Welcome to Stafford Insurance Services.
Your Resource for Small Business Group Health and Individual Insurance In California.

Stafford Insurance Services is a full service, California only, independent insurance agency dedicated to our clients. Our clients are small businesses, individuals and families, from Yreka to San Diego, all over California. We bring a tremendous reservoir of experience and knowledge to the process of providing strong insurance programs with first-class insurance companies at competitive cost.

Small Business Group Health Insurance Plans

If you're looking for a full service insurance agent that can assist you with your individual health, group health, small business insurance needs Stafford Insurance Services is the place to go. We offer low cost and the highest level of customer service available in California. Located in San Diego our staff is knowledgeable in all forms of small business group health plans. In just three easy steps you can get a quote from us that will be sure to meet the needs of your growing business.

Group Health Plans To Meet Any Need

Our huge selection of group health plans suit any need. Let us help you to select the one that best matches you and your company profile. We have years of expertise to showcase our experience and knowledge that can ensure that the insurance plan you decide on will be the right one for your company.

Can't decide between an HMO or a PPO? Let us help explain the advantages of each.

We understand you have some questions about the differences between an HMO plan and a PPO plan. Let us help clarify things a little about what makes these two types of plans different and the benefits of each

PPO or Preferred Provider Organization

A PPO gives you the choice of which doctor to see and when to see them. You don't have a PCP, or Primary Care Physician and you do not need referrals in order to see a specialist. This type of coverage is great if you want total control of your healthcare, but most often it will be the more expensive option. Unlike most HMO's, instead of a copay, usually you are responsible for a percentage of the doctors fee. While what the doctor can charge you is controlled by the PPO, more often than not, this percentage will be more than the copay you would be looking at through an HMO plan. One of the things you really want to do before selecting this type of coverage is to check what doctors in your area belong to the PPO. Out of plan doctors are reimbursed at a much lower percentage than in-plan doctors, so for instance, with an in-paln physician you might be responsible for 20% of the bill, while an out of plan physician you would be responsible for 40%. Also, if they are a non-contracted physician the UCR, or Usual Customary Rate, does not apply. So these doctors can basically charge you whatever they want, but your insurance will still only cover up to the UCR, so you could end up paying much higher than the 40%.

Small business group health insurance plans available in California

There are many options for group health insurance for your California small business and the first step is by filling out our easy quote form. This form just gives us the necessary information to be able to advise you on the best course of action on health insurance for your California small business. It only takes a moment and we'll send you a free quote for a variety of group health insurance carriers that will give you a good idea of the best options for your California small business. So take a moment and send us the information so that we can begin to help you find the best group health insurance for your California small business.

HMO or Health Maintenance Organization

An HMO plan gives you the benefit of reduced costs for your health insurance coverage. The way the HMO is able to provide this for you is to bring together a group of physicians that agree to provide services to each other for a reduced rate for their patients. This is why you have a PCP, or Primary Care Physician, and why you will always be referred to another doctor within the HMO if at all possible. This allows the HMO to control costs and gives you the benefit in reduced costs for your health care. Before committing to an HMO plan, check the Provider Directory to see which doctors in your area participate. You want to be sure that the PCP you select will be one that you can work well with. Most HMO's allow you to switch PCP's if for some reason you cannot get along with your current PCP, but most also limit this to 2 times per year. The one thing you don't want to end up with is a PCP that you do not get along with!

Group Health Plans for Samll Business in California

There are many options to choose from for group health plans for small businesses in California and we can help show you what will fit your company the best. Perhaps you want to offer a variety of benefit options to your employees. This is very common, even with smaller businesses. We can help show you the best ones for your employees and your budget. There is a lot of information that you need to know in order to choose the best small business group health plan. Let Stafford Insurance Services show you that you can beat our service!

Personal and Individual Health Insurance Plans

Looking for personal health insurance can be a bit scary sometimes. Let us help you with personal insurance and rest assured you will get the best price with the most excellent customer service available in California. Our dedicated team of professionals will ensure that everything goes smoothly with for your best possible insurance plan. We know that you have a lot of questions about which insurance coverages best fit your needs and we have the answers and plans that will set your mind at ease. Let Stafford Insurance Services show you what an insurance professional is really all about.

Health Insurance and Understanding What It Covers

What are "covered services"?

Your health insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. The policy lists a package of medical benefits such as tests, drugs and treatment services. The insurance company agrees to cover the cost of certain benefits listed in your policy. These are called "covered services."

Your policy also lists the kinds of services that are not covered by your insurance company. You have to pay for any uncovered medical care that you receive.

