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A staff member in a lab coat shows an insurance brochure to colleagues in scrubs.

Group Health Insurance,
Made Simple

Whether you're a small business owner or lead HR for a growing team, choosing the right group health plan can feel overwhelming. We'll walk you through your options, Traditional Group, MEWA, and ICHRA, so you can offer great benefits without the guesswork (or the sticker shock).

Compare Your Group Options

There's More Than One Way
to Cover Your Team

Not every business fits the same insurance mold, and that's a good thing. Today, employers have three solid paths to offering health coverage, each with its own advantages depending on your team's size, health, and budget. Below, we break down each option in plain English, so you can decide what makes sense for your business.

Traditional Employer Group:
The Classic, Reliable Choice

If you want simplicity and predictability, Traditional Group coverage is the tried-and-true option most people think of when they hear "employer health insurance."

  • Employer picks one or two plan options
  • One monthly bill, payroll-deducted employee contributions
  • Fixed rates regardless of team health history

Best for: employers who want a straightforward, one-size-fits-most plan with predictable pricing and minimal administrative lift.

MEWA:
Strength in Numbers

A Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) pools your business together with other employers, often through a local chamber of commerce, to access group buying power that most small businesses couldn't get on their own.

  • Pooled purchasing power through chambers of commerce
  • Health questions apply (unlike Traditional)
  • Typically run about 30% cheaper than Traditional Group plans (pending verification)

Best for: employers with a relatively healthy team who want meaningful savings without sacrificing the simplicity of a traditional group structure.

ICHRA:
Flexibility That
Puts
Employees in
the Driver's Seat

ICHRA flips the traditional model on its head. Instead of choosing a single plan for everyone, you set a budget, and your employees choose the coverage that actually fits their lives.

  • Employees choose their own individual plan
  • Pre-tax reimbursement
  • Employer sets the budget, employee makes the choice
  • Can run up to 40% cheaper than a MEWA (pending verification)

Best for: employers who want maximum flexibility, personalized coverage for a diverse team, and the biggest potential cost savings.

Comparison at
a Glance

Traditional Group MEWA ICHRA
Who picks the plan Employer Employer Employee
Medical questions None Yes None
Relative cost (pending verification) Baseline ~30% less than Traditional Up to 40% less than MEWA
Best fit Groups with mixed health needs Healthier groups Businesses wanting flexibility & savings
Traditional Group
Who picks the plan Employer
Medical questions None
Relative cost Baseline *
Best fit Groups with mixed health needs
MEWA
Who picks the plan Employer
Medical questions Yes
Relative cost ~30% less than Traditional *
Best fit Healthier groups
ICHRA
Who picks the plan Employee
Medical questions None
Relative cost Up to 40% less than MEWA *
Best fit Businesses wanting flexibility & savings

* Relative cost figures pending verification.

Not Sure
Which Option
Is
Right for You?

Every business is different, and the "best" plan depends on your team's size, health profile, and budget. That's where we come in. We'll help you compare your options side by side and find the plan that fits your business like it was built for you.

1
Learn About Your Business
2
Compare Your Options
3
Build Your Benefits Package
4
Ongoing Service
Schedule Your Consultation,
At No Cost to You

Have questions in the meantime? Give us a call, we're happy to walk you through it.

All Five Kinds of Coverage

Additional Employee Benefits

A strong benefits package goes beyond medical insurance. We can also help you offer:

Dental Insurance · Vision Insurance · Group Life Insurance · Disability Insurance · Supplemental Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Cancer Insurance)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a MEWA, and can my small business join one?

A MEWA (Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement) pools your business together with other employers, often through a local chamber of commerce, to access group buying power that most small businesses could not get on their own. Health questions apply, unlike a traditional group plan, and it typically runs cheaper than a traditional group plan (pending verification of the exact figure). It is a strong fit for employers with a relatively healthy team who want meaningful savings while keeping the simplicity of a traditional group structure.

How many employees do I need to qualify for group insurance?

Requirements vary by carrier and plan, but many businesses with as few as two employees may qualify.

Is group insurance always the best option?

Not necessarily. Depending on your company, an ICHRA or MEWA may provide greater flexibility or savings. We'll help you compare all available options.

Can employees choose their own plans?

With an ICHRA, yes. Employees can select individual coverage that best fits their needs. Traditional group plans offer employer-selected plan options.

Do you help after enrollment?

Absolutely. We provide year-round support for employers and employees, not just during open enrollment.

How much does it cost to work with your agency?

Our consultation and support is at no cost to you. We'll review your options, answer your questions, and help you determine the best strategy for your business.

Ready to
Get Started?

You don’t need to have any of this figured out before you call. That’s what the call is for. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll take it from there, at no cost to you, one plain English step at a time. Most of our clients came to us because somebody they trust sent them our way. If that’s you, we’re glad you’re here.

Content last reviewed: September 25, 2026