There are many things to consider when choosing a health insurance plan for your small business. You want to do right by your employees — and it can be hard to know which plan will best meet everyone’s needs and budget.

Here are some questions to consider as you compare plans or visit with your licensed health insurance agent:

• What plans do I qualify for?
• Who will be covered under this group insurance plan?
• How much can I afford to contribute to monthly premiums?
• Would you and your employees rather pay more up-front and less when sick, or vice versa?
• Will I be able to use my current doctors?
• What benefits are included?
• Are routine examinations covered?

The answer depends on what plan you choose, the number of plan participants you enroll and how much of the premiums costs you decide to cover.

Small businesses typically cover at least 50% of the premium cost for employees to make the plan affordable and attractive for their employees. Many employers decide to cover a percentage of the premiums of your employees’ dependent spouses and/or children as well.

Depending on what coverage you choose, you may qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit , which can cover up to 50% of your premium costs if you meet specific criteria.

If your organization has fewer than 50 full-time employees and your business operates in Oklahoma, you may qualify for one of CommunityCare’s small business or small group health plans.

There are several rules under both IRS and State regulations for determining who is a full-time employee and whether or not your group has 50 or fewer full-time employees. You may wish to consult with your agent/broker or tax consultant if you are not sure whether or not you have 50 or fewer employees based on these regulations.

Generally speaking, small business owners are not required to offer group health insurance coverage if their organization has fewer than 50 full-time employees. However, many small employers opt to provide coverage anyway because they believe it helps them hire and retain the best employees.

Offering health coverage is a significant decision for your business. When looking for a plan that fits the needs of your business and employees, you should carefully consider things like the cost to you and your employees, as well as the health services covered.

There may be a number of advantages to offering health insurance coverage to your employees:

• Hiring and retaining talent: Many employers believe that offering group health insurance helps them hire and retain better employees.
• Help from licensed agents: When you shop with a licensed agent, your agent can often help you manage employee enrollment and other administrative tasks.
• Possible tax credits: You may qualify for tax credits if you meet certain requirements.
• Affordable care: CommunityCare offers are wide range of affordable plans that help employers and employees save money. Our low or no-cost prescriptions and first-dollar coverage plans make healthcare affordable for all.