At Timberwolf Insurance Services, we understand the farming industry as it’s a large part of our business. We recognize that farming operations are all different in size, range and needs. We also understand that a “one size fits all” farm policy, simply doesn’t work. Therefore, we are proud to represent 3 of the top insurance companies that insure farms, ranches and country estates in the Northwest and throughout the country. We can tailor your protection to ensure you get the coverage’s that you want and don’t pay for coverage’s that you don’t need. We proudly write U-Pick Farms and U-Cut Christmas Trees as well.
We are pleased to offer the following Farm and Ranch Insurance Products:
Standard Coverages
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What Is Group Health Insurance for Small Businesses?
A group health insurance plan for small businesses is a health insurance policy that small businesses can offer to their employees. (A small business is defined as those businesses with less than 50 full-time or full-time equivalent employees.) This is different from individual health insurance that an individual may purchase as an individual or a family. Group health insurance plans may offer added benefits that are not available in individual plans.
One difference is that group health insurance can often cost less than individual health insurance because the risks are spread over the entire group of employees.
So group health insurance for small businesses is usually a single policy that covers the entire group of employees, and potentially their dependents. It is usually less expensive than individual health insurance and the benefits levels tend to be more robust.
The Different Kinds of Group Health Insurance
● HMO: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans typically require enrollees to pick a primary care doctor as their main point of contact. The primary care doctor may then refer them to specialists on an as-needed basis. When picking a primary care doctor, the enrollee is limited to doctors within the insurance company’s network. Medical care rendered by providers outside the network is often not covered (except in case of emergencies).
● PPO: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans do not require you to pick a primary care doctor and generally give you more freedom to see the doctors you choose, though doctors outside of the insurance company’s network may be covered at a lower level than those in-network.
● EPO: Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans combine some of the features of both HMO and PPO plans. You are generally not required to pick a primary care doctor with an EPO plan, but you may not have any coverage outside of the insurance company’s network of medical providers.
● Other: There are other types of plans available as well, such as Point of Service (POS) plans. There are also some plans that are eligible for use with Health Savings Accounts. When considering any plan type, pay attention to the covered services and how much you will be required to pay from your own pocket when you seek medical care.
Metal Levels:
● Platinum: Platinum plans usually offer the most benefits and are designed to pay 90 percent of projected health expenses for the average enrollee. They tend to have higher monthly premiums but may also have the lowest out-of-pocket expenses.
● Gold: Gold plans are designed to pay 80 percent of projected health expenses for the average policy holder and may include higher co-pays or higher premiums.
● Silver: Silver plans are designed to pay 70 percent of projected health expenses for the average policy holder and often have less expensive premiums than either Gold or Platinum level plans. While they cost less per month, they often have more expensive co-payments and deductibles.
● Bronze: Bronze plans are designed to pay the least amount of projected health expenses — only pay 60 percent of the average policy holder’s expenses, but they have more affordable premiums and may be a good fit for healthy people who do not require many visits to the doctor or other medical expenses, and do not want to pay a high premium.
Are Small Businesses Required to Offer Group Health Insurance?
While the laws are always changing, small businesses below 50 full-time equivalent employees generally are not required to offer group health insurance, so many do not. However, if you offer one full-time employee health insurance you will often need to offer health coverage to all of your full-time employees.
When health insurance is offered it often includes the employee’s dependents — spouse, children, etc. Eligible children may be covered to age 26.
Can Employees Pay Part of Their Premiums?
Yes. The employer can decide how much the employee’s share of health insurance coverage is, though the employer is generally required to pay at least 50% of an employee’s monthly premium. The breakdown must generally be standardized and not personal.
Key Terms for Understanding Health Insurance
● Premiums: Premiums are the monthly costs associated with purchasing and maintaining coverage under a health insurance policy. Monthly premiums are typically split between the employer and employees.
● Deductibles: An annual deductible is a set dollar figure that you are generally required to pay out of your own pocket before the insurance company begins to pay for covered medical services, such as doctor’s visits, lab work, or prescription drugs. Some plans have separate medical and prescription drug deductibles. It’s important to note that some preventive medical services may be free of charge to you, while others may apply toward your deductible or require co-payments.
● Effective Date: In general, the effective date is the date on which coverage begins under a new health insurance plan. This may be the date on which your new group health insurance plan comes into effect, or it may refer to the date on which a new employee or dependent becomes covered under your existing plan.
Seek Professional Guidance
Insurance agents and brokers, insurance counselors, and other trained financial consultants can help provide answers to detailed questions about a particular policy. These professionals are also helpful in selecting the right policy and the appropriate amount of coverage.