Indiana Chamber of Commerce dropping Anthem from small business health plan

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is dropping Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield from its health plan for small businesses.

The chamber launched the ChamberCare Health Alliance plan for companies with between two and 50 employees six years ago, allowing them to pool together to get the rates larger companies would. The statewide chamber says the premiums are about 35% lower on average than the healthcare plans offered on the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace.

The plan covers an estimated 1,500 small businesses and 12,500 employees across Indiana.

The chapter found cost savings by switching to another provider, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders said. New providers also offer more pricing transparency, Indiana-based customer service for quicker responses and programs for free or low-cost medication.

"Through our months-long negotiations with Anthem, it became clear that we would not get a member-focused, cost-effective solution we wanted for our small employers," she said. "Earlier this year as part of its annual review, the ChamberCare Trust — the health plan's fiduciary and decision-making entity — retained the services of a national industry expert who identified significant long-term savings opportunities. We're talking millions of dollars. It was our duty to take what we'd learned to Anthem and ask pertinent, fundamental questions in the best interest of our members. At the end of the day, the trustees wanted to do better for Hoosier employers and their workers."

Starting Oct. 1, Columbus, Indiana-based SIHO Insurance Services will provide health benefits, CVS Caremark pharmacy benefits and Delta Dental dental and vision coverage through the ChamberCare Health Alliance plan.

"SIHO is known for its commitment to a more local, personalized approach while delivering everything you would expect from an industry leader," Sinders said. "Members keep the same out-of-pocket costs and deductibles plus enjoy competitive rates - all while realizing new value-added benefits. Every major Indiana hospital and health system is featured in SIHO's comprehensive network of providers, and it has 92-95% crossover with Anthem's network. At the end of the day, the enhanced ChamberCare health plan is more transparent, personal and straightforward, which will better serve participants."

The chamber and Anthem could not come to terms, Sinders said.

"Anthem was unwilling to negotiate and at the same time, we were looking at alternative providers to bring more tangible value to our MEWA. What we found was really a best-in-class model for healthcare (SIHO) and pharmacy benefits (CVS Caremark)," she said. "The Indiana Chamber is confident these new relationships will take the ChamberCare program to another level and better serve participants."

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield opted not to renew as a third partner administrator due to changes in the plan, Senior Corporate Communications Director Jeff Blunt said.

"We are proud of the partnership and success we have shared with the ChamberCare Health Alliance MEWA since 2019 and remain steadfast in our commitment to Indiana employers and their employees. However, recent changes introduced by the Trust overseeing the MEWA, including added administrative costs and the planned removal of key support roles, present challenges that we believe would compromise the experience of our members and employer clients," Blunt said. "As a result, we have made the difficult decision not to offer a renewal to serve as third-party administrator for the CHA MEWA effective October 1, 2025. This decision reflects our responsibility to protect the high standard of service, operational support, and peace of mind that Indiana small businesses and their employees have come to expect from Anthem."

Anthem is looking at rolling out new health insurance plans for small businesses across Indiana.

"In the meantime, employers have access to our full portfolio of Anthem health plans, including our Anthem Balanced Funding platform, to ensure continued access to high-quality, affordable coverage, along with a consistent and reliable member experience," he said.

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