Tampa Businesses: FAQs About Health Insurance Plans

Prospective employees are always on the lookout for good health insurance. It's one of the major factors considered when deciding whether or not to take an offered position. Business owners in Tampa and other parts of Florida have many different choices for plans and providers when deciding what types of plans to offer for their employees. The answers to some of these questions about health insurance may help you choose the plans that work best for your work force.

How Many Employees Do I Need to Qualify for Group Health Coverage?

In Florida, a business must have two full-time employees who are eligible for coverage in order to qualify for group health insurance coverage. The eligible employees can include yourself and your partner, yourself and an employee or two officers of a corporation. A full time employee is one who works at least 25 hours a week and who has met your company's waiting period to qualify for group benefits.

Do I Have to Have a Certain Number of Employees Sign Up for Group Health Insurance?

It depends on the plan. In Tampa and the rest of Florida, health insurance providers usually require at least 75 percent of your eligible employees must sign up for a health insurance plan unless they can prove they have other group coverage through a spouse.

Can a Health Insurance Company Deny Coverage to Any of My Employees?

No. If you have group health insurance for your Tampa, Florida, business, the health insurance carrier must extend coverage to every eligible member of the group. In addition, a health insurance carrier cannot charge any individual in your group of ten or more a higher premium than other members of the group. The carrier can, however, charge a higher premium to the entire group based on the demographics of your group. And, while they can't charge higher rates for sick employees, if you have fewer than ten employees the rates are age-banded so that they will differ based on age.

Does Group Health Insurance Cost Less Than Individual?

Actually, no. Individual health insurance is usually less expensive and more flexible. However, many people can't qualify for individual health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Group policies must cover everyone in the group regardless of pre-existing conditions.

How About Part-time Employees? Can I Cover Them, Too?

In the state of Florida, if an employee works 25 hours or more they are considered full-time with respect to benefits. If an employee works less than 25 hours a week, they are considered part-time with respect to benefits and are not eligible.

How Much of the Premium Do I Have to Cover?

Generally, the employer has to cover at least 50 percent of the premium for the employee's health insurance premium, but doesn't have to contribute anything toward the premium for any dependents.

Can I Offer My Employees a Choice of Health Insurance Plans?

Yes, if your group is large enough. Talk to your insurance benefits coordinator to learn about the health insurance options they offer.

Can I Get An Entire Package of Benefits from One Place?

Absolutely. Insurance consultants can put together a benefits package that includes dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability, Workers' Compensation and health insurance. Tampa insurance consultants will be happy to work with you to create the perfect health insurance package for your small business. Shop around to find a company that can provide all the services you need in one convenient package.

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+Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2011 (Fri Aug 05 2011) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource internet marketing web site at: http://www.majon.com