How to Negotiate Your Policy

Once you've gone through the process of making plan decisions about the health care plan you want for your business and you've contacted vendors for quotes and proposals, you're ready to compare and negotiate the policy with your vendors.

We'll give you some tips on:

• reading and comparing proposals
• bargaining on the price of the policy

Health care reform. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and related legislation, beginning in 2014, small businesses will be able to purchase private health insurance through a state-based insurance exchange program specifically designed for them. The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) aims to make it affordable for small employers to offer employees a variety of health plans.