What is a medical necessity? Is that different from a covered service?

Keep in mind that a medical necessity is not the same as a medical benefit. A medical necessity is something that your doctor has decided is necessary. A medical benefit is something that your insurance plan has agreed to cover. In some cases, your doctor might decide that you need medical care that is not covered by your insurance policy.

Insurance companies determine what tests, drugs and services they will cover. These choices are based on their understanding of the kinds of medical care that most patients need. Your insurance company's choices may mean that the test, drug or service you need isn't covered by your policy.

What should I do?

Your doctor will try to be familiar with your insurance coverage so he or she can provide you with covered care. However, there are so many different insurance plans that it's not possible for your doctor to know the specific details of each plan. By understanding your insurance coverage, you can help your doctor recommend medical care that is covered in your plan.

• Take the time to read your insurance policy. It's better to know what your insurance company will pay for before you receive a service, get tested or fill a prescription. Some kinds of care may have to be approved by your insurance company before your doctor can provide them.
• If you still have questions about your coverage, call your insurance company and ask a representative to explain it.
• Remember that your insurance company, not your doctor, makes decisions about what will be paid for and what will not.

What happens if my doctor recommends care that isn't covered by my insurance?

Most of the things your doctor recommends will be covered by your plan, but some may not. When you have a test or treatment that isn't covered, or you get a prescription filled for a drug that isn't covered, your insurance company won't pay the bill. This is often called "denying the claim." You can still obtain the treatment your doctor recommended, but you will have to pay for it yourself.

If your insurance company denies your claim, you have the right to appeal (challenge) the decision. Before you decide to appeal, know your insurance company's appeal process. This should be discussed in your plan handbook. Also, ask your doctor for his or her opinion. If your doctor thinks it's right to make an appeal, he or she may be able to help you through the process.

Group Health Insurance Quote in California

Despite the economy there are new businesses starting every day in California and all of us at Stafford Insurance are excited to be part of the effort to ensure that employees are treated well. It is our goal when asked for a group health insurance quote for a California business to give the widest range of plans available considering the busineses wants and needs and where they are at in terms of being in business. We deal with group health insurance quotes as if the business were owned by our close friend. As your insurance agent, we are here to not only provide you with a good health insurance quote for your California business, but to ensure that you get the best service on your health insurance policy.

Presription Plans

Before you buy a prescription drug plan, you need to make sure the medications you need are covered by it. You can find this out by referring to a plan’s formulary — a big list of all the drugs a plan will cover.

How Insurers Categorize Drugs

Insurance companies usually put a covered prescription drug in one of four categories. Those categories are then split up into separate “tiers” of cost — starting with first tier drugs that have the lowest copayment.

Here are the different tiers of prescription drug coverage:

• Tier One: Generic drugs
  
  Generic drugs are lower-cost versions of brand name drugs. They contain the same ingredients as brand name drugs, are just as safe and effective, and are approved by the FDA. Generic drugs don’t require expensive research to create, and the companies that make them usually don’t spend money on advertising. That’s why they cost much less than their brand-name counterparts.

• Tier Two: Preferred brand name drugs
  
  Drugs that fall under the Tier Two category include brand name medications with a less expensive generic equivalent. Tier Two drugs are more commonly used for medical treatment. Tier Two drugs also have higher copayments than generics.

• Tier Three: Non-preferred brand name drugs
  
  Non-preferred brand name drugs have the highest copayments. Drugs in this category may have Tier One or Tier Two alternatives, and are typically less commonly used in treatment.

• Tier Four: Specialty drugs
  
  Tier Four drugs, also with the highest copayments, include medication that requires special dosage and treatment. Many times, these specialty drugs are also closely managed and monitored by a health care professional.

If you ever have questions of which drugs are covered under your plan, check your plan’s drug formulary. And if you’re thinking about switching to a generic drug, make sure you ask your doctor.  

Understanding how Insurance Works

Health insurance companies use historical data and analysis to predict the medical expenses for any given group of individuals (usually a company's employees). The premiums they charge are based on the amount of claims they've paid in the past and what they expect future claims to cost. When insurers pay out more in claims than they receive in premiums and when future services are predicted to cost more, premiums go up.

As consumers, we are demanding more medical services than ever before. And the cost of these services is going up. These increased costs are passed on to employers in the form of increased premiums. Insurance companies work with employers to adjust services offered, as well as co-payments and deductibles, to minimize the impact of rising costs.

Take time to understand your health plan, it can help save healthcare dollars for you and for all Americans. For example, many health plans offer a reduced co-pay if you choose FDA-approved generic prescription drugs, so you pay less. Because the average total cost of a generic drug is three times less than the brand name, it helps keep costs down in your health plan.

