Small business owners can buy health insurance for their employees through approved insurance companies with the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).
Employers may choose the types of benefit design, which influences whether an employee needs referrals to see specialists, can get out-of-network care and other factors. Three types of health insurance plans offered to small businesses are:
- EPO: Exclusive provider organization plans are often an affordable option. EPOs don’t usually require members to get primary care referrals to see specialists but they also often don’t cover out-of-network care.
- HMO: Health maintenance organization plans are generally much cheaper than other options, but they also have limitations not found in other plans. That includes needing primary care referrals to see specialists and not being covered for out-of-network…
