There are many healthcare options available for businesses of all sizes. Choosing a healthcare plan that fits your values and your business can be challenging. Making sound healthcare choices that fit your budget while incorporating Christian values is possible.
A Christian business leader wants employees to be healthy, happy, and successful. Offering cost-effective healthcare options can bless your business and your team while equipping you to be a good steward of your financial resources. It is also a wise way to attract and retain good employees.
Not all healthcare options will suit your business needs and budget. Some limit choices and services. Others may focus more on economies of scale than on treating every individual as a valued person made in God’s image. Suggestions below can aid your search for good options that won’t fall short of your godly goals.
Our physical health indeed matters to God, but spiritual health, growth in godliness, with attention to the life to come matter more. Glorifying God in every decision requires a healthy mix of prayer, research, and discernment. Jesus promises help from the Holy Spirit to support your decisions.
The following can help you narrow your options and guide your decisions. You can find a responsible, cost-effective choice suited to your unique business needs.
Ensure your core values are shaped by a vision for Christian leadership.
Of course, your faith should influence every part of your life and your leadership. As a Christian employer, providing healthcare that aligns with your values makes personal and professional sense. God has plans for you and your people, and or you it includes your role as a business leader. Your time and place in this world is your unique opportunity to weigh and provide options for healthcare. Consider, as you choose a group healthcare plan…
- whether your financial resources support medical testing or treatments that are incompatible with your Christian values.
- whether you can be confident your choices are offered by reputable, independently accredited organizations.
- whether your small business will experience the mutual respect, support, and encouragement of a biblical community during times of illness or other setbacks.
- whether it supports or promotes positive, healthy lifestyle choices through all seasons or stages of life.
- whether you are joining like-minded healthcare organizations offering choices that supports your pursuit of stewardship, or if an alliance may force you to be unequally yoked (i.e., at odds with your values).
Ensure your selection has flexibility to serve your needs and align with healthcare laws.
Business owners must comply with healthcare regulations, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Does your choice meet the latest legal mandates, participation levels, and other important requirements? Other considerations include:
- whether a minimum number of employees need to join for your organization to participate. Are there limitations, waiting periods, age, weight, location, or health history restrictions?
- whether your choice include a generous maternity / paternity solution.
- whether your option offer employees flexibility to choose providers or services.
- whether it limits providers your employees can see, or other restrictions? Will it be cost-prohibitive for employees to visit favorite out-of-network providers?
- whether it sets minimums or maximums for the monthly or yearly support you offer employees.
- whether you’ll have employees who don’t qualify for or prefer not to take an ACA subsidy? What money-saving or community-based healthcare alternative are there?
Ensure your selection offers needful, cost-effective healthcare options.
Affordability is usually high priority. Administering a small business can be a chore, and budgeting for healthcare can make it more so. As an entrepreneur, you know that new business ideas can get expensive, so healthcare needs to fit the bill without breaking the bank. Review costs and related considerations.
- Examine whether your healthcare options sustain your budget and support responsible stewardship of time, talents, and financial resources for the long term. Be sure healthcare administration leaves you free you to focus on your God-given mission.
- Ensure the numbers add up. Because many small businesses run on lean budgets, determine whether your choices provide varying levels of service to meet employer and employee needs.
- Ensure your choice affords room to grow. It should accommodate a small business budget and hold the door open to adjust levels of healthcare services, options, and resources as your organization grows.
Pray, weigh your options, and trust God to guide your path. Traditional insurance is not your only option. Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) offers options for nonprofit and for-profit groups of all sizes. CHM is the USA’s first and longest-serving health cost-sharing ministry designed to support Christian servant-leaders. They can also help you explore how to pursue your business vision as you support your staff with excellent healthcare.
Make and Adjust Healthcare Choices with God’s Guidance
Healthcare business options vary widely, so there’s much to explore before you decide. Regulations in healthcare change too. Weigh everything you’ll need for the size of your small business team today and for your foreseeable future plans.