C I S -- crime show or darn insurance?

In Kansas, business owners are not required by law to offer employees health care benefits. However, many small employers offer health benefits to their employees in order to attract and keep good employees.  Employers with 2 to 50 full-time employees are eligible to purchase small group plans in Kansas. Most health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in Kansas will also offer benefits to small employers. For purposes of health insurance a full-time employee is someone who works at least 30 hours per week.

Kansas law requires insurance companies that sell health plans to small

employers to make the plans available on a Guaranteed-issue basis.

Guaranteed-issue means that the policy must be issued regardless of the employer’s or an employee’s claims history, pre-existing conditions or health status.

Small employer plans are normally fully insured. The employer purchases

coverage from an insurance company. The insurance company assumes the risk to pay all health claims. Fully insured plans are regulated by the Kansas Insurance Department.

A small employer may decide to self-insure their health plan. It is extremely important that as the employer you understand the extra risks associated with this kind of arrangement.