How do I choose the best individual health insurance plan?

The best plan depends on your preferred medical service providers, coverage network, prescription medications, household income, and budget. Having this information ready makes it easier to compare plans and choose coverage that’s right for you so you don’t miss out on necessary healthcare services.

Where can I get help comparing individual health insurance plans?

You can get help through public health insurance marketplaces, licensed insurance brokers, private health exchanges, and healthcare shopping platforms, such as Stride Health and GetInsured. If you have an HRA through PeopleKeep, you can shop for qualified health insurance from your PeopleKeep account. Our in-house benefits advisors are also available if you need help securing coverage for your healthcare needs.

Can I buy individual health insurance outside of Open Enrollment?

Yes, but only in certain circumstances. Outside of the annual Open Enrollment window, you may qualify for a special enrollment period to change or enroll in a new individual health plan if you have a qualifying life event. Eligible events include losing employer coverage, getting married, having a baby, or moving to a new state.

Can I use an HRA to pay for an individual health insurance plan?

Yes. If your employer offers a QSEHRA or an ICHRA and their HRA plan documents allow it, you can use your allowance to receive tax-free reimbursement for individual health insurance premiums and other eligible out-of-pocket expenses.

Is it better to buy health insurance through the Marketplace or a private exchange?

It depends on your situation. Public marketplaces allow eligible individuals to apply for federal premium tax credits and other subsidies that can lower the cost of their health insurance plan. On the other hand, private exchanges may offer additional enrollment support, plan comparison tools, and access to supplemental insurance products. There may also be a wider variety of off-exchange products specialized to your needs. However, you can’t apply for premium tax credits or other cost-sharing reductions on a private exchange.

Is a QSEHRA worth it for small businesses?

For many small businesses, yes, a QSEHRA is worth it. A qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA) offers a predictable way to provide health benefits without the cost and complexity of traditional group health insurance. Employers set a monthly allowance that fits their budget, while employees choose their preferred individual health insurance plan.

What are some potential drawbacks to consider when thinking about offering a QSEHRA?

The main potential downside to a QSEHRA is the IRS annual contribution limit. Unlike an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA), employers can't give employees more than the IRS-set maximum limit. QSEHRAs also have fewer customization options for varying employee contributions.

Can employees choose any health insurance plan with a QSEHRA?

Yes. Employees can generally purchase any ACA-compliant individual health insurance plan that best meets their needs through a local exchange, the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, a private insurer, or a licensed insurance broker. However, employees must have a health plan that provides minimum essential coverage (MEC) to participate in the QSEHRA.

Who is eligible to offer a QSEHRA?

A QSEHRA is available to employers with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). You can’t offer a traditional group health plan or group ancillary benefits alongside the QSEHRA. Employers must also comply with IRS rules regarding reimbursement limits and employee eligibility.

Can a QSEHRA reimburse more than individual insurance premiums?

Yes. Employers can design the benefit to allow employee reimbursements for health insurance premiums only or for premiums plus other IRS-qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. This includes deductibles, copays, over-the-counter drugs, prescription medications, and other eligible expenses.

Can I administer a QSEHRA myself?

While employers can self-administer a QSEHRA, doing so can be time-consuming and risk compliance penalties. Many employers use an HRA administrator, like PeopleKeep, to automate plan documents, review reimbursement requests, maintain required records, and help ensure compliance with IRS and HIPAA requirements.

How can employers reduce employee benefit costs without cutting benefits?

Employers can reduce benefit costs by offering more cost-controlled options, such as health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), evaluating underutilized benefits, and consolidating multiple perks into flexible stipend programs. These strategies can help lower expenses while maintaining employee satisfaction.

How can an HRA help during a recession?

An HRA can help employers manage healthcare spending during economic uncertainty by providing predictable monthly costs and eliminating unexpected group health insurance renewal increases. This allows organizations to maintain valuable health benefits while protecting their budgets.

Is an HRA cheaper than traditional group health insurance?

