| Economists and political scientists are predicting a | | | | mean that only 48 percent of American |
| recession for 2008. Whether the recession has | | | | businesses with fewer than ten employees are |
| already begun, or is just around the corner is a | | | | able to offer healthcare plans (over 90 percent of |
| topic hotly debated. However, one thing is for | | | | businesses with 50 or more employees, by |
| certain: healthcare and gasoline prices are steadily | | | | contrast, can offer employer-sponsored health |
| on the rise. Businesses are feeling the pinch, since | | | | coverage). |
| gasoline is needed for travel, shipping, and | | | | It is risky to have uninsured employees. Common |
| commerce - and healthcare is necessary to | | | | chronic illnesses like high cholesterol, Type II |
| ensure a workforce ready for duty. How can a | | | | diabetes, and depression can cause absenteeism |
| business cut these costs without sacrificing the | | | | and under-performance on the job. Reality is cruel, |
| well-being of its workforce or the quality of its | | | | however: businesses with fewer employees just |
| business? | | | | don't have a large enough risk pool over which to |
| Use promotional codes and discount coupons for | | | | spread healthcare costs. Health plan costs can |
| travel and shipping | | | | have a big impact on the costs of doing business |
| As fuel costs soar and oil futures remain steady | | | | at small firms. |
| at well over $100 a barrel, the costs of | | | | The following suggestions might be beneficial to |
| commerce and travel will remain high. Many rental | | | | small business owners who wish to offer their |
| car companies and shipping businesses are raising | | | | employees healthcare coverage: |
| their prices accordingly to offset the costs of fuel. | | | | Consider allowing each employee to choose his or |
| And, in many cities and towns around the | | | | her own individual plan, and provide partial |
| country, the cost of renting a car inevitably | | | | reimbursement. Each employee can choose the |
| includes an excise tax, or a levy used to raise | | | | healthcare plan that best suits his or her medical |
| funds for unrelated services like highway | | | | needs, age, and lifestyle. For example, a healthy |
| maintenance or public transportation. | | | | male employee who is under 30 might choose a |
| Here are some tips for cutting the costs of | | | | high-deductible plan with bare-bones options. |
| shipping and travel: | | | | Meanwhile, a middle-aged woman with diabetes |
| Get a business discount membership with a car | | | | might choose a low-deductible plan with a |
| rental company or an airline. These programs are | | | | generous prescription drug allowance. |
| often specifically designed for "frequent travelers" | | | | Opt to start a self-funded plan for your office. |
| or "frequent fliers," and most offer discount | | | | Instead of paying out premiums, start a |
| coupons or promotional codes redeemable for | | | | healthcare pool, into which each employee pays. |
| discounted car rentals or business-class flights. | | | | Use this money to pay the costs of employee |
| Shop for fuel savings. Some retail stores and | | | | medical bills. During years when your office crew |
| grocery chains offer promotional coupons or | | | | is healthy, you - and your employees - will save |
| discount codes for gasoline purchases. If your | | | | cash. This sort of plan can be supplemented with |
| employees travel frequently during the average | | | | low cost "emergency" insurance for each worker. |
| workday (journalists and sales staff, for example, | | | | Join a group or guild. A small business has a small |
| might make many automobile trips each day), | | | | risk pool, which makes the costs of group |
| discount coupons and codes can take the edge | | | | coverage high. Risks are offset by size, which is |
| off of company-funded mileage reimbursements. | | | | one reason that larger businesses have less |
| Sign up for business shipping accounts, or join a | | | | financial difficulty in insuring employees. This |
| business shipping discount program. Many | | | | problem can be overcome in some instances by |
| well-known shipping companies, such as UPS, | | | | enrolling employees in a union, group, or guild that |
| Yellow, and FedEx offer discount coupons and | | | | can offer insurance. Examples of such groups |
| promotional codes that give businesses serious | | | | include The Writers Guild, The Entertainment |
| savings on local, national, and international shipping, | | | | Industry Group Insurance Trust, and various local |
| and LTL hauling. | | | | chambers of commerce. |
| Shop for healthcare savings and discounts | | | | The rising costs of fuel and healthcare can hobble |
| The cost of healthcare premiums is steadily on | | | | businesses. However, proactive planning combined |
| the rise. According to the United States Small | | | | with bargain hunting can help even the smallest |
| Business Administration (SBA), these price hikes | | | | business weather a recession. |