The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that employers with 50 or more full-time and full-time equivalent (FTE) employees must offer affordable, minimum value medical coverage to full-time employees and their dependents (up to the end of the month in which they turn age 26). If an employer does not provide coverage, it is subject to ACA penalties.

The challenge for employers is finding coverage that meets ACA requirements and fits within budget. CaliforniaChoice can help. Our program offers four distinct advantages over a single health plan option.

1. More employee choice

Today, more than ever before, people expect choices – whether they’re shopping for gas, cell phone service, or health care. CaliforniaChoice delivers.  

CaliforniaChoice offers you and your employees:

• The freedom to choose their health plan – with the most customizable health insurance program in California;
• A huge selection of HMO, PPO, and other health plan options, including High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) health plans;
• Access to 80,000+ doctors and 400+ hospitals.

At CaliforniaChoice, we recognize that each of your employees is different. We are different, too. We offer 80+ coverage options from eight health plans doing business in California: Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Oscar Health, Sharp Health Plan, Sutter Health Plus, UnitedHealthcare, and Western Health Advantage.

One of your employees might choose Anthem Blue Cross PPO coverage because it includes his or her preferred doctor. Another employee, who is looking to minimize costs, might choose an HMO from Kaiser Permanente or UnitedHealthcare – or one of the Northern California or San Diego regional health plans available through CaliforniaChoice. Someone looking for an EPO might choose Oscar Health or Anthem Blue Cross. With CaliforniaChoice, it’s their choice. Whatever they choose, you get one bill for all of your employees’ coverage each month.

2. Tools to find and enroll in the right plan

CaliforniaChoice offers a variety of tools to help you and your employees find and enroll in the right coverage.

• Plan Comparison Tool: You can compare plans side by side and see your costs for premiums, deductibles, copays, and co-insurance.
• Provider Search: Find out what doctors are part of the networks for the health plans you’re considering. You can search by name, ZIP Code, health plan, hospital affiliation, language(s) spoken, and other criteria.
• Rx Search: Make sure your prescription drugs are covered by the plans you looking at – you can search alphabetically, by brand or generic drug name, treatment class, or health condition.
• Easy online enrollment: Save time by offering employees secure, online enrollment. It reduces errors and helps employees stay on track during open enrollment.

3. Affordable coverage – and a way to control your costs

Using what we call Defined Contribution, you decide what amount you want to contribute to your employees’ health benefits. You can choose a Fixed Dollar Amount or a Fixed Percentage Amount (50% to 100%) toward a specific plan or benefit level.

Your employees then use your contribution to pay for the cost of the plan they like best. If the coverage they select costs more than you’re contributing, the employee pays the difference. It’s that simple.

Your costs are locked in for 12 months, and at renewal you have the option to adjust your contribution – up or down.

4. Easy admin plus value-added extras

With CaliforniaChoice, you get outstanding service from our A+ rated team plus value-added services you would have to pay more for elsewhere. That includes free HR support, a Flexible Spending Account, COBRA administration, and discounts for your employees on dental, vision, hearing services, wellness products, entertainment, and more.

Talk with a broker to learn more

A health insurance broker can help you determine your Defined Contribution, shop and compare plans, and provide you with a quote tailored to your business. You might not know the services of a broker are usually free, and using a broker can actually save you money. Your broker will know your area and have information about what doctors and hospitals are available in each plan. If you don’t already have a broker, you can search for one here.