Frequently Asked Questions

At Community Health Options, our purpose is simple: We provide Members with benefits they can actually use. 

From the state’s broadest healthcare provider network to our Maine-based Member Services team that answers your questions instead of sending your employees down a robot rabbit hole, we focus on helping our Members get access to the care they need while working to lower out-of-pocket costs. 

View our Small Group or Large Group plans

The cost of a Small Group health plan varies based on factors like your location, employee demographics, and selected coverage options. Here at Community Health Options, we offer tailored plans designed to fit small business budgets while ensuring employees receive quality care. 

Want to find a plan for your small business? We're here to help. 

Employers typically must contribute a minimum percentage of the premium to qualify for a Small Group plan. Requirements vary by state and plan type, but many small businesses choose to contribute at least 50% of employee premiums to ensure affordability.

Our Small Group health plans include comprehensive medical, prescription drug, preventive care, and wellness benefits. Employers can choose from a range of deductible and copay options to find the right balance between coverage and cost.

We also partner with Northeast Delta Dental to offer dental coverage on select plans. 

We are Maine's exclusive carrier of Small Business Health Options Plans (SHOP) via CoverME.gov. Small businesses may qualify for tax credits under the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit if they meet certain eligibility criteria, such as contributing at least 50% of employees' premiums and having fewer than 25 full-time employees. 

Enrolling in a Small Group plan is simple with Community Health Options. Contact our team to get a quote, compare plan options, and find the best coverage for your business. We’ll guide you through the application process and ensure a smooth setup for your employees.

Yes! Many Small Group plans allow employees to choose from different coverage levels, deductible amounts, and provider networks. This flexibility ensures they can select a plan that fits their healthcare needs.

Employers can select and offer multiple fully insured health plans to their employees.

• Businesses with 1 – 10 employees can offer 2 plan options, with no more than a $3500 spread in deductible.
• Businesses with 11 – 19 enrolled employees can offer 2 plan options, with no deductible spread limitation.
• Businesses with 20 or more enrolled employees can offer 3 plan options, with no deductible spread limitation.

With a self-funded health plan, employers have more transparency and control over healthcare expenses, including customized plan designs, wellness initiatives, and access to claims data for better cost management. Businesses only pay for actual claims, and any unused funds remain with the company instead of an insurer.

Contact us to learn more

When selecting a large group health plan, consider factors such as total cost of coverage, network access, plan flexibility, wellness incentives, and administrative support. Community Health Options offers tailored solutions, ensuring your health plan aligns with your workforce’s needs while optimizing savings.

To receive a personalized health insurance quote, contact Community Health Options. Our team will assess your workforce demographics and business goals to provide competitive pricing and plan options that fit your company’s healthcare needs.

The cost of group health insurance in Maine varies based on factors like plan type, employer contribution, and the number of employees covered. Small businesses in Maine can have cost fluctuate based on deductibles, copays, and provider networks.

Our business development team is available to help find a cost-effective solution: Get started

Yes! Maine businesses offering Small Group or Large Group health insurance may qualify for federal tax deductions on premium contributions. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees may also be eligible for the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) covering up to 50% of premium costs. We are Maine's exclusive SHOP plan carrier with CoverME.gov. 

Learn more about SHOP plans

For all Members across every plan, we offer a variety of virtual care and telehealth services, including a partnership with Firefly Health for virtual primary care and Amwell for telehealth services on behavioral health and urgent care. What's even better is that urgent care with Amwell starts at $0 for non-HSA plans.

Virtual care reduces barriers to timely medical attention, helping employees address health concerns quickly without taking time off work. Telehealth options for urgent care and mental health support can lead to lower absenteeism, increased productivity, and overall employee well-being.

By offering telemedicine and virtual health visits, your company can improve employee productivity and the associated costs when that is lost. Virtual care provides an affordable, convenient way for employees to seek medical attention, helping manage healthcare expenses more effectively for all.

Most Community Health Options employer health plans include virtual care benefits with low or no copays, making it an affordable telehealth solution for your workforce. Coverage details vary, so we recommend reviewing your plan options with our benefits team for more information.

Community Health Options’ advanced administrative systems are fully integrated and built with the satisfaction of our Members, groups and brokers in mind. Our systems are managed by our Maine-based professionals who understand the local healthcare market. Our dedicated Account Management team ensures a seamless onboarding process.