How Nonprofits Can Get Health Care

Offering employees health benefits is important for businesses in all fields to do, but nonprofit organizations often struggle to provide healthcare. Research conducted in 2019 found that only 18% of nonprofit organizations offer group health insurance. Over 80% of these organizations said that they couldn’t afford group health insurance, while others said that they have employees with a wide variety of needs, and they had difficulty providing for all of them. If you run a nonprofit and want to offer health insurance but are unsure how you can manage it, you should know that traditional group health plans are not the only route you can go to provide your employees with health benefits.

Do You Have to Offer Health Benefits?

group of people gathered around a table looking at a piece of paper
Offering group health insurance can help keep them happy, healthy, and productive. 

In general, the choice to offer your employees health insurance is up to you. You should be aware, though, if you have 50 or more full-time employees, you do not have to offer health insurance, but you will be penalized for not offering some level of coverage. If you have fewer than 50 employees, then you are not required by the ACA to provide insurance, but there is an incentive for you to do so, which we will discuss later. 

The main issue is that you really should offer healthcare to your employees, if at all possible. Offering health benefits is important because it helps keep your employees healthy and happy.  Providing healthcare is beneficial for you, as well: studies show that offering health benefits is important for hiring and retaining top talent.

Nonprofit Health Benefits Options

Many small nonprofits simply do not have the resources to offer traditional group health insurance to their employees, but it does not mean they do not want to. It is a major challenge for most, but fortunately there are other ways to provide benefits:

SHOP Marketplace Group Plans 

If you’re a small nonprofit with fewer than 50 employees, you can choose to offer a group health plan through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). These affordable plans have four tiers of coverage, like individual ACA plans, and you have the ability to choose how much or how little you want to contribute to your employee’s premiums. 

One of the best things about SHOP for smaller nonprofits? The tax advantages. You may be eligible for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit if you have fewer than 25 full time employees, pay average annual wages to your employees of less than $50,000 per full time employee, and cover at least 50% of your full-time employees’ health insurance premium costs. You’ll be eligible for the minimum tax credit if you meet the above criteria; you’ll be eligible for the full tax credit if you have fewer than 10 employees who are paid less than $25,000 per year. The credit for tax-exempt nonprofits could be worth up to 35% of the cost of your contributions to your employees’ health insurance premiums. health reimbursement arrangement written in blue on a paper that is on a clipboard being held by hands

HRA

A health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) is a way for employers to reimburse employees for medical expenses such as health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. The best part is that HRAs are tax-free! You can choose a certain tax-free monthly allowance to provide to your employees which rolls over each month. This will allow you to budget each month for employee health benefits, while giving your employees the option to choose the coverage that best suits their specific needs. There are 3 different kinds of HRAs:

  • Qualified Small Employer HRA (QSEHRA)– for employers with fewer than 50 full-time employees. These HRAs have a limit on the monthly amount you can offer. In addition, you cannot offer a group health plan alongside a QSEHRA. 
  • Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA)– for employers of all sizes, these HRAs can function as a stand-alone benefit or as a separate option in an organization’s health benefits program, alongside group health insurance.
  • Group Coverage HRA (GCHRA)– employer-funded medical reimbursement plan linked with a group health insurance plan, usually a high-deductible plan.

How EZ Can Help

Depending on the size of your nonprofit, you might have different options for offering health benefits. EZ.Insure works with businesses and organizations of all sizes and types, and understands that each business has different needs. We work with the top-rated insurance companies around the country and can compare plans in your area and help guide you to the best option for your nonprofit organization. Because we care about helping others and not making a profit off them, we offer our services for free. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly with one of our licensed agents, call 888-998-2027.

Self-Employed? Here’s Your Guide To Getting Health Insurance

Nothing beats being your own boss! If you are self-employed, then you are probably wondering about your health insurance options. Don’t worry, you do not have to break the bank to get a plan for yourself. There are many affordable options.

silhouette of a man looking at a blackboard with 3 arrows pointing in different directions
When you are self-employed, you have different options for health insurance.

Health Insurance Coverage Options

Let’s talk about the options of health insurance for the self-employed. There are different routes to go when looking for the right plan.

  • Marketplace– If you work as a freelancer, run your own business, or self-employed without employees, then you qualify for the Individual Marketplace. There are a variety of different plans you can choose from, but you can only enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period, unless you have a qualifying life event. When you fill out an application, you will find out if you qualify for premium tax credits and other savings, which we will further elaborate on later. 
  • Private Insurance– Private insurance has plans that provide good coverage at an affordable rate. Private insurance companies have many plans to choose from with a variety of coverage and costs. You can find a plan tailored to your needs and budget.
  • SHOP Marketplace– If you own a business and are looking for coverage for yourself, a spouse, or have an employee, then Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace is the way to go. Enrolling in a SHOP plan offers small business or non-profit a Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.

Marketplace Savingsafrican american hands holding a small white piggy bank

Now back to those savings we talked about earlier. When you fill out a health insurance Marketplace application, you will estimate your net self-employment income. The premium tax credit or reduction qualifications rely on the year you’re getting coverage, not the prior year’s income. You will have to estimate your household income for the year and submit it. During the year, you can change your estimated income if the income changes. 

If you qualify for the tax credit, you are allowed to deduct 100% of your health insurance premiums for your adjusted gross income every year. 

Tips On Choosing A Plan

caucasian woman n a sundress with a laptop on her lap and a notebook on the seat next to her.
Before choosing a plan, make sure to do some research, so you pick the best plan for your situation.

There are a lot of different plans you can choose from, both on the marketplace and through private health insurance companies. You can choose a high deductible plan with lower monthly premiums, and benefit from an HSA account. You can choose a low deductible plan with higher monthly premiums, or even a catastrophic plan. Whichever you choose, make sure to compare plans to choose the one that meets your needs and budget. 

Comparing plans and their prices can take a long time, and can be frustrating. The most important tip when choosing a health insurance plan is getting expert advice from an insurance agent. EZ.Insure offers highly trained and knowledgeable agents all around the U.S. that specialize in their region. You can speak to one of our agents, and they will do all the comparing of available plans for you and provide you with the quotes. It comes at no cost to you, which is a win! You get free help, and get directed in the right path to save money, double win! To speak to an agent by emailing replies@ez.insure, or calling 888-998-2027. No gimmicks, no hassle, and no cost. Just simple, free health insurance quotes.