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Health insurance is a critical factor for small businesses to help retain and recruit employees and sustain productivity and satisfaction. UnitedHealthcare offers a range of group health insurance options designed to help your small business save money and support your employees’ health and well-being.

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Simply complete a quick form to get started with a quote for your small business. A UnitedHealthcare representative will get in touch and work with you to help find group health insurance options that best fit your business.

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To get more details on health insurance options for your small business, click on your state below. In markets where the Small Business Store is available, 1 you will be directed there. In markets where the Small Business Store is not available, you can request a quote from UnitedHealthcare.

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For companies with 51 or more employees

Find the right medical plans for your employees and your business, plus supplemental plans for dental, vision, disability and more.

Explore products and solutions for small businesses

There's not just one way we work to help small businesses like yours. By offering benefits packages designed to improve employee experience and help employers manage cost, there's a number of products and solutions that may be right for your business.

Explore a range of group health plans and network options.

Discover how integrated pharmacy benefits from OptumRx may help lower costs for you and your employees.

Enhance your employees’ specialty benefits package with vision, dental, financial protection plans and more.

See how we are guiding employees to the behavioral care they need.

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Find information to help you and your employees get the most from their health benefits.

Did you know?

UnitedHealthcare’s employer-sponsored insurance plans serve groups that fall into three categories: Small Group plans refer to employers with up to 100 employees; Key Accounts is for employers with 101 to 5,000 employees; and National Accounts serves employers with more than 5,000 employees.

Building healthier workplaces together

A small business with about 40 employees shares why working with UnitedHealthcare has enabled them to provide a health plan that delivers on what matters to their employees.

Video transcript

Instrumental music plays throughout. Three white lines curl across a blue background. Blue text centers a white screen.

ONSCREEN TEXT:          Building healthier workplaces together

Upbeat music plays to a montage of shots from employees working in warehouse, a forklift, a man outside, seed being filled into a bag, a white truck driving through plains, and a blonde-haired woman smiling.

The screen dissolves into white with the blue United U logo appearing in the center.

Inspirational music begins playing as we see an aerial view of the Albert Lea Seed Plant. The scene switches to an aerial view of a baseball field, then to the Albert Lea Seed Plant entrance. The view moves inside where Matt Helgeson speaks to a circle of employees in the warehouse.

MATT: Okay, good morning, everybody.

We've got trucks at the dock today, so it's going to be a busy Monday.

We've got trucks on the scale as well, so we'll need a couple samples pulled up.

The screen shows Matt being interviewed before a white background.

MATT: Albert Lea Seed has been in business for almost 100 years,

A blue bar slides into the bottom left of the screen, containing white text.

ONSCREEN TEXT:          Matt Helgeson Owner, Albert Lea Seed

MATT: and today our focus is distributing seed throughout the Upper Midwest and throughout the country.

A white text box with the Albert Lea Seed logo scrolls down from the top left of the screen.

ONSCREEN TEXT:          Organization Albert Lea Seed 

Location Albert Lea, MN

Industry Agriculture

Established 1923

Number of employees 40

Music continues. We see Matt checking seed and then a man pouring seed into a bag in a warehouse.

Matt: One of our key focuses is distributing an organic and non-GMO seed to farmers who are under those production methods.

We see Matt and another man examining seeds in a field.

MATT: Many of our seeds that we offer here are produced by local farmers.

Those seeds include soybeans especially, and also small grains; things like oats, wheat, barley, and rye.

We see palettes of bags of organic grain seed and barley. Scene cuts to a white truck driving on a dirt road in the fields.

MATT: Those relationships with our customers matter to us, and they matter to the farmer, and so we try to offer honest advice and seeds in which the quality we believe is truly there.

Matt gets out of truck and shakes hands with another man in a field. Matt and a man inspecting crop.

Nicole Hansen begins speaking. We see the Albert Lea Seed building sign, then Nicole speaking to employees in the warehouse, handing out open enrollment booklets. A white UnitedHealthcare U logo is at the bottom right corner of the screen

NICOLE: Good morning, everyone. I'm going to briefly talk to you guys this morning about open enrollment for 2022. I'm going to hand out some booklets for everyone.

The screen changes to Nicole Hansen interviewing before a white background. A blue bar slides into the bottom left of the screen, containing white text.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        Nicole Hansen Human Resources, Albert Lea Seed

NICOLE: A lot of people are surprised to hear that the Albert Lea Seed House even offers benefits just because we're such a small employer and we're not actually required to offer any type of health insurance.

Nicole continues speaking while we see a montage of a forklift in the warehouse.

NICOLE: We want the best for our staff and for their families. We take a lot of pride in not having high turnover rates, and that's because of how we treat our employees and how comfortable they feel with us.

The screen switches back to Nicole in front of a white background.

NICOLE: We meet with our broker every year, the controller and I do, and we're always looking at a plan that's going to impact our staff in the most positive way.

Nicole continues speaking while we see a montage of employees working with seed in the warehouse.

NICOLE: Which one is going to cover them is depending on what's going on in their life and make a positive impact on them and their families.

Matt begins speaking and we see a montage of workers in the warehouse.

Matt: The health of our employees is critically important.

The screen changes to Matt being interviewed in front of a white background.

MATT: The UnitedHealthcare plan has been very beneficial for all of our employees here.

While Matt is speaking, we now see a montage of employees at work and the white UnitedHealthcare U logo in the bottom right corner.

MATT: The incentives for employees to improve their health and have more of a preventative concept is really important.

Nicole is speaking before a white background.

NICOLE: The incentive program that's offered through UnitedHealthcare is a huge success with all of my staff here.

While she is speaking, we see Nicole and Matt walking and talking outside.

NICOLE: They love the incentive for them to get up and get moving. It gives them a great feeling, and they love the extra cash flow into their HSA. These plans that we offer through UnitedHealthcare are very important to us because happier employees are more productive employees, which are healthier employees.

The screen is changing back to Nicole speaking in front of a white background

NICOLE: And that's exactly what we strive for here at the Albert Lea Seed House.

Blue text flashes quickly on screen, centering a white background.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        There

ONSCREEN TEXT:        for

ONSCREEN TEXT:        what

ONSCREEN TEXT:        matters

A blue u-shaped logo appears against a white background, followed by text.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        UnitedHealthcare

Small black text runs along the bottom of the screen.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        © 2023 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 23-2747306

ONSCREEN TEXT:        EI232767439 11/23

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• Business Insurance
• Small Business Insurance

Best Health Insurance Companies for Small Businesses for July 2024

Blue Cross Blue Shield stands out as the best health insurance company for small businesses because of its range of coverage options. The company offers a nationwide preferred provider organization (PPO) network and extra benefits for employees, including an extensive discount program. 

Depending on your state, you may have a few options for finding health coverage for your employees, including through the Small Business Health Insurance Options Program (SHOP)—a government marketplace for small business health plans—and by purchasing a traditional group health plan from a broker or directly from an insurer. 

To choose the best health insurance companies for small businesses, we evaluated major health insurance carriers based on financial strength, customer satisfaction, coverage options, telehealth and wellness benefits, digital tools, and more. These are our top picks. 

• Best Overall: Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Best for Customer Satisfaction: Kaiser Permanente
• Best for Part-Time and Seasonal Workers: UnitedHealthcare
• Best for Self-Funded Plans: Aetna
• Our Top Picks

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Kaiser Permanente

UnitedHealthcare

• See More (1)

The Bottom Line

• Insurance Options
• Pros & Cons

Why You Should Trust Us

• Methodology

Guide to Health Insurance Companies for Small Businesses

Best overall : blue cross blue shield.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) offers flexible options to small business owners, including the option to access the nation’s leading PPO network. In many states, BCBS employee plans come packed with extra benefits, and most plans include an extensive discount program.

Nationwide availability

Health and wellness discounts

Workplace wellness programs in many states

Poor J.D. Power ranking in some regions

Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is also our pick for the best health insurance company overall, offers employers many options. Among them are plans that include access to the BlueCard PPO network, which gives employees coverage when traveling nationwide. In some states, BCBS offers fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a group of companies, so benefits and plans vary by region, but many member companies offer extra benefits. 

For example, the member company Anthem provides an employee assistance program at no extra cost to help members manage stressful events, from legal issues to the search for care. In many states, BCBS plans also come with 24/7 telehealth and access to mobile app plan management. Most members also get access to Blue365, an extensive discount program that also offers a $25 gym membership in some states. 

BCBS and Anthem companies had a combined average of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent body that judges insurance plans on the quality of their providers, as well as customer satisfaction. But customer satisfaction ratings vary by region. Check the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study to see how BCBS fared in your region. While rankings are poor in many regions, BCBS was top-ranked in Florida. 

BCBS companies also have an A or A- financial strength rating from AM Best . 

Best for Customer Satisfaction : Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente has top customer satisfaction ratings from the NCQA and J.D. Power, along with an award-winning app and a suite of virtual care options.

4.2-star average NCQA rating

Top-ranked by J.D. Power in most regions where available

Administers HRAs, HSAs, and FSAs

Robust support for chronic conditions

Only available in eight states and D.C.

Kaiser Permanente has better customer satisfaction ratings than any of the major health insurance providers we reviewed, with a 4.2-star average NCQA rating and top J.D. Power rankings in four regions. The company offers employers many options. While Kaiser is known for its health maintenance organization (HMO) plans , it also offers preferred provider organization (PPO) plans . Employees can pair some plans with a Kaiser-administered health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) , health savings account (HSA) , or flexible spending account (FSA) . Members can even submit HRA and FSA claims using their mobile phone cameras. 

Free wellness coaching is included at no cost. Members who are at risk for chronic conditions are automatically enrolled in a disease management program with comprehensive support and remote patient monitoring. And Kaiser offers several additional employee benefits, including dental, vision, acupuncture, and chiropractic. Kaiser is also our top pick for the best digital tools, with an award-winning app, 24/7 virtual care, mental health apps, and online physical therapy. 

The main drawback is that Kaiser Permanente isn’t available everywhere. The company only offers plans in eight states and the District of Columbia. Kaiser does offer a SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) plan in Georgia and Virginia.

Best for Part-Time and Seasonal Workers : UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare offers small business plans nationwide, including a unique coverage solution for contractors, part-time workers, and seasonal employees.

Offers a unique program for non-benefit-eligible workers

Offers wellness resources and incentives

A+ financial strength rating from AM Best

J.D. Power ratings vary by region

UnitedHealthcare is our top pick for small businesses with several types of employees and contractors, including part-time and seasonal workers. Its FlexWork program offers coverage for non-benefit-eligible employees nationwide. The program provides group-premium-equivalent rates for three plan types designed for different types of workers, and you can add extra benefits like $0 telehealth, dental, and vision. 

UnitedHealthcare also offers members access to Self Care (a wellness app), fitness incentives, an online weight loss program, a smoking cessation program, and more. Plus, UnitedHealthcare offers a large provider network of more than 1.3 million healthcare providers. 

UnitedHealthcare also boasts an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and a 3.5-star average NCQA rating. Though J.D. Power ratings vary by region, UnitedHealthcare was the top-scoring company in Texas and Virginia. The company also offers SHOP plans in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and D.C.

Best for Self-Funded Plans : Aetna

Aetna is one of the few health insurance companies to offer self-insured plans tailored to small businesses. We also like that it offers virtual primary care and a CVS allowance.

