Because your business is already offering benefits through CaliforniaChoice, you’ve likely seen firsthand how much employees appreciate having choices. From different health plans and provider networks to added coverage options, CaliforniaChoice gives your employees flexibility while helping you keep benefits more manageable year after year.
As renewals approach and health care costs continue to rise, it’s a good time to revisit the value CaliforniaChoice offers your business and your team. Here are seven reasons employers across California continue relying on our multi-carrier exchange.
Employee Benefits for Small Business in California: 7 Reasons a Multi-Carrier Exchange Works
1: More predictable health insurance costs for your business
Budgeting for employee benefits shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. One of the biggest advantages of CaliforniaChoice is cost predictability. With the Defined Contribution model, you decide how much you want to contribute toward employee coverage. Employees then use that contribution to select the plan that best fits their needs. That gives you greater visibility into your benefits budget and more flexibility at renewal.
It adds up to:
- More control over your spend
- Greater flexibility for your team
- Fewer surprises from year-to-year rate increases
At renewal, you can keep your contribution the same or adjust it based on your business goals and lock in that contribution for the next 12 months.
2: Employees choose from 7 California health plans
Not every employee wants the same health plan. Some employees prioritize keeping a specific doctor. Others want lower monthly premiums. Some may prefer an HMO, while others want PPO flexibility.CaliforniaChoice makes it possible to offer both.
Employees can choose from seven health plans through one program, including:
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Health Net
- Kaiser Permanente
- Sharp Health Plan
- Sutter Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare
- Western Health Advantage
Plan availability depends on where employees live, giving businesses across California access to strong statewide and regional options.
3: Better access to doctors, specialists, and provider networks
More health plan choices also means more provider access. Because you’re enrolled in CaliforniaChoice, your employees can choose from multiple provider networks and coverage styles. One employee may want to stay with their Kaiser Permanente specialist, while another may prefer a PPO plan that includes their longtime family doctor through Anthem Blue Cross.
Instead of forcing everyone into one plan, you’ve given your team the power to choose coverage that fits their health care needs. That flexibility often leads to greater employee satisfaction.
4: A recruiting and retention edge in a competitive job market
Benefits matter, especially in a competitive hiring market. When employees can personalize their coverage, they’re more likely to feel supported by their employer. Offering multiple plan choices helps your business stand out to candidates while improving retention among current employees.
And because CaliforniaChoice also offers access to additional benefits like dental, vision, chiropractic, and life coverage, it’s an even greater advantage.
5: Simpler health benefits administration — one bill, one portal
Even with multiple carrier options, CaliforniaChoice helps keep administration streamlined.
- One monthly bill
- One enrollment experience
- One place to manage employee benefits online
Even when employees enroll in different health plans, everything stays consolidated under one program.
You can also:
- Pay online
- Set up auto-pay
- Manage renewals and employee updates digitally
That means less paperwork and less time spent on benefits administration.
6: Easy access to dental, vision, and ancillary benefits
Medical coverage is only part of the picture. CaliforniaChoice also makes it easy to offer ancillary benefits alongside health coverage, including:
- Dental plans
- Vision coverage
- Chiropractic and acupuncture benefits
- Life Insurance and AD&D coverage
7: Valuable extras employees can actually use
Many employers forget just how many additional resources are included through CaliforniaChoice. Your program also gives employees access to value-added perks through the Business Solution Suite and Member Value Suite, including:
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Premium Only Plan (POP) setup
- Prescription savings through the California Rx Card
- Discounted hearing services through EPIC Hearing
- Vision discounts through EyeMed
- Pet insurance savings through MetLife and Spot
- Entertainment, travel, and wellness discounts through Cal Perks and ChooseHealthy™
A smarter employee benefits solution
CaliforniaChoice helps employers balance what matters most:
- Predictable costs
- Employee choice
- Simplified administration
- Better access to care
That’s why businesses across California continue choosing our multi-carrier exchange year after year. As your next renewal approaches, it may be the perfect time to revisit your contribution strategy, review your current offerings, or explore additional benefits available through CaliforniaChoice. Your broker can help you make the most of everything your program has to offer.