Small Businesses Save Big with Reno + Sparks Chamber’s Group Health Plan

iStock.com/FatCamera

There’s really nothing like the challenge and independence that come with owning and running a company. You’re the top dog and your own boss. 

“Every day is an adventure when you’re a small-business owner. You do what you need to do to make it happen,” says Eric Christianson. He’s the CEO of Nutrient Survival, a Reno company with 35 employees that specializes in food for emergencies, camping and other unique situations. Christianson started his company in 2020, and though it’s fairly young, Nutrient Survival’s trials and tribulations are similar to other businesses, particularly when it comes to health coverage.

Christianson joined the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce because one of the many benefits is its Association Health Plan. 

“We see big savings,” Christianson says. “The Chamber program is consistently about half of what we’d pay if we bought health insurance on our own.” 

When Tim Erlach started his business in 1998, it was just him. Today, Erlach Computer Consulting has 14 employees and serves about 70 clients. “It’s been slow, organic growth over the years,” Erlach says. “We’re our clients’ outsourced, full-service IT department.” 

He says the Chamber’s health care group buying opportunity has helped greatly. 

“In the past, about every three years, I’d have to shop for new coverage,” he says. “The rates would almost double in that time, and as a small employer, that just wasn’t sustainable.” 

Simple and Straightforward 

The Chamber’s health plan is easy to figure out and available to any business member with two to 50 employees. They can receive rates and benefits that are usually offered to larger companies. There are a variety of health plans with comprehensive coverage, and enrollment is available anytime. Members also have a lot of options when choosing doctors and hospitals as well as dental, vision and life insurance plans. 

For Erlach, consistency is paramount. 

“I hate changing providers. It’s difficult for employees because it creates a ripple effect for them and their families,” he says. “Being able to provide stability has been important, and it cuts down on our overhead because we don’t have to shop every year.” 

Erlach Computer Consulting pays 100% of its employees’ premiums. “We have an individual base plan and then a couple of others with more options,” Erlach says. “Employees can buy up for a spouse or family.” 

Saving money for both the company and its employees is huge for Nutrient Survival, too. 

“We pay 90% of the employees’ premiums and 60% of their families’ premiums,” Christianson says. “We offer a few different programs. One is for people who live here and use local facilities. Another is for Reno- and Sparks-based employees who have dependents living outside the area.” 

Nutrient Survival also recently added a health savings account. 

“As far as Chamber membership goes, it’s pennies compared to what I’m saving on the insurance programs,” Christianson says. “By participating in the Chamber’s Association Health Plan, I’m able to invest in other areas, like marketing, client development and technology.” 

iStock.com / SeizaVisuals

Benefits Lead to Profits 

Putting money back into a company helps keep businesses healthy, too. And a well-run company with great benefits is key to finding and retaining talent, especially when you’re small. 

“We have a fair amount of turnover,” Erlach says. “There are only so many upper-level jobs here.” 

A solid benefits package helps him stay competitive. “We have retirement and personal time off, but health care has been the core part of our offerings for a long time,” he says. 

Labor has been an issue for Christianson, too. “Finding good quality people who are committed to the same mission is challenging,” he says. 

And when your business is making and selling nutritious food, a good health plan is, well, kind of obvious. “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have your freedom,” Christianson says.