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The Critical Role that Health Plays in Small Businesses

Owning a small business is hard enough. Try adding taking care of a household, kids, and your health. Things can be tough! I know that I don’t eat right or exercise properly because I have deadlines to meet and sometimes I have a donut for breakfast and other times I fall asleep on my couch because I am to tired to climb the stairs. Healthcare should be your number one priority because if you aren’t healthy how will you take care of your family and run your business? Because of that here are the critical role health plays in small businesses as far as me as a small business owner and a 1 woman show.  I plan on working on a these things to get back to a healthy stage.

  1. I plan on drinking more water – Instead of drinking soda at my desk I will opt for water. Even if I have to put fruit in my water bottle (because I can’t stand water alone) I will do so. This helps me make a conscious effort to begin my journey to good health
  2. Going to bed early– I was getting into bed at 2am most nights and waking up at 5:30 to take the kids to school them back to bed at 8 for two hours and then I got up and did some work before time to pick them up. That is not a healthy sleep pattern. So to get ready for the New Year I am going to bed no later than 12am at night. Even if I don’t fall asleep I am in bed at 12 every night!
  3. Making meals ahead – I rip and run with kids daily so I want to make sure that don’t eat out as much. I plan on making freezer meals ahead of time so that I can throw it in a oven or crockpot and eat a healthier meal at home
  4. Engage in self care – Do something that calms me daily. I want to engage in quiet time for at least 15 minutes a day and do something I enjoy. For me that’s photography
  5. Move more – My job requires me to sit behind a computer on a daily basis so I want to make sure I get up and move around more. If that means I walk in my neighborhood twice a week I do that. If that means park further away from the front doors when I shop…I will do that.

The Critical Role Health Plays in Small businesses?

While doing all the above is great, things can still happen….and UnitedHealthCare is the easiest way to make sure you are covered for those just in case moments. I am a firm believer in always having a backup plan. It’s a must and in today’s world things can always come up and health shouldn’t be one of the things you have to worry about especially if you own a small business. Health plays a critical role in small businesses because if we aren’t healthy as the CEO or owner….how will we pay our bills and how will we pay the bills of others. You know what they say if the captin of the ship goes down….we all go down!  UnitedHealthCare has an easy system that you can use because we need easy….our jobs as business owners are already hard…….so in a few easy steps we can get coverage online without having to do paperwork. We hate paperwork…or at least I do!

United health care

Select your Benefits, Tell us Who you’re insuring, and set your budget. You get real prices not estimates and not what it might be. This helps you budget better and know what you are getting into!

  • Press the Orange Get started button and then you will prompted to put in your Zip Code. Don’t be alarmed if your zip code doesn’t work as it’s only offered in 15 states at the moment but make sure you continue to check as they add more states in 2017. This tool is offered to small businesses with 2-50 employees
  • Next select the option that you want for your employees. You can determine this based upon various factors including the main one….COST.
  • Once you select your plans, your employees will be able to choose which ones are best for them. Employees’ plan choices will be from plans you choose here. They can customize their health plan coverage to fit their needs based on what you offer them whether it be high premium / low deductible, differing pharmacy coverage, etc. Once you confirm your employee information, UnitedHealthcare updates your pricing with real costs, not just estimates.
  • You can create an account now to save your progress and come back later. Or continue through the process without an account Fill out some basic employee information to help calculate costs or you can upload employee information by importing from QuickBooks, an Excel spreadsheet or Xero
  • Set your budget or contribution in dollars per employee or average percent contribution. These options are based upon the state your business is located
  • Once you set your budget or contribution level, UnitedHealthcare gives you a breakdown with real pricing so you know exactly what your costs are and what the range of costs are for your employees. If you’d like to make changes, you can go back and adjust your budget or contribution
  • After creating an account you can review your total benefits package. This includes the costs, plan choices and how your premiums breakout for employees and employer. Once you set your budget / contribution and confirm your plan choices, you will be asked to create an account to continue the process. This way you can always come back and easily access your account.

