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Employee Benefits

Employee benefits your team deserves — simplified for ND & MN business owners.

Independent employee benefits advising for businesses with 1 to 500 employees headquartered in North Dakota and Minnesota. Group health, dental, vision, life, and disability — designed to attract and retain your best people, without the administrative burden.

All Benefits Coverages

Every benefit reviewed as part of one integrated package — built to attract and retain your people.

Group Health Insurance

The right group health plan for your team of 5–50. We shop all major carriers, manage enrollment, handle renewals, and answer every compliance question.

Most impactful benefit5–50 employees
Explore Group Health Insurance

Plan Design

Deductible, copay, HSA-compatible, HMO vs PPO — the plan structure built around what your team actually needs and what your budget can sustain.

Group HealthPlan structure
Explore Plan Design

Contribution Strategy

How much you pay vs your employees — structured to maximize value and affordability while keeping the benefit competitive for recruiting.

Group HealthCost sharing
Explore Contribution Strategy

Carrier Selection

Independent access to all major ND and MN carriers — not locked to one option, not incentivized to favor one carrier over another.

Group HealthAll carriers
Explore Carrier Selection

Dental & Vision

Add dental and vision coverage your team will actually use. Paired strategically with your overall benefits package to maximize value per dollar.

High employee satisfactionLow cost to add
Explore Dental & Vision

Dental Coverage

Preventive, basic, and major dental — including orthodontia where appropriate for your team's demographics and your budget.

Dental & VisionDental plans
Explore Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Annual exams, frames and lenses, and contact lens allowances — predictable, annual benefits your employees use every year.

Dental & VisionEye care
Explore Vision Coverage

Bundled Dental & Vision

Combined dental and vision administration through one carrier or platform — simplifying billing, enrollment, and employee communications.

Dental & VisionSimplified admin
Explore Bundled Dental & Vision

Group Life Insurance

Employer-paid and voluntary life insurance integrated into your full benefits package — a meaningful benefit at a low per-employee cost.

Retention toolLow cost per employee
Explore Group Life Insurance

Basic Life Insurance

Employer-paid life coverage — typically one times annual salary — provided to all eligible employees as a standard benefit.

Group LifeEmployer-paid
Explore Basic Life Insurance

Supplemental Life Insurance

Employee-purchased additional coverage — often guaranteed issue up to a certain amount — for employees who want more protection for their families.

Group LifeVoluntary
Explore Supplemental Life Insurance

AD&D Coverage

AD&D coverage bundled with life at minimal cost — providing additional benefits in the event of accidental death or serious injury.

Group LifeAccidental death
Explore AD&D Coverage

Disability Coverage

Short-term and long-term disability coverage to protect your employees' income if they can't work — and protect your business from unexpected absences.

Income protectionShort & long-term
Explore Disability Coverage

Short-Term Disability

Income replacement for the first 90 to 180 days of a qualifying disability — bridging the gap between onset and long-term coverage.

Disability90–180 days
Explore Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Income replacement for disabilities lasting beyond the short-term elimination period — providing financial stability through extended illness or injury.

DisabilityExtended coverage
Explore Long-Term Disability

Benefits Integration

Coordinates with workers' comp, group health, and state programs to fill gaps and avoid duplicated benefits — part of your complete benefits package.

DisabilityCoordination
Explore Benefits Integration

ACA Compliance

Know exactly what the law requires for your business size — and what it doesn't. We keep you compliant without overbuilding your benefits spend.

50+ employee businessesAvoid penalties
Explore ACA Compliance

Large Employer Requirements

What the ACA requires from businesses with 50 or more FTEs — the ALE threshold and what it means for your coverage obligations.

ACA Compliance50+ employees
Explore Large Employer Requirements

Small Employer Options

What's available for businesses under 50 employees — SHOP marketplace options, small group plans, and how the rules differ for smaller employers.

ACA ComplianceUnder 50 employees
Explore Small Employer Options

IRS Reporting Requirements

1094-C, 1095-C, and annual IRS reporting obligations — what's required, when it's due, and what happens if you miss a deadline.

ACA ComplianceIRS filings
Explore IRS Reporting Requirements

Open Enrollment

We guide you through plan selection, employee communication, and enrollment every year — so open enrollment runs smoothly without consuming your time.

Annual processEmployee communication
Explore Open Enrollment

Pre-Renewal Plan Review

Comparing your current plans against alternatives before the renewal deadline — before rates are locked and options narrow.

Open EnrollmentAnnual review
Explore Pre-Renewal Plan Review

Employee Enrollment Support

Walking your team through their options, answering questions, and collecting elections so every employee is properly covered.

Open EnrollmentTeam communication
Explore Employee Enrollment Support

Year-Round Benefits Support

New hire enrollment, life events, claims questions — handled between enrollment periods so you're not on your own when something comes up mid-year.

