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A new health plan is now available for small businesses through the N.C. Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Carolina HealthWorks, a risk-based health insurance plan, is a new option for small businesses with two to 50 employees who are also members of their local chamber of commerce, said Gary Salamido, president and CEO of the N.C. Chamber.
“Risk-based means each company pays a premium based on their experience, but you get the collective market power of all the lives in the pool together,” Salamido said.
“The requirement that we worked out, which was really important for all of the parties, was that it had to be statewide. That would allow us to get more lives in there, help us navigate it better and get better pricing.”
Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce President Laurette Leagon said small businesses are often hit with the highest costs when trying to purchase a group insurance policy.
With 80% of the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber’s members being small businesses, Leagon said the new plan could be a big benefit to Onslow County.
She said small business owners ask her about health insurance options all the time.
“We have needed this in North Carolina for years,” Leagon said. “There are similar programs throughout the country, (but) I don’t think there’s anything quite like this one that’s so chamber specific.”
Additionally, with the large local military population, because military dependents already have insurance through Tricare, businesses with military-affiliated employees can’t include those people in group policies, leading to overall higher policy costs.
Salamido said the N.C. Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.C. worked closely with House and Senate leadership, the governor’s office and the N.C. Department of Insurance to design Carolina HealthWorks, adding that it was designed as an alternative to Affordable Care Act plans with small business owners in mind.
“It’s all about people,” Salamido said. “When people have choices, and when small business owners and business owners in general have the opportunity to take care of their people, it makes for stronger communities and a stronger state.
“This is good for our state in every corner, and we’re really excited about it.”
There will be more than 20 different coverage options for small businesses to choose from, as well as benefits like health savings accounts, dental and vision coverage and zero deductibles.
The network includes more than 2 million doctors and hospitals nationwide, Salamido said.
Nonprofits that are chamber members can also take advantage.
“At this point, it’s a wait and see, because it’s new,” Leagon said. “What are the rates going to look like? I don’t think we’re going to be able to (know), until we know how many people are in the program, what those rates are going to look like.”
Leagon said she thinks education will be important in the process as both the chamber and small business owners learn how the new plan works.
Open enrollment is now, but it’s a very short window, and Leagon said they’re hoping it gets extended.
The Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon on Thursday for small business owners to meet with participating insurance agencies and to learn more about the health plan.
Those who missed the event can reach out to the chamber, which is located at 1099 Gum Branch Road in Jacksonville, at 910-347-3141 for more information.
“Just pay attention,” Leagon said. “Do what’s best for your business and your employees.”
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