Attention: Need health insurance, but can’t afford Obamacare (ACA) policy for yourself and your family now that subsidies have disappeared? The end of subsidies meant that millions of Americans saw healthcare premiums triple. They simply dropped insurance for themselves and their families.

But, if you work for a small business, with as few as two employees, there is a once a year chance to get the same affordable group plan coverage that is offered to big businesses in your state – at absolutely no cost to your employer!

As an employee of a participating small business, you can pay your new, affordable premiums on a pre-tax basis. And even if the owner doesn’t personally need the health insurance (perhaps already on Medicare), he or she can offer this plan to employees.

If it sounds too good to be true, it’s because the big insurance companies that are compelled to offer this opportunity don’t really want to talk about it. It’s just too much hassle to sign up these plans with few workers.

But read on — and show this to your boss, who is a small business owner. Tell her the employees will work twice as hard, stay with the company, because of this great health insurance benefit. The window is open now.

It’s called the Small Business Special Enrollment period which runs from November 15th through December 15th.

This is a little-understood opportunity for businesses with as few as two employees – and only one plan participant – to purchase a top-rated group plan with NO employer contribution required. And the employees can pay the premiums on a pre-tax (salary deduction) basis.
And according to Alan Wishner of Vesta Benefits Group (www.VestaBenefitsGroup.com), millions of small businesses could easily set up these policies – even if the owner is older and on Medicare. As long as there are two employees, only one has to sign on to the health insurance.

Small Business Special Enrollment Period
The Affordable Care Act mandated that insurers must offer their best group health insurance plans to small businesses during a once-a-year special enrollment period. These plans must offer the same comprehensive coverage as the generous coverage plans negotiated by large businesses in your state. Those plans have large networks of hospitals and physicians.

During this period, all insurance companies that are selling plans in your state agree to accept all small businesses that apply for coverage.

Not surprisingly, few insurance agents are pushing these plans, because they are a nuisance to the insurers and don’t generate big commissions for the agent. So it’s up to you – the small business owner – to research this coverage.

Here’s how this small business insurance deal works:
• Dates: Small businesses (2-50 employees) must apply between November 15 and December 15. The plan becomes effective January 1, 2026.
• Qualifications: Businesses can set up a plan even if only one full-time employee joins. So, if some employees are covered by a spousal plan or Medicare, and only one person wants this coverage, the plan is qualified. For example, a business owner who is older and covered by Medicare does not have to join the plan – but can offer the insurance to up to 50 employees.
• Coverage: The plan must offer equally comprehensive coverage and premiums as group plans for other businesses in the state.
• Premiums: The monthly premiums must be comparable to those offered to traditional small group plans.
• Costs: The employer is NOT required to contribute on behalf of the employee. And an employee can pay premiums on a pre-tax, salary deduction basis.
• Pre-existing conditions: There are no limitations, because of the provisions of the ACA.
• Dependent coverage: Because these are true group insurance plans, dependents such as spouses and minor children under age 26 are also eligible for coverage under the plan.

Obviously, it will be tempting for sole proprietors to create this small business group plan just to get the coverage. However, you must prove that you have had at least two employees or at least two partners that received income from the business.

If you’re a small business that hasn’t provided insurance, you could be a hero to your employees. But you must act quickly to get these benefits for 2026. Ask your insurance agent – or go to the specialists to get guidance, such as: Vesta Benefits Group (www.vestabenefitsgroup.com) for Illinois businesses, and eHealth (www.ehealthinsurance.com), which has small business agents nationally.

Don’t delay. You need to speak with an agent to see if you can qualify and find your premium costs -– and to begin the paperwork so applications can be submitted before the December 15th deadline.
I know this is the one deal that sounds too good to be true. But it is true! And that’s the Savage Truth.