Individual Coverage
Other Ways to Obtain Group Coverage
Discount Medical Programs
Public or Subsidized Health Insurance
Obtaining Care Without Insurance

Once you've learned about health insurance basics for small businesses, you may decide that purchasing group coverage is simply not an option for your business right now. If so, it's important to understand that there are several alternatives for you to explore that may protect your employees at little or no expense to your business. The sections below offer an overview.

Individual Coverage

Even if your business doesn't offer a group plan, your employees might be able to obtain coverage on their own, as individuals. With individual coverage, insurers typically require a detailed medical history and sometimes a medical exam of the individual and any family members applying for coverage. The individual's rates will depend on his or her medical condition; in some cases, the insurer may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions for up to 12 months. Individuals in less than perfect health may be denied coverage altogether.

Under California law, if small firms pay insurance carriers directly for any portion of their employees' coverage, then the insurance carrier is subject to specific rating rules and issue requirements. For all practical purposes, these rules make it impossible for an employer to directly pay for employees' individual coverage.

To explore the possibility of reimbursing your employees for the cost of premiums for individual coverage, consult a tax professional.

In the tool box, see "Tax Implications" for more information.

Other Ways to Obtain Group Coverage

Being an employee isn't the only way to be part of a group for insurance purposes. Some associations, professional groups, and other organizations also offer group health insurance options for their members. If you can't afford a group plan for your business, you might encourage your employees to explore this possibility. Be aware, however, that fewer groups are offering this option these days, and premiums may be quite high. Still, employees who might find it difficult to obtain individual insurance may find it worth looking into.

Finding a group with the right membership criteria—and that actually offers group coverage—simply takes some research. Brokers aren't usually much help in finding these types of opportunities. One reason for this is that each association is likely to have an established relationship with a broker or benefits consultant, so independent brokers may not have an incentive to seek out these arrangements.

See "Selected Trade/Professional Associations" in the tool box for contact information.

Discount Medical Programs
Some health care providers and insurance carriers offer discount programs instead of, or as a complement to, insurance coverage.

• For individuals who are uninsured, a discount program may help offset the costs of basic and specialty care that is obtained through a limited set of providers or facilities. To participate in such a program, individuals must pay a monthly or annual fee in order to obtain a discount card.
• For individuals with insurance, discount programs can complement existing coverage by lowering costs for out-of-network or uncovered services, such as laser vision correction, in-vitro fertilization, or alternative/complementary medicine. Often this type of discount program is available through a health plan at no additional charge to the employer or employee.

An important limitation of these programs is that it can be very difficult to assess their value. Because "list" prices vary considerably and are not always readily available, it can be hard to know how much savings discounts really offer. Also, the providers that accept discounts may change, so that enrollees may find that by the time they use services, some providers are no longer available at the discounted price.

Public or Subsidized Health Insurance

State and federal programs such as Medi-Cal and Healthy Families provide coverage for many low-income children, some parents, and aged, blind or disabled individuals. These programs provide comprehensive benefits at low or no cost for those who qualify, but often have extensive, complicated rules about who qualifies.

See "Public or Subsidized Health Insurance" in the tool box for more information.

Obtaining Care Without Insurance

No question—if you or your employees are uninsured, there's good evidence that you'll have a tougher time finding and paying for care than if you had coverage. But if you've ruled out the possibility of obtaining health insurance right now, you should know that some health care providers, such as community clinics and public hospitals, provide services to uninsured and underserved populations as part of their mission. These organizations, sometimes referred to as the health care "safety net," receive government funding and often charge on a sliding scale basis, depending on income.

In the tool box, see "Health Care Services for the Uninsured" for contact information for local health care providers for the uninsured.