Every question we have been asked, by seat.

45 questions

Is this legit?

Yes. It is Section 125 of the tax code, in place since 1978. An insurance company pays the claims. Your CPA sees every document before you sign.

From the employers page: where's the catch

Is it more work?

No. It plugs into the payroll system you already use, and QHB runs it: sign-up, questions, new hires, billing and claims. HR joins one kickoff call.

From the employers page: where's the catch

What does it cost?

Nothing out of pocket. It is paid from payroll tax the company no longer pays, and the company keeps the rest: about $957 a year per enrolled employee.

From the employers page: where's the catch

Does our health plan or broker change?

No. Quantum 125 sits on top of your health plan. Your broker stays on the medical placement, and your renewal is untouched.

From the employers page

Is this a refund of payroll tax we already paid?

No. It lowers payroll tax from the plan's start date forward. Every pay period before it is taxed in full.

From the employers page

Does this count as health insurance under the ACA?

No. It is a supplemental plan that sits beside your medical plan. Your medical plan does that job.

From the employers page

What happens when someone leaves, or is on unpaid leave?

No premium is taken for a month an employee is not paid, and no bill arrives for them. After three paychecks without a deduction, the employee comes off the plan until the next open enrollment.

From the employers page

What if fewer than 90% stay in?

Your proposal shows the figure person by person, so you see your own number before you decide. Quantum 125 employers typically see 86 to 92% participation.

From the employers page

Our workforce is hourly and lower wage. Does it still work?

Lower earners sit on a lower tier: a smaller premium, smaller cash benefits, every virtual benefit, and still more take-home. Your payroll analysis places each person.

From the employers page

Our people earn well above the Social Security wage base. Does the saving shrink?

Above the wage base the company's saving per person is smaller, because only the Medicare share of payroll tax applies. Your payroll analysis shows it person by person.

From the employers page

Does lower taxable pay affect an employee's Social Security, 401(k) match or a mortgage application?

Lower taxable pay means slightly less is reported as Social Security wages, and it can lower the pay figure on a loan application. A 401(k) match follows your plan's definition of pay, which your CPA checks. QHB explains all of it at enrollment, and every employee can opt out.

From the employers page

Can the owners enroll?

Owners of a C corporation who are on payroll may be able to. Shareholders who own more than 2% of an S corporation, partners and sole proprietors generally cannot take these benefits pre-tax. Your CPA confirms.

From the employers page

We use a PEO.

Then we check first. Some PEOs already sponsor a cafeteria plan for their clients, so we confirm there is no conflict before anyone spends time on it.

From the employers page

Why hasn't our broker or CPA shown us this?

Most brokers place medical plans. This sits beside them, and your broker stays on your plan. Most CPAs see a Section 125 plan document once it is in front of them, which is why yours gets it before you sign.

From the employers page

Who is Quantum Health Benefits?

Quantum Health Benefits LLC designs and administers the plan as Longtable's program partner. Its enrollment team and call center work with your HR, your payroll and your employees.

From the employers page

How is Longtable paid?

By the insurance carrier when a plan is placed, not by you. How anyone is paid is disclosed to you in writing before anything starts.

From the employers page

Which carrier, and what rating?

The benefits are fully insured by a carrier that QHB reports holds an A.M. Best Excellent rating. The carrier pays the claims, not your company.

From the employers page

Why does QHB's own site say $600 to $900 a year?

That is QHB's average across all of its plan levels and participation rates. $957 is the Plan 1500 design figure at a $50,000 salary. Your proposal shows your own blend, person by person.

From the employers page

Can we see a company like ours?

Yes. Three worked examples at different headcounts and wage levels are on the examples page, each with the paycheck and the company's figure run at its numbers.

From the employers page

This sounds too good to be true. Where does the money come from?

The premium leaves pay before federal, state and payroll tax, so both the employee and the company pay less tax on the same pay. That is Section 125, in the code since 1978. An insurance carrier pays the claims; QHB reports it holds an A.M. Best Excellent rating. Your own payroll sets your number, and your CPA sees every document before you sign.

From the employers page

What will our CPA want to see?

Four documents, before you sign: the Section 125 plan document, the carrier's policy form, QHB's payroll reporting instructions, and the proposal built from your own payroll. If your CPA is not comfortable, you do not sign.

From the employers page

We just finished open enrollment. Is it too late?

No. Quantum 125 sits on top of your plan, so nothing in it changes and it can start any month. QHB prefers to start just after open enrollment, when your people are not digesting other changes. Setup takes 60 to 90 days.

From the employers page

Payroll says it is more work. Is it?

