Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce to Offer Association Health Plan for Member Employers

MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 25 -- Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce issued the following news release:

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the combined state chamber and manufacturers' association, today launched EmployerPulse. This health plan portfolio was developed under the Association Health Plan (AHP) rules approved earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Labor.

"EmployerPulse is going to change the game for all types of businesses in Wisconsin," said Kurt R. Bauer, WMC President & CEO. "For decades, our members have struggled with increasingly high health care costs. Now, WMC Insurance will offer a variety of plans that not only save employers' money, but give them greater choice in the health insurance market."

Employers may see lower health care costs from a portfolio of plans that may not always be available to small businesses, in addition to the shared-risk pool. They will be able to choose from a variety of PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and HSA (Health Savings Account) health plans from UnitedHealthcare. Members will also have access to UnitedHealthcare's care provider network of more than 1.2 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide.

"The EmployerPulse health plan is a homerun for small and medium-sized businesses across our state," said Katie Yeutter, WMC Vice President of Operations and Finance who oversees WMC Insurance. "Thanks to our WMC Insurance risk pool, Wisconsin employers will now have access to plans that were normally reserved just for large employers."

WMC will begin quoting these plans for eligible WMC member groups Thursday, Oct. 25, for a Jan. 1, 2019, enrollment date. Businesses from any industry and certain regions of Wisconsin with 2 to 50 employees that are WMC, or participating local chamber members may enroll in these new plans.

"As the state's largest and oldest business trade association, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce can now offer insurance solutions that enable employers across the state to provide families with access to cost-effective, quality health care," said Dustin Hinton, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin.

The EmployerPulse health plan will be the newest line offered by WMC Insurance. The organization also offers dental, vision, life and disability benefits for Wisconsin employers. To find out more about WMC and its offerings, please visit www.wmcinsurance.org.