If you're a small business owner, the phrase "employee health coverage" probably makes you sigh. It feels like a choice between two bad options: offer a pricey, one-size-fits-all group plan that drains your budget, or offer nothing and risk losing great employees to bigger companies. It’s a constant headache, and frankly, you have a business to run. You don’t have time to become an insurance expert.
We get it. That's why we built StretchDollar. Our mission is to take the complexity and cost out of offering health benefits. We’re laser-focused on helping small teams like yours thrive. And we’re thrilled to share that our approach is working.
StretchDollar was just named to Inc.'s 2025 Power Partner Awards, a list that recognizes the B2B companies that truly help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow. This isn't just any award to us — it's recognition that we're achieving what we set out to do... a simpler, more affordable path to health benefits for small businesses who need it.
So, What Is This Simpler Path?
Let’s cut through the jargon. StretchDollar helps small businesses offer health benefits using something called an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or ICHRA. It's a complicated term, for a simple concept.
Instead of researching 60+ hours for a one-size-fits-all group insurance plan for everyone, the business owner just sets a fixed, tax-free monthly allowance for each employee. Think of it like a healthcare stipend. Employees then use that money to buy their own individual health insurance plan, one that actually fits their needs, their family's needs, and their location. They can even use it for dental and vision coverage.
The best part? The business owner gets complete control over their budget, and their team gets total freedom of choice. We even provide personalized shopping support from licensed benefits experts to help employees find the perfect plan. No more administrative nightmares, no more surprise rate hikes. Just simple, flexible, and affordable health benefits.
Why This Award Matters
Being named an Inc. Power Partner is more than just a trophy for our wall. This award signals that we’re not just another vendor, we're a partner supporting the growth and sustainability of small businesses and startups.
"Offering health benefits shouldn’t require you to become an expert in insurance,” says Marshall Darr, our co-founder and CEO. “Our goal is simple—make health benefits easy, affordable, and accessible for small teams so business owners can focus on building great companies instead of managing red tape. Being named an Inc. Power Partner reinforces why we’re passionate about simplifying healthcare for America’s small employers.”
How ICHRA Makes Employee Health Coverage Simpler and More Affordable
If you’ve ever dealt with traditional group insurance, you know the pain points. The paperwork, the annual rate negotiations, the struggle to find a plan that works for everyone, especially if your team is spread across different states. An ICHRA flips that model on its head.
Here’s how it creates a better system for small business employee health coverage:
- Budget Control is a Reality: With a traditional plan, you’re at the mercy of insurance carriers and their dreaded double-digit rate hikes. With an ICHRA, you set the monthly allowance. Your budget is predictable and entirely in your hands.
- Admin Headaches Disappear: Setting up an ICHRA on our platform is simple and fast. We handle the compliance and onboarding, freeing you from the administrative burden that usually comes with benefits.
- Perfect for Remote & Multi-State Teams: Group plans are often tied to a specific location, which is a nightmare for remote or distributed workforces. Because an ICHRA lets employees buy plans on their local exchanges, it works seamlessly no matter where your team members live.
- Opens Doors for the Smallest Teams: Many small businesses, especially those with fewer than 10 employees, struggle to even qualify for traditional group plans. An ICHRA has no minimum employee requirements, making it a powerful tool for even the smallest startups and shops.
What Small Teams Experience with StretchDollar
Imagine this: You’re a startup founder with a team of six people in three different states. You want to offer health benefits to stay competitive, but group plans are quoting you astronomical prices.
With StretchDollar, you could get set up in a few minutes. You decide to offer a $400 monthly allowance. Your designer in California finds a premium plan that covers her specific needs. Your developer in Texas picks a different plan that includes great dental coverage for his family. And your marketing lead in Florida gets help from one of our licensed experts to find the perfect balance of cost and coverage. Everyone is happy, and your budget is secure.
This is the typical experience. Small businesses that choose StretchDollar enjoy:
- Simple and Affordable Setup: Get your benefits up and running quickly without the usual hassle and high costs.
- Employee Freedom of Choice: Your team members are empowered to choose a health insurance plan that truly fits their life.
- Personalized Shopping Support: No one has to navigate the complex insurance marketplace alone. Our licensed experts are here to help.
Ready for a Better Way to Offer Health Benefits?
This Inc. Power Partner award is a milestone for us, but it’s really a victory for every small business owner who has ever felt frustrated by the status quo. Because providing great small business health benefits is finally within reach.
You can take care of your people without breaking the bank or drowning in paperwork. You can focus on what you do best: building an incredible business.
Curious to see how an ICHRA could work for your team? Get a demo set to your inbox in minutes.
