Are you satisfied with your current group health policy? Whether you are or not, Senate Bill 86 is going to shake things up. As a business owner, you need to stay up to date with what new legislation will do for your bottom line. Our representatives in Washington are always working on something new.
In this case, we have some great news. Besides the new HRA changes, small business owners will benefit greatly from this new Senate bill. It’s a change in group health insurance policies affecting Association Health Plans (AHPs).
What is an AHP?
An association health plan is a health insurance option requiring a group of employers to purchase. For small businesses, options for purchasing coverage can seem expensive and limiting. Most simply do not have the capital for group health insurance that the larger corporations do. However, with AHPs, small businesses, sole proprietors, and similar employers can form an association to purchase coverage together. As a group, the businesses have more capital to work with, providing a more attractive offer for insurance companies.
What Will Senate Bill 86 Do?
Senate Bill 86 is “an act to establish standards for Association Health Plans and multiple employer welfare arrangements.” Springboarding off similar previous legislation, the bill provides an easy way to group closely-related employers and give them access to AHPs.
The bill enhances AHPs, and small businesses of at least 50 employees are eligible to join. Because of changes by the Trump administration last June, this bill reduces the stringent requirements put in place with North Carolina’s AHPs specifically. However, there are still requirements for gaining one:
- An AHP must be offered by a non-profit organization.
- The non-profit must have been in business for two years beyond selling insurance.
- 500 employees are the minimum for a qualifying non-profit.
If you meet these requirements, you are eligible for joining with other businesses in your area. Enrollment will be on a case-by-case basis. Checking with specific associations in your area is your next step should you choose to enroll.
What Does This Mean For You?
As a small business owner, you can use this legislation to acquire group health plans that before you did not have access to before. Besides access, this bill gives more security to the benefits you receive. There were rumors before of “junk” health plans or scams that preyed upon employers seeking coverage. Through this new legislation, not only does it save you money, but you also can look forward to coverage of:
- Mental health care
- Emergency care
- Hospitalization
- Maternity
- Doctor visits
- Prescription drugs
- Maternity
If you think these are good policies, consider looking into AHPs in your area. This is a great time with the new Senate legislation.
EZ.Insure will help your business succeed. Your agent will answer any questions you have, compare different plans for you, and even sign you up when you’re ready, free of charge and without having to worry about being hounded by endless calls. To get started simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or you can speak to an agent by emailing [email protected], or calling 888-615-4893. EZ.Insure makes the entire process easy, and quick.
