In a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, about three-fourths of HR professionals reported that their organizations offered wellness incentives in 2014. Of this number, about two-thirds reported that their wellness program was “somewhat effective” or “very effective” in reducing healthcare costs. So, wellness programs reduce business costs. But how do you, a small business owner, determine how
More than half of the U.S. working population is employed by a small business. However, employee turnover keeps many of these businesses from lasting for the long run. How can your firm reduce employee turnover? First, understand the direct and indirect costs of losing an employee. Exact expenses vary by industry and job position, but here are estimates from the Center
On June 5, 2017, California state senators passed SB 562, a healthcare bill that would offer free healthcare services to all California residents. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Because providing free medical care for 40-plus million people comes with a huge price tag. In this post, we’ll break down SB 562, including what it means and how
When a small business owner considers group coverage for employees, their search starts with the Big Question: How do I pay for my employees’ health insurance? The Big Answer is a bit complicated, but we’ll cover the bases in this post. To pay for employees’ health insurance, you can structure group coverage in one of two ways: through a (1)
Are you a small-business owner with fewer than 25 full-time employees? You could be eligible for a small business tax credit! This federal subsidy is targeted to businesses with low to moderate-income employees, and it offsets the cost of paying for employees’ health insurance premiums. To qualify for the small business tax credit, your firm must meet the following requirements:
On January 1, 2015, the Employer Shared Responsibility provision went into effect. As of 2017, the provision — and possible penalty for non-compliance — applies to “large” small businesses in California. In this post, we’ll discuss who falls under the shared responsibility provision (SRP) and how the penalty is calculated. Who Is Subject To The Shared Responsibility Provision? The Affordable Care Act’s employer SRP
After the 2016 election, pundits on all sides swore, “We’re out of the prediction business.” The same declaration should be made for anyone involved in healthcare policy — because while commentary abounds on the future of health insurance under President Trump, nothing has been confirmed. In March, Republicans put together a bill to “repeal and replace” Obamacare. However, until actual legislation gets
Employee retention is a crucial part of reducing company costs. And a key part of employee retention is that your business offers access to quality healthcare coverage. But you’re not a health insurance expert. You’re a small business owner with a small HR department and limited resources to navigate the health insurance industry. How do you offer comprehensive coverage and keep
Under the original provisions of the Affordable Care Act, the term “small business” applied to companies with no more than 50 employees. As of January 2016, that definition has changed. If your firm has 1 to 100 full-time equivalent employees, you are now eligible to purchase healthcare coverage through Covered California. Known as the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP),
Almost two-thirds of insured Americans receive health insurance through their employers. But plenty of Americans — specifically, Americans who work for small businesses — don’t receive health insurance through work. If you’re a small business owner with fewer than 50 full-time employees, you aren’t legally obligated to provide group coverage. Still, could employee benefits give your firm a competitive advantage? One