For many employers, an HRA can be more affordable than traditional group health insurance because there are no minimum contribution requirements or participation requirements, and employers have complete control over their benefit budget by using a defined contribution model. Actual savings depend on company size, employee demographics, and benefit design.

Can an HRA replace group health insurance?

Yes. A qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA) or individual coverage HRA (ICHRA) can serve as an alternative to traditional group health insurance. Employees use the benefit to purchase their own qualifying individual health coverage and receive tax-free reimbursements from their employer for premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs.

What employee benefits do workers value most during economic uncertainty?

Health insurance, healthcare benefits, retirement savings programs, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, and long-term disability insurance are consistently among the most valued employee benefits. During periods of economic uncertainty, benefits that help employees manage healthcare, living, and household expenses become even more important.

What is the main difference between an HDHP and an LDHP?

The primary difference is the deductible. A high deductible health plan (HDHP) requires you to pay more out of pocket before your insurance begins covering costs, while a low deductible health plan (LDHP) has a lower deductible but typically comes with higher monthly premiums.

Is a high deductible health plan better than a low deductible health plan?

It depends on the individual consumer’s needs. An HDHP may be a good choice for healthy individuals who don't expect many medical expenses and want lower premiums. An LDHP is often better for people who need frequent medical care and prefer lower out-of-pocket costs when they receive treatment.

Can you have a health savings account (HSA) with a low deductible health plan?

No. To contribute to an HSA, you must enroll in an HSA-qualified HDHP. Most low deductible health plans aren't eligible for HSA contributions.

Can employers offer both HDHP and LDHP options to employees?

Yes. Employers can offer multiple plan options through a traditional group health insurance program. Alternatively, employers can provide a QSEHRA or ICHRA, which allows employees to choose the individual health plan, including an HDHP or LDHP, that best fits their medical needs.

How can employers help employees with out-of-pocket healthcare costs?

Employers can supplement health coverage with benefits such as health savings accounts (HSAs), group coverage HRAs (GCHRAs), qualified small employer HRAs (QSEHRAs), or individual coverage HRAs (ICHRAs). These benefits can help employees pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses on a tax-free basis to make healthcare more affordable.

What is the most valued employee benefit?

Health insurance is consistently ranked as the most valued employee benefit. According to PeopleKeep's employee benefits survey, employees ranked health insurance as the most important valued benefit, followed by dental insurance, paid leave, retirement plans, and vision insurance.

Are employee benefits taxable?

Some employee benefits are taxable, while others are tax-free. For example, cash bonuses are generally taxable income, while certain health benefits, employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, and qualified retirement contributions may receive favorable tax treatment. Tax rules vary by benefit type, so employers should consult a tax professional or benefits advisor for guidance.

Do I legally have to offer health insurance?

Not all employers must offer health insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), only applicable large employers (ALEs) with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees must offer affordable health coverage that meets minimum essential coverage requirements. Smaller employers can choose whether to offer health benefits but often do so to remain competitive in hiring and retention.

Why are employee benefits important?

Employee benefits help employers recruit and retain workers, improve employee satisfaction, and strengthen workplace culture. Many employees consider benefits just as important as salary when evaluating job opportunities. A competitive benefits package can also show that an employer values their employees’ well-being and work-life balance.

What benefits should a small business offer employees?

The right benefits package depends on your workforce and budget. However, many small businesses start with health benefits, like a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), paid time off, retirement savings options, and flexible work arrangements.

Elizabeth Walker

Elizabeth Walker is a content marketing specialist at Remodel Health and PeopleKeep. Since starting with the company in April 2021, she has become well-versed in writing about HRAs, health benefits, and small business solutions. Outside of her expertise in the healthcare benefits industry, Elizabeth has been a writer for more than 20 years and has written several poems and short stories. She's published two children’s books in 2019 and 2021, which she is developing into a series of collected works. Her educational background as a classical musician and love of the arts continue to inspire her writing and strengthen her ability to be creative.

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