Research in Integrated Insurance Service for Starups

There are several integrated service providers that offer health, dental, and vision insurance for startups with 1-10 employees in the US. These providers often package these benefits together to make it easier and more cost-effective for small businesses.

Here are some options to consider:

1. Major Insurance Carriers with Small Business Options:

• UnitedHealthcare: Offers bundled plans and often has partnerships with dental and vision providers. Check out their UHC eoxchange plans.
• Cigna: Provides a range of small business health insurance plans with options to add dental and vision coverage.
• Aetna: Similar to the above, Aetna has small business solutions and partnerships for integrated dental and vision.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield: Various Blue Cross Blue Shield companies operate in different states, but many offer comprehensive plans for small businesses including health, dental, and vision.
• Kaiser Permanente: (Where available - primarily CA, CO, GA, HI, MD, OR, VA, WA, and DC) Kaiser is often an integrated system offering all three in a single plan and can be a cost-effective option.

Why Choose a Major Carrier Directly?

• Reputation & Stability: Established companies with a track record.
• Large Networks: Broad network of doctors and dentists.
• Direct Relationship: You deal directly with the insurer.

2. Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs):

• TriNet: A popular PEO choice for startups. They handle payroll, HR, compliance, and, importantly, offer access to large group health insurance rates, which can be a significant cost saver for small businesses. They usually bundle health, dental, and vision.
• Justworks: Similar to TriNet, Justworks offers an all-in-one platform for HR, payroll, and benefits. They negotiate group rates for their clients, providing access to competitive health, dental, and vision plans.
• Gusto: While primarily known for payroll, Gusto also partners with insurance brokers to offer health benefits, including dental and vision. They integrate these options into their platform for easy management.
• Oasis: Another well-established PEO offering integrated solutions, including robust benefits packages.
• ADP TotalSource: ADP's PEO arm, providing benefits administration and access to their group plans.

Why Choose a PEO?

• Economies of Scale: PEOs pool together multiple small businesses, giving them the buying power of a larger company, resulting in lower insurance premiums.
• HR Support: PEOs handle HR tasks, freeing up your time to focus on your core business.
• Compliance: They help you stay compliant with employment laws and regulations.
• Benefits Administration: PEOs often manage the enrollment, billing, and ongoing administration of your benefits.

3. Benefits Brokers & Platforms:

• Zenefits: Offers a benefits administration platform that integrates with many insurance carriers. They help you compare plans and manage enrollment online.
• Ease: (Formerly EaseCentral) A similar benefits administration platform to Zenefits.
• SimplyInsured: An online platform that helps small businesses compare and purchase health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Noyo: Focuses on connecting employers and benefits providers through API technology, streamlining benefits administration.

Why Choose a Broker/Platform?

• Comparison Shopping: Brokers help you compare plans from different carriers to find the best fit for your budget and employees' needs.
• Expert Advice: Brokers can provide guidance and advice on selecting the right plans.
• Ongoing Support: They often provide ongoing support with enrollment, claims, and other benefits-related issues.
• Technology: Platforms streamline the administration process.

4. State and Federal Marketplaces:

• SHOP Marketplace (Small Business Health Options Program): While the SHOP marketplace exists at the federal level, it's often handled by individual states. You can explore the options available in your state for small business health insurance, and you may find plans that include dental and vision. Be aware that SHOP plans can sometimes be more expensive than other options.

Important Considerations When Choosing a Provider:

• Employee Needs: Survey your employees to understand their priorities for health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Budget: Determine how much you can afford to spend on benefits.
• Network Coverage: Check the provider's network to ensure that your employees have access to doctors and dentists in their area.
• Plan Options: Look for a provider that offers a variety of plan options to meet different needs and budgets.
• Administration: Consider the ease of administration and the level of support provided by the provider.
• Cost: Get quotes from several providers to compare prices and coverage. Factor in not just the monthly premium, but also deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
• Employee contributions: Determine how much of the premium you will cover vs. how much employees will contribute.

Recommendation:

The best approach for a startup with 1-10 employees is to:

1. Get Quotes from Multiple Sources: Contact a few PEOs, a local insurance broker, and major carriers directly.
2. Compare Plans Carefully: Evaluate the coverage, network, cost, and administrative support offered by each provider.
3. Involve Employees: Gather feedback from your employees to ensure that the benefits package meets their needs.

PEOs are often a strong choice due to their ability to provide access to competitive rates and comprehensive HR support, but they also come with a monthly fee that needs to be factored into your budget. A benefits broker can help you navigate the complex insurance landscape and find the best option for your specific needs. Good luck!