There is an option for employee participation, which would require the employee to pay 10 percent of the cost, so the small business owner now can provide full coverage for his or her employees at under half of the original cost. This plan is eligible to all employees who work at least 20 hours per week. Sole proprietorships are also eligible for this insurance, meaning that many people who previously could not afford health insurance for themselves, now can do so through their business. The importance of providing health insurance to employees is far reaching. Besides the obvious benefits of being covered in case of a medical emergency, these health benefits contribute to the overall health and productivity of a company s work force.
Preventative care reduces the potential risk of chronic disease and disability.
With healthy employees, fewer days are lost each year due to sickness. Health benefit packages also help to recruit new, talented employees to a business. There are criteria that must be met in order for businesses to qualify for this insurance. The business must be located in New York state, must have 50 employees or less, and must not have provided health insurance to any employee in the last year. New York has made a remarkable turn-around in the attitude that is taken toward business.