Open EnrollmentOngoing service
Explore Year-Round Benefits Support

Benefits Strategy & Consulting

More than a broker — a benefits strategist. We design competitive, cost-effective packages for businesses competing for top talent.

Compete for talentFull program design
Explore Benefits Strategy & Consulting

Benefits Package Design

Building a benefits structure that serves your team and your budget — not just the plan your carrier defaults to at renewal.

ConsultingCustom design
Explore Benefits Package Design

Annual Renewal Review

Annual review of carriers, costs, and alternatives before the renewal deadline — not a rubber stamp of whatever your current carrier proposes.

ConsultingCost management
Explore Annual Renewal Review

Ongoing Benefits Service

Claims support, new hire enrollment, life event changes, and compliance questions — handled throughout the year, not just at open enrollment.

ConsultingYear-round
Explore Ongoing Benefits Service

Supplemental Insurance

Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity benefits that pay employees directly — filling the gaps standard health insurance leaves behind.

Voluntary benefitsOut-of-pocket gaps
Explore Supplemental Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Pays a lump-sum cash benefit directly to the employee upon diagnosis — cancer, heart attack, stroke, and others. The employee uses it however they need.

SupplementalLump-sum benefit
Explore Critical Illness Insurance

Accident Insurance

Pays a fixed cash benefit for injuries from covered accidents — broken bones, burns, ER visits, and follow-up care.

SupplementalAccident coverage
Explore Accident Insurance

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Pays a daily or per-admission cash benefit when an employee is hospitalized — covering out-of-pocket costs beyond what health insurance covers.

SupplementalHospitalization
Explore Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Cancer Insurance

Specialized coverage that pays benefits throughout a cancer diagnosis — from initial detection through treatment and recovery.

SupplementalCancer coverage
Explore Cancer Insurance

The right group health plan for your team of 5–50. We shop all major carriers, manage enrollment, handle renewals, and answer every compliance question.

Most impactful benefit5–50 employees
Explore Group Health Insurance

Deductible, copay, HSA-compatible, HMO vs PPO — the plan structure built around what your team actually needs and what your budget can sustain.

Group HealthPlan structure
Explore Plan Design

How much you pay vs your employees — structured to maximize value and affordability while keeping the benefit competitive for recruiting.

Group HealthCost sharing
Explore Contribution Strategy

Independent access to all major ND and MN carriers — not locked to one option, not incentivized to favor one carrier over another.

Group HealthAll carriers
Explore Carrier Selection

Add dental and vision coverage your team will actually use. Paired strategically with your overall benefits package to maximize value per dollar.

High employee satisfactionLow cost to add
Explore Dental & Vision

Preventive, basic, and major dental — including orthodontia where appropriate for your team's demographics and your budget.

Dental & VisionDental plans
Explore Dental Coverage

Annual exams, frames and lenses, and contact lens allowances — predictable, annual benefits your employees use every year.

Dental & VisionEye care
Explore Vision Coverage

Combined dental and vision administration through one carrier or platform — simplifying billing, enrollment, and employee communications.

Dental & VisionSimplified admin
Explore Bundled Dental & Vision

Employer-paid and voluntary life insurance integrated into your full benefits package — a meaningful benefit at a low per-employee cost.

Retention toolLow cost per employee
Explore Group Life Insurance

Employer-paid life coverage — typically one times annual salary — provided to all eligible employees as a standard benefit.

Group LifeEmployer-paid
Explore Basic Life Insurance

Employee-purchased additional coverage — often guaranteed issue up to a certain amount — for employees who want more protection for their families.

Group LifeVoluntary
Explore Supplemental Life Insurance

AD&D coverage bundled with life at minimal cost — providing additional benefits in the event of accidental death or serious injury.

Group LifeAccidental death
Explore AD&D Coverage

Short-term and long-term disability coverage to protect your employees' income if they can't work — and protect your business from unexpected absences.

Income protectionShort & long-term
Explore Disability Coverage

Income replacement for the first 90 to 180 days of a qualifying disability — bridging the gap between onset and long-term coverage.

Disability90–180 days
Explore Short-Term Disability

Income replacement for disabilities lasting beyond the short-term elimination period — providing financial stability through extended illness or injury.

DisabilityExtended coverage
Explore Long-Term Disability

Coordinates with workers' comp, group health, and state programs to fill gaps and avoid duplicated benefits — part of your complete benefits package.

DisabilityCoordination
Explore Benefits Integration

Know exactly what the law requires for your business size — and what it doesn't. We keep you compliant without overbuilding your benefits spend.

50+ employee businessesAvoid penalties
Explore ACA Compliance

What the ACA requires from businesses with 50 or more FTEs — the ALE threshold and what it means for your coverage obligations.

ACA Compliance50+ employees
Explore Large Employer Requirements

What's available for businesses under 50 employees — SHOP marketplace options, small group plans, and how the rules differ for smaller employers.

