Running a small business means watching every dollar—but offering competitive employee benefits is no longer optional. In today’s job market, top talent expects health and wellness coverage, even from small employers. The good news? You can create a cost-effective employee benefits plan that supports your team, attracts skilled workers, and sets your business apart—without breaking the bank.

At GroupHEALTH, we believe small businesses deserve big solutions. That’s why we’ve designed our benefits plans to deliver flexibility, affordability, and impact; no matter your company size.

Why benefits matter more than ever

For small businesses, benefits can be a powerful recruitment and retention tool. Today’s employees (especially younger workers) aren’t just looking at salary. They want support for their mental health, access to virtual care, flexibility, and coverage that fits their lifestyle.

In fact, 80% of Canadians say workplace benefits are an important factor when choosing a job1. For small businesses competing with larger employers, offering a thoughtful benefits plan can tip the scales in your favour.

But the challenge remains: how do you offer comprehensive coverage while managing costs? That’s where GroupHEALTH comes in.

Built for small businesses

GroupHEALTH specializes in helping small and mid-sized businesses build smart, sustainable benefits plans. We work with more than 7,000 organizations across Canada, many with fewer than 50 employees.

Here’s how we help small businesses build big-impact plans, without big-budget stress:

1. Flexible plans that fit your needs

Not every company needs the same coverage. GroupHEALTH gives you the power to configure your plan, so you only pay for what your team really needs.

We offer core coverage like:

• Extended Health Care
• Dental
• Disability insurance (short and long-term)
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)

You can also build in targeted wellness support like:

• Virtual healthcare (including access to doctors by phone or video)
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for mental health
• Wellness spending accounts

This à la carte approach helps you build a package that works for your people, and your budget.

2. Digital-first experience

Modern workers expect modern tools. That’s why GroupHEALTH offers a digital-first experience through intuitive platforms like myGroupHEALTH and sparrow — giving employees seamless, centralized access to their health and wellness benefits anytime, anywhere.

• Mental health services (like digital cognitive behavioural therapy
• Telemedicine and pharmacy services
• Appointment scheduling and care navigation
• Benefits education and reminders
• Real-time claims tracking and coverage details

Designed to support employees, their partners, and dependents, our digital tools make it easy for families to stay informed and connected to care—while reducing the need for administrative support.

3. Cost control with built-in protection

One of the biggest concerns for small business owners? Cost surprises. GroupHEALTH’s plans are designed with that in mind.

Our cost-containment tools include:

• Health Spending Accounts (HSA): Set a clear budget while giving employees choice.
• Stop-loss protection: Protect your business from unexpected high-cost claims.
• Sustainable pricing: We avoid the pricing volatility many small businesses face with traditional pooled plans.

And because our systems are digital, you save on paper enrolment and claims administration. Less waste, less hassle.

4. Support for mental wellness

Mental health is no longer a side benefit; it’s core to your employees’ overall well-being. But professional support can be hard to access and expensive without coverage.

GroupHEALTH makes it easier with:

• 24/7 EFAP access to counselling, legal and financial advice, and wellness coaching
• Virtual therapy through sparrow’s mental health hub
• Digital CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) programs for anxiety, stress, and more

These services offer meaningful support, especially for small teams that can’t afford an in-house wellness program.

5. Fast, helpful customer service

You shouldn’t have to chase down answers or waste time on confusing paperwork. GroupHEALTH gives you and your employees access to:

• A dedicated Account Manager
• Paperless enrolment and mobile claims
• A self-serve portal for real-time benefits and payroll updates

Whether you’re hiring your first employee or growing a team, you’ll always have the tools and support to manage your plan efficiently.

6. Scalable plans for future growth

Our plans grow with you. As your team expands or your needs shift, we make it easy to adapt your coverage. You can start small and add new features as your budget allows, without needing to switch providers or renegotiate from scratch.

Why it works: smarter benefits for real-world teams

Small businesses often worry they can’t “compete” with big companies on benefits. But the truth is, you don’t have to offer everything, just the right things.

GroupHEALTH helps you focus on:

• Coverage that supports health and wellness
• Tools that make access easy and digital
• Plans that are affordable and scalable

With the right partner, your benefits plan can be a true value-add, not a budget burden.

Ready to get started?

If you’re a small business owner looking to offer your team meaningful, modern coverage without blowing your budget, GroupHEALTH is here to help.

Let’s build a plan that fits your goals, supports your team, and sets you up for sustainable growth.

Sources 

1. OMHRA | Survey Says: 80% Of Employees Consider The Health Benefits You Offer