Group Health Insurance for Yuba City and Northern California Employers
Helping businesses in Yuba City, Chico, Sacramento, and across Northern California design smarter employee benefits.
Providing employee health benefits is one of the most important decisions a business owner makes. The right plan helps attract talent, control costs, and protect your employees and their families. The wrong plan, or no plan at all, puts you at a disadvantage in a competitive labor market and leaves your team without reliable coverage.
Oakview Insurance Services does not handle group health insurance in-house. We are specialists in personal, commercial, and farm insurance. But we know how important this coverage is, and we have done what we believe is the right thing: we have built a strategic partnership with a firm that does nothing but this.
Why Oakview Partners With Ernstam and Lewis Insurance Services
Oakview Insurance Services has partnered with Ernstam and Lewis Insurance Services to connect Northern California employers with expert group health insurance guidance. This is a genuine strategic partnership. Ernstam and Lewis refers their clients to Oakview for personal, commercial, and farm insurance, and Oakview refers employers to Ernstam and Lewis for employee benefits. Both firms stay in their lane of expertise. You get specialists, not generalists.
Ernstam and Lewis is headquartered right here in Yuba City at 1625 Butte House Road. They have been exclusively focused on employee benefits since 1983. They charge no broker fees at any stage. Their compensation comes from the carriers, not from you.
When a business owner asks Oakview about group health insurance, this is who we send them to. Not because it is convenient, but because we believe it is the best answer available in this market.
Who This Is For
Group health insurance guidance from Ernstam and Lewis is well suited 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 or reviewing their current plan
- Growing companies needing HR and compliance support alongside their benefits
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 including HMO, PPO, EPO, and HDHP and design a program that fits your budget and workforce. Ernstam and Lewis does exactly this, and has been doing it for California businesses since 1983.
About Ernstam and Lewis Insurance Services
“We love researching employee benefits, studying policies, and calculating costs,” said no one, ever!
Fortunately, there is someone who does. Ernstam and Lewis Insurance Services is a leading California employee benefits broker specializing in solutions for businesses of 1 to 1,000+ employees. Their exclusive focus on employee benefits, combined with 40-plus years serving California employers, makes them the right partner for this work.
Why choose Ernstam and 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, employee education, and HR assistance
- Local. Headquartered in Yuba City, serving businesses throughout Northern California.
Employee Benefits Available
Through the Ernstam and Lewis partnership, employers can access a full range of employee benefits including:
- Group Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Cafeteria 125 Plans
- Supplemental Coverage including Accident and Cancer Insurance
- Identity Theft Protection
- Travel Insurance
- Legal Protection
- Teladoc and Virtual Health Services
How the Group Health Process Works
Connecting with Ernstam and Lewis is straightforward and pressure-free. Here is how it works:
- A brief discovery call. They learn about your business, number of employees, and current coverage if any.
- Carrier and plan comparison. They research options from multiple California carriers and present the best fits for your group and budget.
- Plan design and proposal. You receive a clear comparison of costs, coverage, and employee contribution options.
- Employee enrollment. Once you choose a plan, they handle the enrollment process and employee education.
- Ongoing support. They remain your dedicated benefits contact for renewals, questions, and changes year-round.
There are no broker fees at any stage. Ernstam and Lewis is compensated by the carriers, not by you.
Ernstam and Lewis by the Numbers
- 40+ years serving California employers
- 1 to 1,000+ employee group sizes served
- $0 broker fees, ever
Serving Employers Across Northern California
Businesses we connect with Ernstam and Lewis include those located in:
Yuba and Sutter County
- Yuba City
- Marysville
- Wheatland
- Live Oak
- Gridley
Butte County
- Chico
- Oroville
- Durham
Sacramento Region
- Sacramento
- Roseville
- Rocklin
- Granite Bay
- Lincoln
Also serving: Natomas, Colusa, Willows, Arbuckle, Napa, Sonoma, Woodland, and surrounding Northern California communities.
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 one 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.
What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO for small business health insurance?
An HMO requires employees to choose a primary care physician and get referrals to see specialists. HMOs typically have lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs but limit coverage to in-network providers. A PPO 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 vary based on the number of employees, plan type, employee ages, and employer contribution. A benefits consultant can run carrier comparisons to show you real premium estimates for your specific group at no cost to you. Ernstam and Lewis provides this comparison as part of their free initial consultation.
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. A benefits broker can walk you through the eligibility options available for your workforce.
How do I get started with group health insurance for my business?
Contact Ernstam and Lewis directly through the link below for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no cost and no pressure. Many businesses discover better coverage options or real cost savings during an initial benefits review.
Plan eligibility, contribution rules, and continuation rights can vary based on employer size, carrier, and program. Oakview Insurance Services and Ernstam and Lewis Insurance Services can help review your specific situation.
Get a Free Group Benefits Consultation
Ready to offer your employees competitive health benefits? Contact the team at Ernstam and 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 meaningful cost savings during an initial benefits review.