When considering a small business health plan
Step 1: Choose a Wellmark network
Consider how broad of a network you need. The more local the network, the less you and your employees pay. But you may need a broader network if your employees live, work or frequently travel out-of-state.
- Plans available in the Wellmark Blue HMOSM Network are good for employees who live in Iowa. These plans give employees access to more than 29,000 health care providers across all of Iowa’s 99 counties and in bordering counties.
- Plans available in the Wellmark Blue POSSM Network are good for employees who live in Iowa but want out-of-state coverage. They provide a flexible network option for employers and members who prefer the lower cost of a state-based HMO network but still want protection from higher out-of-network costs.
- Plans in the Wellmark Blue PPOSM Network provide the broadest access with extensive statewide and national network providers.
Step 2: Choose a plan and a tier
You get meaningful choices among tiers, deductibles, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums and benefits so you can pick the design that matters most to you and your employees.
Choose from traditional, primary or high-deductible health plans (HDHP):
- Traditional: Familiar plan type with cost shares like copays, coinsurance and deductibles.
- Primary: Lower copays are available to incentivize employees to seek care through their primary care provider (PCP) first.
- HDHP: Employees pay the full cost of care for everything but preventive services (which are free) until their deductible has been met.
Choose from Gold, Silver and Bronze tiers:
The tiers of small business health plans determine the cost-sharing split between your employees and Wellmark. Gold tier plans have the highest premiums and the lowest out-of-pocket costs, while Bronze tier plans have the lowest premiums and highest out-of-pocket costs
Step 3: Choose a dental and vision plan
Combining dental and vision coverage with your medical plan is an impactful way to provide your employees with a comprehensive benefits package, at no additional cost to you.
Download the plan comparison guide
Learn more about Wellmark small business health plans and the benefits they include with our Iowa and South Dakota plan comparison guides.
Learn more about Wellmark small business health plans
Employees are typically eligible for coverage following an eligibility waiting period established by you, the employer. For eligible employees, the waiting period begins on their date of eligibility and ends on their effective date. The waiting period cannot be waived or exceed 90 days from the date of eligibility.
Request a quote to learn more about eligibility requirements.
To determine which health plan is the best fit for your employees, you’ll need to consider your employees’ needs and your budget. A Wellmark representative can walk you through your options and help you find the best fit.
Simply request a quote and we’ll be in contact soon.
Our plan comparison guide outlines plan details, benefits, costs and network information.
The number of plans you can offer depends on the number of eligible employees you have. We can help you decide what plans and how many you should offer to your employees.
Let’s get started, request a quote.