Advanced E-business Concept: Small Business Insurance Essentials

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Volume 2 Issue 37

September 16, 2008

Health Insurance Essentials

Two new studies spell bad news for small biz health insurance hopes. Whether your business already offers health coverage, or is looking to add this benefit, the outlook is for premium hikes of about 10 percent in 2009. Surveys just out by two leading benefits consulting firms, Buck Consultants and Mercer, both predict double-digit rate increases for small business. This issue of WhatWorks offers help for finding the best deal in small biz health plans, what you need to know about COBRA, dental plan options and keeping your employees healthy.

For updates on the latest ideas, trends and solutions for small business, visit the new Technology Channel and Money Channel pages at our sister site Business.com, where you'll find anything and everything for your business in 65,000 categories.

– Daniel Kehrer, Editor

Health Coverage Choices
Guide to Small Business Health Insurance
By John Riddle
Any way you slice it, health insurance coverage is expensive. Major corporations can negotiate better rates because of their size, but small businesses with two to 50 employees don't have the clout to negotiate big volume discounts. With costs rising, many small business owners are finding it more and more difficult to offer health insurance to employees. There are three popular types of health insurance plans available: Read Full Guide

Turn to the Web
Shopping for Health Insurance Online
By Tom Nutile
With a wide array of health insurance options, trying to zero in on the right plan for your business can be achingly time-consuming. However, several health insurance shopping Web sites have emerged to help you narrow your options. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can get a list of health insurance plans from a variety of major carriers that are geared to small businesses — usually with two to 50 employees. With these sites, you can: Read Full Guide

Rules to Know
COBRA Requirements for Small Business
By John Fuller
COBRA is a federal law requiring that companies continue to provide health benefits to former employees for up to 18 months. COBRA applies to companies with more than 20 employees and some states also have "mini COBRA" laws that apply to smaller companies. COBRA covers employees regardless of whether they quit or are terminated (except in cases of gross misconduct), and also covers spouses and children under certain circumstances. Here's what you need to know... Read Full Guide

Keep 'em Smiling
Dental Benefits for Small Business
Guide Author By Meagan Francis
Affordable dental plans can seem out of reach for small businesses, which often don't have the numbers of eligible employees needed to qualify for group discounts. Yet dental benefits are consistently cited as one of the most sought after employee benefits. If you look hard enough, you'll find reasonable options. Small businesses have three basic options when it comes to providing dental benefits: Read Full Guide

Keep 'em Healthy
Promoting a Healthy Workforce
By Jo Averill-Snell
Helping your workforce stay healthy is an investment in productivity. Healthy-workforce initiatives can encourage your workers to adopt positive, healthful lifestyles that will contribute to their energy, attention span and ability to cope with stress at work, decrease the amount of sick leave, and lower your company's healthcare costs. Healthy-workforce programs can also be a selling point for recruitment and retention of valued workers. Here's what you need to know: Read Full Guide

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FAST TRACK

Quick reads, hot topics and cool tools for your business

New 24/7 Tech Support Option: Tech Support 360 is a new live tech support service (U.S.-based) just launched by AT&T, offering setup, troubleshooting and performance optimization for PCs, laptops, WiFi networks and peripherals. It's available as a one-time service, or by monthly subscription plans which range from $19 to $28 per month per computer.

Online Biz Game for Young Entrepreneurs: Johnny Money Online Game (JMOG) is a new interactive small biz simulation designed for high school students studying entrepreneurship. Students, teachers or anyone interested in testing their skills at running a business can play the game online for free.

SOLUTION OF THE WEEK

Buy Your Building: Tired of tossing away money on commercial rent? The SBA's 504 Loan Program for commercial buildings offers a terrific, underused opportunity for small businesses to own their property rather than paying rent to someone else. Mercantile Commercial Capital focuses exclusively on helping business owners obtain SBA 504 loans to purchase commercial property.