Small Business Health Insurance 

The Covered California for Small Business (CCSB), also known as the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), is a part of California's state-run health insurance marketplace designed to help small employers provide health and dental coverage to their employees.
Here is a summary of the program:
    • Eligibility: Generally available to employers with 100 or fewer Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) employees.
    • Affordable, Quality Coverage: It provides access to brand-name health and dental insurance plans from various carriers, offering competitive choices for quality, affordable coverage.
    • Employee Choice and Flexibility: Employers can set a budget by choosing a "reference plan" at a certain metal tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum), but they can allow employees to select any plan from any available carrier and metal tier. This increases flexibility and allows employees to find a plan that best fits their needs.
    • Potential Tax Credits: CCSB is the only place in California where eligible small businesses may qualify for the federal Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. This credit is generally available to small businesses with fewer than 25 FTE employees, paying average annual wages below a set limit, and contributing at least 50% toward employee premium costs.
    • Simplified Administration: It offers a streamlined enrollment and management process through the MyCCSB portal, which allows employers to manage their group enrollment, view invoices, make online payments, and process employee additions or terminations. A key feature is the single, consolidated monthly bill, regardless of how many plans or carriers employees choose.
    • Year-Round Enrollment: Unlike the individual market, small businesses can apply for coverage through CCSB year-round.