New, more affordable health plan available to Rowan Chamber members

Submitted

The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce announced a long-awaited new benefit for its members — small business health insurance. With many smaller employers feeling the impacts of rising health care costs, the Rowan Chamber has been advocating to ensure that small businesses in our community can access the same quality of benefits typically available to larger companies.

Through a new partnership between the N.C. Chamber and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), chamber members can now access Carolina HealthWorks, an innovative health plan option designed specifically for small businesses, their employees and their families.

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.

"The Rowan Chamber has been advocating for this new small business health insurance plan for several years," Chamber President Elaine Spalding said. "We are so excited about this new benefit to help small businesses attract and retain talent."

Carolina HealthWorks is now available to North Carolina businesses that have 2 to 50 employees and are members of the Rowan Chamber, the N.C. Chamber or another participating local chamber. Carolina HealthWorks has chosen Blue Cross N.C. to be the administrator for this health plan, offering access to Blue Cross N.C.'s broad network. Small business owners have opportunities to enroll in the plan throughout the year.

Carolina HealthWorks is available through Blue Cross N.C.-appointed agents.

"The Rowan Chamber will work closely with our local insurance professionals and Blue Cross N.C. agents to help members access this new benefit," Spalding said. "If you already have an appointed agent, you can continue as usual, and if not, we'll gladly connect you with a local agent."

For more information, go to rowanchamber.com/Carolina-healthworks or contact the Rowan Chamber at info@rowanchamber.com.

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

The N.C. 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 N.C. Chamber and Carolina HealthWorks are separate entities and do not provide Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.