Quick answer (Updated: 2025)

TL;DR — Small‑group benefits in Canada (excluding Quebec) typically cost $80–$350 per employee per month (PEPM) for groups with 2–50 employees. This reflects mainstream pooled plans offering health, dental, vision, life/AD&D and optional disability. Multiple Canadian market sources cite the same order of magnitude and bands for small businesses. See Sources.

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2025 cost by headcount (2–50 employees)

The per‑employee cost tends to decline modestly as headcount grows (better pooling, more stable claims). These indicative bands are synthesized from Canadian broker/insurer references below and align to typical small‑group plan tiers (basic/standard/enhanced).

Notes

• Ranges reflect combined premium (employer + employee) before taxes/levies; many SMBs fund 50%–100% of premium. A practical rule of thumb: employers often pay $100–$200 PEPM, employees $50–$100 PEPM, for a total of $150–$300 PEPM on mainstream designs. Alan (Canada guide).

• Rich plans with higher drug maximums, orthodontics, LTD/CI, wellness wallets, etc., trend to the top of the range or above. Several Canadian sources place comprehensive plans at ~$250–$375+ PEPM. KASE Insurance guide; CloudAdvisors sample for <50 employees.

Scope and definitions

• Geography: Canada (excluding Quebec). Plan rules, mandatory coverages, and taxation differ materially in Quebec; Summit does not currently operate there.

• Group size: 2–50 employees (pooled/fully‑insured market). Administrative‑Services‑Only (ASO) is typically evaluated at larger sizes or with specific risk profiles; see below.

• What’s usually included in the quoted PEPM: core extended health (drugs, paramedicals, emergency travel), dental, vision, life/AD&D; optionally STD/LTD and critical illness. Exact inclusions drive variance.

• Funding split: Employer/employee cost sharing varies. It is common for employers to fund at least half of monthly cost. Alan (Canada guide).

What drives your 2025 quote (biggest levers)

• Drug risk mix and limits (e.g., specialty and GLP‑1 utilization), dental tiers (basic/major/ortho), coinsurance (80% vs 100%), and annual maximums.

• Group demographics (average age), industry risk, waiting periods, and participation.

• Province, premium taxes/levies, and carrier pooling thresholds.

• Trend environment: global medical trend has been elevated, with insurers reporting persistent double‑digit medical trend in many markets; Canadian insurers highlight cancer, cardio and MSK as leading cost drivers. Mercer Marsh Benefits Health Trends 2025.

ASO vs pooled: when it can make sense

• Pooled (fully insured): Best fit for most 2–50 groups seeking budget certainty and protection from high‑cost claims.

• ASO (self‑funded admin only): Traditionally considered for larger, stable groups with predictable claims and higher risk tolerance; smaller employers may explore hybrid ASO (e.g., self‑fund EHC/dental; insure drugs with stop‑loss). GroupHEALTH on Hybrid ASO; GreenShield ASO overview. Practical break‑even depends on your claims curve and stop‑loss terms. Ask Summit for an ASO vs pooled break‑even analysis (internal calculator available on request).

Related internal resources (ask your Summit advisor): Benefits Cost 2025 Methodology; Canada Group Benefits Glossary; ASO vs Pooled Break‑even Calculator.

How to get a firm number

Provide: headcount by family status (single/couple/family), average age, postal codes, plan preferences (drug max, dental tiers, LTD), and current plan/claims (if any). Summit returns market‑priced options within 48 business hours and can launch in ~30 days, subject to carrier onboarding and eligibility.

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Sources

• PolicyAdvisor: small‑business group benefits typically $80–$350 PEPM; examples by tier and employee counts. Cost for small businesses (2025); Average costs and premiums (2025); Plan types and costs.

• Alan (Canada guide): typical total monthly cost $150–$300 with employers often covering $100–$200. Guide.

• KASE Insurance (Canada): comprehensive annual employee benefit costs often $3,000–$7,500 per employee depending on design. Guide.

• CloudAdvisors (Canada): sample small‑business plan for <50 employees at ~C$375 PEPM (90th‑percentile richness). Article.

• Mercer Marsh Benefits (Canada): 2025 Health Trends—conditions and insurer outlook shaping benefit cost pressures. Report hub.

• CLHIA: the vast majority of supplementary health insurance in Canada is sold via group plans (≈90%+). Facts 2024, p.13; Facts 2023, p.12.