Offers self-funded plans for up to 25% upfront savings

Offers a variety of health expense funds

Optional robust behavioral health benefits

Members of some plans can access affordable care at MinuteClinic locations

Fully insured group plans in some states don’t include MinuteClinic benefits

Self-funded plans from Aetna offer up to 25% savings upfront, plus stop-loss insurance if your claims for a particular month go over your maximum claims amount. When you renew your plan, Aetna will refund 50% of any surplus funding to you. 

Members get access to CVS Health virtual primary care plus up to a $100 allowance for health and wellness products at CVS. The company also offers HRAs, HSAs, FSAs, and retirement reimbursement arrangements (RRAs) in most states. In addition, you have the option of adding behavioral health benefits that include virtual counseling, mental health tools, and an employee assistance program. Many plans offer MinuteClinic benefits as well, but fully insured plans in some states are excluded. 

Aetna has a 3.5-star average NCQA rating and a financial strength rating of A with AM Best. The company also came out on top in the East South Central, Northwest, and Southwest regions in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Commercial Health Plan Study, but ratings vary by region. Aetna offers SHOP plans in Maryland and D.C.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the most options for employers, with many plans providing access to the BlueCard PPO network and 24/7 telehealth, along with a variety of funding options in some states. If you’re looking for a self-funded plan, Aetna offers the best option tailored to small businesses in many states, as well as CVS benefits and optional robust behavioral health benefits. Kaiser Permanente takes the cake for customer satisfaction, with high third-party ratings and great digital tools, while UnitedHealthcare’s unique FlexWork program makes it our top pick for nontraditional employees.

Types of Health Insurance Companies for Small Businesses

You have a few options when choosing small business health insurance , according to Robert Slayton, owner of a Naperville, Illinois, employee benefits consulting firm called Robert Slayton & Associates.

Small Group Health Insurance

One option is to purchase a small group plan directly from a commercial health insurance company that serves small businesses or through a broker. “It gives the employer control over which plans to offer and [assurance] that people will remain covered while employed,” said Slayton. However, you may also need to offer COBRA or mini-COBRA plans. Mini-COBRA plans are required by some states for companies with fewer than 20 employees.

Self-Funded Plan

You may be able to save money by taking on the responsibility of paying out employee health claims yourself. This is known as a self-funded or self-insured plan, which typically relies on a commercial health insurer to administer the provider network and provide assistance with enrollment and claims processing. 

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) 

Another option is for the employer to offer a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), which is an employer-funded group plan that pays employees back for qualified health expenses up to a certain dollar amount each year. Expenses may include premiums for an employer-sponsored plan, as well as copays and coinsurance. There are several types of HRAs, including a qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA) for companies with fewer than 50 full-time employees. Another type is an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA), which lets employees use the funds to buy their own health insurance with pretax dollars. Funds can also be used for copays and deductibles. “[Employers] choose an amount to give each employee so that the employee can purchase coverage on their own,” said Slayton. “Employees who claim this reimbursement must have an underlying individual plan or Medicare.” 

The Small Business Health Insurance Options Program allows you to compare small business plans offered on the ACA Marketplace and offer one or multiple options to your employees. These plans are typically the only route to the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. However, they’re only offered on the federal marketplace in eight states and on state-run exchanges in 13 states. 

Pros & Cons of Health Insurance Companies for Small Businesses

Access to PPO networks

Wellness plans

Limited options

Pros Explained

• Access to PPO networks: Insured employees will have access to discounts and other perks that come with being part of a PPO .
• Wellness plans: Insurance programs often include programs designed to incentivize health and wellness. This sometimes includes access to tools that can help with diet, exercise, or other health-related decisions.

Cons Explained

• Limited options: Businesses with fewer employees don't always have the same number of options as larger operations with many employees.

Investopedia analyzed health insurance providers on 27 criteria. We gathered data from state and federal insurance marketplace databases and websites as well as from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, which independently rates healthcare plans. We used this data to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews to ensure our readers make the right decision for their needs. Investopedia launched in 1999 and has been helping readers find the best health insurance companies for small businesses since 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a small business.

The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy defines a small business as an independent business with fewer than 500 employees. Total number of employees is just one way to measure a business's size, however. According to the SBA, small businesses account for the vast majority of businesses in the U.S.

Do Small Businesses Have to Provide Health Insurance?

If you employ fewer than 50 people full-time, you are not required to offer health insurance to your employees. But more than half of firms that size do offer it, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. A 2022 U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey found that 88% of employees rank health insurance as the most important employer-provided benefit. If you have 50 or more employees and choose not to offer coverage that meets federal standards, you’ll be required to pay a penalty called a Shared Responsibility Payment instead.

How Much Does Small Business Health Insurance Cost?

Costs vary by location and the network and coverage you choose, but on average, small businesses contributed $7,349 per single covered employee in 2023. Experts recommend keeping your total employee benefit costs between 10% to 20% of your overall revenue.

What Is a Self-Insured Health Plan?

A self-insured health plan is a type of group health insurance in which the employer collects premiums and is responsible for paying claims when employees need care. These plans can be self-administered, or the business may work with an insurance provider to get stop-loss coverage (which puts a ceiling on your risk) and administrative support. 

There are several benefits to self-funded plans. Employers can keep surplus premiums (or receive a portion returned by the stop-loss carrier), plans can be customized to a greater degree, and certain ACA provisions that lead to high costs can be avoided. Increasingly, small businesses are opting for self-funded coverage. But self-insured plans aren’t right for every business.

Can an S Corp Pay for Health Insurance?

Yes. An S corp can provide health insurance for its employees. However, most health insurance companies require you to have at least two employees to get a group plan, so if you are an S corp owner and don’t have employees, you’ll need to get individual health insurance from the ACA Marketplace. Additionally, you can’t provide an HRA to anyone with a greater than 2% stake in your company.

Companies We Reviewed

We researched and reviewed multiple insurers to find the best options you see above on this list. These are the companies we researched to help you learn more before making a decision: Aetna, Ambetter (Sunshine Health), Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, Oscar, United Healthcare.

How We Chose the Best Health Insurance Companies for Small Businesses

We chose the best health insurance companies for small businesses by looking at our research for our list of the overall best health insurance companies and then investigating what options these insurers offer for small businesses looking to buy plans for their employees. 

To identify which health insurance companies to review for our overall winners list, we analyzed business and market insight databases, considered health insurance company market share, and researched user-generated data from Google to determine public interest and trends in health insurance companies and plans. 

We collected data from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent organization that rates healthcare plans on quality and patient satisfaction. We also gathered data from state and federal government insurance marketplace websites and databases, and directly from companies via websites, media contacts, and existing partnerships. The data collection process took place between Sept. 29 and Oct. 23, 2023.

We then developed a quantitative model that scores each health insurance provider based on 27 criteria that fall into four major categories and are crucial in evaluating the company’s offerings and benefits. We weighted the four categories as follows for this article:

• Plan Quality & Customer Satisfaction : 20%
• Plan Features : 40%
• Availability : 15%

Read our full methodology for reviewing health insurance companies.

• How Does Health Insurance Work?
• How to Choose Health Insurance
• Can I Get Health Insurance Through the Health Insurance Marketplace?
• Is Health Insurance Mandatory?
• How Much Does Health Insurance Cost?
• What Does Health Insurance Not Cover?
• Is Health Insurance Tax Deductible?
• Using Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Health Care
• Best Health Insurance for the Unemployed

J.D. Power. “ Commercial Health Plan Member Satisfaction Declines in Key Areas, J.D. Power Finds. ”

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. " MiniCobra Continuation of Coverage Benefits Guide ."

Healthcare.gov. " What's An Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)? "

Healthcare.gov. “ SHOP Marketplace Basics for Employers .”

U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy. " Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business. 2023 ."

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “ As a Small Business Owner, Am I Required to Offer Health Insurance to My Employees? ”

KFF. " 2023 Employer Health Benefits Survey (Section 6) ."

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Small Business Guide to Health Insurance (2023)

We provide an overview of insurance requirements, costs and considerations, and recommendations for the best health insurance providers for small businesses.

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electing a small business health insurance plan is one of many important decisions you’ll need to make as a small business owner.

To help you choose a health insurance plan that balances your budget and your employees’ healthcare needs, we’ve created this small business guide to health insurance.

Read on to get an overview of insurance requirements, costs and considerations, and recommendations for the best health insurance providers for small businesses.

How does small business health insurance work?

Rules can vary from state to state, but there are four basic rules of thumb when it comes to small business health insurance:

• Coverage cannot be denied based on pre-existing medical conditions. Coverage is almost always guaranteed.
• Typically, a business needs at least one employee to qualify.
• You can sign up any time of year, not just during open enrollment, with premiums usually locked for a year.
• Typically, employers will have to pay at least half of employees’ monthly premiums.

Are you required to provide health insurance?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) , you are required to provide health insurance if you have fifty or more full-time employees.  You may have to pay penalties if you don’t provide benefits to those employees who qualify. There may be additional criteria depending on where your business is based, so we highly recommend referencing your state laws and regulations.

Why should you offer small business health insurance?

Understandably, you may be worried about whether you can afford to provide health care coverage to your employees. While it will use up a portion of your business expenses, offering health insurance doesn’t need to be completely cost-prohibitive.

For instance, you can utilize health reimbursement arrangements or health savings accounts to help you and your employees afford health benefits. Whatever you choose, it’s a good idea to seek the help of a tax or financial professional who specializes in these sorts of matters to help you determine how it could affect your business financially.

Here are some of the top reasons to consider offering health insurance:

• Attract first-rate talent. A comprehensive benefits package demonstrates to job candidates that your business is competitive and prioritizes employee well-being.
• Improve employee retention. Raises aren’t the only way to keep employees. Glassdoor’s Employment Confidence Survey showed that 40% of employees value health insurance benefits more than a pay raise. Retaining employees means fewer costs associated with onboarding, training new workers, and interrupting business flow.
• Benefit from tax incentives. In most cases, you can deduct 100% of the cost of monthly premiums from federal taxes . You could also benefit from reductions in payroll tax and deductions from HSA contributions.

How much does health insurance for a small business cost?

Small business owners tend to be concerned about costs when offering group health insurance. There are plenty of health insurance options to ensure you stay within budget and increase health insurance coverage as you need to.

According to a 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation study , the average annual premium for employer-sponsored health insurance was $7,911 for single coverage, with the employer contributing $6,581 on average. 

Cost to employer

Employers should expect to pay about 50% of insurance premiums for their employees. This is a requirement to qualify for the federal small-business healthcare tax credit. It is also often required by the insurance companies themselves.

Therefore, if the annual average in 2022 for health insurance for an individual was $7,911, you would have to pay about $3,955 a year for a single employee.

Cost to employees

With the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the maximum out-of-pocket limit for 2023 is:

• $9,100 for individual coverage 
• $18,200 for family coverage 

The most budget-friendly option for group coverage is a high deductible, low premium plan. That way, your upfront out-of-pocket costs are lower. You might also look at options for low deductible, high premium plans if you or your employees carry different health needs – this will come at a higher cost.