Understanding the basics of how health insurance works and how to make the most of your own health plan can help keep healthcare affordable for everyone.

Small Business Group Health Insurance in California

If you're looking for small business group health insurance in California you've come to the right place. Stafford Insurance Services specializes in Small Business Group Health Insurance for California companies and have done so for over 20 years. Let us show you the difference that experience makes! We want you to know that we can not only take care of your needs, but ensure that you are getting the best small business group health policy possible. We work hard to get you the best price on the best policy for your small business group health insurance needs.

Group Health Insurance In CA

If you are looking for answers to your group health insurance questions in California, let us help you! We know you don't want a cheap policy, but you want to be sure that you aren't paying too much for your group health insurance. Let us help you save money on your group health insurance. Stafford Insurance Services has a wide range of group health insurance policies for small business in California. We've helped thousands realize the goal of their small business to get a group health insurance plan for their employees and we can help you too! Give Stafford Insurance Services a call at 1-800-979-2535 today or visit our quote page to get started!

Rules for Small Business Group Health Insurance in California.

California's rules regarding small business group health insurance offer protection to the employee to guarantee their ability to qualify for coverage. California feels very strongly that their health insurance mandates are fair and balanced. Below are some of the main focuses of the California health insurance program.

1. Guaranteed Issuance:

All employees who work full time and qualify for the group health insurance program based on their length of employment qualify. Also, all small companies have the ability to purchase any insurance program targeted at small businesses and cannot be declined by the carrier due to underwriting. If a small business fits the rules of that program, the insurance carrier must issue the policy.

2. Guaranteed Renewal:

This is important because it guarantees an insurance company must renew a company that they already have on the books. If a company hired a lot of much older employees all at one time to add to their insurance policy, the insurance company would see this as very costly and potentially try to turn the group down. Also, if a company had a really bad year with employees getting sick and injured and their cost was extremely high to the insurance company, the company may choose to drop the business from their plan. This rule makes is clear that health insurance carriers can't drop businesses after issuing the policy.

3. Rating Protection:

Rating protection makes it illegal for a health insurer to dramatically raise rates on people with high cost medical problems. This is very important because if health insurers drastically raised rates on groups with higher risk, the business would eventually have to drop their insurance coverage because of the high cost. Also it could lead to employers discriminating against employees with health concerns. This rule makes the insurance companies price within a certain price structure to protect the higher risk groups.

4. Portability:

Health insurance carriers would benefit from the ability to exclude pre-existing medical conditions from group health insurance. The issue of portability was that employees were forced to stay in jobs because they knew their health conditions would not be covered if they switched jobs and didn't qualify for the new health insurance plan. Because of the new regulations, people with even very minor health problems will not be excluded from changing jobs due to the fear of not securing medical insurance.

Small business health insurance in California is difficult to understand and navigate. To find out more about your options in securing group health insurance, contact us at 800-979-2535 for details.

How To Find Group Health Insurance in California.

California business owners who choose to offer group health insurance to their employees are already ahead of the game. Not only do employees value group health insurance in studies often as high or higher as their salary, health insurance benefits are the key to happy employees and employee retention. Happy employees mean productive employees, and to eliminate the turnover and retraining process saves quite a bit of money in the long run. Although employers can't ignore the positives aspects of providing group health insurance, it doesn't make it any easier to find a competitive plan that suits employee needs but also fits your budget. Below we outline 3 keys to finding the right plan for your company.

Realize that providing some kind of coverage is better than none at all.

Even if the cost of the best plan for all of your employees is astronomical, it is important for California employers to realize that a more affordable group health insurance plan may be easier to fit into your budget, and for most employees it will suit their needs just fine. Employees will appreciate that it is offered and if they feel as though they need more supplemental coverage, can purchase it on their own. Most employees will be satisfied with a plan without all the bells and whistles, which may help to alleviate the burden on the employer’s budget.

Partially sponsored plans are still valued by the employee

Shared cost plans allow the company to be able to offer a group plan with a cost benefit to the employee, without pushing all of the expense onto the employer. As health care costs increase and it is becoming more difficult for a business owner to stay in business, many companies are choosing this option so that they can still give a benefit to their employees without breaking the bank. The fact that the employer’s expense is tax deductible in California can also alleviate some of the burden on the company. Employees value the fact that the company offers the benefit and are not as quick to search for another job as if the company stopped providing the group health insurance entirely.

