This page includes news and tips for small business owners who provide employee benefits as well as self-employed people for provide their own coverage. Freedom Benefits provides compensation and benefits planning advice to cut costs, save on employer and employee taxes, improve value received, increase employee satisfaction and speed up wealth building for plan participants.
Individual major medical insurance enrollment for 2018 is open from November 1 through January 31, 2018 at Covered California web site. We offer limited free personal support with questions through OnlineNavigatorTM service.
Short term options, dental coverage, supplemental insurance and other health benefit plans are available through multiple sources. We suggest Smart Insurance Marketplace as the first place to look. Telephone and email support is available.
Freedom Benefits small business employee benefit plans now allow for inclusion of a wider range of options including: 1) Group or Individual Health Insurance, 2) Health Savings Account, 3) Preferred Provider Discount Pricing Service (including prescription drugs at over 45,000 pharmacies nationwide, Telehealth for facetime or call to a physician 24/7, Karis360 Suite of services including Healthcare Navigator, Surgery Saver and Bill Negotiator), 4) Health Reimbursement Arrangement, 5) Special Purpose Health Reimbursement Arrangement, 6) Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement, 7) Flexible Spending Account including Dependent Care Plan. 8) 401(k) Plan, 9) Pension Plan, 10) IRA or SEP Retirement Savings Plan, 11) Deferred Compensation Plan, 12) Thrift Savings Plan, 13) Employee Home Office Expense Reimbursement Plan, 14) Employee Travel Expenses Reimbursement Plan, 15) Employee Commuter Mass Transit and Parking Expense Reimbursement Plan, 16) Employee Work-Related Expense Reimbursement Plan, and 17) Other benefits specified by the employer.
11/5/2017 California officials announce that the state’s health insurance market is healthier than other places in the nation because California’s insurance market is not dictated by the terms of the federal government and President Trump’s attempts to disrupt the insurance market by shortening enrollment period, firing navigators and cutting subsidy payments. California residents enjoy an extended enrollment period, adequate enrollment assistance and full subsidies. “We’re rock solid” Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said, “We have very affordable options, we’re stable today and we’re going to be here long term.”
85% of applicants for coverage in California will qualify for a subsidy that brings the average cost of coverage to $115 per month. Those not eligible for a subsidy pay an average of about $600 per month.