In general, you’ll be able to choose from different tiers to see how much coverage other plans provide. Coverage options might look like this:

• Bronze Tier: 60% coverage, 40% deductible
• Silver Tier: 70% coverage, 30% deductible
• Gold Tier: 80% coverage, 20% deductible
• Platinum Tier: 90% coverage, 10% deductible

There are some insurance companies that offer the following types of tiers:

• No deductible plans: The plan provides all coverage.
• High deductible plans: With these plans, there are a significant amount of out-of-pocket expenses but with lower premiums.
• Low deductible plans: With these plans, there are some out-of-pocket expenses and higher premiums.

Don’t forget to factor in a plan’s total deductible and out-of-pocket limits. The entire plan cost will be the same as the deductible plus the monthly premium. This means that even if your premium seems low, it could end up more expensive compared to other plans once you factor in the total deductible.

It’s also essential to consider copays that your employees will need to pay. Some employees will want to set up a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). Make sure to look into where this fits into your group health insurance plans.

Factors that affect the cost of health insurance

In general, five factors will determine the cost of health insurance coverage:

• Choice of provider
• Type of plan selected
• Number of employees
• Demographics of your employees
• Qualifying tax credits

You’ll also find plans that differ by type of network. This will determine how accessible various doctors are to your employees. You’ll usually find the following options:

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). These plans are generally the most restrictive, as they require patients to choose from a list of approved doctors, do not include any out-of-network coverage, and will typically need referrals for specialists. However, HMOs tend to be the cheaper plan when compared to PPOs.
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). PPOs are generally the most flexible, as the patient can choose their own doctor and may not need approval to see specialists. They will also likely cover some out-of-network providers. However, they are usually the more expensive plan option. 
• Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO). These plans have similarities to both HMOs and PPOs. With an EPO plan, there is no out-of-network coverage, but patients typically don’t need referrals for specialists.

How to Choose the Right Health Insurance for Your Small Business

In addition to understanding the components of health insurance plans outlined above, reviewing a plan’s eligibility features will help you determine what your employees will appreciate the most.

In most cases, health insurance plans will offer the following benefits:

• Outpatient care
• Inpatient care (including in-hospital stays)
• Pediatric services
• Preventative services
• Prescription drugs
• Emergency room visits
• Treatments for chronic conditions
• Pre- and post-natal care
• Mental health and substance abuse services

Take a careful look at what different plans offer as far as deductibles and coverage costs. There may be limits or caps in place to prevent employees from accessing too much of a particular type of service. Keep in mind that some employees may have dependents they wish to add to their health insurance coverage.

When choosing a health insurance plan, consider your employees’ needs and what they may benefit from the most. You may end up paying more upfront, but retaining your best employees will lead to a significant positive impact on your business's success in the long run.

Now that you know a little more about small business health insurance, let’s look at how to shop for affordable insurance options.

How to find affordable small business health insurance

• Seek out the providers directly. Contacting the insurance companies directly is the most straightforward option, though you may need to work with a broker depending on the provider. You can typically request a quote based on your location and headcount and then compare your options.  ‍
• Use SHOP. The Small business Health Options Program (SHOP) is available for employers with 1-50 full-time employees via the ACA. This program helps small businesses provide private health insurance options to their employees without needing to shop around (no pun intended). With SHOP, companies work with a registered broker to help select a plan, determine any tax credits, and assist employees with understanding their benefits.  ‍
• Consider PEOs. Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) are great options for small businesses since they typically include large-business health insurance coverage as part of their offerings. In addition, they usually handle HR and administrative tasks like payroll. 

Best health insurance companies for small business owners

These are a few of the top health insurance companies for small businesses, as well as an overview of each:

United Healthcare 

Pros: United stands out for providing the largest network of providers. It also offers benefits options for part-time and seasonal employees, virtual therapy, and specialty healthcare, and is a leader in technology in the form of helpful in-app services.

Cons: United has been sued for wrongfully denied claims. It also does not offer a platinum plan.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Pros: BCBS stands out for its customer service ratings. It operates in all 50 states (and some international locations) and has comprehensive healthcare offerings, including workplace wellness plans.

Cons: This service comes at a cost. BCBS has higher-than-average healthcare premiums and high deductibles.

Pros: Elevance is one of the most affordable insurers in this group. It offers numerous plan types and an extensive network of healthcare providers.

Cons: Elevance is only available in 14 states. It has a high rate of coverage denials which may explain its low customer satisfaction ratings.

Pros: Aetna places a strong emphasis on preventative treatments and encourages participants to make healthy lifestyle choices. It is also known for user-friendly experiences, whether online, in-app, or over the phone, and for its affordable prices.

Cons: Aetna only operates in 16 states and has a history of wrongfully denying claims. This may also explain its higher-than-average complaint rate.

Kaiser Permanente

Pros: Kaiser Permanente is the cheapest insurer in the group providing low prices for equivalent plan options. It has a wide range of available plans and runs a system of private hospitals only available to its plan participants.

Cons: It is only available in eight states and Washington D.C., and because it is a closed group, care options may be limited. 

Pros: Humana offers participants the most flexibility to customize their plans, with add-ons like dental, vision, and hearing insurance.

Cons: Their plans are pricey compared to other insurers. 

Pros: Cigna stands out because of its live customer service, accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It also gets excellent customer reviews and has a huge network of 1.5 million providers worldwide.

Cons: It is only available in 12 states, and its monthly premiums are expensive. 

Alternatives to health insurance

You can utilize health reimbursement arrangements or offer health savings accounts (typically only available on high deductible health plans) to make benefits more affordable.

Additionally, there may be tax credits or other state services that are available to you depending on the size of your small business.

Affordable health insurance for your small business isn’t impossible to find! Carefully consider your budget and benefit options, as well as your employees’ needs, to choose the best plan. 

You may end up paying more upfront, but think of this as the cost to retain key employees.

For more information, visit healthcare.gov to learn more about small business health insurance options, costs, and eligibility. 

Novo Platform Inc. strives to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee that this content is correct, complete, or up-to-date. This page is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice nor an endorsement of any third-party products or services. All products and services are presented without warranty. Novo Platform Inc. does not provide any financial or legal advice, and you should consult your own financial, legal, or tax advisors.

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Home » Blog » Business Insurance » Best Small Business Health Insurance

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Best Small Business Health Insurance

Are you a small business owner looking to offer health insurance to your employees? Check out our picks for the top five best small business health insurance providers.

WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY

Expert Contributor

Last updated on Updated August 3, 2023

REVIEWED BY

If you’re looking for small business health insurance, you’ve come to the right place.

Knowing what to look for in small business health insurance plans can be tricky, and the options can keep overwhelming. We’re here to break down some of our favorite providers and walk you through the pros/cons of each.

Read on to learn more about our favorite small business health insurance providers.

Learn More About Our Top Picks

Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

Table of Contents [ hide ] [ show ]

Why Do You Need Small Business Health Insurance?

The 5 best small business health insurance providers, kaiser permanente: best integrated health care, bluecross blueshield: best provider network, unitedhealthcare: best additional coverage, oscar: best telehealth, aetna: best for self-insured, our methodology for choosing the best health insurance options for small business, what you should look for in a health insurance provider, which small business health insurance provider is right for your business, small business health insurance faqs.

Table of Contents

Why We Chose Kaiser Permanente For Small Business Health Insurance

Kaiser permanente pricing, kaiser permanente small business health insurance features, kaiser permanente coverage areas, why we chose bluecross blueshield for small business health insurance, bluecross blueshield pricing, bluecross blueshield small business health insurance features, bluecross blueshield coverage areas, why we chose unitedhealthcare for small business health insurance, unitedhealthcare pricing, unitedhealthcare small business health insurance features, unitedhealthcare coverage areas, why we chose oscar for small business health insurance, oscar pricing, oscar small business health insurance features, oscar coverage areas, why we chose aetna for small business health insurance, aetna pricing, aetna small business health insurance features, aetna coverage areas, how do i get health insurance for my small business, how much does health insurance cost for a small business per employee, how much does small business health insurance cost.

Small business health insurance plans are important for business owners like you for a number of reasons.

• It May Be A Legal Requirement: You may be legally required to offer health care to your employees depending on the size of your business. If your business is considered an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) with 50 or more full-time employees for more than six months out of the year, then you will need to provide your employees with health insurance as a legal requirement of the Affordable Care Act.
• Happy & Healthy Employees Are Better For Business: You can do your part to keep your employees happy and healthy, which leads to a better and more productive work environment. Worries about money and health are high on the list of what creates stress in an employee’s life, but health insurance can relieve that stress and make an employee feel valued.
• Keeps You Competitive In The Job Market: Your competitors are most likely already offering it, so staying competitive in the job market will often come down to health care benefits. The reality is that employees want health insurance and are looking for businesses that offer it. These target employees may not consider job offers that come without the benefit of health insurance.
• Helps With Taxes: You can even save on taxes by offering a health care plan depending on the size of your company and your annual income. If you have fewer than 25 employees, your average yearly income is less than $50,000, and you offer health insurance, then you may be eligible for tax credits. Even if you aren’t, the money you spend on employee health is tax deductible. Employee-paid premiums are tax-exempt. Talk to your accountant or tax professional to see if you qualify.

To learn more about small business health insurance and why you should be offering it to your employees, check out our ultimate guide to small business health insurance.

The best small business health insurance options will be affordable, have ample features for both business owners and employees, and offer unique coverage for your unique business. The best options include Kaiser Permanente, BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare, Oscar, and Aetna.

• Low co-pays for members
• Wide access to variety of programs
• Easy to get a quote
• Limited availability
• Can’t see doctors out of network
• Expensive treatment for chronic conditions

Kaiser Permanente is hands down your best option for integrated small business health insurance. With an easy-to-use quote tool that will get you the numbers you need in under 15 minutes, Kaiser is an easy option for busy small business owners.

Kaiser Permanente is a nonprofit, integrated healthcare delivery organization. These organizations are also called integrated managed care consortiums. Kaiser takes a coordinated and connected approach to care, which provides convenience and savings for its members.

By offering comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and specialty coverage in their own facilities, Kaiser is able to provide a consistent member experience across each region more easily. They also save members money by ensuring they don’t have to see providers or use pharmacies/labs that might be out-of-network. The convenience of seeing a provider, getting tests done, filling your prescriptions, and scheduling your next appointment with a different provider, all in the same building on the same day, cannot be understated.

If you value integrated care, are located in a state where Kaiser operates, and don’t want to worry about balancing multiple providers for your employees, Kaiser Permanente is the best option for you.

Pricing for Kaiser will vary based on your location, number of employees, and chosen coverage. They make it easy for you to get a quote in under 15 minutes online. You can get three different kinds of quotes:

• All available plans quote
• Select plans quote
• Detailed quote (quote given for individual employees and their situations)
• Thrive Local community partner network
• Integrated care through a personal care team
• Mobile app for medical records and communication

Kaiser’s coverage is currently limited to California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C. While they have plans to continue expanding, Kaiser is at a slight disadvantage to other insurance providers because they don’t contract with other hospitals/facilities and have to build their own.

Get Started With Kaiser Permanente

Jump back to comparison chart

• Partnered with over 1.7 million providers
• Blue365 provides discounts on products and services
• Highly rated by small businesses in most regions
• Poor customer satisfaction in some locations
• Benefits can vary greatly
• Agent must be involved in order to get a quote

BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) has one of the largest provider networks in the country. It is accepted by over 95% of physicians and 96% of hospitals. This provider is unique in that BCBS isn't one singular entity; it is comprised of 34 independent companies operating under the BCBS name.