No. It plugs into your payroll system, ADP, Gusto and others, and checks every deduction and payment each pay run. No monthly spreadsheets, no add-and-delete files, and no premium for a month someone is not paid.

From the employers page

What does it actually cost us, line by line?

$35 a month per enrolled employee, paid out of the $114.75 of payroll tax the company no longer pays on that employee's premium. The company keeps the other $79.75. The line is in the company's walk, and it is in your proposal.

From the employers page

Why is there a $1,500 deduction on my employee's pay stub?

Because the premium comes out of pay before tax, and the plan's payment goes back in after it. Both lines show on the stub, and net pay goes up. QHB's enrollment team shows every employee their own figure before the plan starts.

From the employers page

What does the CPA receive?

The Section 125 plan document. The carrier's policy form. QHB's payroll reporting instructions. The proposal built from your payroll, person by person. Automatic enrollment in a cafeteria plan: Rev. Rul. 2002-27.

From the page for CPAs

What does payroll see each pay run?

Two codes on each pay run: a pre-tax deduction for the premium and an after-tax payment for the monthly benefit. A payroll census at setup, so QHB can check each person's tax status before the first run. A connection to your payroll system, ADP, Gusto and others; no monthly spreadsheets or add-and-delete files. No premium taken for a month an employee is not paid.

From how it works

How much of HR’s time does this take?

One kickoff call, the payroll report up front, and sending the employee notice. New hires come through payroll, and there’s no premium for a month an employee isn’t paid. QHB’s team runs enrollment, questions, billing and claims.

From the HR page

Does it change our medical plan, broker or renewal?

No. Quantum 125 sits beside the medical plan. The broker stays on the medical placement, and the renewal runs as it does today.

From the HR page

Which payroll systems does it work with?

QHB plugs into ADP, Gusto and the other major payroll systems and checks every deduction each pay run. Tell QHB's setup team which one you use at kickoff.

From the HR page

What do employees receive before it starts?

A written notice that explains the plan and the new pay stub line, and the chance to opt out. The plan papers set the timing.

From the HR page

What if an employee has questions about a claim?

They go to QHB’s member services and the app, not to HR.

From the HR page

Who reviews the payroll reporting?

Your CPA. QHB provides the plan document and the payroll reporting instructions before anything is signed.

From the HR page

Who can enroll?

Employees on a regular W-2 payroll. Owners of some kinds of companies, such as partners and S corporation owners with more than a 2% share, usually cannot join. Your CPA confirms who can.

From the HR page

What happens when someone leaves or goes on unpaid leave?

No premium is taken for a month an employee is not paid, and no bill arrives for them. After three paychecks without a deduction, the employee comes off the plan until the next open enrollment.

From the HR page

Will there be meetings on site?

No. Sign-up and the explanations happen online and in the QHB app.

From the HR page

Does this replace my health insurance?

No. Quantum 125 sits beside your employer's medical plan and adds to it. Your medical plan, doctors and deductible stay as they are.

From the employees page

Will my paycheck go down?

No. The premium comes out before tax, and the plan's payment goes back in after the month's activity. In QHB's illustration that is $96.14 a month more at a $50,000 salary. Your own figure depends on your pay and your tier, and the enrollment team shows it to you before the plan starts.

From the employees page

Why is there a $1,500 line on my stub?

That is the premium, taken before tax. The payment line below it comes back after your monthly activity. Net pay, the number that reaches your account, goes up.

From the employees page

Do I have to sign up?

No. You start enrolled and can opt out by contacting QHB.

From the employees page

Can my family use it?

Yes, for care. Virtual primary and urgent care, prescriptions, mental health and the virtual vet cover you and your family. Hospital, ER, ambulance, surgery, critical illness and accident benefits cover you and pay cash straight to you.

From the employees page

What is the monthly wellness activity?

One short activity a month in the QHB app: a health assessment, a short questionnaire or an article. Completing it is what triggers that month's payment into your paycheck.

From the employees page

Does this affect my Social Security or a mortgage application?

Lower taxable pay means slightly less is reported as Social Security wages, and it can lower the pay figure on a loan application. The enrollment team explains it, and you can opt out.

From the employees page

I already have a doctor. What about hands-on care?

Keep your doctor. Your virtual primary care doctor is your first call unless it is an emergency. If you need hands-on care, they refer you locally.

From the employees page

Which pharmacy? Which hospital?

Any pharmacy for urgent fills and mail order for monthly ones, at $0 copay on covered medications. QHB's hospital benefit has no network restriction: the cash is paid to you after a covered stay at the hospital you went to.

From the employees page