As we've emerged from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of health insurance has witnessed significant shifts. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reports a record low in the uninsured rate in 2022, a trend partly fueled by pandemic-era policies. For employers, both small and large, this evolving environment presents both challenges and opportunities. Fundamental Care® Level Funded Health Plan Options such as Fundamental Care® Limited Day are at the forefront, offering adaptable solutions that cater to the diverse needs of today's workforce.
The Evolving Landscape of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans
The pandemic has reshaped how employers view health coverage. With a mix of remote and in-office work environments, the need for flexible and near comprehensive health plans has never been greater. The KFF report indicates that employer-sponsored insurance played a significant role in decreasing uninsured rates, emphasizing the crucial role employers play in ensuring health security.
Small Employers: Overcoming the Challenge of Offering Health Benefits
Small businesses often struggle with offering health insurance due to high costs and complex requirements. Fundamental Care® addresses these concerns by offering affordable core plan options with a minimum enrollment requirement of only 10 lives or 30% of eligible employees. This low entry point makes it feasible for small employers to provide health benefits, a critical factor in attracting and retaining talent.
Large Employers: Customized Solutions for Diverse Needs
For larger employers, the challenge lies in providing health plans that cater to a diverse workforce with varying needs. Fundamental Care®’s plans are designed for scalability and customization, ensuring that large employers can offer plans that are as diverse as their workforce. Our options meet ACA's “Minimum Essential Coverage” and "Minimum Value" definitions, ensuring compliance while offering quality coverage.
The Advantage of Level Funded Health Plans
Level funded plans provide a middle ground between traditional fully insured and self-insured plans. They offer the predictability of fixed monthly costs with the potential for refunds based on utilization. This feature is particularly beneficial in a post-pandemic world where employers are looking for cost-effective and flexible health plan solutions.
Navigating Changes with The Help of Insurance Brokers
Insurance brokers and general agents play a pivotal role in helping employers navigate these options. Their expertise is invaluable in helping tailor plans to specific employer group needs, ensuring that employers make informed decisions about their health plan offerings.
Case Studies: Real-World Impact
Consider a restaurant group that partnered with Fundamental Care® through one of our broker partners. By adopting our level funded health plan, they were able to provide competitive health benefits, which was instrumental in their recruitment and employee retention efforts. Another example is a large manufacturing company that leveraged our Fundamental Care® Limited Day Health Plan to offer a robust range of options to their employees, resulting in improved health outcomes and reduced overall healthcare costs.
Conclusion
The post-pandemic era is a critical time for employers to reassess their health plan offerings. With Fundamental Care®’s Level Funded Health Plan Options, both small and large employers can find plans that are not only affordable and compliant but also flexible and near comprehensive. As we continue to adapt to the changing healthcare landscape, our commitment remains strong: to provide health plans that meet the evolving needs of employers and their employees, contributing to a healthier, more secure workforce.
About Fundamental Care®
Fundamental Care® offers Affordability-Based Medical Plans designed to meet the unique needs of various niche markets, including small businesses and their employees, part-time and hourly workers at enterprise-level companies, independent contractors, gig-economy workers, and association members. Our mission is to provide access to unique and affordable health insurance benefits on a guaranteed issue basis. Learn more about Fundamental Care® and how we can help your clients navigate the challenging healthcare landscape.
About Coterie Advisory Group, Inc.
Fundamental Care® is managed by Coterie Advisory Group, Inc., an insurance program manager and national marketing agency. Our founders are a team of insurance and benefits professionals with extensive experience in the benefits marketplace. They have held leadership and executive roles at multiple insurance carriers, agencies, and platform administrators. Our drive has helped thousands of service-industry employers and millions of individuals obtain quality, affordable care. Coterie focuses on Affordability-Based Medical Plans and holds life and health insurance licenses in all 50 states.