A mini guide on what you need to know about finding group health insurance.

- Don’t get confused between an agent and a broker, they are two completely different people. An agent represents an insurance company, while a broker represents the policyholder. An independent agent is unaffiliated with any particular insurer and represents a range of companies. Both agents and brokers can quote on your group health insurance plan.

- You may be able to fully deduct the premiums paid on your group health insurance plan. You may also reduce your payroll tax by offering health insurance coverage as part of a total compensation package.

- Group health insurance plans generally fall into one of two categories. You should become familiar with them.

*Indemnity (reimbursement) plans let your employees choose their own doctors and have their medical expenses paid totally, in part, or up to a certain amount per day for a certain number of days. These types of plans are rarely offered now because of their high cost.

*Managed care plans include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and point of service (POS) plans. These all involve an arrangement between the insurer and a selected network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.

- A good group health insurance policy contains several types of coverage.

*Hospital expense insurance pays room, board, and incidental services costs if an employee is hospitalized.

*Surgical expense insurance covers surgeons’ fees and related costs.

*Physicians’ expense insurance pays for visits to a doctor’s office or for a doctor’s hospital visits.

*Major medical insurance protects your employees against losses from catastrophic illness or injury.

- You can get a good group health insurance rate and still retain valuable coverage for your employees through a high-deductible plan.