Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Small Employers Seek Texas Health Insurance

By Jordan FeRoss

For purposes of definition of health insurance in Texas, there is a difference between small employers and large employers according to state and federal mandates. For a small employer to be called just that, they will have to have no more than 50 employees that work full-time (actually 2 to 50 full-time employees). These employees that are defined as full-time must work at least 30 hours or more each week in order to qualify. That does not include temporary workers or seasonal workers.

Because they are so vital to the nation's economy and have less capital, small businesses are afforded some leeway regarding health insurance by both the state and federal legislatures. Included in these special protections under the law are mandates limiting the amount insurers can charge and the type of benefits offered to small businesses. However, this is not automatic and small businesses must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for group health insurance in Texas. The most important qualification is based on the number of employees the company will choose coverage by the plan. And, a company can not pick and choose which employees or dependents to include in their plans. While employees have the right to decline coverage, it must be their choice according to the law.

A health insurance provider may require that a minimum of 75% of the employees that are eligible for insurance through their small business employer sign up for their insurance. With some companies this may be a portion of how they will obtain health insurance. But, it may all depend on the number of employees and the law may state that not that many employees at the company have to participate in order for them to qualify for health insurance in Texas.

Or if the number of employees is low, require them to have total participation of 100%, no exceptions. If the small employer includes spouses and maybe a few others, then the spouses must each get separate health insurance coverage. There would be no dependent sharing for either spouse. This applies to health insurance in Texas as well.

With the small employer, the ones that qualify for health care coverage are bound by the exact terms and conditions. No one can have anything different in their health insurance policy. If it were a larger employer, then the policies would be different. They could be more flexible because they have more people that would need or want coverage. The health insurance in Texas can dictate that.

No matter what size the company is, it is against the law for any employer to require an employee to participate in a health insurance plan in Texas in order to keep their job. It is also illegal to disqualify an employee for insurance coverage due to their age, gender or health conditions they may have.

Small businesses need to be mindful of the laws regarding health insurance in Texas. They must be sure to offer the proper health insurance for their eligible employees under the law. Having healthy employees is better for the employer in the long run and paying for health insurance will benefit them as well as the employees. - 15275

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