Group health insurance plans guarantee coverage for all full time employees regardless of their physical condition. Some limits may be mandated to new employees that predate enrollment deadlines. Most states require a minimum amount of employees be enrolled in order to qualify for a group health insurance plan, but at present, there is no federal law requiring a company to provide this type of policy for their employees. Many policies include base coverage and major medical coverage. Base coverage covers hospitalization, surgery, office visits, and laboratory tests. Major medical will cover all other health expenses after a deductible is met.

A comprehensive policy usually encourages employees to be more cost-effective about their health care decisions. Group health insurance plans may include comprehensive coverage. This type of coverage requires that the deductible be met before any reimbursement begins. A group health insurance plan will also include outpatient care expenses. This type of coverage usually includes emergency treatment, lab, and x-ray services. Coverage will usually include hospital charges for a semi-private room including necessary supplies and services.

These policies usually include prescription drug coverage. Most prescription drug coverage requires the insured to pay a co-payment based upon brand name or generic drugs. Group health insurance plans may require an annual deductible before reimbursement for drugs begin. Insurance companies encourage generic drugs be purchased whenever possible to keep costs down. Each group health insurance plan usually includes a drug formulary that lists the covered drugs. Many plans do not cover contraceptive drugs, or drugs related to smoke cessation.

Some policies include dental coverage while others have separate policies for dental. Most plans cover preventive and diagnostic care such as simple restorations and extractions. Vision coverage through a group health insurance plan usually includes medical care related to eye injuries or disease. Some vision may include one eye exam per year. If lenses or frames are included in the coverage, there are usually limitations based upon providing lenses once per year and frames less often. As a business owners, it is nice to be able to provide all the perks that employees desire, but unless we pray for them, we are not providing the best protection. In Luke 18:1, Jesus says, "Men ought always to pray." A business started with the foundation of God's wisdom will benefit everyone involved. Let this be your motto as you consider group health insurance plans for your employees.