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California Small Business Health Insurance

There is a lot more to California than entertainment, as business owners have found. Spread throughout the state--from the cool northern mountains to the warm and tropical paradise that is southern California--are small businesses striving to build a reputation. However, there are many obstacles in the way. With fierce competition between thousands of companies, small business owners are beginning to realize that their survival depends on keeping a good workforce. What employees demand now are comprehensive benefits, including health insurance. 56.2% of small business owners did not offer health insurance in 2003. That leaves quite a few companies lagging behind. Considering that consumers in California spent more than $125,000 million for health care in the same year, companies that cannot help their employees with medical costs can no longer compete.

Fortunately, the lawmakers in California have pitched in to help the cause. By sponsoring a health insurance pool for small businesses (those with 3-50 employees), the Health Insurance Plan of California guarantees coverage to employees in one of over twenty health plans offered through HMOs or insurance companies. In addition, insurance carriers are working hard to provide the small business owner access to group plans that are affordable and comprehensive, in accordance with the state's insurance regulations.

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Featured California Small Business Health Insurance Providers

Small Group coverage is available from the following Featured Providers:

• Aetna
  
  
• Blue Cross of California
  
  
• Blue Shield of California
  
  
• Health Net of California
  
  
• Kaiser Permanente of California
  
  
• PacifiCare of California

In addition, if you are looking for information on Individual or Family Plans in California, products are available from the following:

• Aetna
  
  
• Blue Cross of California
  
  
• Blue Shield of California
  
  
• Health Net of California
  
  
• Kaiser Permanente of California
  
  
• PacifiCare of California
  
  
• Time Insurance Company

California’s Small Business Health Insurance Regulations

• Insurance companies must offer health insurance to all eligible employees without regards to health or pre-existing condition. Although insurance companies can require a six-month waiting period for pre-existing condition, this period can be reduced or eliminated by an employee's enrollment in a prior group insurance plan (if the gap of coverage is less than 180 days).
  
  
• Insurance plans carried by small businesses must be renewed regardless of the health status of one of the group members. Only fraud or failure to pay premiums can cancel a small group policy. Rate increases due to the demographic characteristics of the group are limited.
  
  
• Employers must contribute a minimum of 50% of the premium costs to an employee-priced plan.
  
  
• Employers have the option of setting up an HSA for their employees, in which an agreement is made with the insurance carrier or bank as to the expected employer contribution.


• Self-employed business owners can join a group policy if they are Independent Contractors. In addition, they are eligible to begin an HSA or purchase an individual insurance plan.

Request a free online quote for more information on Small Business solutions in California >>