New health plan helps small businesses afford coverage

With small businesses feeling the impacts of rising health care costs, the NC Chamber has partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) to provide a new, more affordable health plan option for small businesses, their employees and their families. This plan, Carolina HealthWorks, is available to small businesses who are members of the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce.

Carolina HealthWorks brings together North Carolina small businesses to access more affordable health care through a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) model. A MEWA offers an alternative to small businesses that allows them to pool their resources and provide access to the rate advantages and benefits typically only enjoyed by larger groups.

In Beaufort County, small businesses are a driving force in our local economy and significant employers,” said Catherine Glover, Executive Director of the WBC Chamber. “We are excited to offer this new opportunity – in partnership with the NC Chamber and Blue Cross NC – to help our small business and their employees access affordable health care.”

Carolina HealthWorks is available starting November 1 to North Carolina small businesses that have 2 to 50 employees and are members of either the NC Chamber or a participating local chamber. Carolina HealthWorks has chosen Blue Cross NC to be the administrator for this health plan, offering access to Blue Cross NC’s broad network. Small business owners have opportunities to enroll in the plan throughout the year.

Carolina HealthWorks is sold through Blue Cross NC appointed agents, allowing businesses to continue working with their existing Blue Cross NC agent. Direct enrollment is available through Blue Cross NC for those not currently working with an agent. More information about Carolina HealthWorks is available on the Blue Cross NC website or the NC Chamber’s website.

“North Carolina leads the nation in business—but is one of the most expensive states for health care – a sharp contradiction that hits hardest for small businesses fighting to survive.” said Gary Salamido, president and CEO of the NC Chamber. “This moment demands real solutions. The creation of Carolina HealthWorks is a meaningful step in giving small businesses a tangible, more affordable path forward. We appreciate Blue Cross NC’s willingness to partner and find an affordable, thoughtful solution designed to help small businesses support their teams, their families, and stay competitive.”

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In North Carolina, small businesses are an important part of the economy. The state has more than 1 million small businesses. Data from 2022 showed that businesses with fewer than 20 employees represented 18% of total private employment, and those with 20 to 40 employees represented 10%.

“Right now, the health care system is shifting, and our market is experiencing immense volatility. It will take partnerships and new ideas to meet this moment,” said Tunde Sotunde, MD, CEO of Blue Cross NC. “Our partnership with the NC Chamber, and the launch of Carolina HealthWorks, is an example of a creative collaboration to solve a real problem: the soaring cost of health care for small businesses. Blue Cross NC stands ready to partner with organizations committed to driving down health care costs in North Carolina.”

According to a national analysis, small businesses bear higher burdens from health insurance costs, representing a higher percentage of payroll costs when compared to larger businesses. In fact, among small businesses that do not offer health insurance, 65% cited cost as the most important reason. The impact of those decisions is significant since more than 94% of businesses in the United States have fewer than 50 employees and more than 27% of private sector employees work in firms with 1 to 49 employees.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of this state,” said North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. “Many small business owners have told me about their struggles to find affordable health care for their employees. I applaud the North Carolina Chamber for partnering with Blue Cross NC to create this new option for its small employer members. I also want to give a special thank you to the review team at the N.C. Department of Insurance for going above and beyond in putting in extra hours to make this approval in record time. We need to continue to look for ways to help get more North Carolinians affordable health care.”

Disclaimer: Benefits are provided by the NC Chamber Benefit Trust, with excess coverage from a licensed insurer. The Trust isn’t backed by a guaranty association but is regulated by the NC Department of Insurance.

The NC Chamber is the sponsor and plan administrator of Carolina HealthWorks, which is a self-insured non-plan Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement. Third-party administrative services are provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. The NC Chamber and Carolina HealthWorks are separate entities and do not provide Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.