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Don’t Struggle Choosing An Insurance Plan, Let An EZ.Insure Agent Help

Insurance is a complex thing. When the time comes to pick the best plan, you want to make sure you know that you chose the one that meets your needs and budget. Doing this alone can lead to misinformation. If you choose to use an agent’s help, it is important to make sure that you have one that is honest, and has your best interests at heart. Some agents will deceive you just to make a sale, but not our agents. EZ.Insure agents want what you want, we are here to serve you.

black and white picture of two hands shaking — *With EZ, you will recieve you own personal agent who will compare plans and provide you with the best.*

Custom Service

As soon as you submit a form and reach out to us you will see a photograph of the agent we have chosen for you based on your needs, and you will have the ability to see online quotes that they offer instantly. Before you even speak to an agent you will know who they are, some of the companies they work directly with, and what some of the plan prices they offer are.

What Our Agents Provide

Gone are the days of dealing with multiple agents. EZ will provide you your own personal agent that is specialized and licensed in your area. You personal agent will:

Compare plans to find the one that fits your needs.
Help you get insurance companies to lower their prices to get your business.
Assist you through the Health Plan enrollment process.
Our agents put you first and prioritize your needs.
Offer you support in the future with any Health Care issues you might encounter.

Aside from all of these things your agent will provide, you will also receive honesty and integrity. It is all about helping you and making sure you have a positive experience, not making money off you.

No More False Information

Because our agents will compare all the available plans in your area, you will not have to worry about getting the wrong information. The agent we provide you will give you instant, accurate quotes, for free. The goal is to provide you with these quotes, and make sure you find the best plan for your exact needs and budget. No deception, or trying to get you to sign up for something you do not need just to make a profit. That is what separates us from the other companies.

Do You Qualify For The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit?

If you offer health insurance to your employees, it can be costly, but luckily there is a silver lining- the small business health care tax credit! One of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, ACA, is the Small Employer Health Care Tax Credit which allows certain businesses to save money while offering health insurance to their employees. While it is a great financial saver for businesses, not all businesses can get the tax credit. There are some qualifications that a small business must meet in order to get the health care tax credit.

a list with 3 checkmarks and a pencil next to it insude a blue circle. — *You must meet certain qualifications in order to receive a tax credit.*

The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

This credit allows small businesses to receive a tax credit for paying at least half of their employees health insurance premiums. In the beginning, the small business health care tax credit was not much, ranging only 35% of eligible health insurance premiums. But luckily, over the years it has changed. The tax credit now equates to up to 50% of employer-paid health insurance premiums.

cartoon figure sitting on top of "50%" numbers — *The tax credit now equates to up to 50% of employer-paid health insurance premiums.*

Small business owners cannot take the tax credit for insurance premiums paid on their own behalf. This includes partnerships, and sole proprietors.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the health care tax, a business must meet the following criteria:

Have fewer than 25 full-time employees.
Your average employee salary must be less than $54,000 as of the 2019 tax year.
You pay at least 50% of your full-time employees health insurance premiums, also known as a “qualifying arrangement.”

Flexible Credit

An advantage of having this kind of credit is that it is flexible. It can be carried toward the next year, or back to other tax years. So, if your business does not owe tax in a certain year, then claiming the tax credit will not do you any good. However, if you owe tax for a prior year, you can apply your credit to that. Or you can choose to keep the tax credit and save it for next year.

Claiming the Tax Credit

The health care tax credit can be calculated and claimed using the Form 8941. The form must be attached to the business’s tax return, and then after it is processed, the credit reduces any income tax the business owes.

Tax-exempt organizations should file Form 990-T. This tax credit is non-refundable, although it can be carried towards either the following or prior tax years. Also, tax-exempt organizations that have no taxable income can qualify for a refund of the credit, as long as it doesn’t exceed their Medicare tax liability and income tax withholding.

calculator and pen on top of a sheet with numbers on it. — *If your business does not qualify for the tax credit, there is still hope on saving money with tax deductions.*

Small Business Tax Deductions

If your business does not qualify for the tax credit, there is still hope on saving money. There is a deduction for employee premium payments. Some businesses may be able to get both the deductions and tax credit!

The small business health care tax can help a small business offer their employees health insurance without fearing the great costs. As long as you meet the qualifications to receive the tax credit, then you will be eligible. The fewer employees you have, for example, less than 10 full-time employees who are paid an average of $25.000 or less will get you a bigger credit. And if you do not qualify for the tax credit, at least you can get deductions!

