Group Health Insurance
Salisbury NC
Helping Employers Save
Group health insurance for 2-50 employees. We compare Blue Cross NC, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna to find you the best coverage at the best price. Local service from a Rowan County agency you can trust.
Affordable Employee Benefits
for Salisbury Small Businesses
Why Rowan County Employers Work With Us
When you're running a business, you don't have time to become an insurance expert. You need someone who speaks plain English, shops all the carriers, and gets you answers fast. That's what we do.
We Shop Multiple Carriers So You Don't Get Locked In
Unlike captive agents who only sell one company's plans, we compare quotes from:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna
- Humana
Think of us like a mortgage broker for health insurance. We work for YOU, not the insurance company.
Local Service, Not a Call Center
We're based in Salisbury. When you call Fosters Insurance Services you are talking to family, you will talk to Caleb, Katelyn, Wally or Misty Foster. Need to meet in person? We're here. Your employees have questions during open enrollment? We'll come to your office.
20 Years Helping Rowan County Employers
Since 2008, we've helped hundreds of local businesses from HVAC companies to restaurants to professional services offer competitive benefits without breaking the bank. We know the Salisbury market, the local provider networks, and what works for businesses your size.
We Handle Renewals Too
Most brokers disappear after the sale. Not us. We live here, 3 generations right here in Salisbury. Every year, we shop your renewal and look for ways to save you money or improve coverage. You don't have to think about it, we've got it covered.
Coverage Solutions for Every Business Size
Whether you have 2 employees or 50, we'll find a plan that fits your budget and meets your team's needs.
2-10 Employees
The Challenge: You're too small for complex plans, but your team still needs good coverage. And you can't compete with big employers on benefits.
Our Solution: Simple group plans with straightforward administration. We focus on affordability and ease, meaning no 40-page enrollment packets. You'll get competitive rates and a plan your employees actually understand.
Typical Setup: 1 core medical plan + optional dental/vision add-on. We handle all the paperwork.
11-50 Employees
The Challenge: You're big enough to negotiate better rates, but still small enough that one bad renewal can wreck your budget.
Our Solution: We compare multiple carriers every year and negotiate based on your team's health profile. You'll often get a choice of 2-3 plan options (high-deductible HSA, mid-tier PPO, low-deductible HMO) so employees can pick what works for them.
Bonus Options: Wellness programs, telemedicine, voluntary benefits (life, disability, critical illness).
50+ Employees
The Challenge: You're subject to ACA employer mandate and need robust benefits to attract talent.
Our Solution:Large group plans with more flexibility. We can explore self-funding, level-funding, or traditional fully-insured options. Compliance support included.
Which Carrier Is Right for Your Team?
Every insurer has strengths. Here's how the main players stack up for Rowan County small businesses:
Carrier | Network Size | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Blue Cross NC | Largest in NC | Businesses wanting maximum doctor choice | Includes Novant Health Rowan Medical Center |
Aetna | Large, national | Multi-state teams or growing businesses | Innovative plan designs (HSAs, wellness) |
United Healthcare | Large, national | Businesses with remote employees | Nationwide coverage, good for travel |
Cigna | Mid-size, national | Cost-conscious employers | Often competitive pricing, solid service |
We represent all of these carriers (and more). That means you get unbiased advice. We'll show you the real cost and coverage differences, you know... apples to apples, and help you decide what's best for your team.
How much is group health insurance per month?
For Salisbury small businesses: $400-$700/employee/month depending on plan type, employee age, and coverage level. Example: 5 employees, average age 40, mid-tier PPO = ~$2,800/month total. We shop 10+ carriers to find your best rate.
Why is group health insurance so expensive?
Rising medical costs + insurer profits. However, group plans are STILL cheaper than individual (no medical underwriting, employer contribution). Rowan County businesses reduce costs by: comparing carriers annually, offering HSA plans, implementing wellness programs. We guide every step.
Is it cheaper to buy group insurance?
Yes, if you have 2+ employees. Group plans average 15-30% less than individual policies AND offer better coverage. North Carolina requires true group (not association plans). Fosters helps Salisbury businesses with as few as 2 employees get legitimate group rates.
How do I choose a group insurance plan?
