Joel Libava
(This is a Sponsored post by UnitedHealthCare. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
As a busy small business owner, it’s crucial for you to be able to get important information you need, quickly. Especially if it’s the kind of information that impacts your bottom line. Like employee health insurance for instance. Because the less you pay out, the better your bottom line.
It’s Complicated
On one hand, you want to offer your employees good health care plans. You really do want them to be able to take care of themselves and their families in an affordable way.
Conversely, you’re in business to make money. You have to watch your expenses like a hawk, so you can protect your bottom line.
But how? It sure sounds complicated.
Keep reading.
Uncomplicated And Fast
Those are the two words I use to describe the UnitedHealthcare small business website. Namely, it’s because of the way the site is designed. As you’ll see, the design makes what is usually a complicated and tedious affair, (figuring out employee health care plans) a simple (and speedy), 3-step process.
In this case, “speedy” means having the ability to choose employee health care plans in 20 minutes or less!
Let’s check it out.
The UnitedHealthCare Small Business Health Insurance Website
If you’d like to see for yourself just how fast and uncomplicated the UnitedHealthCare small business website is to use, click https://smallbusiness.uhc.com.
Once you’ve landed on the website, the first thing you need to do is click the orange button labeled “Find the plans that fit.” (Go ahead and click it.)
Next, you’ll see a box where you can type in the zip code of your small business. Go ahead and do that. (This is just a practice run. You can go to the website and input whatever you want at each stage.)
Then, follow the next couple of prompts. They include adding the number of employees you have and setting the start date of the plan.
Once you’re finished adding this information, you’ll be taken to an area of the UHC small business website that does the computations. Once it’s done, click continue, and you’ll be taken to a page labeled “Medical Plans.”
Here’s an example of what your results could look like on your screen.
As you can see, your employee health care plan choices together with the costs for the plans are displayed. Both employee costs and employer costs. And you can get even more detail by clicking the blue “Plan details” button. Once you do that, you’ll be able to see what the copay’s and the office visit costs are.
FYI: If you offer 6 or more employee health care plans, and you register your free account on the website, your employees can use the UnitedHealthCare Fit Finder.
In a nutshell, the Fit Finder is a specially designed tool that singles out which plans work best for them, by answering a series of questions about their personal and family’s health and lifestyle.
In addition, you’ll be able to see prescription costs charges for doctor visits along with deductibles, plus the maximum annual out of pocket expenses laid-out in an easy-to read format.
One more thing: There are dental and vision care benefits available as add-ons. To see them, just click the link that says “View Details.”
You just completed step 1.
Adding Your Employees
Once you make your choices (it’s recommended that you offer employees a few choices), click continue, and you’ll be taken to the “Employee Details” webpage. This is the 2nd-step of this quick 3-step process from UnitedHealthCare.
This is where you’ll fill in basic employee information. (This information can be downloaded from Quickbooks, Excel, or Xero-or you or an office employee can input employee information manually.)
Once you’re finished adding your employee’s details, just hit continue so you can set up your UHC account.
Tip: If you don’t want to input employee information yet, you-or someone in your company can always add the information in later.
Setting Your Monthly Budget
This is the 3rd step. It’s also where you have the most control, as you’ll decide how much money you’re comfortable paying each month. And once you’ve determined that amount, it’s up to your employees to pick a plan that works for them. They then pay the difference.
Important: Make sure you create an account so you can receive your final, official quote.
There’s a wonderful tool located on this part of the website that allows you to play around with different amounts of money you’re willing to pay towards your employee’s health insurance. As you’ll see when you use it, whatever dollar amount you slide the tool to, the amount your employees have to pay* will appear at the same time. The trick is to adjust it until you are comfortable with both figures.
*The amount an employee pays depends on their plan choice and family coverage.
FYI: It’s important to know that once you decide how much you’re going to contribute to your employee’s plan, your cost stays the same. That makes it easy for you to budget for the entire year.
You’re Not Alone
At this point in the process you’re done, but if you have questions, you can always reach out to the company for personal assistance.
As a matter of fact, every page has an area where you can get immediate help by phone. You’re never alone.
In conclusion, if you’re a small business owner who needs to find the right health care plan for your employees, and you don’t want to waste a lot of time doing it, go to the UnitedHealthCare small business website.
(The views expressed do not reflect those of UnitedHealthcare nor its affiliates. They are the personal opinions of the authors. While UnitedHealthcare has made every attempt to ensure accuracy, the information contained in these blogs may change and UnitedHealthcare assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, contrary interpretations of the subject matter or information herein or for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. These blogs may connect to other websites maintained by third parties over whom UnitedHealthcare has no control. UnitedHealthcare makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information contained in those linked blogs or third party websites. Blogs are for general informational.)
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