If you ever need assistance at any time there are links throughout the process to help you and you can also Contact a Coverage Advisor buy using the button at the top right corn of the webpage.

This makes everything so easy and convenient not only for you but for your employees. If my employees are healthy and happy then my business runs like a well oiled machine and everyone wins! As a small business owner, I like to win!

united health care

What do you think about the critical role that health plays in small businesses? Are you a small business owner or do you work for a small business?

I received compensation in exchange for writing this review. All opinions are my own! 

The critical role that health plays in small businesses. United health care for small businesses

17 Comments

  • Sarah Bailey
    November 14, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    These are some great tips – it can be so easy to get so involved in what you are doing you forget to look after yourself when you are working from home.

    Reply
  • Chris Lewis
    November 14, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    You are so right. I know that I need more sleep and to drink more water! I just do not always do what I know I need to… I keep trying though!

    Reply
  • Alli Smith
    November 14, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    Since I’ve started blogging, I admit that I’ve eased up on the exercise. I really need to get back to it and get back to a healthier me. I’m working on drinking more water also.

    Reply
  • Nancy T
    November 14, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    You’ve shared some terrific tips on taking care of oneself. I usually slack majorly on self-care (lack of time, feeling guilty for taking the time, etc) but you’re so right, ‘if the captain of the ship goes down, we all go down’ so that is a reminder that self-care is so needed, and beneficial (for everyone).

    Walking more and drinking more water are two more areas I need to improve — when I slack, I am going to keep your reminder in the forefront of my mind “if the captain of the ship goes down….”

    An enjoyable, informative read – thank you for the health reminders and info on United Health Care.

    Reply
  • Jenn @ EngineerMommy
    November 14, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    These are great ways to make a positive impact on your health. I try to go to bed early every night but it’s always a work in progress. I also try to drink plenty of water.

    Reply
  • Pam Wattenbarger
    November 14, 2016 at 10:09 pm

    It is really important to be healthy when managing your own business. I really need to get better about drinking water.

    Reply
  • Jennifer
    November 15, 2016 at 12:33 am

    Sometimes I forget that I still need to consider the work I do for myself “work”. I always burn myself out by working with no breaks which is counterproductive.

    Reply
  • Vera
    November 15, 2016 at 12:50 am

    Awesome tip! I will for sure apply this to my life

    Reply
  • Liz Mays
    November 15, 2016 at 1:35 am

    You’re definitely right. It’s never a good idea to neglect your health. If a job isn’t physically demanding it’s good to take some time to move or exercise.

    Reply
  • Libertad Green
    November 15, 2016 at 2:29 am

    Lots of good tips! I need to practice those, myself. I am also my own boss, and I have a huge workload, it seems like I never catch up, but I do need to take some time for myself, too.

    Reply
  • Anita Anderson
    November 15, 2016 at 2:38 am

    Good tips on living healthier and staying healthy. I too need to drink more water but on plus side I have stopped drinking soda for almost 2 years.

    Reply
  • Mimi Green
    November 15, 2016 at 4:37 am

    Great tips, I so need the reminder. I should be sleep right now, but I’m not. I need to do better with drinking water as well. I need to force myself to exercise better self-care.

    Reply
  • Aisha Kristine Chong
    November 15, 2016 at 9:07 am

    Thanking care of yourself is so important too.. For me its much important – health is wealth, I believe.

    Reply
  • Chubskulit Rose
    November 15, 2016 at 11:22 am

    These are great and we can all learn from your list. Water is a big part of my daily routine and just like you, photography is also a big stress reliever for me.

    Reply
  • ricci
    November 15, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    Self care is so important! I am glad you are taking these steps in taking better care of yourself. You are important!!

    Reply
  • Bonnie @wemake7
    November 16, 2016 at 1:50 am

    These are really great tips. I will have to check into this insurance.

    Reply
  • Anosa
    November 20, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    I have the same items on my list as you, its weird to think we do everything except concentrate on our health.

    Reply

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