The technology firm Doofinder says that as of 2023, California had 4.25 million small businesses. That represents 99.8% of all businesses in the Golden State. Of that number, nearly 3.5 million are non-employers. Seven hundred-thousand employers had between one and 19 employees, while 82,000 businesses employ 20 to 499 workers.
The largest percentage of employers in California is engaged in professional, scientific, and technical services. That includes thousands working in advertising, marketing, and public relations.
If you manage or own an ad agency, marketing services firm, or public relations organization, and you want to offer employee benefits to employees, you owe to your workers – and your business – to learn more about the CaliforniaChoice private health insurance exchange. CaliforniaChoice was established in 1996 to give small businesses access to big business benefits without a big-ticket price.
CaliforniaChoice is California Different. We recognize that you and your employees are each different, too. And, just as each of you is unique, so are your health care needs. Whether you have one employee, five employees, 35, or even 100, we offer a customizable benefits solution. One that works for leadership, creatives, social media experts, buyers, planners, account managers, media relations folks, administrative staff, finance personnel, and others. Our program offers you and them greater access to doctors, specialists, and hospitals than any other single benefits program in California.
Health Insurance for Ad Agencies
1: Something for Everyone!
CaliforniaChoice offers its members more options than other small business benefits programs. You and your employees can choose from dozens of coverage options from a roster of health plans.
One employee might choose a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) because of a particular doctor or hospital in its network. Another employee who rarely visits the doctor might select a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). A third employee might choose an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), which combines features of a PPO and HMO. A fourth employee might select an HSA-compatible HMO because of cost and tax considerations. Whatever your employees’ needs may be, it’s their choice.
As of June 2024, the eight health plans participating in CaliforniaChoice are:
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Cigna + Oscar*
- Health Net
- Kaiser Permanente
- Sharp Health Plan
- Sutter Health Care
- UnitedHealthcare
- Western Health Advantage
Available options for your business will depend on where you and your employees live. Some plans are available statewide, others are regional.
*Note: Cigna + Oscar announced in May 2024 that it will exit the small group health insurance market in 2025. It will leave the CaliforniaChoice program during Q4 2024.
2: You Control Your Costs
In addition to offering more plan choice, CaliforniaChoice lets you decide how much you want to contribute to your employees’ premiums. You can select a Fixed Percentage (50% to 100%) of a specific benefit. Or you can contribute a Fixed Dollar Amount for each employee. (Your contribution must be the same for all employees.)
Your employees then apply your generous contribution to the health plan and benefits they like best. If their selected plan costs more than your contribution, the employee pays the difference through payroll deduction. It’s that simple.
At renewal, you can change your premium contribution – up or down – for your next plan year. That puts you in control over what you spend for another 12 months. You and your employees have the flexibility to change health plan and still stay in the CaliforniaChoice program.
There’s just one monthly bill for all employees’ coverage. One website (calchoice.com) where you can manage employees’ benefits online. One phone number for customer service: 800-558-8003.
3: Medical + More
CaliforniaChoice doesn’t just offer health insurance. You can add Ancillary coverage, too:
- Dental: Three Dental plans are available – a MetLife Dental HMO (DHMO) plan, a SmileSaverSM DHMO, or an Ameritas PPO plan.
- Vision: The Voluntary Vision program from Vision One Eyecare offers discounts on vision care services and prescription eyewear.
- Chiropractic: Landmark Healthplan benefits include exams, adjustments, and optional acupuncture.
- Life and AD&D: Assurity Life offers $10,000 to $100,000 coverage for Life with Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefits and a living benefits provision.
4: Value-Added Extras
Our Business Solutions Suite and Member Value Suite offer you and your employees access to other benefits, too, including:
- A no-cost Premium Only Plan (POP)
- A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Available to groups with 15 or more employees.)
- State or federal COBRA participant invoicing, premium collection, and remittance (Cal-COBRA or COBRA billing services depend on your company’s group size.)
- Reduced fees for Dental Care services through Dentegra® Smile Club providers
- Savings on hearing tests, hearing aids, batteries, and more from EPIC Hearing Service Plan
- Prescription savings with the California Rx Card; you may be able to reduce your Rx out-of-pocket costs to less than your health plan copay
- A free Cal Perks membership offering savings on theme parks, water parks, sporting events, museums, movies, travel, and more
- Discounts on fitness center memberships and wellness
CaliforniaChoice offers you and your employees much more than health care.
5: A Tool for Recruitment and Retention
Attracting and keeping employees can be a challenge. CaliforniaChoice benefits help you recruit new employees and keep current workers. Great benefits can also reduce your employee absenteeism, encourage employee loyalty, and increase workers’ job satisfaction.
Learn More from a Broker
Whether your ad agency, marketing, or PR firm is a two-person shop or one that employs dozens, CaliforniaChoice is a great benefits solution. It offers flexibility for you and your employees, while also helping control costs for your business. Ask your employee benefits broker for a custom quote. If you don’t already have a broker, we make it easy to search for one.
