Beginning in 2011, the Internal Revenue Service is offering a new tax credit for small businesses and small tax-exempt organizations to help offset the costs of providing health insurance to employees. The credit is available for small businesses that pay at least half of the total cost of individual health insurance. Great health insurance quotes are available to businesses who are taking advantage of this extraordinary government program.

The time to offer individual health insurance is now. Health insurance improves not only the health of employees, but the productivity of the company as fewer days are lost to absence or injury when proper treatment is provided. Some studies showed a significant increase in worker productivity when health care was provided to low and moderate income workers.

Acquiring health insurance requires business owners to actively review provider contracts and services, compare costs and define health strategies for workers.

Craft a health strategy for employees. A good practice is to involve employees in the process as goals and targets are identified. Review current trends of injury and accident reports against industry standards. Each industry segment publishes norms for lost workdays and common work absences. A local Department of Health Services or the Occupational and Safety Hazard Association can be good sources of information on trends related to worker illnesses and injury.

Determine an appropriate level of employee absences.

Request policy information and associated services from health insurance providers. Providers will be eager to offer quotes, but reviewing services that match the health strategies will provide better insight into the quality of the coverage. Build a side-by-side comparison of all services, company fees and individuals fees. Differences between health insurance providers will appear.

Geography is another important point to add into the comparison of proposals. Coverage that is outside the service area of the company or outside the boundaries of where most employees live will defeat the purpose of the insurance. Taking time to evaluate the geographic location of the health insurance providers will provide a more effective product to workers that will be used. Regardless of insurance premium and employee contributions, insurance that is not used is a wasted resource for the both the employee and employer.

Requesting great health insurance quotes means comparing the cost of premiums. Quotes that provide a detailed breakdown of services and location can be compared solely on cost. Such comparisons make it possible to openly share with employees the health strategies of the company and the services offered that will deliver it. Workers can also see the percentage of the premium each individual will be required to pay.

So take advantage of this great opportunity through the IRS and get a health insurance quote today.