Health Insurance for Small Business Owners With No Employees
What is available when the business is just you, and what changes the day you hire someone.
A business with no employees cannot buy traditional small-group insurance, which generally requires at least two enrolled people. That leaves the individual market, or a group plan that individuals can join directly.
Your realistic options
A subsidised marketplace plan if your income qualifies. A flat-priced group plan if it does not, or if age rating is making the marketplace expensive. A spouse's employer plan if one is available, which is usually the cheapest of the three.
The tax angle
As a self-employed owner you can generally deduct your premiums above the line, up to your net self-employment income. That effectively reduces the cost of any option you choose, and it applies to the marketplace and group routes alike. Talk to your accountant about the mechanics for your entity type.
When you hire your first employee
The picture changes. Traditional small-group insurance becomes available, and offering benefits becomes a recruiting tool rather than just a personal expense. Benefit Airship also supports employer groups, where employees enroll themselves and the administration stays light.
Before you enroll in anything
Check your doctors against the network, check your prescriptions are covered rather than discounted, and read the term. Those three checks prevent almost every unpleasant surprise.