BCBS isn't integrated healthcare in that each provider you'll see is a BCBS provider, but it will be easy to find providers that contract with BCBS and are considered "in-network."

BCBS has a specific dedication to serving small businesses. BCBS companies provide coverage for around 7.3 million small business employees.

BCBS is America’s oldest health insurance provider (making it one of the most experienced) and is committed to providing health care coverage that’s high-quality and affordable.

If you’re looking to change insurance providers or offer health insurance for the first time, BCBS is a good option to consider. Because there are so many different providers and facilities that partner with or fall under the BCBS umbrella, there’s a good chance that your employees wouldn’t have to find a new PCP or doctor’s office.

BCBS does offer better options than Kaiser Permanente to those in need of specialty care/procedures, complex care, and management of chronic conditions through their Blue Distinction Specialty Care and Total Care plans.

If you have remote employees in different states/regions, want to work with local providers, or want to take advantage of workplace wellness plans, BCBS is the best choice for you.

In order to obtain a quote from BCBS for your small business, you will have to work with an insurance agent/broker. This means you’ll be waiting longer for your quote.

• Workplace wellness plans
• Blue365 health product discount program
• Local community-based insurance companies
• Telehealth through Anthem
• Chronic/Specialty care management plans

BCBS is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and even offers some international coverage, unlike the other options on our list.

Get Started With BlueCross BlueShield

• Largest insurance provider in America
• Additional coverage beyond medical
• Offers short-term plans
• Some legal action over wrongfully denied claims
• No platinum health insurance plan

The largest insurance provider in the country (and our choice for our Merchant Maverick team), UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is a great choice for business owners looking for more than just medical coverage for their employees. UnitedHealthcare includes options for part-time and seasonal employees, as well as short-term insurance plans.

UHC understands the critical nature of small business health insurance both in retaining/recruiting employees and sustaining productivity/satisfaction. Their small business health insurance plans are designed to help you save money while still providing for your employees’ well-being. They focus on the simplest experience, affordable coverage, and quality supported care for their members.

UHC offers specific plans for businesses with 2-50 employees through their Small Business Store. You can obtain a quote, compare popular plans, and purchase your perfect plan through this store.

Their plans all offer or sometimes even include additional coverage for your employees, like dental, vision, behavioral health, disability, life, and even pet insurance!

If your business has part-time or seasonal employees, you want to provide your employees with other forms of insurance beyond medical or want to take advantage of workplace wellness programs, UHC could be the best choice for you!

Like Kaiser Permanente, UHC makes it easy for you to obtain a quote. Using their Small Business Store, you’ll be able to see what deductibles, copays, and premium amounts are most popular for businesses like yours and get a quote in under 10 minutes.

If you happen to be in a state where the Small Business Store is unavailable, UHC will still provide a quote to you; just visit its website and choose your state.

• Benefit options for part-time and seasonal employees
• In-app services
• Bundle discounts
• Vision, dental, hearing, disability and absence, pet, and life insurance benefits

UHC is available in 49 states (excluding New York) and Washington, D.C.

Get Started With UnitedHealthcare

• $0 virtual urgent care available 24/7
• Convenient and easy-to-use mobile app
• Access to Cigna’s large provider network
• Difficult to get a quote as an employer

Oscar's telehealth experience is far beyond most insurance providers. Alongside their easy-to-use and helpful technology, Oscar is partnered with Cigna, which gives their members access to Cigna's national and local providers. Oscar offers two network options, but both include the Cigna Behavioral Health Network and do not require specialist referrals.

Oscar is about more than just health insurance. They are a company that claims to be there for its members no matter the question or issue, and their 24/7 customer support backs that up.

The Oscar app allows your employees to speak to a doctor online for no cost (for most plans), refill their prescriptions, message their care team, track deductibles, and even receive rewards for meeting fitness goals. From the comfort of home and $0, members are able to talk to a provider 24/7.

Cigna + Oscar also boasts $3 prescriptions for commonly prescribed medications, a team of care guides and a nurse who can answer questions and save members money, and providers dedicated to understanding the language, race, ethnicity, and health situation of every member.

If you’re a company that values accessibility, technology, and resides in one of their limited areas of coverage, Oscar is a great choice for you and your employees.

Cigna + Oscar small business health insurance is similar to BlueCross BlueShield in that you have to work directly with one of their agents to get a personalized quote.

Through their system of $0 virtual urgent care, $0 care teams, and no referrals, Oscar’s website claims that they can save your employees $600 on average per year, according to their 2018 data.

• 24/7 customer support
• $0 virtual urgent care
• Access to Cigna’s network
• Easy-to-use mobile app

Oscar has fairly limited availability at this time. Oscar is available in Georgia, Tennessee, Connecticut, some Arizona counties, some California counties, the Philadelphia metro area, Kansas City, Chicago, and St. Louis.

Because this is a newer and unconventional insurance provider, Oscar is expected to continue to expand to larger areas in the near future.

Get Started With Oscar

• No out-of-pocket expenses for preventative care
• Members choose their own coverage options
• Saves you up to 25% on monthly coverage costs
• High NAIC customer complaint index score
• Subject to IRS reporting requirements

Aetna is our pick for the best self-insurance for small businesses. Opting for self-insurance for your company can save you up to 25% monthly, and the insurer returns a 50% surplus to your business. Aetna also boasts an Excellent financial strength rating, above-average member satisfaction, and $0 copays to visit MinuteClinic locations.

Aetna provides health insurance support specifically designed for small businesses. They offer benefits typically reserved for larger groups, like surplus sharing, lower taxes and fees, and high-cost claims protection.

As an employer, you can receive a monthly payment based on the health trends of your employees for up to 25% savings upfront. You can also access online benefits shopping, enrollment, administration, and other simple and helpful features for you and your employees.

Aetna also offers public exchange options in select states through their Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) coverage.

Health expense funds included in their consumer-directed plans benefit both employers and employees. Employers receive tax savings from salary deductions, and employees get great care that encourages smart spending.

If you value 24/7 care at little to no cost, want to offer self-insurance to your employees, and want to offer more than just medical coverage, Aetna is a good choice for you!

Like BlueCross BlueShield and Oscar, Aetna’s quoting process is not instant. You will be contacted by an agent with plan options that would work for your business once you complete the information request form.

• Self-insurance funding options
• HSA accounts
• $0 copays for MinuteClinic services
• Medicare, dental, vision, supplemental, and Medicaid plans
• Convenient mobile app

Aetna is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Keep in mind that not all covered regions have MinuteClinic locations, so that benefit might not apply to your plan.

Get Started With Aetna

We considered more than 10 different small business health insurance providers to create this list. We rated these providers based on how easy it is to get a quote, the type of plans offered, features specifically designed to benefit small businesses, member satisfaction, and overall coverage.

We specifically looked at each provider’s personalized quote process. The best companies offer fast, easy, and accurate quotes for prospective new members and tailor their process specifically for owners of small businesses.

We also weigh unincentivized reviews from actual members. That means checking review sites like the Better Business Bureau, G2, and Consumer Reports. We consider members’ experience with these insurance providers and use that to supplement our ranking factors.

We gathered information from each company’s website and representatives to create this list. The Merchant Maverick editorial team reviews information to ensure accuracy.

When deciding on a small business health insurance provider, you need to keep a few things in mind. You want to make sure that you’re getting the best balance of coverage for your employees and cost as a business owner.

The biggest things that will impact the cost of your insurance coverage are:

• Medical history
• Prescription drug coverage
• Number of doctor visits per year
• Available specialists
• Specific employee medical needs
• Plans for pregnancy, surgery, etc.

While it is illegal for you as an employer to ask your employees for health information, you need to ask yourself the following questions:  What benefits do my employees need? How much choice am I giving them? What will their out-of-pocket costs be?

Once you receive a quote from a prospective insurance provider, you will need to evaluate it based on the following criteria:

• Quality of medical care
• Member experience ratings
• Wellness Programs
• Administrative ranking

Learn more about how to understand your small business health insurance quote .

This answer is going to depend on all of the factors we’ve gone over today. Do you want excellent telehealth? Integrated care? Get a quote and compare prospective insurance providers to make sure you’re offering the best small business health insurance plans for your employees.

Want more guidance on your small business health insurance journey? Check out o ur how-to guide and learn how you can offer insurance even if you only have one employee .

To get health insurance for a small business, you’ll need to set a budget, decide on benefits, gather documents, shop around, and compare insurance quotes. Check out our how-to small business health insurance guide.

The cost of health insurance for a small business per employee is going to depend on the insurance provider, benefits, and type of plan. The average cost for small business owners as of 2021 was $547 per employee and $1,175 for family coverage per month.

The average cost for small business owners as of 2021 was $547 per employee and $1,175 for family coverage per month. Read more about how to understand your business insurance quote .

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Table of Contents

Best overall: Blue Cross Blue Shield

Best for low-cost plan options: kaiser permanente, best for transparency: unitedhealthcare, best for customer service: humana, best for health expense funds: aetna (cvs health).

As a small-business owner, the decision to offer health insurance to your employees is a personal one. If you have fewer than 50 employees, you are not required by law to offer a group health insurance plan. But you may still want to consider it as a tool to hire and retain workers and to claim tax benefits for your business.

Choosing the right group health insurance plan for your employees depends on your budget and also factors like the number of employees you have, how old they are and where they live. You can purchase insurance through the federal government’s Small Business Health Options marketplace, directly from an insurance provider or using an insurance broker.

» MORE: How much does small business health insurance cost?

Here are our picks for the top small-business group health insurance providers to consider.

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Largest provider network in the country.

Limited plan details available online; must talk to a sales representative.

Why we like it: Blue Cross Blue Shield is an association of 35 locally operated insurance companies throughout the country. Together, the association provides access to 93% of doctors and 96% of hospitals nationwide. This means finding in-network doctors should not be a problem for your employees anywhere in the country.

Blue Cross Blue Shield provides a variety of plan options for your employees, including preferred provider organizations, health maintenance organizations and high-deductible health plans, as well as group dental and vision plans. The company ranks well in J.D. Power’s 2021 Commercial Member Health Plan Study, which measures member satisfaction. Blue Cross Blue Shield wins the top spot in eight U.S. regions.

For 2019, the average rating for Blue Cross Blue Shield plans on the National Committee for Quality Assurance website was 3.5 on a scale of 1 to 5. The NCQA rates plans on factors such as clinical quality and member satisfaction.

Low-cost HMO plans.

Small-business plan comparisons available online.

Available only in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C.

Why we like it: Kaiser Permanente is only available in a handful of states but it is well-rated in those regions, according to the J.D. Power study. Its average rating on the NCQA website is also high, at 4.3. Kaiser is best known for its HMO plans, which it offers at a low cost because patients are generally required to see providers within a small network. As a small-business owner, you can easily view the details of all of Kaiser's group offerings, including pricing information, on its website.

Comparison tool for small-business plans available online.

Available in all 50 states.

Does not rank in J.D. Power’s Commercial Member Health Plan Study of top insurers.

Why we like it: UnitedHealthcare is the largest insurance company in the country by market share; it works with more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals. Its small-business plan comparison tool makes it stand out from the competition. You can enter some basic information about your business and compare plan costs and features easily on UnitedHealthcare’s website. On average, the company’s NCQA rating is 3.4.