Insurance Advisors

Employees also feel quite strongly that disability benefits (whether paid for or offered as an option for purchase) is a great addition to a group health insurance plan. The risk of becoming disabled is increasing, and the cost of individual disability coverage has also significantly increased. A group DI plan can be a great savings to employees because of the cost savings because they are part of a group.

As your insurance advisor for small business group health in CA Stafford Insurance Services can play an important role in an employer’s decision when choosing a health insurance plan. We will put together a package of rates from competing companies that we present to you to help narrow down what is most important to your group. To choose the most competitive company for your group regarding price is very important, but it is also important to weigh the many alternative plans that are now offered for cost savings and different benefits. Call us today for group health insurance in California and we'll sit down with you and evaluate your needs.

Group Health Insurance in California: Alternative Benefits Attract Better Employees

Group health insurance in California used to be pretty cut and dry. But because competing over employees has become increasingly difficult, some small businesses are being more creative with their group health insurance benefits to attract employees who value benefits plans.

Some health insurance companies are providing proposals with additional add-ons for very low prices to help these small business employers create a very attractive benefits package for potential employees. For just a few dollars more, small business employers can add on some of the following benefits to their group health package to make jobs more attractive and employees better protected. Employers offering stronger benefits packages have much higher employee retention, so offering extra coverage, whether paid for or not, is highly regarded among job hunters.

Dental

Dental insurance is something that many small business group health plans no longer include. But often, for a very small additional charge, employees can opt for this additional benefit which is important to many individuals. There are also new "dental discount plans" that, for a very small charge added on to the monthly rate, give employees discounts at participating dentists. These discount plans often give substantial discounts on regular care like cleaning, checkups and x-rays, along with more serious ailments like cavities. Discount plans do not offer as comprehensive coverage as dental insurance plans; they are usually 25% of the cost.

Life

Many small business group health insurance plans in California are now adding small life insurance benefits to their packages for optional purchase. Life insurance is shown in studies to be a valued employee benefit and absolutely helps in the attraction and retention of new high quality employees.

AD&D or Accidental Death and Disability

Employees also feel quite strongly that disability benefits (whether paid for or offered as an option for purchase) is a great addition to a group health insurance plan. The risk of becoming disabled is increasing, and the cost of individual disability coverage has also significantly increased. A group DI plan can be a great savings to employees because of the cost savings due to being part of a group.

These and other additions to your policy for small business group health insurance in California can save the employer money in the long run. A happy employee who feels well taken care of is rarely going to search for a job, especially if they know they can't get better benefits anywhere else. By keeping your employees happy, you can eliminate the cost and time spent hiring and training. California group health insurance policies can be tailored to include these options, check with one of our insurance specialists to learn more.

Group Health and your Small Business Insurance in California

Errors and Omissions insurance, often referred to as E&O Insurance, is a vital insurance coverage that many California small business owners don't carry.

Errors and Omissions are similar to medical malpractice insurance to doctors. It covers the improper recommendations or advice given to the public by a variety of professions. Some of these professions include: consultants, computer/ web designers, engineers, architects, marketing companies, lawyers, insurance agents, mortgage brokers, real estate agents, accountants, financial advisors, and many more.

Most small business owners assume that all of their actions are covered under their very basic general liability insurance policies. Unfortunately, general liability policies generally just include actions that can physically injure a third party, whether it is physically or damage to their personal property. Errors and Omissions on the other hand, covers actual or alleged "wrongful acts" or instructions by a professional that may not physically damage another individual, but do cause damage to the professionally or causes them to take a financial hit.

Most small business owners don't initially see the need for the excess coverage. But if you have the potential to be held responsible for a service you provided, or failed to provide, you may need E&O coverage. Your group health plan is not enough to protect you.

Everyone makes mistakes. Whether you or your staff accidentally say the wrong thing and a client takes your advice, or if you just simply omit saying something that causes a client to make a decision that causes a problem with the outcome that they didn't expect, E&O insurance, unlike group health coverage, can come in very handy. Even if you or your staff didn't make a mistake, if a client perceives that you did, your E&O Insurance may cover your defense costs in the lawsuit.

Small businesses in CA have a large need for this insurance protection in addtition to their group health plan. One of the fastest growing categories of E&O Insurance is in the computer and technology world. With the large concentration of technology services located in California, the purchase of Errors and Omissions insurance is quickly growing and becoming as ubiquitous for small business as group health in CA.

Small business must make sure to protect themselves in every way, cover your employees with group health, cover your business by insisting that your insurance agent educate you on Errors and Omissions Insurance. Contact one of our agents today for group health and your small business insurance in California to learn more about this important coverage your small business may need.