Key points
- Many group plans can start with as few as 2 enrolled employees, depending on the carrier.
- Level-funded plans can cost less for healthy groups, and some return unused claims dollars.
- ICHRA and QSEHRA let employers reimburse individual premiums instead of sponsoring a group plan.
- Premiums a business pays for employee coverage are generally a deductible business expense.
Small group health insurance in Florida: the four ways to offer benefits
| Option | How it works | Often a fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Fully insured group plan | Fixed monthly premiums; the carrier carries the claims risk. | Groups that want predictable costs |
| Level-funded plan | A fixed monthly amount covers expected claims, administration and stop-loss protection; some carriers refund a surplus. | Smaller, healthier groups |
| ICHRA / QSEHRA | The business reimburses employees tax-free for individual premiums up to a set allowance. | Remote or multi-state teams; budget control |
| Owner and family coverage | Individual or family plans for a solo owner. | Solo owners and very small businesses |
Get a side-by-side benefits review for your team.Share your team size and budget. We compare group, level-funded and ICHRA options across carriers.
Request a Benefits ReviewWhat carriers look at
- Group size: many small group plans start at 2 enrolled employees; requirements vary by carrier and state.
- Employer contribution: many carriers require the business to pay a minimum share of employee premiums.
- Participation: a minimum percentage of eligible employees usually needs to enroll or show other coverage.
- Census: employee ages and ZIP codes, and for some plans, health information.
Our process for businesses
- Discovery call: team size, budget, current plan, and what employees value.
- Census and quotes: we gather a simple employee list and quote structures and carriers side by side.
- Decision and enrollment: we help set the contribution, run employee enrollment, and coordinate with the carrier.
- Renewal and service: we review the plan every year and help employees with claims and network questions.
From census to effective date typically takes one to three weeks, depending on the carrier and group size.
Tax considerations
Premiums a business pays for employee coverage are generally a deductible business expense, and owners who are self-employed may be able to deduct their own premiums. Very small employers that buy through the SHOP marketplace may qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. Your CPA should confirm what applies to your business.
General information only, not tax, legal or medical advice. Plan availability, benefits, networks and pricing vary by carrier, state, county and eligibility. COBRA information is general; see the U.S. Department of Labor for full rules.