Plan details available online.

Smaller provider network than other insurers.

Why we like it: Humana is ranked well for customer service according to the J.D. Power study. The company’s customer service was also rated the best in the health insurance category of Newsweek’s annual Best Customer Service report two years in a row, for 2019 and 2020. On average, its plans had an NCQA rating of 3.4. Humana offers five types of plans geared toward small businesses and lists the features of each on its website.

Large network of providers.

Limited plan details available online.

Why we like it: Aetna has a comprehensive set of health expense funds that you can offer employees for pre-tax savings, such as health savings accounts and flexible savings accounts, as well as health and retirement reimbursement arrangements. (Note: Aetna’s HSA option is paired only with its high-deductible health plans.) Aetna ranks high on J.D. Power’s Commercial Member Health Plan Study and has an average NCQA rating of 3.3.

On a similar note...

What Is Benefits Administration? (2024 Guide)

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 11:50am

Table of Contents

What is benefits administration, benefits of benefits administration, steps in benefits administration, benefits administration technology, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Companies that offer benefits attract and retain better and more loyal employees. This is because benefits show your employees that you care about them and their goals and well-being on top of their performance. If you have a benefits package for employees, you’ll need benefits administration to ensure that it is maintained properly and used appropriately.

Benefits administration is how a company manages and implements the employee benefits program. Benefits administration usually falls under the responsibility of the human resources (HR) department or a hired professional employer organization (PEO) company . Benefits include things, such as health insurance, retirement plans, vacation time and paid time off (PTO).

The benefits administrator will roll out benefits to employees, often during hiring periods and enrollment periods. Additionally, the benefits administrator manages these programs. For example, the benefits administrator will track vacation time accumulated and used by employees. A benefits administrator must have a good eye for details and be extremely organized, too, especially for larger companies with more than 50 employees.

United Insurance reports that 78% of employees are more likely to remain with their employers because of their benefits plan. This is a critical benefit of having an employee benefits plan. Less turnover means fewer interruptions to business operations, fewer costs of hiring, onboarding and training new people and a consistent staff for consumers.

On top of loyalty, employers are able to find better employees because they offer a benefits program. Prospective employees consider the benefits package to see if it meets their needs. In some cases, prospects will take a position with a slightly lower wage if it has a better benefits package compared to other companies.

Because health insurance is fundamental to most benefits programs, employers also benefit from healthier employees. Employees will go to the doctor more frequently and be able to better care for themselves, reducing the number of sick days taken that can disrupt operations.

Benefits administrators spend their time getting employees enrolled in benefits packages, shopping for better plans and managing the accounts. Here’s what you need to know about the steps involved in benefits administration:

• Shop for plans: Benefits administrators must look to the market for health insurance plans, retirement plans, and more to find the plans that meet employees’ needs for a cost that the company (and employees) can bear.
• Roll out the plan: New plans are usually rolled out in a comprehensive enrollment period. Benefits, such as health insurance, will also have an annual enrollment period. Rolling out the plan involves letting employees know about the benefits and sharing how to sign up with them.
• Manage the plan: Once you have a plan in place, the benefits administrator will manage it. This means that they answer questions that employees may have regarding enrollment in benefits and track things, such as PTO. Benefits administrators may use software to manage this plan. In the management of benefits, each payroll processed would make the proper deductions and credits to the appropriate benefits accounts.
• Maintain compliance tasks: Benefits administrators will help keep the company in compliance with various regulations, whether this is maintaining an appropriate health insurance plan or limiting contributions to retirement plans.

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Benefits administration software can significantly assist a benefits administrator in the daily tasks required to manage the benefits program. This is especially true if the benefits plan is for more than 25 employees. There are different ways to access software. Administrators may get solutions from major software companies, such as Oracle or SAP, or they may have platforms offered by the benefits technology companies, such as Benefitfocus or Zenefits.

The benefits software platform provides a benefits administrator with a resource that tracks each employee and where they are at with enrollment, contribution and use of benefits. Some solutions actually help to match employees with certain benefits selections by assessing their usage of benefits. This is a powerful tool to help benefits administrators help employees get the most out of their benefits packages and keep employees happy.

What are the four types of benefits?

The four major types of benefits are medical, life, disability and retirement packages.

Is it hard to be a benefits specialist?

A benefits specialist is a person who handles compensation benefits packages, such as health and retirement accounts. Though paying attention to details is essential, this is not considered a difficult position.

What are the top three most sought-after employee benefits?

The top three employee benefits are healthcare, PTO and a retirement savings plan.

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Writers and actors scramble to keep their health insurance in a post-strike hollywood.

After the 2023 work stoppages and amid a larger industry contraction, creatives face difficulties meeting minimums to keep their union plans: "It doesn't feel good to have to say to your agents, ‘Hey, can you get me a guest-starring gig on whatever happens to have somebody my age because I'm going to lose my health insurance?'"

By Katie Kilkenny

Katie Kilkenny

Labor & Media Reporter

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In April, actor Miki Yamashita says she received a health diagnosis that requires surgery to remove non-cancerous tumors. That’s when the performer, who has appeared on Cobra Kai and voiced a character on The Lion Guard , began the race to attempt to qualify for her union’s health insurance plan by June 30. If she earned enough on eligible projects or worked a sufficient number of days by that time, she could be covered by the plan at the end of the year, when she says she needs to undergo the medical procedure.

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More than half a year after Hollywood’s historic double strike officially concluded, other writers and actors are finding themselves in a similar position. SAG-AFTRA performers generally must make at least $27,000 in covered earnings or work at least 104 days over the course of 12 months to qualify for health insurance coverage starting in 2024. (As of 2023, before SAG-AFTRA’s strike, only around 25,000 union members out of about 160,000 met these requirements.) Writers Guild of America members, meanwhile, are required to make $43,862 in covered earnings over four quarters in order to qualify for the Writers Guild-Industry Health Fund; starting July 1, they must make $45,397.

These extensions have provided additional time but haven’t been a cure-all for some members, as the Writers Guild of America West acknowledged in a statement that laid the blame at Hollywood management’s door. “Studio decisions over the past few years have disrupted industry employment: they have cut the number of projects developed and produced, and forced two strikes. The Guild cares deeply about writers who are losing coverage and will continue to fight for quality health care for writers and work with organizations like the Entertainment Community Fund to ensure access when Guild coverage lapses,” the Guild stated.

In the meantime, creatives of all levels are scrambling to meet the requirements. Tracker and Waffles + Mochi writer David Radcliff is $5,000 away from re-qualifying for the Writers Guild-Industry Health Fund. After receiving a coverage extension, he needs to make up his earnings shortfall by Sept. 30. Radcliff, who has cerebral palsy, says, “For someone who uses a wheelchair and uses crutches and has as a lifelong condition, having insurance, especially strong insurance like what the Writers Guild offers, there is a sense of security and stability in that.” He says he tries not to be “overly optimistic or overly pessimistic” as he thinks ahead as to whether he might re-qualify this fall.

Sadler says he is trying to meet his earnings threshold by Sept. 30 without spending long periods away from his wife, who is also on the plan. “It’s a terrible situation under the best of circumstances, but it’s being made worse by the fact that I genuinely feel like I’m under the gun to come up with some job that fulfills this requirement,” he says. “This is not a time to be without health insurance.” At the moment, Sadler says he is planning to take a quick job in Los Angeles that would normally go to a local hire and pay his own way to travel and stay there.

SAG-AFTRA member Chelsea Schwartz ( Rebel Moon parts one and two) has been in the union for nearly a decade and on its health plan for most of that time, performing stand-in and background work. She lost her SAG-AFTRA insurance at the beginning of 2024, which she says happened because of work dropping off during the actors and writers strikes. Now, she’s trying to work 65 more days by Sept. 30. That’s been tough amid the ongoing Hollywood contraction: “This is the slowest that I have ever witnessed my industry to be. I probably submit to at least a hundred postings a week, [and] I think I’m averaging four days on set per month.”

The situation hasn’t gone unnoticed by casting directors, who in some cases are working to assist actors in reaching their qualification thresholds. Casting director Tineka Becker ( The Mysterious Benedict Society, Heist ) says that the casting community has a few private Facebook groups where “in the last four years, [there has been] a very obvious and concerted effort to both share information about actors in jeopardy of losing health insurance and to actually try to help the problem by trying to find them roles.”

Actors and writers are also disclosing their qualification challenges on social media. Yamashita posted a video on May 10 that asked for help finding work; that video was shared and liked by thousands on the platform X alone. Since then, she’s been “working pretty steadily,” she says. “I’ve been incredibly humbled and blessed by the outpouring of goodwill.”

Writer Carlos Cisco ( Star Trek: Discovery, East Los High ) is another worker who disclosed his health insurance situation on X — in his case, he is set to lose his coverage after June 30. He says that his “ship has sailed” now on re-qualifying for the health insurance plan before it expires, and he has applied for Medi-Cal.

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As homeowner's insurance prices climb, more Americans ask: Is it worth it?

• The number of American homeowners without insurance has jumped to 12% from 5% in 2019.
• The spike in uninsured homes is being driven by a dramatic rise in the cost of coverage.
• Higher premiums are putting a strain on households already struggling to afford life’s staples.

It was 2019 when Anjali Tierra decided that homeowners insurance wasn't worth the price.

The retired high school teacher, 58, took out a policy in late 2018 after purchasing a three-bedroom home nestled in the Tehachapi Mountains of southern California. She considered the insurance affordable at less than $100 a month, and the coverage brought her peace of mind while living in a “very high” fire hazard severity zone.

But the following year, when Tierra’s insurance provider sent her a renewal notice, she learned her monthly payment had jumped to $350 – more than what she was comfortable paying with the $3,500 she gets each month from her pension. She dropped the insurance policy, assuming she would find affordable coverage somewhere else.

Her search turned up empty. She's been without homeowners insurance ever since.

"Every year, usually in the springtime, I will start to do the research again," she said. "I will just randomly choose an insurance company to see if they'll cover me. And since 2019, I've been rejected by every single insurance company, large and small."

Tierra is among a growing number of American homeowners who are “going bare,” or living without homeowners insurance. A recent study from the Insurance Information Institute found 12% of Americans no longer have home insurance, up from 5% in 2019. 

It’s the highest level of uninsured homeowners the industry-funded research group has seen, and follows a dramatic spike in the cost of coverage .

“It is a very concerning trend as catastrophe losses continue to escalate,” said Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute. “It is not feasible for most Americans to pay out of pocket for a significant loss to their property.”  

What are the risks of not having home insurance?

Dropping insurance isn’t an option for most U.S. homeowners. 

Mortgage lenders typically require proof of homeowners insurance – which covers select damages to the house, its contents and other structures on a property. Homeowners who fail to secure coverage can find their lender charging them for “force-placed insurance,” which can be twice as expensive as other insurance policies and protects the lender rather than the homeowner.

But for the roughly 40% of Americans who own their home outright, homeowners insurance may be viewed as a discretionary purchase ‒ even if industry experts say forgoing insurance often isn't worth the risk.

 "You're gambling on whether your property is going to sustain a loss," said Tim Zawacki, principal research analyst for insurance at S&P Global Market Intelligence. "And when you look at things like some of these hurricane forecasts that are out there, and data regarding the frequency of severe convective storms, that's a risky bet."

