The short version
On the costs both PEOs quoted, Justworks comes in about $18,100 a year lower, and its plans match today’s almost exactly. LBMC’s numbers are firmer: they’re priced on the corrected census and include costs Justworks hasn’t quoted yet.
Where Justworks is ahead
- Lower cost: medical, dental, vision and admin come to $131,650 a year, vs. $149,764 with LBMC.
- Same plans as today: its four UnitedHealthcare plans mirror the four Cigna plans, and Give can keep all four. LBMC allows 3.
- Lower admin fee: $93 per person a month for two years, then $124. No setup fee.
- Dental covers adult orthodontia, like today.
Where LBMC is ahead
- Firmer rates: Blue Cross approved Give on the corrected census. Justworks priced 9 people from the earlier census, so its rates can change when it re-checks the group.
- A full year of rates: LBMC’s plan year starts January 1. Justworks’ rates renew November 1, 2027, after 10 months.
- More is included: unemployment tax, EPLI, cyber and life are in LBMC’s number. Justworks hasn’t quoted them.
- One named contact: a dedicated HR Business Partner and Payroll Specialist.
The plans, side by side
Each of today’s Cigna plans next to LBMC’s and Justworks’ closest match. Monthly cost is for the people on that plan today. Lowest cost in green.
| In network | Cigna today | LBMCBlue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee | JustworksUnitedHealthcare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium plan · 2 families | |||
| Plan | Premium | PPO Plan 1 | U4 PPO 1000/80% |
| DeductibleSingle / family | None | $500 / $1,000 | $1,000 / $2,000 |
| Out-of-pocket max | $3,000 / $7,500 | $2,000 / $4,000 | $3,000 / $6,000 |
| Doctor / specialist | $25 / $35 | $20 / $40 | $20 / $40 |
| A month, 2 families | $7,022 | $7,155 | $6,479 |
| High plan · 1 employee | |||
| Plan | High | PPO Plan 2 | U1 PPO 500/80% |
| DeductibleSingle / family | $500 / $1,000 | $1,000 / $2,000 | $500 / $1,000 |
| Out-of-pocket max | $4,000 / $8,000 | $3,500 / $7,000 | $4,000 / $8,000 |
| Doctor / specialist | $20 / $40 | $30 / $50 | $20 / $40 |
| A month | $1,076 | $1,095 | $1,075 |
| Middle plan · 1 employee | |||
| Plan | Middle | PPO Plan 2 LBMC allows 3 plans | U11 Primary Advantage 2000/80% |
| DeductibleSingle / family | $2,000 / $4,000 | $1,000 / $2,000 | $2,000 / $4,000 |
| Out-of-pocket max | $8,150 / $16,300 | $3,500 / $7,000 | $8,150 / $16,300 |
| Doctor / specialist | No copay / $95 | $30 / $50 | $10 / $95 |
| A month | $989 | $1,095 | $793 |
| HDHP · 2 employees | |||
| Plan | HDHP with HSA | HDHP Plan 3 | U24 HDHP 6300/100% |
| DeductibleSingle / family | $6,300 / $12,600 | $4,000 / $8,000, then 30% | $6,300 / $12,600 |
| Out-of-pocket max | $6,300 / $12,600 | $6,500 / $13,000 | $6,300 / $12,600 |
| A month, 2 employees | $1,652 | $1,283 | $1,312 |
| Medical, a year | $128,869 | $127,527 | $115,906 |
Justworks also offers 19 other UnitedHealthcare plans, including a richer U25 plan ($250 deductible, $1,500 / $3,000 out-of-pocket max, $3,349 a month for a family). See every LBMC plan.
The whole year
Same 6 people on medical, same dental and vision enrollment. The first three lines are the ones both PEOs quoted.
| Per year | Details | Cigna today | LBMC | Justworks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical | The plans above | $128,869 | $127,527 | $115,906 |
| Dental and vision | LBMC: MetLife High and LBMC HighJustworks: Aetna Dental PPO 1 and Aetna Vision+ | $6,182 | $7,837 | $7,932 |
| Admin fee | LBMC: $1,200 a month minimumJustworks: $93 per person for two years, then $124 | TIFIN covers | $14,400 | $7,812 |
| Quoted by both | $135,051 | $149,764 | $131,650 | |
| Unemployment tax | North Carolina and New JerseyPennsylvania stays on Give’s own account either way | TIFIN covers | $5,524 | Not quoted |
| EPLI, cyber and life | LBMC includes $10,000 company-paid life | TIFIN covers | $861 | Not quoted |
| Workers’ comp | Office staff, class 8810Justworks’ figure is a placeholder matched to TIFIN’s current cost | TIFIN covers | Coming | $3,194 |
| One-time setup | None | $1,200 | None |
Justworks’ figures are its quoted rates applied to the corrected census by Pillar. Justworks’ own analysis priced 9 employees from an earlier census, so its totals differ. Dental and vision cover 5 people each; the company pays all of it today.
Other differences
| Topic | LBMC | Justworks |
|---|---|---|
| Medical carrier | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, national Blue network | UnitedHealthcare, national network |
| Plans Give can offer | Up to 3 | Up to 4 |
| How firm the rates are | Approved on the corrected census. Can change if enrollment moves 10% or more. | Priced on the earlier 9-person census. Can change after Justworks re-checks the group, or if enrollment moves 20%. |
| Rate period | January 1 plan year | Guaranteed through October 31, 2027, then renews November 1 |
| Service | Named HR Business Partner and Payroll Specialist | DJ, an onboarding manager and a benefits specialist for setup, then Justworks’ support team |
| 401(k) | Empower, the same company as today | Administration included. Confirm whether Give can keep Empower. |
| Deadlines for January 1 | Sign by November 16 | Pick plans by December 11, enroll by December 18. Quote valid until December 27. |
What we’ll confirm before you choose
- JustworksRe-quote on the corrected census
7 employees, 6 on medical, with unemployment tax and workers’ comp.
- LBMCWorkers’ comp quote
Back from LBMC soon.
- Justworks401(k)
Whether Give can keep its Empower plan.
- BothEPLI
What employment practices coverage each one includes.
- YouChoose
Side by side on final numbers, before November 16.