responsibility
of their health care dollars, letting them to choose to spend the money for
short-term uses (co-pays) or long-term uses such as medical care in the future,
while encouraging them to lead a more healthier lifestyle. According to a UnitedHealthcare survey and
analysis of employees who were insured by their company and had consumer-driven
health plans (Health Savings Accounts), there was a 22 percent decrease in
hospitalization and a 14 percent decrease in emergency room visits.
Providing health insurance in your company not only keeps a happy
and healthy relationship in the workplace, but also retains and maintains
highly-qualified employees as well as decreases employee-turnover. Monthly premiums for health insurance
companies are also tax-deductible, so the amount of money that is tax-credited
depends on the amount your company spends on group health insurance.
Call 877-567-5267 to speak with our trained health insurance
specialists and receive a quote.