Governor Patrick Announces Small Business Health Care Help
23
Wanted to pass along this press release from the Governor….hope this can help some of the businesses we’ve been meeting with.
————————————–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: February 23, 2010
Dick Powers 617-933-3141
CONNECTOR’S NEW SMALL BUSINESS PLAN SPELLS R-E-L-I-E-F
Responding to the struggles of small business owners facing escalating health insurance premiums, the Health Connector launched a new group health insurance product called Business Express this month. This new program, in conjunction with Governor Deval Patrick’s small business job incentives plan, builds on the Governor’s continued efforts to support small businesses, foster job creation and further economic growth in the Commonwealth.
“Small businesses have been hit hard by the rising cost of health insurance,” Governor Patrick said. “This innovative approach by the Health Connector is an essential part of helping to ease the burden on the small business community and stimulating job creation in this sector.”
Business Express is intended for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees and all of its products carry the state’s Seal of Approval for quality and value. Because there are no membership fees and reduced administrative costs, many businesses with five or fewer employees may save more than $300 per employee per year. Prospective employers will have the opportunity to select a plan from any of the seven major carriers whose plans carry the Seal of Approval – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, CeltiCare, Fallon Community Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Health New England, Neighborhood Health Plan and Tufts Health Plan.
“We are excited to have Business Express on our product shelf,” said Health Connector Executive Director Jon Kingsdale. “We have primarily been able to offer products for individuals and families, but now employers will also be able to easily generate side-by-side comparisons of a full array of products and make choices that work best for them and their employees. Some select network plans may offer savings between 10 and 15 percent.”
Small businesses interested in learning more about the program may call a broker or go directly to the Health Connector’s website, www.MAhealthconnector.org and enroll online. They may also call the Health Connector’s customer service line at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765). The TTY line for people with partial or total hearing loss is 1-877-623-7773.
I approve and like this help that Governor Patrick is doing for the Small Business community.