Health Insurance Confounds Small Businesses

A new survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) finds that many small business owners lack confidence in determining the health insurance that best fits their employees’ needs.

The NAIC survey, conducted among a participant sample of 500 small business decision makers, found that 64% of small business owners responded that they are not confident picking a health insurance policy that fits their budgets and their employees’ needs. Indeed, the study found a a good deal of confusion regarding the fiscal responsibilities associated with offering health insurance, with 60% of respondents indicating that they are not confident they understand the tax implications of paying for a portion of their employees’ health insurance premiums.

Also ominous was the fact that one-third of respondents admitted that they cannot afford to provide health insurance to their employees.

“In this economic environment, small business owners need to be especially mindful of any decision that will affect their financial future,”  NAIC President and New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny said in a statement. “Now, more than ever, it is important they get smart about their choices and consider the implications that making a bad decision could have on their business and their employees’ future.”