6 Tips for a Successful Open Enrollment Season
Open enrollment is not a single annual event; it is a continuous strategic process. We are your partner in benefits. AUI stands alongside clients through every phase of the employee benefits journey.
Health Insurance
The Pitfalls of Benefit Leakage & How You Can Avoid It
What is benefits leakage? This term is often used when a benefits plan is not well managed.
What Employee Benefits Your Ohio Small Business Should Offer ?
If you’re trying to figure out what employee benefits a small business in Ohio should offer, you’re not alone. Don’t worry, you are not alone if you feel confused, there is a lot to business benefits. All the confusion is understandable. One article tells you that you’re legally required to offer health insurance, another says …
How to Calculate Contribution Rates for Health Insurance
Calculating contribution rates for health insurance is a foundational financial and strategic task for small business owners. Health insurance impacts both the company operational budget and employee satisfaction, which directly influences talent retention. Establishing these rates means determining how the premium costs are divided between the organization and the staff. Because premium structures and federal …
Maximizing Value: Level-Funded vs. Self-Funded Health Insurance for Ohio Businesses
As a third-generation family-owned broker, we understand that the modern healthcare landscape requires more than just a policy. It requires a data-driven strategy to control costs. If your company is currently stuck in a “community-rated” plan, you are likely to overpay to subsidize the health risks of other organizations. In this blog we are going …
The Deductible Gap: How to Cut Costs Without Cutting Benefits
What is a deductible gap anyway? The “deductible gap” refers to the financial shortfall an employee faces between what their insurance plan begins to cover and what they must pay out-of-pocket. As healthcare costs rise, many Ohio small business owners are shifting toward High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) to keep monthly premiums affordable; however, this often …
The Invisible Compliance Trap: Are Gag Clauses Hiding Your Healthcare Data?
Small business owners in Ohio are currently facing a new regulatory hurdle that many do not even realize exists the “gag clause.” Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), the federal government has launched a significant push for transparency in the health insurance industry. The core of this movement is a mandate that prohibits “gag clauses” …
Zero-Cost Retention Strategies for Ohio Small Businesses
Zero-Cost Retention strategies matter for small businesses in Ohio. As small businesses, we often struggle to compete when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent. Part of the reason is the benefits packages that larger companies can offer. When small businesses in Ohio cannot afford a 5% raise, what is the next best way …
Strategic Approaches for Ohio Small Businesses to Afford Employee Healthcare
Providing healthcare coverage is one of the most effective strategies for Ohio small businesses to attract and retain high-quality talent. Yet, it remains a significant budgetary hurdle for many small businesses. Fortunately, affordable pathways exist when you understand how to structure benefits effectively. Associated Underwriters Insurance (AUI), serves as a specialized partner for local businesses. …
Navigating Health Insurance in 2026: Trends, Costs, and Rule Changes
Understanding health insurance is crucial in today’s world. As we approach 2026, we are expecting that the health insurance landscape will undergo significant changes.
Creative Alternatives for Small Businesses to Reduce Rising Health Insurance Costs
America’s healthcare insurance costs for small businesses continue to climb. In fact, earlier this year, “insurers had proposed a median 18 percent increase in premiums for next year, citing higher medical costs, a sicker risk pool due to the enhanced subsidy expiration, and other factors” according to the CAP. Which has left small businesses feeling the strain of providing …
Key Healthcare Changes Under the Trump Administration: Impacts on Businesses for 2026
The Trump Administration has introduced significant changes to healthcare policies, many of which will directly impact businesses and the healthcare options available to them in 2026. From Affordable Care Act (ACA) reforms to drug pricing policies and Medicaid restructuring, these actions are reshaping the healthcare landscape. Below, we explore the key changes and their implications …
IRS Employer Health Insurance Pay-or-Play Penalties to Rise 15.2% in 2026
The IRS has announced a significant increase in employer shared responsibility penalties for non-compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) starting in 2026. These penalties, often referred to as the “pay-or-play” penalties, are designed to enforce employer obligations to provide affordable health insurance coverage to their full-time employees. The adjustment represents a 15.2% increase from …
Losing Medicaid Coverage? Here’s Why You Should Contact AUI Instead of Navigating the ACA Marketplace Alone
If you’ve recently lost Medicaid coverage, you’re not alone. Many individuals are being transitioned off Medicaid due to eligibility changes or the end of pandemic-related expansions. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace might seem like the logical next step, navigating it on your own can be overwhelming and costly. Instead of taking on this …
Understanding Health Insurance Penalties for Non-Compliance in Ohio
Ohio residents are often unaware of the potential health insurance penalties for failing to comply with the federal and state regulations. Regulations can change with the swipe of a pen and trying to figure out what applies to your small business should not be left up to a chance. We hate to see bad things …
Why You Need a Healthcare Broker to Find Affordable Group Health Insurance
Navigating the world of health insurance can feel overwhelming that is why you need a healthcare broker like AUI. It is especially important when you are trying to find affordable group health insurance plans for your Ohio business. Whether you are a small business owner with a growing team or a solopreneur looking for the …
5 Tips for Navigating Health Insurance for Your Ohio Small Business with AUI
As a small business owner, you wear a lot of hats, but navigating health insurance does not need to be one of them. From managing day-to-day operations to looking out for your employees, there’s no shortage of responsibilities. One of the most important—and often most challenging—tasks is figuring out health insurance for your team. It …
Ohio Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits: Everything Here’s What You Need to Know
For small business owners in Ohio, understanding the Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit can significantly impact your ability to provide health insurance for your employees. This tax credit is designed to help small businesses afford the cost of health insurance premiums, making it easier for you to offer valuable benefits to your workforce. This …
