Lower Premiums for Employees of Small Businesses

[dollardaze]

New programs have been introduced in at least 3 states within the last two years which are intended to make health insurance more affordable for the employees of small businesses.

350 employers with 50 or fewer workers have enrolled in a state program in Rhode Island. The program is offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare.

In return for reduced premiums, deductibles and co-payments, participants must choose and visit a primary care doctor for a checkup, complete a 15-page health questionnaire and promise to try to adopt healthy behaviors and to abstain from smoking. People with chronic health problems have to agree to follow their doctors’ directions on how best to manage the disease.

New Hampshire’s program, largely based on Rhode Island’s, will take effect next year. Both states hoped to dissuade small businesses from dropping or cutting back on health coverage.

Maryland, under a law passed last fall, will pay up to 50 percent of the cost of insurance for companies that previously offered no health insurance and that have two to nine employees whose average income is less than $50,000. To participate, the companies must agree to offer employees a wellness program and incentives.

Under the plan, some insurers are offering to waive deductibles and other costs for participants who fill out a health questionnaire and try, after their answers are analyzed, to improve their health. CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Coventry Health Care and Aetna are participating.

[pennypinch]

This is great, I am sure many families are able to benefit from this program. Health insurance is so out of this world as far as the costs go that many families have none at all and there health suffers because of it. It is a shame and I am glad some are getting a little help with getting affordable insurance.