INDIANAPOLIS – Small business owners are finding limited and more expensive health care premiums for 2018 than in previous years.
Debra Pollpeter, owner of Puppy Playground, said business has been good at her doggy daycare, and she credits her 24-person staff as the reason.
"Especially as we're caring for people's furry children, they want to make sure that they trust and they recognize the faces that are taking them in and providing care for those dogs every single day,” said Pollpeter.
She said the glowing customer reviews has helped the business grow to a second location on Indy’s west side.
"We want to make sure we're keeping healthy team members and that we're providing avenues for them that they're able to make decisions on their health insurance,” said Pollpeter.
In the past, Puppy Playground has offered benefits, but not health insurance. Pollpeter began working with a private broker to explore the idea but she found slim options.
There are no small group plans available on the health care marketplace in Indiana for 2018.
"You don't have the economies of scale like a GM or large corporations, so you're paying at the individual rate, and that's the highest rate there is,” said Barbara Quandt Underwood of the National Federation of Independent Business.
Pollpeter plans to offer her full-time employees a bonus payment to help pay for health care.
"It's not an easy decision, and it's not a decision I take lightly,” she said.
Small business owners are not required to offer health insurance, however, businesses with 50 or more full-time employees must. If they don’t, they could face a fine of more than $2,200 per employee.
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