How to Choose the Right Health Plan for Your Team

By Sandra Consulting | Employee Benefits Advisor for Small Businesses

Offering health insurance is one of the most impactful decisions a business owner can make. It’s not just about fulfilling legal requirements or checking a box—it’s about investing in your people, strengthening retention, and building a workplace culture that truly supports your team’s well-being.

But if you’re like many small business owners, you may feel overwhelmed by the options, confused by insurance jargon, or unsure of what your business can actually afford. The good news? You don’t need to be an expert—you just need a smart strategy.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to evaluate, choose, and implement the right health plan for your business—even if you have just a few employees.

📌 Why Offer Health Insurance in the First Place?

1. Retention and Recruitment

Today’s workforce expects more than just a paycheck. A comprehensive health benefits package is one of the top reasons employees stay—or leave—a job.
Even if you’re not legally required to offer coverage (under 50 FTEs), doing so can set you apart in a competitive hiring market.

2. Team Well-being

When employees have access to medical care, they take fewer sick days, manage stress better, and are more productive.
Health benefits are a critical component of workplace wellness.

3. Tax Benefits for You

In many cases, your business may qualify for tax credits or deductions related to the health benefits you offer—making it more affordable than you think.

🔍 Step 1: Understand the Types of Plans

Before choosing a provider or policy, it’s important to understand the basic types of health insurance plans available:

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

• Lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs
• Requires primary care doctor and referrals for specialists
• Limited network of doctors and hospitals

Best for: Cost-conscious businesses with employees comfortable using a set network of providers.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

• More flexibility in choosing providers
• No referrals needed for specialists
• Higher premiums, but more options

Best for: Teams who want more provider freedom or who travel frequently.

HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan)

• Lower monthly premiums
• Higher deductibles
• Often paired with an HSA (Health Savings Account)

Best for: Younger or healthier employees who rarely visit the doctor.

EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization)

• A mix between HMO and PPO
• No out-of-network coverage (except emergencies)
• No referrals required

Best for: Employees who want lower premiums and fewer restrictions than an HMO.

🧠 Step 2: Know What Your Team Actually Needs

Don’t just assume—you need to listen to your employees or assess their likely needs. Ask yourself:

• Do they have families or dependents to cover?
• Would they prefer lower premiums or lower deductibles?
• Are mental health or wellness benefits important to them?
• Do any employees have ongoing medical conditions?

Tip: A quick anonymous survey can go a long way in gauging priorities.

💡 Step 3: Evaluate Your Budget

It’s natural to think health insurance is too expensive, but there are affordable ways to offer real value to your team—even if you’re a small business.

Cost-Saving Strategies:

✔️ Offer coverage for employees only (not dependents) initially
✔️ Contribute a percentage (rather than 100%) of premiums
✔️ Explore level-funded plans or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs)
✔️ Consider QSEHRAs (Qualified Small Employer HRAs) for microbusinesses
✔️ Shop through private exchanges or professional associations for group rates

💬 Working with a benefits advisor like me ensures you’re seeing all the best options—not just what one carrier is offering.

📋 Step 4: Compare Carriers & Plans Side-by-Side

Once you’ve identified the type of plan and your budget, the next step is to compare carriers on:

• Monthly premiums
• Deductibles & copays
• Network size
• Out-of-pocket maximums
• Value-added services (telehealth, wellness programs, EAPs)
• Ease of administration

🛑 Don’t just go for the cheapest plan—look at total value, especially how well it aligns with your team’s needs.

🧭 Step 5: Get Help from a Licensed Benefits Advisor

Choosing the right health plan isn’t something you should do alone. An experienced advisor can:

✔ Guide you through all your options
✔ Make sure you’re compliant with state and federal regulations
✔ Help you communicate benefits clearly to your team
✔ Support enrollment and ongoing questions
✔ Negotiate better rates with providers

At Sandra Consulting, I help small business owners design competitive benefits packages without overwhelming costs. I make it simple, strategic, and personalized—so you can focus on running your business.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Offering health insurance isn’t just a business decision—it’s a leadership decision. It shows your team that you care about their well-being and see them as partners in your company’s success.

And the best part? You don’t need 50 employees or a huge budget to make it happen. You just need a plan—and the right guide.

📞 Ready to Explore Your Options?

Let’s find the right plan for your team—without the stress, confusion, or high cost. Whether you’re just starting out or want to improve what you already offer, I’m here to help.

👉 [Book Your Free Benefits Consultation]
Or fill out the contact form below and I’ll reach out personally.