Key factors: (1) Network (does it include Novant Health Rowan Medical Center?), (2) Monthly premium vs. deductible balance, (3) Employee contributions (how much you pay), (4) Renewal stability. We compare 10+ carriers and present 3 best options for your Salisbury team.
Which group insurance is the cheapest?
Varies by employee demographics. For Salisbury businesses: Blue Cross NC often wins for young teams, Aetna for mixed ages, UnitedHealthcare for prescription-heavy groups. We run a competitive quote (free) and show you apples-to-apples pricing.
What is a waiting period for group insurance?
North Carolina allows 0-90 day waiting periods for new hires. Most Salisbury businesses use 30 or 60 days (balances cost control with employee attraction). We help you set a competitive waiting period for Rowan County hiring.
What is not covered in group health insurance?
Typically excluded: cosmetic surgery, experimental treatments, long-term care. Dental/vision often require separate policies. We help Salisbury employers bundle health + dental/vision for complete employee benefits packages.
What are the top 3 health insurance companies
In Salisbury/North Carolina: (1) Blue Cross Blue Shield NC (largest network), (2) Aetna (innovative plans), (3) UnitedHealthcare (national portability). We represent all three plus Cigna, Humana, and regional carriers.
What is the difference between HMO and PPO?
HMO = lower cost, must use network doctors, need referrals. PPO = higher cost, see any doctor, no referrals. For Rowan County: PPO popular (access to Charlotte specialists), but HMO can save 20-30%. We'll show you both options with real pricing.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1,000 health insurance?
Depends on employee health. Healthy Salisbury teams: Higher deductible ($1,000+) + lower premiums + HSA contributions = savings. Older/sicker teams: Lower deductible ($500) = fewer surprise bills. We run both scenarios with your actual demographics.
Common Concerns We Hear And Honest Answers
Objection #1: "I can't afford group health insurance."
Our Answer: You might be surprised. Many Salisbury businesses assume group coverage is out of reach, but once we show them the numbers, especially with employer contributions as low as 50% it becomes doable. And the cost of NOT offering benefits? High turnover, difficulty hiring, lower morale. Those costs add up too.
Plus: We can show you high-deductible HSA plans that cost 20-30% less than traditional PPOs.
Objection #2: "My employees are young and healthy. They don't need insurance."
Our Answer: True until someone breaks a leg, has a baby, or gets diagnosed with something unexpected. And even if your team is healthy now, offering insurance is a recruiting advantage. When someone's deciding between your job and a competitor's, benefits matter.
Also: Group plans lock in rates for the year. Individual plans can change monthly.
Objection #3: "I tried to get group coverage before and got denied."
Our Answer: North Carolina is a guaranteed-issue state for small groups (2-50 employees). Insurers can't deny you. However, they CAN price you based on your team's health profile. That's why shopping multiple carriers matters. We find the one that gives you the best rate for YOUR specific team.
Objection #4: "I don't have time to deal with this."
Our Answer: That's exactly why we exist. You spend 30 minutes with us upfront answering questions. We do the rest: quotes, paperwork, enrollment, ongoing support. Most clients say, "I should have done this years ago. It was way easier than I thought."
Google Reviews
Ready to See What You Could Save?
Most Salisbury small business owners are overpaying for group health insurance. Or avoiding it all together and going without it because they think it's too expensive. Let's find out what your real options are. No sales pitch. No pressure. Just honest answers and real pricing.
The Fosters Team
Wally Foster
Wally began his insurance career almost 20 years ago. Foster's Insurance Services Inc has been serving Rowan and surrounding counties since 2008. Especially focusing on assisting seniors with their Medicare needs.
Caleb Foster
Caleb's past experience working as a RN really translate when it comes to insurance. Now focused on Insurance for those under 65, group insurance as well as life insurance. Attention to detail is one of Caleb's strengths!
Katelyn Foster
Katelyn's attention to detail is unmatched, she takes impeccable care of her customers matching their insurance needs to the products available.
The Fosters Difference
Fosters Insurance is family owned and operated. Our local agents all live in the communities they serve. We are trustworthy nice people who care about providing a service you can trust now and well into the future.
After 20 plus years in the insurance business we could see that people needed better options for obtaining and understanding their medicare insurance plans and group health insurance.
With every aspect of insurance becoming so impersonal we are proud to offer tailored insurance solutions that take your unique circumstances and needs into account.
