Common Questions

Can dental be added to California business health plans?

Yes. As a supplement, dental coverage through Delta Dental can be added to your California small group medical coverage.

Am I covered when I travel?

Kaiser Permanente covers members for life or limb anywhere in the world.

Can each employee select the plan of his/her choice?

When applying, employers choose which California group health coverage plans to offer and employees may select from those options.

Can I offer multiple plans to my employees?

Small groups with three to five eligible employees may offer up to two plan types. Businesses with six or more eligible employees may offer more plans.

Will California group health insurance costs be more affordable if I purchase individual or small business coverage?

Factors such as age and location will affect the California group health rates for husband-wife and self-employed businesses. We recommend getting California group medical insurance quotes as well as individual quotes in order to compare cost and coverage benefits. Be aware that for individual coverage medical underwriting is required which may make this healthcare type unattainable for those with serious pre-existing health conditions.

What are the most cost effective California small business health plans?

Many find the most cost effective coverage type is the middle-of-the road $30 Copayment Plan or the $1500 Deductible Plan with HSA, which has the lowest out-of-pocket maximum. However, some small groups which have employees with serious medical needs choose the $5 Copayment Plan in order to lower their out-of-pocket expenses when visiting the doctor or staying in the hospital.

How much do California group health insurance rates go up every year?

The trend, due to advances in healthcare and economic factors, is for medical insurance coverage to increase 3-12% each year. Small groups that are extra healthy and businesses that use their care excessively may receive additional discounts or increases of up to 10%. Many employers use cost sharing to place some responsibility on their employees and discourage over-use of healthcare.

Can I include rates for spouses and children in my California small business health insurance quote?

Yes. Click the "Get quotes" link above. On the next page you will be able to enter the ages of your employees and note the dependents that you wish to cover with group health insurance. California businesses are not required to offer dependent coverage, but many employers do so in order to encourage employee retention.

What factors determine the cost of California group health insurance?

Your California business health insurance quotes are determined based on location, number of employees, ages of employees, and plan type. Small businesses enrolling with Kaiser Permanente receive price breaks at 6 enrolled employees and 15 enrolled employees. Businesses with 51 or more employees who wish to get California group health quotes should be aware that large businesses qualify for specialized group health insurance prices.

Why choose Kaiser Permanente for California group health insurance?

As the leading HMO in the state, Kaiser Permanente offers high quality coverage at affordable prices. Business owners and employees get the most for their money when they choose Kaiser Permanente for California small business medical insurance. For the first time, in 2008 Kaiser Permanente is also offering PPO coverage which can stand alongside the HMO company healthcare plans.

As an employer or small business owner, how much should I expect to pay?

The state requires a minimum contribution amount for owners who offer California business medical insurance to their employees. The business must contribute 50% of the cost of the lowest age band for the least expensive plan being offered. If the premium for the less than 30 age band on the least expensive plan was $210, the employer would be required to pay at least $105 toward health insurance coverage for each employee. The remaining premium would be taken out of the employee's paycheck through payroll deductions.

What are the eligibility requirements for group health insurance in California?

Those applying for California company health insurance must have two or more employees or owners who qualify for group coverage. Employees must work 20 hours or more and be paid on W-2's. Kaiser Permanente does not offer California employee health insurance to employees that are paid on 1099's.

Why choose California business health insurance instead of an individual plan?

Business owners and the self-employed choose California small group health insurance for a variety of reasons. Often, small business owners with employees offer California group health benefits in an effort to retain quality employees. Business owners realize that they attract more applicants and are more successful in retaining productive employees when they offer health insurance benefits. For individuals with pre-existing health conditions, group healthcare plans may be their only affordable healthcare option.

Can dental and vision be added to our small group plan?

Some vision coverage is already included. Many plans include vision exams with a copayment. Some plans include an allowance for eyewear. Delta Dental coverage may be added to many of the small business health insurance plans.

Group Health Insurance Plans

Kaiser Permanente offers a range of group health plans for employers of all sizes, from small to mid-size, to multistate or national. Just find your business size and select your location to get a health plan quote that best suits your needs.

Small business (50 or fewer employees) health insurance plans

Our small business health plans are designed for companies with 50 or fewer employees. Select your business location on the left to view the Kaiser Permanente small business health plans available in that region.

Copayment Plans

Kaiser Permanente Group Copayment Plans offer no medical deductibles and virtually no paperwork. Those covered in your business will have low cost office visits and prescription drug copayments. Plans include copayments for doctor visits, emergency, surgery, prescription drugs, etc.

Deductible Plans

Our Small Business Deductible Plans offer affordable monthly premiums and include some benefits before the deductible is met. Some commonly utilized benefits such as doctor visits and prescription drugs are covered immediately once you are enrolled. Primary and specialty care visits only require a copayment which is not subject to the deductible.

Note: The $30/$1,500 Deductible Plan is only available if offered with at least one copay plan. This option is available to groups with two or more eligible employees. If the $30/$1,500 Deductible Plan is offered with two or more copay plans, regular multiple plan offering rules apply.

HSA Plans (qualified for Health Savings Account)

Kaiser Permanente offers Health Savings Account Plans for groups. Small business HSA plans offer affordable monthly premiums and allow federal tax sheltering for medical expenses. Employees covered on a group HSA plan have the option of opening a health savings account, and both employees and employers may contribute to them. Contributions made to these accounts are tax deductible from your federal taxes. Plus, some of these healthcare policies offer 100% coverage after the deductible is met. Kaiser Permanente and Wells Fargo have teamed up to offer enrollees greater savings and convenience on HSA qualified business plans.

Choosing the Right Group Health Insurance Plan for Your Business

Employers maintaining a close eye on the bottom line want an affordable small business health insurance plan that offers quality coverage to their employees. Overly expensive group medical insurance coverage can become an excessive burden on the business and even the employees, in the case that health insurance costs are shared. Kaiser Permanente offers quality group health insurance plan coverage at competitive prices. The larger the group, the greater the discount for which the business will qualify.

Group Health Plans