Hiring has become increasingly competitive for small businesses. Today’s employees expect more than just a paycheck. They want benefits that fit their lives, families, budgets, and health care needs. That’s where CaliforniaChoice stands out.

Instead of offering employees one health plan and hoping it works for everyone, CaliforniaChoice gives your team access to multiple health plans in one program, while helping you maintain predictable costs with a 12-month rate lock. For small businesses trying to compete with larger employers, that flexibility can become a powerful recruiting and retention tool.

One Health Plan Doesn’t Work for Every Employee

Every employee has different health care priorities. One employee may want the broad network of a PPO. Another may prefer the affordability and simplicity of an HMO. Someone else may already have trusted doctors through a specific carrier. Offering only one plan can leave employees feeling limited. Offering multiple options gives them the freedom to choose coverage that works best for their situation.

With CaliforniaChoice, employees can choose from leading statewide carriers including:

• Anthem Blue Cross
• Health Net
• Kaiser Permanente
• UnitedHealthcare

Employees may also have access to regional health plans depending on where they live, including:

• Sharp Health Plan in San Diego and Imperial counties
• Sutter Health Plus in Northern and Central California
• Western Health Advantage in Northern California

That combination of statewide and regional plans gives employees more flexibility and your business a competitive edge when recruiting talent.

How Small Businesses Can Offer a Big-Business Benefits Experience

Large employers often attract talent because they can offer multiple benefit options. CaliforniaChoice helps small businesses deliver a similar experience without adding administrative headaches. Employees can compare plans, provider networks, and coverage options all within a single program.

Even better, businesses with employees across California — including remote workers — can still offer access to multiple options based on where employees live. That means your benefits package can support a more flexible and modern workforce.

Predictable Costs With a 12-Month Price Lock

While employees have more choices, employers still maintain control over costs. CaliforniaChoice allows you to set your contribution based on your budget and business goals. You can contribute:

• A fixed percentage of costs
• Toward all plans or a specific plan
• Toward a specific benefit level
• Toward the lowest-cost plan available

Employees then apply your contribution toward the health plan they prefer. If they choose a higher-cost option, they simply pay the difference. And here’s one of the biggest advantages for employers. Your rates are locked-in for 12 months. That means no unexpected mid-year premium increases disrupting your budget or forcing difficult financial decisions halfway through the year. For small businesses, that kind of predictability matters.

Build a More Competitive Benefits Package

Health coverage is important, but employees increasingly value access to additional benefits and perks, too. CaliforniaChoice makes it easy to strengthen your overall package with optional ancillary coverage, including:

• Dental insurance
• Vision coverage
• Chiropractic and acupuncture benefits
• Life and AD&D insurance

Coverage options are available through trusted providers including:

• MetLife
• Ameritas
• EyeMed
• VSP Vision Care
• Landmark Healthplan
• Assurity

Extra Perks Employees Appreciate

CaliforniaChoice also includes value-added programs that can help employees save money and support their overall wellness.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Premium Only Plans (POPs)
• Pet insurance discounts through MetLife and Spot Pet Insurance
• Prescription drug savings programs
• Hearing and vision care discounts
• Travel and entertainment discounts
• Fitness memberships and wellness savings on brands like Fitbit, Garmin, and Vitamix

These kinds of extras can help employees feel like they’re getting more value from their benefits package without dramatically increasing employer costs.

Simple Administration for Employers

Managing multiple health plans might sound complicated, but CaliforniaChoice simplifies the process. Instead of juggling bills from multiple carriers, employers receive one consolidated monthly bill for all employee coverage selections.

You can also:

• Manage benefits online
• Pay electronically
• Set up autopay
• Review employee deductions in one place

It’s a simpler way to offer more choices without creating more administrative work.

Better Benefits Can Help You Keep Great Employees

In today’s hiring market, benefits can make a major difference in attracting and retaining top talent. Offering employees access to trusted health plans and valuable extras gives employees meaningful choice while offering employers predictable costs and a 12-month rate lock. That combination can help small businesses compete more effectively in today’s environment.

Talk to a Broker About CaliforniaChoice

An employee benefits broker can help you compare options, build a benefits strategy, and create a package that works for both your business and your employees. Don’t have a broker? We make it easy to search for one.

Our previous blog, 11 Reasons Small Businesses Choose CaliforniaChoice, also includes information you may find valuable.