That hasn't stopped some homeowners from opting to “self insure,” or set aside money to save up for out-of-pocket losses that would have gone toward a premium. Others, like Tierra, focus on mitigation efforts to prepare their homes for potential disasters.

Tierra keeps the area near her home clear of any brush and trees and has installed ember-proof vents on her roof. Still, every fire season without insurance puts her on edge.

“This is my nest egg,” she said. “I do everything I can do possibly to protect my pets and to protect my emotional welfare, but it has been emotionally draining.”

The stress levels households are experiencing around the insurance crisis is “unprecedented,” according to California consumer insurance advocate Amy Bach.

“The majority of homeowners’ net worth is tied up in their homes. You can lose most of your net worth in one severe weather event if you don’t have insurance,” she said. 

Bach co-founded the consumer advocacy group United Policyholders three decades ago to counter the wealthy and powerful insurance industry. She says she knows people are getting priced out of homeowner’s insurance from her work on the ground in California.

“The premiums people are getting quoted are insane, $12,000, $18,000, $40,000. They can’t get their minds around it or their wallets,” she said.  

Why has homeowners insurance gone up so much?

Insurance companies sought to raise homeowners' premiums by more than 11% last year , according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. 

Analysts say insurance companies are trying to keep up with years of big losses as inflation and supply chain disruptions pushed up the costs to fix damaged homes. The Insurance Information Institute reports that insurers paid on average $1.10 for every $1 in premium they collected last year. 

Is homeowners' insurance required? Why more than 6 million Americans don't have it

Then there’s climate change, which is intensifying extreme weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported 28 billion-dollar disaster events last year, a new record in the inflation-adjusted data going back to 1980.

“You have all these factors combining to result in people paying a lot more for the same amount of coverage,” said Zawacki of S&P Global Market Intelligence.

He expects another double-digit rate of growth this year.

Former Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Craig Fugate said for some mortgage-free homeowners, dropping insurance may not be a bad decision if they have large enough cash reserves. But people tend to underestimate their exposure and the cost to repair.

"It's a risky decision," he said.

Why are Americans losing home insurance?

The higher premiums are putting a strain on households already struggling to afford price increases on life’s staples, from groceries to health care to automobiles , particularly lower-income households that have depleted pandemic-era savings and are running up credit card debit and falling behind on payments. 

At the greatest risk are low-income homeowners and homeowners of color who disproportionately go without homeowners insurance, research shows.

The Consumer Federation of America found homeowners who make less than $50,000 a year are twice as likely as the general population to go uninsured. The consumer advocacy group also found that 22% of Native American, 14% of Hispanic and 11% of Black homeowners have no homeowners insurance, leaving them more at risk than white homeowners.

Age is another significant factor. Older Hispanic and Black households are at higher risk of being uninsured. Older homeowners in general are more likely to leave their homes unprotected than younger ones.

“For many families around the country, their house is not only their home, but also their most valuable financial asset,” said Sharon Cornelissen, director of housing at the Consumer Federation of America. “One major storm or fire can turn an uninsured homeowner into an unhoused family or leave them to live in the wreckage of a damaged, unsafe home.” 

That’s what happened to James Mercadal.

The 54-year-old inherited his two-bedroom house in New Orleans after his parents died in 2004. Mercadal had lived in the 7th Ward home his entire life, but was forced to temporarily move out after Hurricane Ida hit the city in 2021. 

Mercadal said the damage was extensive. The roof, drywall and various furniture needed to be fixed or replaced, the floors had been flooded, and the home was growing mold. In all, he said roughly $38,000 worth of work was needed.

But as a person who is blind and living on a fixed income, Mercadal couldn’t afford the monthly insurance – let alone the repairs. 

“I’m interested in getting the insurance (now),” he said. “But with my income being at $900 a month, I don’t think I will be able to afford it.”

Mercadal has received assistance from the disaster relief organization SBP . Now, after a short stint in Houston after the hurricane, he’s back in his home.

In what states is it hard to get homeowners insurance?

Cornelissen of the Consumer Federation of America said this is a nationwide crisis in the making. Higher-risk areas may face higher costs first, but the rest of the country won’t be far behind. 

Yes, coastal disasters hurricanes and wildfires are affecting a growing number of people on the coasts. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that more than 46 million homes valued at $1.3 trillion are at risk for wildfires, and the top 10 growth states in the 2020 U.S. Census were all hurricane-prone. Some insurance providers are even beginning to pull out of states like California and Florida .

But landlocked states are getting hit harder too, with thunderstorms resulting in an estimated $64 billion worth of economic losses last year – nearly double the losses in 2022, according to reinsurer Munich Reinsurance America . 

“This is not an issue restricted to coastal states such as California and Florida,” Cornelissen said.  

Still, people underestimate the likelihood that severe weather will affect them, according to Insurance Information Institute research.  

A third of homeowners reported that they have been impacted by weather in the past five years, a 2023 survey found . Among the survey population of all homeowners, 59% believe their residence will be impacted by weather risks in the next 10 years, but 25% believe that they will never be impacted by weather risks and another 42% believe they will not be impacted in the next five years.

'I have nowhere to go'

Michelle Gradnigo is a homeowner in the fire-scarred foothill town of Paradise north of Sacramento. In 2018, the Camp Fire − the deadliest wildfire in California history − destroyed more than 90% of the homes there.

Her annual tab for homeowner’s insurance was already high – $3,531 a year – but she budgeted for it. Then in January she got her renewal in the mail. Her premium jumped 500% to $19,310. Her monthly mortgage payment doubled overnight to $8,000.

In a panic, she contacted her broker. She was told if she increased her deductible, lowered the estimated cost to rebuild and bundled her car insurance, her premium would drop by several thousand dollars. That wasn’t enough. She had to pull money out of her retirement account and take on credit card debt for a couple of months just to make the higher payments. 

More money for less coverage seemed predatory to Gradnigo. Nothing had changed in the wildfire threat level to her home, she says. Most of the trees are long gone. Her home has sprinklers inside and a fire hydrant outside. She says she turned to the state insurance commissioner and to her local representative. No one would help her. 

A health care administrator and retired lieutenant colonel in the Army, Gradnigo, 54, had hoped to move away with her 16-year-old son, but now she says she feels stuck. With runaway premiums and insurance companies dropping coverage for homeowners in high-risk areas, she has watched neighbors slash the asking price to sell their homes. 

“If I put this house on the market and it really doesn’t sell, I will know that I have nowhere to go,” Gradnigo said. “It’s despair here. No one is helping us and no one is talking about it.”

Gradnigo dropped Farmers Insurance and purchased fire insurance through the Fair Access to Insurance Requirement plan which offers a limited policy as a last resort for California property owners unable to find affordable coverage. She supplements that coverage with a policy to cover other liabilities such as water damage or theft.

Her out-of-pocket expense is now about $12,000 a year, three times what she used to pay. In addition to the higher bill, she says she no longer has the feeling of safety she once had.

“I know it’s just an insurance company. But when you’ve grown up believing your insurance agents are the people you can trust and hearing the commercials and the jingles and then they just do that to you …” she said, trailing off. 

Can I negotiate a lower insurance premium?

There are several steps homeowners can take to try to lower their homeowners insurance.

• Try bundling home insurance with auto insurance or another policy such as pet or life insurance .
• Raise the policy deductible, or ask if an insurance agent can help identify discounts.
• Shop around for a policy as soon as you get a nonrenewal notice. 
• Seek out an experienced insurance broker who can access different options.
• Reduce the risk of your home being damaged or destroyed in a disaster.

the middlemen

The Opaque Industry Secretly Inflating Prices for Prescription Drugs

Pharmacy benefit managers are driving up drug costs for millions of people, employers and the government.

Credit... Photo illustration by Jens Mortensen for The New York Times

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By Rebecca Robbins and Reed Abelson

This is the first article in a series about how pharmacy benefit managers prioritize their interests, often at the expense of patients, employers and taxpayers.

• June 21, 2024

Americans are paying too much for prescription drugs.

It is a common, longstanding complaint. And the culprits seem obvious: Drug companies. Insurers. A dysfunctional federal government.

But there is another collection of powerful forces that often escape attention, because they operate in the bowels of the health care system and cloak themselves in such opacity and complexity that many people don’t even realize they exist.

They are called pharmacy benefit managers. And they are driving up drug costs for millions of people, employers and the government.

The three largest pharmacy benefit managers, or P.B.M.s, act as middlemen overseeing prescriptions for more than 200 million Americans. They are owned by huge health care conglomerates — CVS Health, Cigna and UnitedHealth Group — and are hired by employers and governments.

The job of the P.B.M.s is to reduce drug costs. Instead, they frequently do the opposite. They steer patients toward pricier drugs, charge steep markups on what would otherwise be inexpensive medicines and extract billions of dollars in hidden fees, a New York Times investigation found.

Most Americans get their health insurance through a government program like Medicare or through an employer, which pay for two different types of insurance for each person. One type covers visits to doctors and hospitals, and it is handled by an insurance company. The other pays for prescriptions. That is overseen by a P.B.M.

Biggest P.B.M.s Dominate

Each P.B.M.’s estimated share of prescriptions filled in the United States.

CVS Health’s

UnitedHealth’s

Cigna’s

Express Scripts

Express Scripts/

Cigna merger

“I t ’ s just

nuts.”

Joseph Kaplan

A Modern Health Care Conglomerate

CVS Caremark

CVS Pharmacy

Mail-order pharmacy

CVS Specialty

Group purchasing

organization

Drug marketing

Group purchasing organization

Drug marketing partner

Fees Paid by Drug Manufacturers Doubled

What drug manufacturers paid in fees to P.B.M.s or their associated G.P.O.s.

$3.8 billion

“ W e were

ripped off.”

K ent McKinley

Overcharging for a Cancer Drug

CVS Caremark charged Oklahoma far more than the wholesale cost for everolimus.

Price charged by

$138,000 per year

Wholesale cost for

a local pharmacist

P.B.M.s Charge Inflated Prices

Two P.B.M.s charged two different clients much more than the wholesale cost of abiraterone acetate, a cancer drug.

What CVS Caremark

charged Blue Shield

$3,000 per month

What Express Scripts

charged Hyatt

Price available

from a wholesaler

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CT is considering health plan rate increases. Here’s what to know.

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The Connecticut insurance department is again considering annual rate hikes for state-regulated health plans on and off the insurance exchange.

Insurers are seeking an average increase of 8.3% on 2025 individual plans and 11.9% on small group policies. The proposed hikes are lower than what was requested the last two years, but similar to those sought in 2021.

Last year, insurers asked for an average rate increase of 12.4% on individual plans and 14.8% on small group. The state approved a 9.4% average hike for individual policies and 7.4% for small group.

The plans collectively cover about 200,000 people.

Attorney General William Tong said residents can’t keep paying higher rates.

“I will be closely scrutinizing each of these requests and expect to play a very active role in every step of this process,” he said. “Connecticut families and small businesses cannot continue to absorb these increases year after year. The burden of proof will fall on the insurers to justify every penny here.

“Decisions here will have an enormous impact on the cost of health care for every one of us.”

Here’s what to know about the proposed rate hikes.

How much of an increase are insurers requesting for plans on the exchange?