Very often, when we hear about couples who split and we are taken by surprised, the reason is because we knew that they still love each other. So, why do women leave the men they love. According to an article from Power of Positivity, here are the 10 most common reason of why women leave the men they love.

1. Feeling Isolated

Women need to feel valued and supported. If a man fails to provide this emotional backing, a woman may feel there’s no reason to stay in the relationship. Women, who are naturally nurturing, often invest deeply in their partners. Men, on the other hand, may become emotionally distant once they feel comfortable. This emotional absence can be overwhelming for a woman, making her feel worthless. When love and attention aren’t reciprocated, she may decide it’s time to leave.

2. Lack of Recognition

 It deeply hurts a woman when she feels her partner isn’t fully present during conversations. Words are significant for women; they need to feel understood, respected, and supported. Communication for women is synonymous with love. Small acts of chivalry and acknowledgment, like helping with chores or simply recognizing her presence, are crucial. If a woman feels taken for granted, she’ll likely decide to move on, carrying her hurt with her.

3. Loss of Sensuality

 While men are often ready for sex, women need intimacy and foreplay to feel desired. Routine can kill romance. Women crave spontaneity and the feeling of being romanced. When a man focuses on pornography or other distractions, it can be a major turn-off. If a woman feels undesired or unappreciated, she may choose to leave the relationship.

4. Major Life Changes

 Life changes can impact a relationship significantly. As women age, they don’t necessarily need new possessions but want to feel desired and needed by their partner. Events like menopause, children leaving home, or dealing with serious illnesses can be pivotal. Women need to feel they can navigate these changes with their partner’s support. If this support is lacking, they may reorganize their lives and move on from the relationship.

5. Predictability

 Men often fall into predictable routines, especially as they age, which can lead to midlife crises. Women need spontaneous moments and to feel appreciated. Small gestures, like leaving a thoughtful note, can make a big difference. If a relationship becomes too routine and predictable, a woman may feel bored and unvalued, leading her to seek excitement elsewhere.

6. Physical Absence

 Women need a partner who values spending time with them. In today’s world, where women can be independent, they seek a partner who will work alongside them and appreciate them. If a man prefers being away or engaging in other activities over spending time with her, she will eventually end the relationship. She desires a spiritual and intellectual connection that, if missing, leads her to seek independence.

7. Not Feeling Prioritized

 Women need to feel they are a priority in their partner’s life. It’s not enough to say she is important; actions must reflect this sentiment. Consistent behavior that shows she is valued, like being there for her after a tough day, is crucial. If she consistently feels secondary to work, friends, or hobbies, she may decide to find someone who puts her first.

8. Stagnant Relationship

 Women seek growth and evolution in a relationship. They want a connection that deepens over time, leading to shared goals and a harmonious life. If the relationship feels stagnant and routine, she might question its future. Without continuous growth and enrichment, she may seek these elsewhere.

9. Feeling Unheard

 Women want their opinions and feelings to be valued and considered in decisions. Feeling unheard goes beyond acknowledgment; it’s about validating her emotions and views. If a woman consistently feels her voice isn’t valued, she may eventually leave, even if she loves her partner.

10. Lack of Safety

 Emotional safety is crucial for women. They need a partner who creates a safe space for them to express their feelings and dreams without fear of judgment. If she feels she has to walk on eggshells, unable to express herself freely, she will eventually decide to leave. She needs a partner who fosters a sense of safety and acceptance.

In Conclusion

The complexities of human emotions and relationships are vast. A common thread among the reasons women leave men they love is the need for emotional connection, acknowledgment, and respect. Women are attuned to their emotional well-being and crave intellectual stimulation, emotional validation, and personal growth. When these needs aren’t met, it affects their sense of self-worth.

Men need to understand that loving a woman involves more than just verbal affirmations. It requires active listening, appreciation, prioritizing her needs, and ensuring her emotional safety. It means fostering growth in the relationship and ensuring she feels heard and valued.

Everyone deserves fulfilling, respectful, and supportive relationships. If a woman decides to leave a man she loves, it’s often after much contemplation and hurt. It’s about recognizing that her happiness and emotional health are paramount. Leaving is an act of self-love and sometimes necessary for achieving true happiness.

Love requires emotional intelligence, patience, understanding, and constant nurturing. It’s about appreciating the woman in your life for who she is and meeting her physical and emotional needs. If you genuinely love a woman, show it daily through actions, words, understanding, and patience. Love is an action, not just a feeling, and it needs nurturing to flourish.