What size companies are eligible to participate?
Most alliances do not yet accept the self-employed or companies that have only one or two workers. In most states, alliances cover businesses with three to employees. 3. How many insurance plans are available, and are they standardized? Alliances typically offer a menu of health plane from several insurers. Most are managed-care plans, either health-maintenance organizations or preferred provider organizations. Benefits are the same in each plan, allowing direct cost comparisons among plans. 4. What is the required employer contribution per employee, and what percentage of the employees must by health insurance? While employer participation is strictly voluntary, alliances usually require businesses to pay a certain amount of the cost–either a percentage of the premium or a flat fee. Most base the employer payments on the lowest-cost plan. Typically, alliances require 75 percent of employees to participate as a way to help spread the risks. 5. Does the employer choose the health plan,
