Helping businesses in Yuba City, Chico, Sacramento, and across Northern California design smarter employee benefits.
Navigating Group Health in California
Providing employee benefits has become increasingly complex in California. Employers must navigate plan options, compliance requirements, rising healthcare costs, and employee expectations.
Oakview Insurance Services partners with Ernstam & Lewis Insurance Services to help businesses design smarter employee benefits programs.
Who This Is For
Group health insurance guidance is ideal for:
- Businesses with 1 to 1,000+ employees
- Companies offering benefits for the first time
- Employers looking to control rising health costs
- Businesses switching brokers
- Growing companies needing HR and compliance support
What Is Group Health Insurance?
Group health insurance is a single health plan — or a choice of plans — that an employer offers to its eligible employees and often their dependents. Because coverage is spread across a group, premiums are typically lower than what an individual could find on their own. Employers generally share the cost of monthly premiums with employees, making group coverage one of the most valued workplace benefits.
For California businesses, group health plans are available through major carriers such as Blue Shield, Anthem, Kaiser Permanente, and Health Net, among others. A qualified employee benefits broker helps you compare plan types — HMO, PPO, EPO, and HDHP — and design a program that fits your budget and workforce.
Ready to explore group health options for your business? Ernstam & Lewis offers a free, no-obligation consultation — no broker fees, ever.
Group Health Insurance Now Available Through Ernstam & Lewis Insurance Services
At Oakview Insurance Services, we’ve partnered with Ernstam & Lewis Insurance Services to provide expert guidance and access to competitive group health insurance in California, including Yuba City, Chico, Sacramento, Woodland, Roseville, and surrounding areas.
Fortunately, there’s someone who does. Ernstam & Lewis Insurance Services is a leading California employee benefits broker specializing in solutions for businesses of 1 to 1,000+ employees. Their deep expertise and client-first approach make them a top choice for small business health insurance in Yuba City and throughout Northern California.
How the Group Health Process Works
Employee Benefits Available
- Group Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Cafeteria 125 Plans
- Supplemental Coverage (Accident & Cancer Insurance)
- Identity Theft Protection
- Travel Insurance
- Legal Protection
- Teladoc and Virtual Health Services
Why Choose Ernstam & Lewis?
- No broker fees — consulting, not selling
- Exclusive focus on employee benefits since 1983
- In-depth knowledge of California benefits laws and compliance requirements
- Ongoing support including enrollment, education, and HR assistance
When it comes to California group health insurance, you need a partner you can trust. That’s why Oakview Insurance Services is proud to recommend Ernstam & Lewis Insurance Services.
Trusted Employee Benefits Partner
Ernstam & Lewis has helped California businesses design employee benefits programs since 1983, serving companies ranging from small employers to organizations with 1,000+ employees.
- 40+ Years serving California employers
- 1–1,000+ Employee group sizes served
- $0 Broker fees, ever
Serving Employers Across Northern California
Businesses we support include those located in:
Yuba & Sutter County
- Yuba City
- Marysville
- Wheatland
Butte County
- Chico
- Oroville
- Durham
Sacramento Region
- Sacramento
- Roseville
- Rocklin
- Granite Bay
- Lincoln
California Group Health Insurance FAQ
Is a business required to offer group health insurance in California?
Not every employer is required to offer health coverage. Under federal ACA employer rules, the main mandate applies to applicable large employers — generally those with 50 or more full-time employees, including full-time equivalents. Smaller employers are generally not required to offer coverage, though many choose to for recruiting and retention.
How many employees do you need for small business group health insurance in California?
For Covered California for Small Business, the minimum group size is 1 full-time equivalent employee, and the business can have up to 100 full-time equivalent employees. At least one employee must receive a W-2 and cannot be the owner or the owner’s spouse.
Do California employers have to contribute toward employee premiums?
For plans offered through Covered California for Small Business, the employer must contribute at least 50% of the lowest-cost employee-only plan in the selected metal tier for eligible employees. Participation requirements also apply.
What happens if an employee loses coverage from a small employer group plan?
California offers continuation rights through Cal-COBRA. Cal-COBRA applies to employers and group health plans that cover 2 to 19 employees and can allow continuation coverage for up to 36 months. Larger employers may be subject to federal COBRA rules.
Can employees keep a doctor for a period of time if a health plan changes?
In some situations, California continuity-of-care protections may allow members to continue seeing a doctor, medical group, or hospital for a limited time after a change in their health plan network.
What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO for small business health insurance?
An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) typically requires employees to choose a primary care physician and get referrals to see specialists. HMOs usually have lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, but limit coverage to in-network providers. A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) offers more flexibility — employees can see any doctor without a referral, including out-of-network providers, though at a higher cost. For California small businesses, HMOs are often a cost-effective starting point, while PPOs suit companies with employees who travel or value provider choice.
How much does group health insurance cost for a small business in California?
Group health insurance costs in California vary widely based on the number of employees, the plan type selected (HMO, PPO, metal tier), employee ages, and how much the employer contributes toward premiums. For Covered California for Small Business, employers must contribute at least 50% of the lowest-cost employee-only plan in the selected tier. A benefits consultant can run carrier comparisons to show you real premium estimates for your specific group — at no cost to you.
Can I offer group health insurance to part-time employees in California?
Eligibility rules for part-time employees depend on the carrier and plan. Many group health plans define eligibility based on a minimum number of hours worked per week — commonly 20 or 30 hours. Some employers choose to extend coverage to part-time workers as a recruiting advantage, while others limit it to full-time staff. A benefits broker can walk you through the eligibility options available for your workforce.
Plan eligibility, contribution rules, and continuation rights can vary based on employer size, carrier, and program. Oakview Insurance Services and Ernstam & Lewis Insurance Services can help review your specific situation.
What to Expect When You Reach Out
Connecting with Ernstam & Lewis is straightforward and pressure-free. Here’s how it works:
- A brief discovery call — they’ll learn about your business, number of employees, and current coverage (if any).
- Carrier & plan comparison — they’ll research options from multiple California carriers and present the best fits for your group and budget.
- Plan design & proposal — you’ll receive a clear comparison of costs, coverage, and employee contribution options.
- Enrollment support — once you choose a plan, they handle the enrollment process and employee education.
- Ongoing service — they remain your dedicated benefits contact for renewals, questions, and changes year-round.
There are no broker fees at any stage. Ernstam & Lewis is compensated by the carriers, not by you.
Get a Free Group Benefits Consultation
Ready to offer your employees competitive health benefits? Contact the team at Ernstam & Lewis for a no-obligation consultation today.
There is no cost and no obligation to review your current benefits program. Many businesses discover better coverage options or cost savings during a benefits review.