The normal course of action employed in getting insurance would be to contact an insurance company. But there are other options too, like you can buy health coverage products through purchasing alliances or purchasing pools and also through various associations like trade or certain professional groups. Conventionally, you would be using a broker to make the decisions for you, but then if you do not want to have one then it is all the more important that you try to understand how you can save on group health insurance plans.
Purchasing alliances are a great option to get a wider choice out of a lot less money. They offer a range of insurance products from different insurance companies under one roof. But you will end up paying a single premium for the entire range. The choices you get would be a wider medical care network, better health care facilities, lower co-pay etc. the main difference in a purchasing alliance is that all the employees do not pay the same amount towards their premium every month. An employee with a HMO option would pay a lot more than one with a PPO option. This is because the employer pays a fixed amount per employee per month irrespective of the plan that they have chosen. But you have to remember that though there are added benefits through a purchasing alliance, the overall cost might not be lesser than getting a policy directly from an insurance company.
The alliance will generally give you access to a health plan administrator that will handle many service issues for the alliances members. The alliance is basically a good source of information also about various plans, benefits and details about services.
You can also consider trade and professional associations while shopping for group health insurance coverage. These associations will help out their own in getting a good policy. But there is one thing that you will need to remember when trying to purchase a policy through an association; you will most likely have to approach them yourself. This is because most brokers will not know much about all the trade associations. They will be more in to regular insurance companies and alliances. You will be in a better position to approach your trade association considering that you would already be acquainted with them. And besides each association will have some sort of arrangement with brokers by which they will get incentives for referring them and your broker may not really have any incentive to seek them out for you. But do keep in mind that going with a trade alliance is a good step since you are contacting an organization in your field. And these associations are generally not for profit and hence will not be out to swindle you of your money. But first, find small business health insurance quotes online.