Your questions, answered
We hear these a lot — here's the truth.
This is one of the most common things we hear — and it’s simply not true. There is no minimum size requirement to offer group health insurance. Whether you have 2 employees or 20, you can offer competitive health coverage. In fact, small businesses often have access to the same major carriers — UHC, BCBS, and others — as larger companies. We work with businesses of all sizes across central Illinois and find affordable options for all of them.
Cost is the #1 reason small business owners don’t offer benefits — but many are surprised by what’s available when they sit down with an independent broker. You control how much you contribute. You choose the plan. And options like level-funded plans can return money to you at the end of the year if claims are low. We shop for all major carriers on your behalf to find what fits your budget — not just the most expensive option.
If your business has fewer than 50 full-time employees, you are not legally required under the Affordable Care Act to offer health insurance. However, choosing not to offer it puts you at a real disadvantage when attracting and keeping good employees. Studies consistently show that benefits — especially health insurance — are one of the top factors employees consider when deciding whether to take or stay in a job. Not offering benefits often costs more in turnover than the benefits would have.
A fully insured plan means you pay a fixed monthly premium to the carrier, who assumes all the risk. A level-funded plan works similarly month to month, but if your employees use less healthcare than projected, you may receive a refund at year end. Level-funded plans are increasingly popular with small businesses because they offer the predictability of a fixed payment with the potential upside of lower actual costs. We’ll walk you through both options and help you decide which fits your group.
No. As the employer, you decide how much — if anything — you contribute toward dependent coverage. Many small businesses cover the employee only at a set percentage and make family coverage available for employees to purchase at their own cost. You have full control over your contribution structure, and we help you design it in a way that’s competitive but sustainable for your budget.
Voluntary benefits — like Aflac accident, cancer, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans — are supplemental coverages that employees pay for through payroll deduction, typically at little or no cost to you as the employer. They fill the gaps that health insurance doesn’t cover, like out-of-pocket costs after an accident or serious illness. Offering voluntary benefits costs you almost nothing but adds real value to your benefits package. Employees consistently rank them as highly valued.
When you go directly to one carrier, you only see what that carrier offers. An independent broker like Better Benefits Group shops all major carriers on your behalf — UHC, BCBS, The Standard, Aflac, and more — and presents your best options side by side. Our compensation comes from the carriers, so there is no cost to you for our services. You get expert guidance, unbiased recommendations, and someone in your corner at renewal time — all at no additional charge.
Absolutely. Employees who are already covered elsewhere can waive your health plan, but that doesn’t mean benefits aren’t valuable to them. Voluntary benefits like Aflac are available to all employees regardless of their health coverage, and many employees with spousal coverage still choose supplemental products. Offering a benefits package signals that you value your team — even if not everyone enrolls in every option.
Managing payroll and benefits through separate vendors creates extra work — and extra room for things to fall through the cracks. Better Benefits Group offers payroll services through Gusto, which means your benefits deductions and payroll run together, managed by one person who knows your account. You get one point of contact, fewer headaches, and more time to focus on your business instead of your back office.
No — and this is one of the biggest advantages of working with a local broker. We proactively review your plan before renewal, shop the market again if needed, and present your options clearly. You never have to start from scratch. If your current plan still makes sense, we’ll tell you. If there’s something better available, we’ll find it. You stay covered, informed, and in control — without the annual scramble.
