For most employers, health coverage is the biggest benefits decision of the year. We'll show you the numbers plainly and help you pick a plan your employees can use.
In plain English
Group health insurance is medical coverage an employer offers to eligible employees and their dependents, usually with the employer paying part of the premium.
What we place
As an independent broker, PAKG isn't tied to one carrier. We quote major medical plans with national carriers and regional plans, and we'll bring in options a lot of brokers skip when they fit, such as direct primary care or a different network arrangement.
For a small business, an ACA small-group quote is often the right starting point, and for many companies it stays the right answer for years. For others, the better move is a different way of funding the plan, which is where most of the real savings tend to sit.
Funding comes first
Before we compare carriers, we talk about how the plan should be funded. Funding decides what you pay each month, how much claims risk stays with you and whether you ever see how your plan is used.
Fully insured. You pay a set premium and the carrier carries the risk.
Level funded. A steady monthly cost, monthly claims reporting and a possible surplus refund.
Captive. You self-fund alongside other employers and share a layer of risk with them.
Self-funded. You pay claims directly, with stop-loss protection, and get the most control.
“PAKG was able to take our age-based small group plan to a level-funded plan that resulted in a massive cost savings to both our company and every single enrolled employee.”
Jessica G., Director of Operations
What we look at before recommending anything
Where your employees live matters, because a plan with a strong network in Phoenix may be thin in Denver or Columbus. We look at how people actually use care, what the current plan costs you and them, and what you can realistically spend next year.
If you have claims history, we'll use it. If you don't, we'll say what we can and can't tell from the information available.
After you choose
The plan is only useful if it works on the first day and people understand it. We handle the applications and carrier setup, run enrollment with your employees and stay on as the people they call with a claim or billing problem.
At renewal, we go through the carrier's numbers line by line and tell you whether it's worth shopping or worth staying put.
Common questions
What is the difference between fully insured and level funded?
With a fully insured plan, the carrier takes on all claims risk for a fixed premium. A level-funded plan also has a fixed monthly cost, but it is built on your group's actual claims, gives you more reporting, and may return a surplus if claims come in lower than expected.
How many employees do you need to self-fund?
PAKG generally starts evaluating self-funding for employers with 50 or more enrolled employees. Group health, cash flow and risk tolerance matter as much as headcount.
Can a small business offer group health insurance?
Yes. Small employers can buy ACA small-group plans, and some can also qualify for level-funded plans. PAKG compares both and explains the difference in cost and risk.
