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April 1, 2008 HB 2002 effective:
Oregon small groups now include groups of 2 to 50 employees. The number of allowed rating criteria for use in calculating your rates has increased significantly. Which factors an insurance company uses in their rate calculations can have a correspondingly significant impact on your premiums. This will affect existing group premiums on the group's next renewal. The following factors can now affect your rates:
- Employee Age
- Dependent Ages
- Dependent and Employee Tobacco Use
- Geographic Location of the Business and/or the Employee's Residence
- Plan Benefit Design
- How Long You Have Been with the Insurance Company
- How Much the Employer Contributes to the Cost of Coverage
- How Many of the Company's Employees are Enrolled in the Plan
- Medical Claims Experience (+ or - 5%)
- Participation in a Wellness Program
You are not required to offer health insurance to employees of your small business (2-50 employees). If you do offer health insurance, there are some very specific state and federal rules and regulations that you have to pay attention to. We have summarized the important ones on the web pages in this small business section.
The rules tell you what insurance plans have been approved by the state for group health insurance use. You are only allowed to use plans approved by the Oregon Insurance Division.
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