Advice on Group Health and Dental Insurance

Health Insurance: Why?

I am not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the line the term health insurance has become a dirty word. Every news story these days seems to have a health insurance angle. Who gets, who deserves it, and who pays for it, are the main hot button issues. However, if you are anything like me, you are just sick of the entire debate.

Why all the Debate?

In the beginning, it seemed like an innocent enough quest. The idea was simple. Make healthcare affordable, and provide it to everyone. We all need health insurance, right. So why not take measures that make it possible for everyone to receive it. I do not care what side you are on; you have to at least agree that health insurance is not a privilege; it is a right. The high costs and premiums are getting out of control, virtually making it impossible for average American families to afford it.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, we, or better yet, the politicians lost sight of the overall goal and infighting ensued. The reason for passing, or not passing, health care bills no longer had anything to do about the best interest of the public. Instead, it all became about protecting the political party lines. No one seemed to care that million of Americans were still without health insurance. All they cared about was whether someone was democrat or republican, conservative or liberal.

Now I am no politician. The whole system makes me feel somewhat dirty and squeamish. Still, I have to believe that there is a better way. Is there no middle ground? The whole thing has just steam rolled out of control, and I am not sure that there is any way to regain control.

When it comes to health insurance, it is all about the bottom line.  High-ranking officials, executives, and radio personalities jump up on their soapboxes and scream about the injustices that are being portrayed on the American society.  The scary thing is that both sides are claiming that injustices are being done.  All this does is create mass hysteria and confusion.  It is akin to shouting fire in the middle of a crowded theatre. 

Now, do not think that all of this confusion was accidental.  It is actually quite beneficial.  As long as both sides are able to point fingers and place blame, no one actually has to take fault.  This is the beauty of the whole thing.  They can keep volleying back and forth, passing pointless health insurance bills.  There is no need to make an attempt toward actual change.  They can just sit back, bide their time, and watch their bank accounts grow.

Here is the bottom line.  The debate on providing affordable health insurance for every one is eons old, and we are not any closer to a solution.  While many in the general public continue to pay high prices on health insurance, or go without, others are getting rich.  Newspaper columnists and talk show hosts are paid to incite rage.  Politicians and Executives are paid to keep the debate going.  And health insurance companies, well do not get me started on health insurance companies, that is another story altogether. 

When running a business, one of the keys to attracting and keeping quality workers is to offer good compensation and benefits.  Vacations, 401k plans, profit sharing, and group health and dental insurance plans can all factor into an individual’s decision to work for a company.  If a company cannot provide a competitive compensation package, then it is very likely that the better-qualified workers will go elsewhere to work.  So, instead of having a pick of the very best, the employer has nothing but the leftovers. 

To avoid this, it wise to offer, when feasible, a benefits package in addition to an employee’s regular monetary compensation.  You really could not run your company without quality employees, so maybe it is time to start treating them like quality employees.  You will be surprised at how they respond. 

One of the easiest ways to beef up a benefits package, albeit not the cheapest, is to offer group health and dental insurance.  Health insurance is becoming more and more expensive, and individuals are looking for ways to cut costs.  Offering a group health and dental insurance plan is a great way to relieve some of the financial stresses placed on your employees. 

The trick, of course, is to select the policy that benefits both you and your employee.  You want to offer them the best; because, as we discussed, this will help you attract and retain quality employees.  However, you also do not want an added group health care plan to have a detrimental impact on your business and you overall success. 

Perhaps the most popular way to cut costs to both you and your employee is to split the costs of the group health and dental insurance plans with the employee.  In this situation, the business pays for a certain portion of the health care costs, and the individual pays the rest, as high as fifty percent.  Of course, you want to make sure the costs are reasonable; otherwise, the entire endeavor is pointless.  Shop around and find the best quote and insurance provider. 

 Now, when offering a shared cost group health and dental insurance plan, be sure to offer a plan that provides the employee with some utility.  Not every employee can use the same type of coverage, so there really is no sense in giving them something that they do not need.  Instead, shop for plans with different options and features.  Plans that allow the employees some choice in what is covered are great assets.  For starters, you are offering your employee a choice and this makes them happy.  In addition, employees will generally try to find the most economically sound plan that suits them; this will in turn drive down your costs. 

When selecting a group health and dental insurance plan, make sure you shop around.  Talk with at least three different insurance representatives, and ask them many questions.  This will ensure that you get the best possible policies at the lowest possible prices.  In the end, this will make both you and your employees happy.