Small Business Health Insurance
Affordable options for employers with under 50 employees
Why it matters
Strong benefits help small teams punch above their weight
Compete for talent
Health benefits level the playing field when you're hiring against larger employers in the Columbia market.
Tax advantages stack
Employer contributions are deductible, employee contributions can be pre-tax, and eligible businesses claim a federal tax credit.
Reduce turnover
The cost of replacing an employee can run 50–200% of their salary. Benefits buy you loyalty you can't get with pay alone.
Fully Insured Group Plan
The employer selects a plan (or a short menu) from a carrier such as BCBS of South Carolina, BlueChoice, UnitedHealthcare, or Aetna, and all eligible employees enroll in the same coverage. The employer typically funds 50% or more of the employee-only premium, and employees pay the balance pre-tax through a Section 125 cafeteria plan. For groups under 50, renewals are usually community-rated; level-funded is available where the demographics and claims profile justify it.
- Carrier holds 100% of underwriting risk
- Employer typically funds 50%+ of employee-only premium
- Pre-tax employee contributions via Section 125 / POP
- Level-funded available where the group qualifies
ICHRA: the individual coverage HRA
ICHRA reimburses employees tax-free for individual health insurance premiums they buy on the open market. You set a monthly defined-contribution allowance, employees select their own coverage, and the reimbursement is excluded from wages under IRS rules. ICHRA carries no minimum participation, which is what tends to make it viable for very small teams that can't clear a fully insured plan's 70–75% participation threshold. Allowances can be varied across permitted employee classes (full-time, part-time, salaried, hourly, geographic rating area).
- Defined-contribution funding, no minimum participation
- Fixed monthly cost, no renewal volatility
- Allowance variation across permitted employee classes
- Tax-free to the employee, deductible to the employer
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
This is one of the better incentives available to small employers. It's worth up to 50% of the premiums you pay (35% for tax-exempt organizations), and it's most generous for very small teams with modest average wages. Even if you don't qualify for the maximum, a partial credit is often available. To claim it, you have to buy coverage through the SHOP marketplace.
- Fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees
- Average wages below the annual IRS threshold
- Employer contributes ≥ 50% of employee-only premium
- Coverage purchased through the SHOP marketplace
Side-by-side
Traditional group plan vs. ICHRA
| Traditional Group Plan | ICHRA | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan selection | Employer chooses the plan | Employees choose their own plans |
| Budget control | Premium re-rated at renewal | Fixed defined-contribution allowance |
| Minimum participation | Typically 70–75% of eligible | No minimum |
| Employee choice | Limited to selected plan(s) | Any individual market plan |
| Administration | Carrier handles most admin | Requires reimbursement platform |
They always answer during business hours, and someone is always willing to assist with whatever questions or concerns I may have. They're always pleasant — I've been doing business with them almost three years. Chris is very patient and makes sure policies are understood.
Brian P.
Small business client · South Carolina
Related coverage
Other ways we help employers
Group Health Insurance
Fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded plan options for every size business.
Learn moreICHRA
Tax-free reimbursement for individual coverage, with a predictable budget and no participation threshold.
Learn moreEmployee Benefits
Round out health with dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits.
Learn more
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
Real people. Real guidance. Real peace of mind.
I can't say enough nice things about Will Murdock and the hours he's spent helping me find the best plan. He sat on hold listening to elevator music for hours getting all the kinks worked out with my Medicare and Medicaid.
Stacey R.
Medicare client · South Carolina
I was looking for new health insurance and ended up with dental and vision too. Will offered different plans that worked for my budget. Finding insurance isn't always easy, but they made it simple.
Brittany P.
Individual & supplemental plan member · South Carolina
Sherri is incredible. In the 12 years I've handled our company's insurance, we were only ever offered the same two paths. She gave us options no previous agent had ever mentioned, worked directly with each employee, and answered every question.
Jill C.
Group benefits decision-maker · South Carolina
Kearah saved my sanity. She helped me navigate a very uncertain period of getting solid coverage — she was on every call with me and even did footwork on my behalf. I'll be calling her for life insurance next.
ILONA
Health & life client · South Carolina
Brandon is a wealth of information. He's personable, easy to talk to, and made the crazy world of Medicare make sense. He's my recommendation for friends and family getting ready to become eligible.
Matt L.
New Medicare enrollee · South Carolina
Sherri reached out to the Chamber to discuss our health plan and found us a plan with a wider range of benefits. Her knowledge of the health insurance market is remarkable, and her customer service is exceptional.
Irmo Chamber of Commerce
Member organisation · Irmo, SC
Brandon is super compassionate with older folks. He guided my mom through her Medicare open enrollment so smoothly. Thanks, Brandon.
Melissa F.
Family caregiver · South Carolina
As a self-employed small business owner, I'd always carried high deductibles and minimal coverage to make insurance work. Sherri found my family a plan with real coverage and was patient with every question I had.
Victoria A.
Self-employed plan member · South Carolina
The owner and employees were extremely knowledgeable in finding us insurance options. Sherri explained everything and answered every question. Kristian was professional and never made me feel like a burden — he was happy to help.
Allison H.
Long-time client · South Carolina
Andrew is amazing at serving his clients. He cares for them from the beginning to the end of the process. I'd recommend him to anyone looking to add health or life insurance.
Joy H.
Health & life client · South Carolina
Employee benefits carriers
Our Brokerage Partners
Blue Cross Blue Shield
UnitedHealthcare
Aetna
Ambetter
Molina
Why work with us
Small-business benefits expertise, zero cost
Full market access
Not tied to one carrier. We compare every group and ICHRA option available to SC small businesses side by side.
Tax credit and Section 125 setup
We model your eligibility for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit (up to 50% of premium) and coordinate the Premium Only Plan / Section 125 documents that let employee premiums run pre-tax.
Transparent broker compensation
Our compensation is built into carrier premiums and disclosed in writing under CAA Section 408(b)(2). You pay the same rate whether you use a broker or go direct.
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question not listed here? Get in touch.
To qualify, your business must have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees, pay average annual wages below a specified threshold (adjusted annually), and contribute at least 50% of employee-only premium costs. You must also purchase coverage through the SHOP marketplace. Eligible small businesses can receive a tax credit worth up to 50% of the premiums they pay. We can help you determine whether your business meets the requirements.
Most carriers allow businesses with as few as one to two eligible full-time employees to apply for group health insurance. Some carriers require at least two enrolled employees. If you are a sole proprietor with no W-2 employees, you may want to explore ICHRA or individual market options instead.
With a traditional group plan, the employer selects a plan (or a small menu of plans) and all enrolled employees share the same coverage. With ICHRA, the employer sets a reimbursement allowance and employees choose their own individual health insurance plans. ICHRA gives employees more choice and gives employers more budget control, while traditional group plans offer a more uniform benefits experience.
Costs depend on the number of employees, their ages, the plan design, and your location. Employer contribution requirements and tax advantages can significantly reduce the net cost — and rates vary widely between carriers, so a quick comparison usually finds savings. We provide free, no-obligation quotes so you can see real numbers for your group rather than estimates.
Find affordable small business coverage, free
We help SC small businesses design benefits packages that work for their team and their budget.