Most business owners delay offering health insurance because they think the setup process is going to be a nightmare. They picture months of paperwork, confused employees, and constant back-and-forth with carriers.

Here's what actually happens.

I tell my clients it's a small marathon. Yes, it's a lot of work. But we guide you through every step of it. And a lot of that work? It lands on us, not on you.

Most brokers don't bring up compliance. It's not technically within the scope of placing your insurance, so a lot of them leave the rest alone. You get your enrollment handled, you get your ID cards, and whatever you're supposed to be doing on the compliance side is your problem to figure out.

I don't do it that way.

There's a version of coverage most Houston business owners don't know exists.

Your employees can see any doctor, any specialist, no referral required. It runs on one of the strongest networks in Houston. And it doesn't cost what you think PPO coverage costs.

Here's how it actually works.

Here's a question worth sitting with: when's the last time your broker told you something you didn't already know?

If you're having to think about it, that's your answer.

A lot of HR professionals accept a bad broker relationship because they don't know what a good one looks like. They're not being served. They just don't know the standard is higher.

Here are five signs your broker isn't doing the job.