ResourcesSmall Business Health Care Hub by JPMorganChase

How to fund your health insurance plan

There are many options to fund your health insurance, including new options you may not have previously considered. Some may require you to make tradeoffs on the cost, plan design flexibility and financial risk your business is willing to take on.

Your decision will hinge on factors like your company's size, risk tolerance and financial strategy.

Explore your options

Group funding options

Think of this as a one-size-fits-all approach to health insurance. Your business chooses a single plan for everyone and covers the cost, so everyone gets the same coverage and benefits. There are different types, like fully insured or self-funded, each with its own costs and flexibility.

Explore other options

Fully insured plans are just one of many choices. Discover how level/self-funded options can provide greater flexibility and potentially align better with your business needs.

Explore funding options

Individually funded HRA options

Here, you give your employees money to buy their own health insurance. It's flexible and low financial risk for your business, but some employees might still like having a company plan.

All-new ICHRA NEW OPTION

A new coverage option, Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs)(click to see definition), allow employees to purchase their own insurance with tax-free contributions from their employers. This approach offers flexibility and low financial risk for your business, though some employees may still prefer a company-sponsored plan.

Learn more about HRAs

Understanding business size requirements

When you're choosing a health insurance plan for your business, you have to determine the number of full-time employees (FTEs) in your business, which might be a bit complicated if you have seasonal, part-time or other contract workers.

What is a small group?

A "small group" usually means a business with 1 to 50 full-time employees. Some states define “small group” as up to 100 employees, and definitions can vary by state. Find resources for your state on the State Resources page.

How many employees do I need to provide a group plan?

Generally, you need at least one full-time employee who is not the owner or the owner's spouse/partner. Specific requirements and definitions can vary by state. Find resources for your state on the State Resources page.

Need help figuring out your FTEs? You can use the FTE Calculator on IRS.gov to make it easier.

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