Three carriers are selling policies through the state’s health insurance exchange, known as Access Health CT: Anthem Health Plans, ConnectiCare Benefits Inc., and ConnectiCare Insurance Company Inc.

Anthem is seeking an average increase of 9% on its individual plans; the proposed hikes range from 4.3% to 18%, depending on the plan, and cover 63,277 people. It has also requested an average increase of 13.6% on small group policies that cover 37,667 people.

ConnectiCare Benefits is asking for an average hike of 7.4% on individual plans. The suggested increases range from 6.4% to 9% and cover 73,465 residents.

And ConnectiCare Insurance sought a 12.5% average hike on individual policies — with a range of 10.8% to 15.1% — that cover 4,392 people.

Insurers are also asking for increases on off-exchange policies.

What happens next?

Insurance department actuaries will review the requests for increases. As part of the review, they will look at trends in unit cost (total expenditure incurred by the company), utilization of services, and expected severity of claims. The department will issue questions to the insurers and seek clarification if needed.

After that, the department can choose to approve the full requested increases, reject them or amend them. The final changes will be published later this summer.

Why are insurers seeking increases?

Insurance companies have attributed the proposed rate hikes to increased demand for medical services, rising health care costs (including prescription drugs), the impact of Medicaid unwinding (the expiration of a pandemic policy that prevented states from kicking people off Medicaid), and adjustments needed to reflect COVID expenses in 2025 (at a level higher than previously assumed), according to the insurance department.

Will the public have a chance to weigh in?

Residents can post comments online (by clicking “select” under each rate proposal) or mail letters to the Connecticut Insurance Department at P.O. Box 816, Hartford, CT 06142-0816.

A public hearing will be held later this summer, at a date yet to be announced.

When does open enrollment start?

Open enrollment for 2025 health plans begins Nov. 1.

Jenna Carlesso Investigative Reporter

Jenna is a reporter on The Connecticut Mirror’s investigative desk. Her reporting on gaps in Connecticut’s elder care system prompted sweeping changes in nursing home and home care policy. Jenna has also covered lapses in long-term care facilities, investigated the impact of cyberattacks on hospitals, and uncovered the questionable dealings of health ministry groups that masquerade as insurance. Her reporting sparked reforms in health care and government oversight, helped erase medical debt for Connecticut residents, and led to the indictments of developers in a major state project. Her work has been recognized by the National Press Foundation and the Association of Health Care Journalists. Before joining CT Mirror, she was a reporter at The Hartford Courant, where she covered government in the capital city with a focus on corruption, theft of taxpayer funds, and ethical violations.

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Plans

Mutual of omaha life insurance cost, compare mutual of omaha life insurance.

• Why You Should Trust Us

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Review 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Mutual of Omaha offers whole, term, and other permanent life insurance plans. Life insurance can be used for retirement, end-of-life planning, and much more.

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance

Since its founding in 1909 (by a medical student at Nebraska's Creighton University and his wife), Mutual of Omaha has evolved into a Fortune 500 company offering financial solutions and insurance coverage to over 5 million people across the country. It remains a big player in life insurance for good reason. A policy from MOH empowers individuals to leave loved ones with choices for navigating long-term financial futures, not expenses.

Ranked #3 in overall customer satisfaction according to the  JD Power 2022 US Individual Life Insurance Study , Mutual of Omaha earns consistently high marks from customers based on five factors, including price.

Since life insurance costs are calculated based on an individual's age, health, and chosen coverage, prices run the gamut. While Mutual of Omaha's term life insurance rates are average, its Guaranteed Whole Life Insurance (the company's only whole-life option) is one of the industry's cheapest insurance plans.

At first glance, cheap rates and high payouts make term life insurance popular. That said, once the term expires, uncertainty prevails. There are no guarantees a term policy will convert to a whole-life policy. If it does, rates will no longer be locked, which means rising premiums.

How to File a Claim with Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance

Following the death of a loved one, contact Mutual of Omaha to begin the claims process. For individual coverage, call 888-493-6902. For employer-based coverage, call 800.775.8805 or use Mutual of Omaha's online form as a first step.

Before beginning, be sure you have the following details:

• Policyholder's information (including dates of birth and death)
• Insurance policy number
• Beneficiary's information

Ideal Customers for Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance

Individuals looking for extra layers of protection will find Mutual of Omaha's robust array of additional options a relief. Mutual of Omaha's life insurance riders provide peace of mind in an uncertain world.

Mutual of Omaha's diverse offerings go beyond traditional life insurance . For example, those who don't qualify for its more popular life insurance policies might be eligible for the Mutual of Omaha Accidental Death Insurance. It comes with up to $1,000,000 in available benefits and provides a low-cost alternative.

Are you in the market for traditional whole-life insurance? Then keep looking. Mutual of Omaha has minimal options in this department. The same goes for no-exam options that rival the price of conventional medical exam life insurance plans.

When steered by the right company, a life insurance policy becomes an investment vehicle for death and retirement. Mutual of Omaha boasts a wide range of life insurance products. Here's the rundown:

Mutual of Omaha Term Life Insurance

This affordable choice offers coverage for a specific period (say, an individual's critical income-earning years) or purpose, like a home mortgage. Term life insurance is simple. It comes with a death benefit for a specific "term," carries no cash value, and remains the most affordable option. If the policy is not converted to a whole life insurance policy within the guidelines in your policy documents, it will expire, and no death benefit will apply.

Mutual of Omaha Term Life Express

This is available for individuals ages 18-80 (with maximum age varying by state and risk class) in standard terms of 10, 15, 20, and 30 years. Death benefits begin at $25,000 and top out at $300,000. This option, available without a medical exam, comes with lower maximum coverage to offset the company's risk. In addition, Term Life Express offers an accelerated death benefit rider, unlike standard term life insurance policies. If the buyer can prove they will die within 24 months, buyers can withdraw up to 92% of the value in a lump-sum payment.

Mutual of Omaha Term Life Answers

This policy is available for individuals ages 18-70, depending upon the term. Choose from 10, 15, 20, and 30 years, with coverage beginning at $100,000. A medical exam is required for qualified life insurance applicants.

Mutual of Omaha Whole Life Insurance

This option offers stability via a handful of guarantees, including a minimum rate of return on cash value, plus premium rates that won't increase and death benefits that won't decrease, no matter how long you live (so long as premiums are paid). Interested buyers can add riders to protect their death benefit if they miss payments. Some buyers can convert term policies to whole life insurance with Mutual of Omaha.

Mutual of Omaha Guaranteed Whole Life Insurance

As you might expect, the Guaranteed Whole Life Insurance product from Mutual of Omaha comes with guaranteed coverage with no medical exams  or health-related questions. Like other no medical exam life insurance policies, not all interested buyers are qualified, and the payouts are limited. This policy is available for individuals ages 45-85, and benefits range from $2,000-$25,000. Premiums are also fixed for the life of your policy. This option allows the insured to access cash value and comes with a graded death benefit. If the insured suffers a non-accidental death within the initial two years, the beneficiary only receives premiums paid plus 10%. After the initial two years, the full death benefit becomes available in most states.

Mutual of Omaha Universal Whole Life Insurance

This type of permanent life insurance comes with a lifetime death benefit plus cash value along with the flexibility (and inherent risk) of fluctuating premiums and death benefits within certain limits. In other words, your monthly premium could increase or decrease based on market rates. Universal life insurance provides options for buyers who want a more significant death benefit if they live longer (and make more premium payments).

Mutual of Omaha AccumUL Answers  

AccumUL boasts a lifetime death benefit with payouts between $25,000 and over $1 million. Individuals ages 18-85 may qualify. With growing (tax-deferred) cash value over the life of your policy, the premium you choose determines how fast your death benefit grows, but it's not based on one limited death benefit. While this option is guaranteed to earn 2% annually, canceling or surrendering this policy within the first nine years may result in a surcharge.

Mutual of Omaha Indexed Universal Whole Life Insurance

Another type of permanent life insurance, these flexible policies carry lifelong coverage but few guarantees. Enjoy the option of adjustable premiums and death benefits if your life situation changes. That said, the policy's cash value is tied to a specific index, which means it will rise and fall with said index. While floors and caps ultimately limit gains and losses, an IUL requires aggressive account management. So it's coupled with high account management fees.

Mutual of Omaha Life Protection Advantage  Life Insurance

This plan offers a fixed-interest cash value with no less than 0% downside protection. In the worst-case scenario, you can lose interest gains but not the premiums you paid). So you'd leave with exactly what you contributed. This option has a guaranteed minimum death benefit of $100,000 through age 90. Canceling a policy within 14 years may lead to surrender charges. Discussing these with your life insurance agent at the time of purchase is best.

Mutual of Omaha Indexed Income Advantage  Life Insurance

This plan is available to individuals ages 18-85 and has zero limits on coverage. It has more significant growth potential for cash value than Life Protection Advantage as it is tied to the S&P 500 and offers no less than 0% downside protection and a guaranteed rate of 2% interest on fixed premiums. Canceling a policy within 14 years may involve surrender charges.

Additional Coverage Options

When shopping for life insurance, add-ons and extras typically take shape as a rider. A rider is optional coverage, at additional cost, for circumstances not included in your standard policy. At Mutual of Omaha, a whopping 14 riders (spanning Overloan Protection to Waiver of Surrender Charges plus a dozen in between) allow for customizable coverage. Rider availability is dependent upon policy type.

Accidental death benefit rider: This rider provides additional benefits for accident deaths as opposed to illness or old age. It offers a minimum benefit of $10,000 with a maximum benefit based on the insured's age at the time of policy issuance.

Additional insured term rider: This rider offers an additional death benefit to the insured or up to four other individuals named on the policy, assuming they meet all requirements. It provides a minimum death benefit of $25,000 and a maximum benefit of two times the base value.

Child life insurance rider: The child coverage rider offers coverage for dependent children ages 15 days to 20 years (to be paid up until their 23rd birthday or until the insured turns 65. This is a term rider, meaning the covered children should buy permanent life insurance policies as adults. It comes with $1,000 minimum coverage and a $10,000 maximum, dependent upon the base life insurance plan.

Chronic illness rider: Chronic illness protection offers early access to death benefits to help pay for the costs associated with chronic illness. The insured must meet specific qualifications. The use of this rider is based on their ability to perform routine daily activities for 90 days. Physician certification is also required.

Critical illness rider: The critical illness rider provides early access to death benefits upon diagnosis of a physician-confirmed condition, including major organ failure, terminal cancer, or ALS (among others). Your life insurance agent can review the exact distribution of payments at the time of purchase or when used.

Disability rider: This rider provides a monthly benefit: the lesser of 1.5% of the issued face amount, $3,000 per month, or 60% of one's gross monthly income. It activates should the insured become disabled.

Guaranteed insurability rider: This insurability rider provides the option to increase coverage upon each eligible life event. Eligible life events include marriage, the birth/adoption of a child, or the third anniversary of a policy and every three years after). Increases of $10,00-$50,000 are available with this rider.

Lapse protection rider: This rider protects against policy lapses and the taxes incurred upon borrowing or withdrawing too aggressively against the policy. It is included in all policies for individuals aged 76 and younger.

Long-term care rider: The long-term care rider offers early access to the insured's death benefits to cover in-home or nursing home care costs. The insured must be aged 30-79 when the policy is issued.

