Augusta, ME, Nov. 26, 2007 – Small businesses in Maine will have more health insurance options to offer their employees in 2008 as Chamber BlueOptions expands to seven plans. The innovative suite of insurance options, a joint program offered by regional and local Chambers of Commerce, in conjunction with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine, has had an extremely successful first year. More than 500 small businesses, representing just over 3,500 employees and their dependents, have enrolled in Chamber BlueOptions since its launch in January.
Expansion of the Chamber BlueOptions suite of products will include the addition of two new insurance options. For 2008, small businesses (self-employed to 50 employees) will have a choice of seven plans ranging from four PPO (preferred provider organization) plans with deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, an HMO plan, and two consumer-directed Health Savings Account plans ($2,000 and $5,000 deductibles).
“Giving a Maine small business owner and their employees 7 choices of health insurance plans is a welcome change from a one size fits all approach that small businesses had to accept in the past,” said Dana Connors, Maine State Chamber President. “Our regional and local chambers are excited to be offering real solutions to expand health care coverage to more Maine people.”
Created as an independent affiliate of the Maine State Chamber, the Maine State Chamber Purchasing Alliance, Inc. offers small businesses who are members of a local or regional chamber a suite of seven health plans to choose from. Typically, a small business would have a limited choice of plans and a requirement that 75 percent of eligible employees must participate to qualify for group coverage. The Chamber BlueOptions product requires that only 60 percent of eligible employees participate to qualify for group coverage.
In addition, Purchasing Alliance members can qualify for a 2% discount on annual premiums if they undertake certain wellness activities. “As more employers focus on workplace wellness as a strategy to control health care costs, this is the only insurance product that rewards employers for taking wellness seriously,” said Connors. The 2% discount is available for business with a group size of 25-50 employees who purchased Chamber BlueOptions in 2007. The discount off premium becomes effective with the business’ renewal in 2008.
“We’re proud of the first year success of Chamber BlueOptions and our partnership with state, regional and local Chambers,” said Don Antonucci, director, small group sales for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Anthem believes that more insurance options in the marketplace is good for business as it allows an individual business to choose a product that meets their employees’ varying needs for insurance coverage.”
Chamber BlueOptions is available to local and regional chamber members through their local insurance broker or through a special web site. (www.chamberblueoptions.com)
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