ACA ComplianceUnder 50 employees
Explore Small Employer Options

1094-C, 1095-C, and annual IRS reporting obligations — what's required, when it's due, and what happens if you miss a deadline.

ACA ComplianceIRS filings
Explore IRS Reporting Requirements

We guide you through plan selection, employee communication, and enrollment every year — so open enrollment runs smoothly without consuming your time.

Annual processEmployee communication
Explore Open Enrollment

Comparing your current plans against alternatives before the renewal deadline — before rates are locked and options narrow.

Open EnrollmentAnnual review
Explore Pre-Renewal Plan Review

Walking your team through their options, answering questions, and collecting elections so every employee is properly covered.

Open EnrollmentTeam communication
Explore Employee Enrollment Support

New hire enrollment, life events, claims questions — handled between enrollment periods so you're not on your own when something comes up mid-year.

Open EnrollmentOngoing service
Explore Year-Round Benefits Support

More than a broker — a benefits strategist. We design competitive, cost-effective packages for businesses competing for top talent.

Compete for talentFull program design
Explore Benefits Strategy & Consulting

Building a benefits structure that serves your team and your budget — not just the plan your carrier defaults to at renewal.

ConsultingCustom design
Explore Benefits Package Design

Annual review of carriers, costs, and alternatives before the renewal deadline — not a rubber stamp of whatever your current carrier proposes.

ConsultingCost management
Explore Annual Renewal Review

Claims support, new hire enrollment, life event changes, and compliance questions — handled throughout the year, not just at open enrollment.

ConsultingYear-round
Explore Ongoing Benefits Service

Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity benefits that pay employees directly — filling the gaps standard health insurance leaves behind.

Voluntary benefitsOut-of-pocket gaps
Explore Supplemental Insurance

Pays a lump-sum cash benefit directly to the employee upon diagnosis — cancer, heart attack, stroke, and others. The employee uses it however they need.

SupplementalLump-sum benefit
Explore Critical Illness Insurance

Pays a fixed cash benefit for injuries from covered accidents — broken bones, burns, ER visits, and follow-up care.

SupplementalAccident coverage
Explore Accident Insurance

Pays a daily or per-admission cash benefit when an employee is hospitalized — covering out-of-pocket costs beyond what health insurance covers.

SupplementalHospitalization
Explore Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Specialized coverage that pays benefits throughout a cancer diagnosis — from initial detection through treatment and recovery.

SupplementalCancer coverage
Explore Cancer Insurance
Open Enrollment

A Year-Round Process, Not a Once-a-Year Event

Independent employee benefits advising for businesses with 1 to 500 employees in ND and MN. Group health, dental, vision, life, and disability — designed to attract and retain your best people, without the administrative burden.

August
Carrier Review
Review current carriers and plans. Compare options across all major carriers to find the best fit for your team and budget before open enrollment begins.
October
Employee Enrollment
Guide your employees through enrollment — explaining their options, answering questions, and making sure everyone is properly covered before the new plan year.
Year-Round
Ongoing Support
One call for claims questions, new hire enrollments, life event changes, and anything else that comes up between enrollment periods.

“Employee benefits are not just a cost — they are one of the most effective retention tools a small business owner in ND or MN has. The difference is in how the plan is designed, communicated, and renewed every year.”

Kain Carlson · Integrated Advisory · Fargo, ND
FAQ

Common questions about employee benefits for small businesses

You can offer group health insurance with as few as one full-time employee, though most carriers require a minimum of two. There is no maximum — but small group plans typically serve businesses with 1–50 employees. The key requirement is that a minimum percentage of eligible employees (usually 70%) must enroll.

Businesses with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees are not required by federal law (ACA) to offer health insurance. However, many business owners with 5–50 employees choose to offer benefits to attract and retain top talent. State laws may have additional requirements — consult a local benefits advisor.

The average employer contribution to group health insurance is $600–$800 per employee per month, though costs vary significantly by plan type, carrier, employee demographics, and location. Employers typically contribute 50–80% of the premium cost, with employees covering the remainder through payroll deduction.

Yes, but with restrictions. You can offer different plans to different classes of employees (full-time vs. part-time, salaried vs. hourly) as long as the classifications are consistent and non-discriminatory. An experienced benefits advisor can help you structure your eligibility rules correctly.

A benefits broker works independently and can access plans from multiple carriers to find the best fit for your business. A captive agent represents a single carrier and can only offer that company's plans. An independent advisor who offers benefits is always working in your interest — not the carrier's.

Ideally, start your open enrollment planning 60–90 days before your plan anniversary or the November 1st open enrollment window. This gives your advisor time to shop carriers, prepare employee communications, and resolve any compliance questions before deadlines hit.

Build Your Benefits Package
Independent benefits advising for ND & MN businesses with 1–500 employees.
Build Your Benefits Package