Group Health Insurance in California

Deductible Plans

Our California Small Business Deductible Plans offer affordable monthly premiums and include some benefits before the deductible is met. Some commonly utilized benefits such as doctor visits and prescription drugs are covered immediately once you are enrolled. Primary and specialty care visits only require a $30 copayment which is not subject to the deductible. Click on the links below to view Plan Highlights.

Deductible Plans with HSA

Kaiser Permanente health savings account coverage has become increasingly popular amongst California small business health care plans. Employees with this group healthcare coverage may open a health savings account to save money for medical expenses. They may open this HSA account at Wells Fargo or the financial institution of their choice and begin making contributions that can be deducted from their federal taxes. The health savings account and the funds contained therein are the property of the employees and remain with the employees from year to year even if they cancel their medical coverage or discontinue working for the business. California employers may contribute to these accounts as part of a rewards program or simply pay into them to give their employees added benefits.

Why choose California business health insurance instead of an individual plan?

Business owners and the self-employed choose California small group health insurance for a variety of reasons. Often, small business owners with employees offer California group health benefits in an effort to retain quality employees. Business owners realize that they attract more applicants and are more successful in retaining productive employees when they offer health insurance benefits. For individuals with pre-existing health conditions, group healthcare plans may be their only affordable healthcare option. Business plans offer California self employed health insurance and husband-wife group coverage without considering pre-existing health conditions. Mandated by state law, no medical questions are asked and no physical is required for small business health insurance. California individual plans, on the other hand, require medical underwriting which excludes many with pre-existing health conditions from coverage.

What are the eligibility requirements for group health insurance in California?

Those applying for California company health insurance must have two or more employees or owners who qualify for group coverage. Employees must work 20 hours or more and be paid on W-2's. Kaiser Permanente does not offer California employee health insurance to employees that are paid on 1099's.

As an employer or small business owner, how much should I expect to pay?

The state requires a minimum contribution amount for owners who offer California business medical insurance to their employees. The business must contribute 50% of the cost of the lowest age band for the least expensive plan being offered. If the premium for the less than 30 age band on the least expensive plan was $210, the employer would be required to pay at least $105 toward health insurance coverage for each employee. The remaining premium would be taken out of the employee's paycheck through payroll deductions.

Why choose Kaiser Permanente for California group health insurance?

As the leading HMO in the state, Kaiser Permanente offers high quality coverage at affordable prices. Business owners and employees get the most for their money when they choose Kaiser Permanente for California small business medical insurance. For the first time, in 2008 Kaiser Permanente is also offering PPO coverage which can stand alongside the HMO company healthcare plans. With Kaiser Permanente Insurance Company (KPIC) putting 80-90% of your monthly premiums toward improving your healthcare, few companies can compete with the quality of California small business health coverage offered by Kaiser Permanente.

What factors determine the cost of California group health insurance?

Your California business health insurance quotes are determined based on location, number of employees, ages of employees, and plan type. Small businesses enrolling with Kaiser Permanente receive price breaks at 6 enrolled employees and 15 enrolled employees. Businesses with 51 or more employees who wish to get California group health quotes should be aware that large businesses qualify for specialized group health insurance prices.

California employers looking to keep business costs down may wish to offer more affordable plans such as the Kaiser Permanente HMO $1500 Deductible Plan with HSA. This plan offers low cost monthly premiums and gives employers the option of making tax deductible contributions to their employees' health savings accounts. Some employers choose to give this added benefit as part of a rewards program for their employees.

Can I include rates for spouses and children in my California small business health insurance quote?

Yes. Click the "Get quotes" link above. On the next page you will be able to enter the ages of your employees and note the dependents that you wish to cover with group health insurance. California businesses are not required to offer dependent coverage, but many employers do so in order to encourage employee retention.

How much do California group health insurance rates go up every year?

The trend, due to advances in healthcare and economic factors, is for medical insurance coverage to increase 3-12% each year. Small groups that are extra healthy and businesses that use their care excessively may receive additional discounts or increases of up to 10%. Many employers use cost sharing to place some responsibility on their employees and discourage over-use of healthcare. Employers may contribute as much as they wish to their employees' premiums, but they are only required to pay 50% of the cost for the least expensive employee-only plan for the lowest age band of their small business health insurance. California groups who wish to add dental coverage are not required to contribute toward the dental premium.

Common Questions about California Group Health Insurance Plan Coverage