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance FAQs

Mutual of Omaha is a reputable life insurance company, with a financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) from AM Best and a variety of policy types including term and permanent life insurance. It could be a good option for you if the company offers policies in your state.

Mutual of Omaha insurance is available in all states except AL, CA, CO, ID, IL, LA, NV, NH, NY, NC, PR, RI, VT, VI, and WI

You can use the cash value of your Mutual of Omaha life insurance policy if you have an eligible whole life insurance policy. There may be a withdrawal fee, so check with the company before doing so.

Mutual of Omaha says it pays out the life insurance death benefit in as few as 24 hours for whole life insurance policies and within 30 to 60 days for term life insurance policies.

Learn more about how Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance compares to top life insurance providers.

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance vs. New York Life

Qualifying New York Life Insurance customers can convert its policies to permanent life insurance. Remember, any conversion is processed as a new application. In other words, you still have to go through the underwriting process accounting for your age and health at the time of application. A whole life insurance policy from New York Life builds cash value very well early on. This leaves the insured options to bolster retirement income or borrow against the policy when needed, up to age 90. Unlike term policies, there's no expiration date. So no conversion is necessary. We recommend talking to your New York Life agent about riders to protect you should you miss a payment.

New York Life's Variable Universal Life Accumulator II comes with guaranteed death benefits and cash value that grow with the market. Market Wealth Plus offers buyers open to more risk the option of enhanced cash value accumulation. Quotes are unavailable online, and policy prices reflect life insurance agent commissions. One of the best things about New York Life is its knowledgeable agents trained to answer any questions you might have about its policies. The most significant difference is Mutual of Omaha focuses on term policies, no medical exam life insurance, and other death benefit policies. New York Life's life insurance plans are built for investment and long-term retirement planning.

New York Life Insurance Review

Mutual of Omaha vs. Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance  is known for competitive pricing on whole life insurance for individuals of all ages and health risks. Its financial strength means policies build cash value early on (which equals quick access to more money). Variable universal insurance allows buyers to borrow tax-free or withdraw from the cash value, but at a cost: significant fees and considerable risk. Minimum death benefits range from $50,000 to $500,000.

Both Mutual of Omaha and Northwestern Mutual offer trusted life insurance plans and services with high financial strength ratings from sites like AM Best and S&P. Mutual of Omaha provides better options for buyers looking for easier application processes and lower death benefits. However, both companies offer accelerated death benefits, more comprehensive life insurance policies, etc.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Review

Mutual of Omaha vs. Globe Life

Globe Life Insurance  offers both term and whole life insurance with no medical exam. As you might expect, these policies come with significantly lower coverage limits (read $100,000 and $50,000 for term and whole life insurance, respectively) across the board. Term life insurance rates also increase with age, to the tune of once every five years when buying from Globe Life. Mutual of Omaha offers plans with set premiums to protect your budget and payout.

Those on limited incomes will appreciate low-cost options like burial insurance. Death benefits range from $5,000-$25,000, and these are solely used to cover funeral expenses or residual debts of the deceased. Overall, Mutual of Omaha caters to a diverse range of life insurance customers.

Globe Life Insurance Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance

Life insurance companies are compared based on product quality, available insurance riders, net performance scores, pricing, and customer service. In addition, we look at the diverse range of life insurance products to compare death benefit plans with life insurance designed for long-term financial planning. Our opinions are wholly based on facts gathered.

Ensure you find the policy to fit your needs by shopping for life insurance with a qualified agent. Experienced life insurance agents can run quotes and advise you on premiums, life insurance loans, accelerated death benefits, and more.

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Conviva and CenterWell partner with PsychArmor to ensure healthcare providers are Veteran Ready

Humana’s Primary Care Organization employees are receiving military cultural competency training

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Conviva Care Center and CenterWell Senior Primary Care®, subsidiaries of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), are partnering with PsychArmor, the leader in military culture training, to offer a Veteran Ready Healthcare Certificate program for healthcare providers and employees at 23 senior primary care centers across Texas.

Healthcare providers and support staff from Humana's Primary Care Organization are learning to identify common barriers to accessing healthcare for veterans through courses about military culture, communicating with veterans, suicide prevention, opioid use disorder and more. Conviva Care Centers in San Antonio, El Paso and Corpus Christi and CenterWell Senior Primary Care Centers in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley are currently enrolled in the program with completion expected later this year. (Photo: Business Wire)

This enhanced training program provides an understanding of military culture and veteran issues, enabling a more genuine connection and better support for the unique health needs of aging veterans and their families.

Conviva Care Centers in San Antonio, El Paso and Corpus Christi and CenterWell Senior Primary Care Centers in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley are currently enrolled in the program with completion expected later this year. CenterWell Senior Primary Care is the largest, fastest-growing senior-focused, value-based care provider in the country. Together with its sister brand Conviva Care Center, the businesses make up Humana’s Primary Care Organization, closing healthcare gaps by delivering care to about 318,000 seniors in nearly 300 centers across 15 states as of March 31.

Through the certification process, the healthcare providers and support staff are learning to identify common barriers to accessing healthcare for veterans through courses about military culture, communicating with veterans, suicide prevention, opioid use disorder and more.

“When healthcare professionals are more informed, they are better able to relate to patients and form more personal connections that are crucial to breaking down barriers and helping patients receive the care they need,” said Wes Smith, market president for Conviva San Antonio and CenterWell Rio Grande Valley. “Patients are more likely to show up to appointments, follow through with treatment plans, and be more transparent in disclosing their health-related needs when they have those close ties with their primary care provider and care team. We are training, preparing and certifying our staff to know how to talk and connect with a veteran, along with asking more qualified questions, which can have a big impact on improving health outcomes. We’re working to help veterans and all our patients live their healthiest lives possible.”

Humana has a longstanding commitment to veterans, service members and their families. The company’s support for this community extends across a wide spectrum: veteran-focused Humana USAA Honor plans for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries; TRICARE health program administration with the Department of Defense; extensive community partnerships with Veterans Service Organizations (VSO); a designated veterans call center; diverse hiring initiatives; and health literacy programs for veterans. Humana recently teamed up with PsychArmor and other VSOs to launch an online training and awareness video 15 Things Veterans Service Officers Want You To Know , which is now part of the Veteran Ready Healthcare Certificate program curriculum.

“There are 8.3 million veterans 65 and older in our nation; they often have unique health needs, so we are always looking for ways to ensure they are getting the care they deserve from a provider who understands them,” said Stephanie Muckey, leader of Humana's Veteran Health Equity and Social Impact strategy and also a Marine Corps spouse and caregiver. “Ensuring providers are in tune with the challenges aging veterans may be facing and know what questions to ask to better understand their history and their personal needs is another way for us to make that happen.”

As a nationally recognized nonprofit leader and preferred training provider for military cultural awareness, PsychArmor serves members of the military-connected community and anyone who wants to more effectively engage with them. Their team of clinical psychologists and social workers, all steeped in military culture, create continuing education and customized training.

About Conviva and CenterWell

CenterWell, along with its sister brand Conviva Care Center, is a leading health care services business focused on creating integrated and differentiated experiences that put our patients at the center of everything we do. The result is high quality health care that is accessible, comprehensive, and, most of all, personalized. As the largest provider of senior-focused primary care, one of the leading providers of home health care, and a leading integrated home delivery, specialty, hospice, and retail pharmacy, CenterWell is focused on whole health and addressing the physical, emotional and social wellness of our patients. CenterWell is part of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). Learn more about what we offer at CenterWell.com and ConvivaCareCenters.com .

About Humana

Humana Inc. is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers, and our company. Through our Humana insurance services, and our CenterWell health care services, we strive to make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com .

About PsychArmor

PsychArmor is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation providing education and support to individuals and organizations that work with, live with, and care for American service members, Veterans, and their families. Learn more and access free resources at psycharmor.org .

Lisa Ferguson Humana Corporate Communications [email protected]

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Humana complies with all applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. We also provide free language interpreter services. See our full accessibility rights information and language options .

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.

“Humana” is the brand name for plans, products and services provided by one or more of the subsidiaries and affiliate companies of Humana Inc. (“Humana Entities”). Plans, products, and services are solely and only provided by one or more Humana Entities specified on the plan, product, or service contract, not Humana Inc. Not all plans, products, and services are available in each state.

Humana legal entities that offer, underwrite, administer or insure insurance products and services

Medical plans.

Humana group medical plans are offered by Humana Medical Plan, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Humana Health Plan, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc., Humana Health Plans of Puerto Rico, Inc. License # 00235-0008, Humana Wisconsin Health Organization Insurance Corporation, or Humana Health Plan of Texas, Inc., or insured by Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Inc., Humana Health Plan, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., Humana Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, or Humana Insurance of Puerto Rico, Inc. License # 00187-0009, or administered by Humana Insurance Company or Humana Health Plan, Inc. For Arizona residents, plans are offered by Humana Health Plan, Inc. or insured by Humana Insurance Company. Administered by Humana Insurance Company.

Go365 ® is not an insurance product. Not available with all Humana health plans.

Dental Plans

Humana individual dental plans are insured or offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of New York, The Dental Concern, Inc., CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Dental, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits). Discount plans are offered by HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company, or Texas Dental Plans, Inc. Arizona residents insured by Humana Insurance Company. Texas residents insured or offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits).

In states, and for products where applicable, the premium may include a $1 administrative fee. If you have purchased an association plan, an association fee may also apply. Some plans may also charge a one-time, non-refundable enrollment fee. (This fee is non-refundable as allowed by state).

A minimum one-year, initial contract period may be required for some dental plans, excluding Dental Savings Plus

Humana group dental plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of New York, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, The Dental Concern, Inc., Humana Medical Plan of Utah, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Dental, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits).

Vision Plans

Humana individual vision plans are insured by Humana Insurance Company, The Dental Concern, Inc., or Humana Insurance Company of New York, or Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. Arizona residents insured by Humana Insurance Company. Texas residents insured by Humana Insurance Company.

A minimum one-year, initial contract period may be required for some vision plans.

Humana group vision plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, Humana Insurance Company of New York, CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Company, or The Dental Concern, Inc.

Life Insurance Plans

Humana group life plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company or Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky.

The website is maintained outside of New York state and the insurer is not authorized to transact the business of insurance in New York.

Humana individual life insurance plans are offered in New York by Humana Insurance Company.

Limitations and exclusions

Our health benefit plans, dental plans, vision plans, and life insurance plans have exclusions, limitations and terms under which the coverage may be continued in force or discontinued. Our dental plans, vision plans, and life insurance plans may also have waiting periods. For costs and complete details of coverage, call or write Humana or your Humana insurance agent or broker.

Individual applications are subject to eligibility requirements.

Before applying for group coverage, please refer to the pre-enrollment disclosures for a description of plan provisions which may exclude, limit, reduce, modify or terminate your coverage. View plan provisions or check with your sales representative.

For group plans, please refer to your Benefit Plan Document (Certificate of Coverage/Insurance or Summary Plan Description/Administrative Services Only) for more information on the company providing your benefits.

Statements in languages other than English contained in the advertisement do not necessarily reflect the exact contents of the policy written in English, because of possible linguistic differences. In the event of a dispute, the policy as written in English is considered the controlling authority.

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