If you are looking to provide health insurance to your employees and want to save money, EZ.Insure can help. We will find a plan that meets your needs financially. We will find the plan that gives you deductions and notify you on whether you qualify for both deductions and the tax credit. Our goal is to save you as much money, while providing you with the best plan. Call 888-350-1890, or email us at replies@ez.insure to speak directly with one of our agents, or enter your zip code in the bar above to get free instant quotes. We will never sell your information to telemarketers as others do.

Cigna Links Up With Upstart Oscar For Small Business Health Insurance

Cigna, and small startup insurance company Oscar are teaming to begin offering small business health insurance options that are fully insured. The plans will be branded as Cigna + Oscar, and both companies will share risk equally. The plans are set to begin selling in 2020.

chains connected together by one red link — *Cigna and Oscar Health link up to provide better small business health insurance plans.*

Oscar’s Start-up

New York based Oscar Health started out small in 2012, and has slowly expanded to different states. They offer individual market plans, and expanded to offering small group and Medicare Advantage plans. Just this past August, the company has expanded to 6 new states in the US, and grew to 400,000 members this year.

Unfortunately, Oscar does not provide vision or dental insurance. However, the company is hoping that partnering with Cigna will change this.

empty dentist patient room — *Small business health insurance does not generally cover dental and vision. Hopeful the merge provides these benefits.*

“Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and through this partnership, we can take a disciplined approach to offering differentiated healthcare solutions that help small businesses save money, expand network and product choice and keep employees healthy,” Julie McCarter, vice president of product solutions at Cigna, said in a statement.

How Small Businesses Can Save

Small businesses do not necessarily have to offer health insurance to their employees. It can become too expensive for the business. However, with this new merge, this will open the door to small businesses being able to afford healthcare coverage for their employees.

silhouette of a group of people with a huge red heart behind them in the background. — *“Together, we are giving small business owners an affordable, simple-to-use option.”*

“Together, we are giving small business owners an affordable, simple-to-use option that makes it easier for their employees to get appropriate care quickly and stay healthy,” Oscar Chief Policy and Strategy Officer Joel Klein said in a news release. “Cigna + Oscar will give these business owners and their employees consumer-centric health care coverage and physician networks that provide personalized care.”

The plans will include medical, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Telemedicine will also be provided at no cost 24/7. This will help employees with the ability to call and speak with a doctor. They will also get their medicine quicker than going into the doctor’s office.

Although Cigna is not one of the largest 3 insurers in the small group market, they do offer group insurance to employers with 50 or more employees. The company is hoping tha partnering up with Oscar will help the company grow more and bring in more revenue. Together, the companies can do more in smaller markets than they would have been able to do alone. Let’s hope the future is bright for small businesses, and more importantly their employees receiving health insurance!

Are Employers Required To Offer Health Insurance?

Medical costs in the U.S. are high, which is why a lot of employees look for a job that offers health insurance. Over 88% of people consider health insurance benefits when choosing a job. For companies, providing group insurance to

cartoon of a man in a suit pointing at a clipboard with magnifying glass over a certain part. — *There is no specific law that requires employers to provide health insurance coverage to their employees, but there is a penalty.*

employees costs a lot of money, so some companies opt out of providing insurance. But are they required to? Yes, and no.

Affordable Healthcare Act

There is no specific law that requires employers to provide health insurance coverage to their employees. However, in January of 2015, the Affordable Care Act, ACA, required that employers who have 50 or more full-time employees provide health insurance. If they do not, they will face a tax penalty.

According to the ACA, full-time employees are employees who work an average of 50 hours a week.

Group Insurance Penalties

If a larger company with 50 or more full-time employees does not offer health insurance, they are subject to IRS penalties.

The IRS will penalize the company if one or more of their full-time employees gets a premium tax credit for getting their own health insurance coverage from the Marketplace. The company can owe up to $2,500 for each employee.

The company must offer insurance to 95% of their employees to avoid a penalty, and it must be year round. If the business offers healthcare for some months, and not others, then they will face a portion of the annual penalty.

Small Businesses

people working inside many cubicles. — *Small businesses (less than 50 employees) do not have a penalty if they do not offer health insurance to their employees.*

Small businesses are not required to offer healthcare coverage to their employees. Since they have less than 50 full-time employees, they will not face penalties. If a small business does not offer health insurance, then a person can seek their own health insurance plan from the Marketplace or a private company.

While there is no longer a penalty for going without healthcare coverage, it is important to seek out information on different plans. There are plans within your budget that will meet your needs and lifestyle. If you need help searching and comparing all the group insurance plans around, EZ.Insure can help. We offer local specialized insurance agents that can do all the comparisons for you, and just provide you the quotes. All for free! It’s that simple. To begin, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, email replies@ez.insure, or call 888-998-2027. There is no hassle involved, and no obligation to buy, and no headaches. Just easy, fast, and free quotes!

