Who is Eligible for the Plan?
SBCOC’s Association Health Plan with HMAA is available to a wide range of small businesses across Hawaii that have 1 to 50 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Your company can qualify if it generates 50% or more of its annual revenue from one of the following industries:
- Amusement and Recreation
- Community Services
- Construction
- Educational Services
- Hospitality and Lodging
- Medical/Healthcare
- Personal Care
- Professional Services
- Property Management
- Repair and Maintenance
- Retail
- Trucking and Transit
Why do Small Businesses Partner with HMAA?
- Local, Personalized Service: HMAA is a kama`aina company recognized for our exceptional customer service and responsiveness. We’re big enough to serve, small enough to care.
- Exclusive Savings: Members can save up to 15% on health insurance compared to standard small business rates in the market.
- Subsidized Association Dues: We invest in the trades. For qualifying groups, we’ll pay your SBCOC membership dues! This covers the cost of your access to association networking opportunities, events, and other great benefits.
Not a SBCOC member? Contact us and we can help you join SBCOC to qualify for their benefits and HMAA coverage simultaneously.
Understanding Your Group Size
Your group size is determined by employee count. The State of Hawaii defines a Small Business as having 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs).
How to Calculate FTEs
- Full-Time and Part-Timers: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), an FTE is an employee who worked at least 30 hours per week during the preceding calendar year, and part-time employees are included in the calculation.
- Example A: 3 employees each working 20 hours per week = 60 hours total. Divide 60 by 30 = 2 FTEs.
- Example B: 2 full-time employees each working 40 hours per week, and 3 part-time employees each working 15 hours per week = 125 hours. Divide 125 by 30 = 4. FTEs.
- Common Ownership: Companies with a common owner or are otherwise related are generally combined and treated as a single group, and employees are combined for purposes of determining group size.
Not sure about your company’s classification? Contact us and we’ll help with the FTE calculation.
Real-World Coverage Scenarios
Operating a small business can result in every employee wearing multiple hats to get jobs done. See how HMAA health insurance benefits can positively impact an individual’s health based on their job position.
| Role | Common Issue | HMAA Solution | Employee Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hair, Nail, or Skin Esthetician |
Pregnant with gestational diabetes and has concerns | Baby & Me Maternity Program |
Free Support + Incentives |
| Legal, Financial, or Tax Advisor |
Needs good oral hygiene |
Dental Coverage |
Low Copay |
| Nurse |
Back and foot pain from patient care and standing all day |
Chiropractic & Massage Benefits |
Low Copay |
|
School Teacher |
Wakes up sick on the busiest day of the week | HiDoc® 24/7 Telehealth Service |
No Out-of-Pocket Cost
|
Benefits Designed for Small Businesses
When you have a small team, a single absence is felt by everyone. Our health plans address the specific challenges of managing a lean workforce, ensuring your team stays healthy and productive.
1. Your Health is Our Priority
Concern: In a small business, you’re close to your staff. When they struggle with personal issues or health concerns, it directly impacts the workplace.
HMAA Solution: Our unique suite of wellness solutions include a free Baby & Me maternity program for pregnancy support that rewards participants with up to $1,000 in incentives. We also offer disease prevention programs, worksite flu vaccinations, and other resources to support the well-being of your employees and boost retention. Consultations with mental health professionals are available through HiDoc® and our Employee Assistance Program. Member Plus discounts and special offers from local merchants are extra perks that add value to HMAA membership.
2. We’ve Got You Covered
Concern: Small businesses often lose top talent to larger corporations that can offer more complete benefit packages.
HMAA Solution: To supplement our medical PPO plans, HMAA offers dental and orthodontic benefits, prescription drug, vision, and life/AD&D insurance coverage. Our dental plans are especially popular, covering annual cleanings which are vital to oral health. As an additional option, Active&Fit® provides discounted membership to thousands of fitness centers nationwide.
3. Physical Maintenance with Alternative Care Benefits
Concern: Many small business employees do repetitive physical tasks or carry heavy inventory. Wear and tear can easily lead to musculoskeletal issues that sideline your most reliable workers.
HMAA Solution: Our medical plans include acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and naturopathic services. Regular back and hip adjustments and massage therapy can keep your crew working pain-free and reduce the likelihood of a major injury.
4. Access to Care 24/7
Concern: Time is money. If a school teacher or daycare provider wakes up sick, waiting 3 hours at an urgent care clinic wastes precious rest and healing time.
HMAA Solution: Through HiDoc®, members can talk with a local doctor online or by phone within minutes anytime, anywhere—at no cost. They can get a diagnosis and prescription without waiting for a clinic to open, helping them recover and return to work more quickly. Consultations are intended to work in tandem with your primary care physician (PCP), not as a replacement.
Ready to Lower Your Overhead Costs?
Don’t let rising health insurance costs eat into your profits. Join the thousands of Hawaii small businesses that trust HMAA to protect their `ohana. Our medical PPO plans and ancillary benefits are fully compliant with state and federal laws.
How to Get Started
Getting covered is simple. You don’t need to be a current SBCOC member to start the conversation.
- Request a Quote: Fill out our simple form with your business information.
- Review Proposal: We’ll contact you and discuss pricing options to compare with market rates.
- Join SBCOC: If you like the savings and benefits, we’ll help you join Small Business Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and pay your dues!
- Enroll: We onboard your team with our expert support team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I have to be an SBCOC member to get a quote?
No, you don’t need to be an SBCOC member to receive a proposal. You can request a free quote from us first. If you choose to enroll with HMAA, we can coordinate your SBCOC membership application so you qualify for our exclusive rates immediately.
2. Will HMAA cover all my staff?
Coverage depends on the number of hours they work. In Hawaii, the Prepaid Health Care Act mandates coverage for employees working at least 20 hours a week for four consecutive weeks. Other requirements apply.
3. My business has locations on Oahu and on the Neighbor Islands. Can we join?
Yes! SBCOC and HMAA serves the entire state of Hawaii. Whether your office is in Kona, Kaunakakai, Wailuku, or Waimea, we’ve got you covered with our benefits, extensive choice of providers, and customer support. You can also access our Mainland provider network while traveling.
4. Does my small business qualify for HMAA coverage?
To qualify for HMAA health coverage, a business must meet all of the following criteria:
- Operate in Hawaii with one or more employees
- Meet all federal and state employer requirements
- Have a General Excise Tax license, Federal ID number, and Hawaii Department of Labor number
- Pay W-2 wages to employees and deduct FICA taxes from those wages
- Obtain a Department of Labor HC-5 Waiver Form annually for each eligible employee who waives employer-sponsored health coverage
5. How long does HMAA’s group enrollment process take?
The group enrollment process timeframe will depend on your business needs. We recommend starting the process at least 45 days before your desired effective date. Our experts will quickly generate a proposal once your census data is submitted.
Not Eligible to Partner with SBCOC?
We’ve partnered with Professional Employer Organization (PEO) firms as well as local Associations in other key industries to provide the same health plan benefits. If your business operates in a different sector, check our other industry pages or contact HMAA to discuss other coverage options.
If your industry isn’t listed, contact us to explore options.
