Find An Agent
Insurance agents or brokers are called “producers” in NH.

Some carriers allow you to buy health insurance directly from them. Others only allow you to buy health insurance through an agent or broker. MicroCredit-NH recommends that you use an agent or broker. They are the experts. There is no cost to you to use an agent/broker. They are paid a commission by the carrier. It is particularly important to use an agent or broker if this is the first time you are buying health insurance, or if there have been significant changes that will impact your health insurance and its cost. The following tips will help you: 1. Finding an Agent/Broker Don’t just take the first name out of the telephone book. Ask your property/casualty insurance agent whether they are also licensed for health insurance, or if they can refer you to a licensed health insurance agent/broker. You can also ask other business owners for their recommendations. Check with at least two agents/brokers, since they often represent different carriers and may provide different options to you.

2. Choosing an Agent/Broker

You will be working closely with the agent/broker, so choose someone that makes you feel comfortable.

If you do not know the agent/broker, schedule a meeting with him/her. Ask:

• If he/she is licensed to sell health insurance in New Hampshire (for a list of licensed agents/brokers – “Producers in NH” – go to the NH Department of Insurance website and click on Providers and click on For Consumers, General Information, Is My Agent Licensed?)
• If they have experience with businesses your size and type,
• For references (and check them),
• What companies they represent, and
• What information they will need from you for applications

Ask yourself: do you feel comfortable working with him/her?

3. Shopping for Health Insurance

Once you choose an agent or broker, give him/her the information they need to get quotes. Request that he/she gets quotes from several carriers and for several types of plan options. In some cases, you can receive general information about plans without formally applying for health insurance. In other cases, you will have to formally apply to get information. Ask your agent/broker how best to approach the companies when seeking multiple quotes.

It is helpful to have completed the following worksheets ahead of time:

Free Adobe download

Step 1: How do you use health care? (Excel or PDF download)
Step 2: How do you use your income? (Excel or PDF download)
Step 3: Business information needed to compare health plans. (Excel or PDF download)
Step 4: Want to compare health plans?  (Excel or PDF download)

You will be asked to complete a business application, individual enrollment forms and the NH Standardized Health Form for yourself and your dependents. If you are offering coverage to your employees, they will also need to complete the form for themselves and their dependents.

Getting several health insurance quotes (both carriers and covered services) will allow you to compare them and their cost. Be open and honest with the agent or broker. If there are pre-existing conditions or other things that will impact coverage, they need to know this information at the beginning.

4. Evaluating Your Options

Once you receive quotes from different carriers for different health insurance options, carefully consider the options to determine which health insurance best meets your needs (and the needs of your employees if you will be offering them health insurance).

• What are the differences between the health insurance options in terms of what services will be paid for (covered services) and what services will not be paid for (exclusions)?
• Are the providers that I and my employees use in the carrier’s provider network (primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals, other health care professionals)?
• Are the prescriptions that I (and my employees) use on the carrier’s formulary?
• What is the cost of each health insurance option? Can I (and my employees) afford each option?
• What expenses will I (and my employees) have to pay for out-of-pocket (co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance)? Are there limits on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses for me and my employees?
• What is the total, potential annual cost for me and my employees (monthly premium + out-of-pocket expenses)? Can (I and my employees) afford this?
• Are there any limits for pre-existing conditions or other waiting periods that I (and my employees) would have to meet before the carrier pays for services

5. Applying for Health Insurance

Once you’ve chosen the carrier and the health insurance you want, you will need to formally apply. You must complete an application and show proof that you are, in fact, a business owner.

Small Employer Information Needed for Health Insurance (Excel or PDF download)
Small employer (group) health insurance is only available to the self-employed (group of 1) and small businesses with up to 50 employees. If you will be purchasing small employer group health insurance, you will need to complete an application form from the carrier and prove that you are a business. Each carrier has its own application form and material that must accompany it. They are available through your agent or broker or from the carrier.

• A signed application form for the business
• Wr-1/Quarterly Wage Statement or Small Business Confirmation Form
• Individual enrollment forms including the State of NH Standardized Health Form
• Waiver forms (for employees not wanting coverage through your business)
• A premium deposit

Your agent or broker will have copies of these forms and can help you understand and complete them.

Visit the NH Department of Insurance website for additional information.