Get The Most Accurate Local Quotes From Ez.Insure

The time has come, and you find yourself in need of a new insurance plan. A sense of anxiety sets in, and you slowly become overwhelmed with researching. When shopping for insurance, it can be hard to find a company that provides you with the best services. This includes providing you with accurate quotes on the plans you are searching for. Whether it be Medicare Supplements, health insurance plans, or commercial business plans, EZ.insure has got your covered. How?

young man frustrated with his hand in his hair looking at his laptop. — *Researching and comparing all the different companies and plans can lead to time wasted, frustration, and inaccurate information.*

Instant Quotes

Well it’s simple, we provide you with instant accurate quotes so you can compare plans for yourself, and choose which best suits your needs and budget. No more jumping from site to site trying to compare plans, we do it for you in seconds. Not savvy in computers? That’s okay! We offer a plethora of highly trained agents within your area that can provide you with all the quotes, compare the plans, and sign you up. All of these services are free!

How We Provide Accurate Quotes

Unlike other companies, we make sure we do our research and homework. Ez.Insure uses state-of-the-art technology that provides accurate live quotes. Live quotes mean that the quotes provided are the prices you would pay for the plan if you signed up today. Because the market changes, as well as personal situations, the prices of insurance changes as well.

black and white photo of a dartboard with one dart in the center and another being thrown towards the center. — *Ez.Insure uses state-of-the-art technology that provides accurate live quotes.*

As soon as you submit a form, you will see your free quotes and your agent based on your needs. Before you even speak to an agent you will know who they are, some of the companies they work directly with, and what some of the plan prices they offer are.

Avoid all of the work of trying to find an accurate quote. Searching online can leave you with inaccurate quotes, and false information. If you’re not an industry expert, scams, errors, or simple ignorance can cost you tons of money, making this process even more difficult. It’s your health, and it’s important.

EZ.Insure offers accurate quotes instantly. You will not be left in the dark. We will provide you with quotes of all the plans, without any hidden fees. Just instant, upfront information, and what the plan covers exactly. This will help you make the best decision regarding your own healthcare, and also alleviates further headaches like unexpected bills for medical expenses. Save your money and time. To get started, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a specialized agent within your area, call 888-350-1890, or email replies@ez.insure.

QSERHA vs. Group Health, Whats Best For Your Company

Small business owners know the value of covering their employees. After all, everyone gets sick at some point. If you support your team’s wellness, you make a stronger team.

You might also see the value in comparing and then choosing the best option. Two of these are either QSERHA or group health insurance, but which one has the most value for your business? For the answer to that question, we’ll need to break each one down first.

*It is important to sit down and compare all the options available to your business.*

QSERHA

This choice was unavailable until now. The ACA has now widened the usefulness of HRAs. Previously, you couldn’t set up an account unless it was tied to a policy. For more info on this, read about 2020 HRA changes here. Thankfully, this puts a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement or QSERHA on the menu.

So, what does it offer for your business?

This option skips the sometimes expensive group health insurance plans. While you’re missing out on the robust coverage insurers provide, the cost-saving benefits might be redistributed amongst your employees.

With this HRA, you must follow the requirements: employees must already have minimum health insurance, and you have to set-up your HRA properly. Afterward, you simply make contributions to the account, and later, the funds will be available to help pay for your employee’s medical expenses, tax-free.

Group Health

It comes down to which is better for your business. To help guide your decisions, see what your answers to these questions are:

Do my employees need healthcare assistance?
Is everyone on staff covered by an HRA already?
Does my budget include funds for a robust insurance option?

After answering these, you should have a better idea of which option to go for. If not, then consider the following:

	QSERHA	Group Health
Cost	You can choose how much you contribute to the account.	Premiums vary by provider but are generally more expensive.
Participation	All employees must be offered coverage, but they do not have to accept.	Generally, around 60% of your staff must be enrolled to qualify.
Coverage	Can’t be in tandem with group health. Employers can choose to reimburse medical expenses or premiums.	Primarily covers medical, dental, and vision
Eligibility	1-49 full-time employees	2-50 employees Note: some states requirements go up to 100

Hopefully, this chart helps guide your decision. No matter which you choose, remember that the health of your employees is important to your continued business. A healthy team is a happy team. However, if your budget allows, consider choosing the group health option. You’ll have an agent to help you with the tough questions plus the bonuses offered are well worth the price tag.

If you are looking to get more coverage for your company, EZ.Insure offers solutions. Your personalized agent will answer any questions you have, compare the plans available to you, and even sign you up when you are ready, free of charge. To get started simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or you can speak to an agent by emailing replies@ez.insure, or calling 888-998-2027. EZ.Insure makes the entire process simple, easy, and quick.

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