About Group Insurance Plans

Step 1 - How BIA Helps:

As an independent health insurance broker we are licensed by the state of Oregon to represent and work for our clients in the purchase and service of their insurance products. Unlike a captive insurance agent who represents that insurance company alone, we as a broker are independent of a specific insurance company. We work throughout the State of Oregon By using an insurance broker you pay the same price for your health insurance as you would if you went directly through the health insurance company.

You will get information on many companies in one place with no bias to sell one over another. You will also receive personal customer service with any issues you may have. We hope you will take some time to look through the group insurance information we have provided for you.

Please contact us at any point if your should have specific questions or need additional information.

Step 2 - What is a Group Insurance:

Group insurance is a guaranteed issue group policy. It covers employers and their employees who have between 2 and 50 eligible employees working on average at least 17.5 hours per week.. Typically the employer contributes at least 50% and up to 100% of his employees premium. The employer also chooses to contribute between 0% and 100% of the employees dependents coverage as well.

The employer must have equal contributions between all of the employees, but can limit eligibility to the plan by setting certain benchmarks. The first is they can set minimum hours employees must work to qualify for coverage. The hourly requirement can range between 17.5 and 40 hours. The second benchmark they can use is to set a probationary period that must be meet before coverage can be offered. For small group that is between a 0 and 90 day waiting period.

Once an employer has decided he wants to offer group coverage they need to get a quote from different insurance carriers to compare plans.

Step 3 - Getting a Quote:

When requesting a small group insurance quote the specific rating criteria used in calculating your rates has changed significantly. The factors an insurance company uses in their rate calculations can correspondingly have a significant impact on your premiums. This could affect new group premiums or premiums on the group's next renewal. The following factors can now affect your rates: (as of April 1,2008)

• Employee Age
• Dependent Ages
• Dependent and Employee Tobacco Use
• Geographic Location of the Business and/or the Employee's Residence
• Plan Benefit Design
• How Long You Have Been with the Insurance Company
• How Much the Employer Contributes to the Cost of Coverage
• How Many of the Company's Employees are Enrolled in the Plan
• Medical Claims Experience (+ or - 5%)
• Participation in a Wellness Program

If you are interested in looking at coverage for your business please complete the group request form below. Then fax or email it to us and we will be in contact, if you should have any questions about this process or would like help completing the form please give us a call toll free at 1-800-367-0241.

Step 4 - Choosing and Enrolling in a Plan:

Once we have run rates we will be in contact with you to schedule a meeting in person or to review over the phone. We will determine with you what plan will work best for your business. In assessing this we will look at what deductible your company wants, how much the co pay to see the physician should be, what your out of pocket limit will be, and a variety of other benefits (i.e. dental, vision, alternative care, HSA, and etc).

Group Health Insurance Resources:

• Client Services
  (Provider Directories, Plan Summary of Benefits, RX Formulary Lists
  & Group Applications)
  
• Group Request Form (Excel File .xls)