Health Coverage for a Business of One — or a Small Team
Owner-only? A few employees? Here are the concepts to understand before you choose a route.
I’m Christopher Horne, a licensed health insurance broker serving Florida, Texas, Arizona, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Virginia. I mainly help individuals and families, and I can explain the small-business concepts owners ask about so you can have an informed conversation about next steps.
If It Is Just You
Many owner-only businesses — a sole proprietor or single-member LLC with no employees — compare individual Marketplace coverage rather than a group plan. Whether a group option is available depends on your business structure, employee count, state, and carrier rules.
See also my self-employed guide.
SHOP in General Terms
The Small Business Health Options Program, often called SHOP, is a route created for certain small employers to offer health and dental coverage to employees. Availability, employer eligibility, employee participation, and enrollment rules vary. Not every business qualifies, and plans offered through SHOP are not the same as an individual Marketplace enrollment.
ICHRA in General Terms
An Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or ICHRA, is an employer-funded arrangement that can reimburse employees for individual health coverage and certain medical expenses when it is set up and administered under the applicable rules. ICHRA design involves employer eligibility, employee classes, notices, and substantiation — it needs proper setup and administration. This page is a general explainer only, not a plan design or tax recommendation.
Questions Owners Should Answer First
- How many owners and how many W-2 employees need coverage?
- Which state is the business in, and where do employees live?
- Do you want to offer coverage, contribute toward it, or simply help employees find their own?
- What start date are you aiming for, and does any current coverage end then?
- Who will handle payroll, notices, and recordkeeping if you choose an employer arrangement?
What I Can and Cannot Do Here
I can help owners and employees compare individual coverage options I am licensed and appointed to offer, explain general SHOP and ICHRA concepts, and point you toward qualified benefits or tax professionals for employer plan design. I do not publish specific group rates on this page because group pricing depends on the group and carrier underwriting and quoting rules.
Next Step
Tell me your state, business structure, and how many people you hope to cover. Eligibility depends on your situation — for a free check, call or text me at 954-787-9118.
Talk Through Your Business Size and Options
Tell me how many people you need to cover and I will explain what to compare.
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Enroll Online →Rather talk first? Book a free call or text 954-787-9118. Eligibility depends on your situation.