Life, Health & Peace of MindSmall-Business Benefits
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Twelve questions every small-business owner should ask before signing another year of health coverage — or another PEO contract. Print it, check the boxes, and bring it to your renewal conversation. Most owners can’t answer half of these — and that gap is usually where the money is.
Tip: use Print → Save as PDF to keep a copy, or just work through it on screen.
1 Cost & transparency — the money
Is my premium billed at the carrier’s net cost, or is there a markup?Some PEOs add a 5–20% markup on health premiums that never appears as a line item.
Exactly what am I paying in admin or broker fees, per employee per month?PEO fees commonly run $40–$200 per employee/month. You should know your number.
How much did my renewal go up this year — and what’s driving it?“Trend” and “claims” are answers you can question, not accept.
Was my plan shopped across multiple carriers, or just re-quoted with the same one?A re-quote isn’t a market check. Competition is your leverage.
2 Coverage & network — the fit
Are my employees’ main doctors and hospitals still in-network?Networks change yearly. A cheaper plan nobody can use isn’t cheaper.
Have my deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums crept up?A flat premium can hide a richer cost shift onto your team.
Is there a plan design — level-funded, HSA-qualified — that fits us better?The “standard” plan you were sold may not be the right structure.
3 If you’re in a PEO — the exit question
Can I see the health-premium cost separated from the bundled PEO fees?If they can’t (or won’t) unbundle it, that’s the answer.
If I left the PEO, what would I need to replace — and what would I save?Often you can carve out just health and keep the rest. Get the real math.
Am I locked in, or free to carve out health at renewal?Know your window before it closes — timing is everything here.
4 The process — your leverage
Who is actually advocating for me at renewal — and are they paid to shop the market?An advisor who only represents one plan isn’t shopping for you.
When is my decision deadline, and how early do I get my renewal numbers?Rushed renewals favor the incumbent. Ask for numbers 60–90 days out.
Not sure how your plan stacks up?
Send us your renewal or PEO invoice and we’ll give you a plain-English breakdown — what you’re paying, where it’s going, and what you could save — in two business days. No pressure, no jargon.
Life, Health & Peace of Mind · phil@findLHP.com · calendly.com/phil-findlhp/30min
This checklist is general education for small-business owners, not insurance advice or a quote. Figures cited (PEO markups and fees) are industry-average ranges. Talk to a licensed advisor about your specific situation.
This checklist is general education for small-business owners, not insurance advice or a quote. Figures cited (PEO markups and fees) are industry-average ranges. Talk to a licensed advisor about your specific situation.