So, this is not necessarily a typical news item for us to cover, but we thought this was really worth the share.
Clark County is now one of the very first counties in the entire US that has now organized via the Chambers of Commerce to be able to offer small businesses access to new group health insurance plans!
The Boulder City Chamber, along with a number of other Chambers in the area have formed the Clark County Health Plan Association (CCHPA).
This is now possible because the federal government has revised the health insurance rules that will now allow groups of businesses to form Association Health Plans – which was something that previously was not allowed.
What does this mean?
Prior to this, a group insurance plan was not available to ‘mom and pop’ Sole Proprietors. A ‘Group’ had to consist of three W-2 employees or more, which prevented many small businesses from being able to participate in more affordable group plans.
“After 18 years of collaborating, in an attempt to find a group health plan that would work for Boulder City small businesses, it has finally come to fruition. The timing couldn’t be better. With the opening of I-11, business owners need all options to reduce overhead without sacrificing benefits to their employees, future skilled workers and business leaders,” stated Jill Lagan, CEO of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. “As the champion for business, our chamber’s top priority is our investors. When they feel the assurance of taking care of their employees and their families, the ripple effect rolls out to their clients and customers. A healthy business community equates to a healthy economic climate for Boulder City.”
Small businesses employ 56% of workers in the state of Nevada, and they have always struggled to offer competitive wages and benefits to their employees.
Clark County businesses need to sign up to participate with their local Chamber of Commerce and then can work with a local Independent Health and Life Insurance Agency. We have two here in town: AmeriSent Insurance and the Trygg Huset Group.
Beth Walker, the President of Trygg Huset says, “I couldn’t be more excited that after much work and negotiating, Association Health Plans will be available to members of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce and other chambers in the association! This has been a very long time in the making and Jill and the board should be proud of this huge accomplishment. These plans will open up options to sole proprietors, mom and pops, and other small businesses that would not be available otherwise. Association members will now have access to “volume” pricing, more suitable plan designs, broader networks, and administrative help. There is a huge appetite across small business for all of these things, and the association health plans will serve this need in an extremely meaningful way. I look forward to working with the Chamber of Commerce and members to provide education and feedback, and enrollment assistance.”
Small businesses can begin offering the plans as soon as September 1st!
With access to health care and rising insurance premiums being a major issue for many people, we thought that this landmark opportunity for our small businesses was really important – and we love sharing good news for our businesses in town!
