Reviews
Group Health Insurance for Colorado Employers — Without the Renewal Roulette
What Small Group Health Insurance Actually Requires
There's a lot of confusion about eligibility for group coverage, and that confusion keeps some employers from exploring it at all. Here's what the basics actually look like in Colorado.
- Minimum group size: Most carriers require at least two enrolled employees, though requirements can vary by carrier and plan type.
- Employer contribution: Carriers typically require employers to contribute a minimum percentage of the employee-only premium — commonly 50% or more — though this varies.
- Participation requirements: A minimum percentage of eligible employees must enroll, usually 75%, after accounting for those who have other qualifying coverage.
- Plan types available: PPOs, HMOs, and HDHPs paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are all common options at the small group level.
- Open enrollment and special enrollment: Group plans renew annually, but employees can also qualify for special enrollment when they experience a qualifying life event.
If you're not sure whether your business qualifies or what contribution level makes sense for your budget, that's exactly what the consultation is for.
When your group health insurance renewal lands with a double-digit rate increase, the instinct is to either accept it or scramble. Neither is a great option. As an independent broker, we compare your renewal against group plans from multiple carriers before your deadline — so you can make a real decision instead of a panicked one.
We work with small businesses across Colorado, including employers in Colorado Springs and Denver, who are tired of watching their premiums climb without a clear explanation or a better alternative. Group health insurance is one of the most valuable things you can offer your team. It shouldn't feel like something that happens to you every year.
A Renewal Increase Isn't the Final Word
Send Us a Census. We'll Handle the Rest.
Getting a group quote doesn't require a stack of paperwork from you. It starts with a simple employee census — a basic list of your employees and their ages, and whether they have dependents they'd like to cover. From there, we take it from here.
What happens after you send us the census:
- We pull quotes from multiple carriers and identify plans that fit your budget and your employees' needs.
- We walk you through the comparison in plain language — no jargon, no pressure to pick the most expensive option.
- We manage the enrollment paperwork so your HR contact (or you, if you're wearing that hat too) isn't buried in carrier forms.
- After enrollment, we stay on as your broker of record. When your employees have coverage questions, they call us — not you.
That last part matters more than most employers expect. Benefits questions don't stop at enrollment. Having a broker your team can actually reach means you get your time back.
How We Work With Employers
Our process for small group clients follows the same four-step approach we use across all of our services — adapted for the realities of employer-sponsored coverage and renewal timelines.
Step 1: Consultation
We start by understanding your business: how many employees you have, what you've been spending, what your team values in a health plan, and what your renewal situation looks like. If you're coming to us mid-year, we can still model alternatives and get you ready to move at renewal.
Step 2: Research
We pull group health insurance quotes from multiple carriers and build a side-by-side comparison. We look at premium costs, network access, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums — and we flag the tradeoffs honestly.
Step 3: Review
We walk through the options with you. You ask questions. We give you straight answers. There's no script and no pressure. The goal is for you to understand what you're choosing and why.
Step 4: Enrollment and Ongoing Support
We handle the enrollment paperwork, coordinate with the carrier, and stay available to your employees for coverage questions throughout the plan year. When your renewal comes around, we're already in your corner.
Does it cost more to use a health insurance broker?
Generally, you don't pay us a separate fee to help you compare and enroll in the plans we represent. Insurance carriers may compensate brokers when an enrollment occurs.
We'll explain our role, review the options available to you, and help you understand what you're considering before you make a decision.
How do insurance brokers get paid?
Insurance brokers are commonly compensated by insurance carriers when clients enroll in certain plans. That allows us to help clients review coverage without charging a separate consultation fee in many situations.
If anything about our compensation applies differently to your situation, we'll explain it before you enroll.
What's the difference between an insurance broker and an agent?
Some insurance agents represent a single insurance company. Independent brokers can work with multiple carriers.
As an independent brokerage, Lighthouse Group can review plans from the insurance companies we represent and help you compare factors such as premiums, benefits, provider networks, and prescription coverage.
Can a broker help me after I enroll?
Yes. Our relationship doesn't have to end when you choose a plan.
We can continue helping with questions about your coverage, renewals, plan changes, and other issues that come up along the way. If something isn't making sense, you have someone you can ask.
Why not just buy a plan on my own?
You absolutely can.
The challenge is that a plan name and monthly premium don't tell you everything. Your doctors, prescriptions, provider network, deductible, and expected healthcare needs can all affect how well a plan works for you.
We help you look beyond the price tag so you can better understand what you're choosing before you enroll.
Customer testimonials on Google
Common Questions About Small Group Health Insurance in Colorado
How many employees do you need for group health insurance in Colorado?
Most carriers require at least two enrolled employees to qualify for a small group plan. Some carriers may have slightly different minimums, which is one reason working with an independent broker helps — we can identify carriers whose eligibility requirements match your situation.Most carriers require at least two enrolled employees to qualify for a small group plan. Some carriers may have slightly different minimums, which is one reason working with an independent broker helps — we can identify carriers whose eligibility requirements match your situation.Do I have to contribute to my employees' premiums?
Yes, most group health insurance carriers require employers to cover a minimum percentage of the employee-only premium, typically around 50%. The exact requirement varies by carrier and plan. Your contribution level also affects how attractive the benefit is to your team, which is worth factoring into the decision.Yes, most group health insurance carriers require employers to cover a minimum percentage of the employee-only premium, typically around 50%. The exact requirement varies by carrier and plan. Your contribution level also affects how attractive the benefit is to your team, which is worth factoring into the decision.What is an employee census and why do you need it?
An employee census is a simple list of the employees you want to cover, along with their ages and whether they have dependents who would enroll. Carriers use this information to calculate group premium rates. It's the starting point for any group quote, and it's much less complicated than it sounds.An employee census is a simple list of the employees you want to cover, along with their ages and whether they have dependents who would enroll. Carriers use this information to calculate group premium rates. It's the starting point for any group quote, and it's much less complicated than it sounds.Can you help us if our renewal is coming up soon?
Yes — renewal season is one of the most common reasons employers reach out to us. If you've received a renewal with a significant rate increase, we can compare it against current market options before your deadline. The earlier you contact us, the more options we can explore, but we work with tight timelines when we need to.Yes — renewal season is one of the most common reasons employers reach out to us. If you've received a renewal with a significant rate increase, we can compare it against current market options before your deadline. The earlier you contact us, the more options we can explore, but we work with tight timelines when we need to.What happens if an employee has a question about their coverage during the year?
As your broker of record, we handle employee coverage questions directly. Your team can reach out to us when they're trying to understand their benefits, navigate a claim issue, or figure out what's covered. You don't have to be the go-between.As your broker of record, we handle employee coverage questions directly. Your team can reach out to us when they're trying to understand their benefits, navigate a claim issue, or figure out what's covered. You don't have to be the go-between.
Get Started
Get a Second Opinion on Your Group Health Insurance
If your renewal came in higher than expected — or if you're setting up group coverage for the first time — we're glad to take a look. Share a few details about your business and your current situation, and we'll be in touch to schedule a consultation.
Contact Us
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please try again later.