Businesses with fewer than 50 employees

We take the time to understand what it means to start and run a smaller business.

businesses-with-fewer-than-50-employees

Running a smaller business is challenging, whether you’re a 5-person tech startup or a construction outfit with a couple dozen employees. We’ve worked with many entrepreneurial businesses like yours, and we know there’s no one-size-fits all solution. No matter what you do, or who you employ, offering better health and wellness benefits can be a crucial part of your strategy to attract and retain the best employees and keep them healthy and happy.

businesses-with-fewer-than-50-employees

Top talent are looking for better benefits.

You’re competing with businesses of all sizes for the best employees to help your business grow. One thing they’re looking for is an employer who really cares about their needs at work and home.

53%of leadersin small business said they're planning employee benefits program enhancements for 2023.

SHRM (2022)

1 in 10Employeeswould take a job with less pay to have access to better benefits.

Forbes (2023)

us-department-of-health-and-human-services

Even though the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not apply to businesses with fewer than 50 full-time and full-time equivalent employees, there are many reasons that growing businesses choose to offer more benefits than required.    

Your Highstreet agent is part of a team of dedicated benefits specialists who take the time to understand your business, your team, and your business realities. We’ll work with you to find the competitive policies and packages that will keep your business going strong.

Employee Healthcare Plans
Life and Disability Coverage
Mental health support
Wellness benefits
Voluntary benefits
Additional Employee
Benefits Services

Employee Healthcare Plans

To help your team stay healthy and productive, without worrying about high costs for medical, dental, vision , and other care, including prescription drugs.   

There are several types of health and other plans available to businesses:

PPO

(preferred provider organization) plans

These plans have contracts with a network of participating medical providers, such as hospitals and doctors. Under the plan, you and your employees will pay less for services if participants use providers that belong to the plan's network.

HMO

(health maintenance organization) plans

An HMO usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. What makes it different from a PPO is that it generally won't cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. An HMO may also require participants to live or work in its service area to be eligible for coverage.

HSA

(health savings account) qualified plans

This is a type of savings account that lets participants set aside untaxed money to pay for qualified medical expenses. HSA-eligible plans may have lower monthly premiums, but deductibles can be higher.

HRA

(Health Reimbursement Arrangement)

These plans reimburse employees for approved medical and dental expenses. The employer determines a reimbursement amount up to a yearly limit.

Life and Disability Coverage

Life insurance, short- and long-term disability and dependent coverage can give your team the confidence that they and their families will be covered in a crisis.

Mental health support

With mental health support more top-of-mind than ever, you can offer your team coverage for counseling, therapy and crisis support.

Wellness benefits

Support for healthy living and proactive health, such as:

  • Wellness
    programs
  • Wellness
    information
  • Smoking
    cessation
  • Health
    monitoring
  • Fitness

Voluntary benefits

A voluntary program can enable your employees to get additional coverage that’s tailored to reflect their age, health and lifestyle choices, including:.

Traditional

  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Prescription drugs
  • Life
  • Disability
  • Accident
  • Critical illness
  • Wellness

Non-Traditional

  • Home insurance
  • Mortgage protection
  • Home security
  • Identity theft
  • Financial planning
  • Legal services
  • And more

Other

  • Childcare
  • Eldercare
  • Adoption assistance
  • Pet insurance
  • And more

Additional Employee Benefits Services

Your local Highstreet agent can also help you find and implement additional services to help you manage your employee benefits plans:

Benefits administration and technology

Administering employee benefits can be a complex and time-consuming task, especially for businesses with limited internal HR resources. A benefits administration service helps your company develop an employee benefits package that supports the needs of your workforce and meets your business goals and budget, including simplifying enrolment and minimizing risk.

Employee Benefits Compliance

The state and federal laws and regulations are in a constant state of change, so unknowingly being out of compliance could result in a fine, penalty or lawsuit. Your Hightstreet compliance staff can assist you to stay up-to-date and offer guidance and assistance to maintain compliant employee benefits plans.

Professional Employer Organization (PEO)

PEOs provide integrated, outsourced human resource services. Is it time to look into a PEO for your business or organization? Highstreet can help you find out and if needed place your HR with a trusted PEO.

Frequently asked questions about employee health and wellness plans for smaller businesses

Small business is the heart of our economy. Your Highstreet agent is here to really understand your unique business needs for protecting your employees’ health and wellness as well as your goals. There is no one-size-fits all solution, but there are options that are just right for you.

As an employer with fewer than 50 full-time and full-time-equivalent employees, under The Affordable Care Act you are not subject to the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment, even if you decide to offer health insurance to your team.  

If you provide coverage through the ACA’s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), you may qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit which can lower premium costs. Your Highstreet agent can help you determine the right plan and programs for your business needs.

If you anticipate growing your business to include 50 or more full-time and/or full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, you will need to be ready to follow the ACA’s Employer Shared Responsibility Provision. You also have new responsibilities for information reporting. You can learn more by visiting the Growing businesses with 50 or more employees section. Your Highstreet agent can also help you plan for growth.

While workers’ compensation rules can vary from state to state, if you have employees your business is probably required by law to have insurance that covers their medical bills, lost wages, and/or legal costs if they are injured at work.    

To find out more about what type of coverage your business requires, visit the Workers Compensation page on this website, or ask your Highstreet agent.

The cost of employee health benefits is usually shared by the employer and employee. The cost will depend on the type of benefits you provide, whether you are covering employees only, or including dependents, and the percentage of your employer contribution.   

Your Highstreet agent can help you find an arrangement that works for you, and which complies with any relevant state and federal requirements.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives employees who would otherwise lose their coverage the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for a limited time. COBRA covers situations such as job loss, reduction in the hours, or transition to a new job, as well as death, divorce, and other life events. 

COBRA can require that employers who offer group health plans to 20 or more employees have the option for employees to access continuation coverage. Your Highstreet agent can help you understand COBRA, and whether it applies to your situation.

A professional employer organization, or PEO, is a partner that provides payroll, benefits and HR support, including employee benefits. Your Highstreet agent can advise you on whether hiring a PEO would be best for your business and team — including placing you with the right partner. 

If you already have a PEO, your Highstreet agent can also help you evaluate if your current arrangement puts you in the best possible position.