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What do I need to know?

Every company needs healthy employees no matter the size, but small businesses have their own unique challenges—and we’re here to help.

Take a look at some common scenarios and frequently asked questions or contact a BCBSKS small group specialist by calling (800) 874-1823 or emailing [email protected].

Common scenarios

    No problem! We know, you’ve already got a lot on your plate. Understanding the ins and outs of health insurance can be overwhelming. Our specialists are pros at guiding you through the shopping experience and will personally walk you through all of the details.

    Some of your questions may be answered on this page and you can also check out this 

    short video

     to help get started. The best way to tailor a small group health insurance plan for your business is to connect with a specialist. We’re here to help!

    Super! When you connect with a specialist, we’ll ask you a few questions so we can swiftly get you a quote for the plan that best fits your needs. We encourage you to download the employee roster PDF document before reaching out to a specialist, as this information will be needed to determine rates. Some of the questions you’ll be asked include:

    • How many employees do you have?
    • How many of your employees work full-time (30+ hours a week)?
    • How many of your full-time employees will participate in your health plan?
    • What are the out-of-pocket deductibles and copayments you are looking for?
    • Will you offer dental, life, disability or other insurance as well?

    Great question! Along with providing affordable health insurance, we know GREAT service matters to businesses like yours. We’re Kansans, just like you! Our top priority is to serve our members every day. And we don’t stop there.

    GREAT service extends to our provider networks. You simply won’t find another plan network like ours. It includes 97 percent of all providers in our service area, with 99 percent of all medical doctors and 100 percent of all acute care facilities.

    It takes only a few moments to discover which BlueCare plan fits your needs. When you contact us, you’ll get personalized support and access to resources to help you lower costs and keep your employees healthy.

    Frequently asked questions

      BCBSKS serves all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte (103 of 105 counties).

      For 2019, 97 percent of all providers in the BCBSKS service area, with 99 percent of all medical doctors and 100 percent of all acute care facilities.

      Yes! When you purchase group insurance with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, you have the choice and flexibility to decide the amount you’d like to contribute. Plus, we don’t dictate minimum premium contributions like many other health insurance companies do.

      You can add new employees regardless of their medical conditions.

      EMPLOYERS: There are federal requirements to consider. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) indicates that a business must be operating on a full-time basis and enroll at least one eligible employee.

      EMPLOYEES: Any employee who works for personal gain that averages 30 or more hours per week for the employer is eligible.

      The person at a small business to handle the enrollment process is designated by the employer. This is usually the person who is authorized to make a purchasing decision, usually an owner or officer of the company.

      We offer a variety of health care plan options as well as dental and other ancillary products. Contact us, and we’ll help you find the right plan for your needs. All BlueCare options offer an outstanding value with an extensive provider network and excellent, accessible service and benefits, including: Direct access to a dedicated, local representative A variety of plan options, all of which meet federal requirements Choice and flexibility to decide the amount you’d like to contribute A worry-free plan that allows you to add new employees, regardless of their medical condition Comprehensive benefits including preventive care paid in full, prescription coverage and more.

      Yes, everything is mandated by ACA. However, you still have options. We’re here to help you select the right coverage for your insurance needs.

      You can enroll your small group in a BCBSKS plan throughout the year. Our effective dates begin the first of the month.

      Once you approve the quote your specialist provides and are ready to enroll, we’ll send you the paperwork for completion. The effective date is typically the first of the month following receipt of your paperwork.

      We encourage you to first browse our available plans and see which options you think would fit your needs. Your specialist will walk you through the details, but it’s a good idea to research options and come prepared with any questions you may have. Next, download the employee roster PDF document. This information will be needed to provide your quote, so having this information completed and/or available will help expedite the process. Lastly, we encourage you to consider your business’ current financial picture and goals for health coverage. This will help your specialist tailor options based on your specific needs.

      It’s as easy as contacting a specialist! You’ll be well on your way to finding the right plan for your business. BCBSKS offers a variety of health care plan options as well as dental and other ancillary products. And, because we’re owned entirely by the people we insure, we help our members get the most for their health care dollars.

      The employee roster contains information about your business’ employees—such as the number of employees on your payroll who work 30+ hours a week, their names and dependents, along with birthdates. This information is required in order to determine your rate. We encourage all interested small businesses to download the employee roster PDF document and have this information available when requesting a free quote.

      We offer several ways for you to connect with a specialist to request a quote, but ultimately – yes – you will learn the details of your quote by talking with a specialist over the phone. This is to ensure you have personalized support to make the best decision for your business. To request a quote, you can complete the employee roster PDF document and e-mail [email protected], mail, or fax (785-290-0719) it to us. You can also call us directly at (800) 874-1823 or submit a form online for us to call you.