4 Questions You Must Ask Any California Health Insurance Broker Before Hiring

May 21, 2019

Do you own a small business and need the help of a California health insurance broker to find the best employee medical plan for your business? This quick read will give you fodder as you search and interview small business health insurance brokers near me.

Be Selective by Asking Good Questions

As the owner or HR manager of a small business in California, we know that you have lots of questions when it comes to understanding how to get the best possible health insurance plan for your company.

A strong employee health plan starts with an excellent California-based small business health insurance broker.

But you need to know the questions to ask a potential California health insurance broker–so that you can be sure you’re making the right choice.

Read on to learn more about what you need to bring up when you speak to a California group health insurance broker.

1. Understand Your Legal Requirements

California health insurance broker questions

Health Insurance is California’s #1 Most Desired Employee Benefit

The first question you should ask your California health insurance broker?

Whether or not you’re required to provide health insurance to your employees.

If you have less than 50 full-time employees, you aren’t legally required to provide health insurance.

However, health insurance as a company perk is still something you should consider, as many employees make decisions about whether or not to choose and stay with a company in the first place based on benefits.

2. Ask the California Health Insurance Brokers You Interview About Their Commissions

One of the most important things you need to ask health insurance brokers?

What kind of bonuses and commissions they receive from insurance companies.

This will help you to understand how these incentives could influence their recommendations, and even how long they suggest you stay with a certain carrier. (Retention bonuses, in particular, are often huge.)

A good way to phrase the question is something like, “Do you get half of your compensation from a single carrier?” If they say yes, or refuse to answer the question, the broker likely won’t do the research they need to to make sure you get the best deal.

3. Ask Questions About the Health Plan the Health Insurance Broker Recommends

Your potential health insurance broker should be able to clearly explain to you why they’ve suggested a specific employee health plan for your business.

Ask the broker to explain exactly why they think your team and your company as a whole should go with the broker’s recommendation.

Does the broker think you’ll be better served by a PPO as opposed to an HMO? If so, why?
Did the broker suggest an FSA or an HSA? How would that help your business?
Make sure you also ask about potential tax benefits associated with a specific business health insurance plan.

If they can’t defend their decision and give concrete reasons why the health plan is right for your company and employees, it’s time to move on.

4. Understand Renewals and the Enrollment Process

You already have enough things to worry about when it comes to the day-to-day of the running of a small California business–you don’t have time to wade through the paperwork and confusion of the employee health insurance enrollment and renewal processes.

You should ask your small business health insurance broker how they’ll streamline the enrollment process for you. Which tools will they use, and how can you get help if you need it?

The same goes for renewals. When does the process start? (Usually, between 45-60 days before the renewal date.) Will the broker renegotiate your rate each year so you can get the best possible value?

These are all things you need to know.

In Need of an Expert Health Insurance Broker in San Diego County?

Looking for a health insurance broker in San Diego County that will help make the process of getting the right plan for your business as simple and straightforward as possible?

We can help with that.

Preferred Insurance of California is an independent group health insurance broker that specializes in small business health insurance for companies in San Diego County. We service what we sell, which means we are personally there to help your employees with their health insurance needs.

Learn more about what we have to offer when it comes to California small business group health insurance, and reach out to us to schedule a conversation and free quotes.

Call (760) 385-8239