Setting up group health insurance is straightforward with the right help — and it's free to use a licensed broker. Here's the step-by-step process, what you'll need, and an honest look at the "just use our payroll software" pitch you'll hear from platforms like Gusto.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Confirm eligibility | Verify you meet the requirements (1+ non-owner W-2 employee, CA business). |
| 2. Gather documents | EIN, payroll records (California DE-9), and employee/dependent details. |
| 3. Compare plans | Review carriers, metal tiers, HMO vs PPO, and networks — matched to your team's doctors. |
| 4. Set your contribution | Decide how much you'll contribute (meeting the carrier minimum) and whether to cover dependents. |
| 5. Enroll employees | Employees select plans or waive with proof of other coverage. We handle the participation math. |
| 6. Finalize & bill | Submit the group, confirm the effective date, and set up billing — often one consolidated statement. |
We handle every step for you — at no cost. Most of the work is on us; you review and approve.
Payroll platforms like Gusto pitch a tempting bundle: "run payroll AND get health insurance in one place." It sounds convenient — but here's what you're really trading away:
| Factor | Payroll platform (e.g. Gusto) | Licensed broker (us) |
|---|---|---|
| Who helps you | Software + a call center / chat | A real California expert, since 1994 |
| Plan expertise | Self-serve menus | We check your doctors & networks, find the best value |
| Renewals | Auto-renew, you're on your own | We review every year, shop for savings |
| When something breaks | Support ticket | You call Dennis |
| CA-specific rules | Generic | We know California cold |
| Cost to you | Bundled fees | Free (paid by carriers) |
Here's the thing — you can have both. We pair your benefits with Rippling, a top-rated HR and payroll platform that's rated higher than Gusto, so you get modern software for onboarding, payroll, and benefits admin. AND you keep us as your licensed broker — a real California expert who compares plans, checks networks, handles renewals, and picks up the phone when you need help.
Gusto makes you trade the expert for the software. We give you the best software and the expert. There's no cost for our help — carriers pay us, not you. It's the best of both worlds for a busy owner.
Once we have your documents and employee information, a group can often be set up within a couple of weeks, timed to your desired effective date (usually the 1st of a month). New businesses or special situations may take a bit longer. Ready to start? Get a free group quote or just reach out — we'll walk you through it.
Here is a trick the payroll platforms will not tell you: we shop every major carrier at the Silver level to find who is priced best for your exact team — then set up employee choice so your people can pick their own plan and pay any difference pre-tax. You control the budget; they get the choice. Everyone wins.