Health Insurance for chamber

Sherry Anne Rubiano
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 19, 2006 12:00 AM

Finding an affordable health insurance plan has been a challenge for Carol Lawson, who owns Sign*A*Rama in Glendale.

Lawson has switched her business' health insurance coverage several times in the past five years in search of the best service and price for her and her three employees.

She signed up for yet another plan, which is offered through a new partnership between Humana and the Glendale Chamber of Commerce that she expects will save her hundreds of dollars a year. advertisement




Humana, a health benefits company headquartered in Louisville, Ky., has partnered with the Glendale chamber and seven other chambers in the North and West Valley Chambers of Commerce alliance to offer the organizations' members a discounted small business health insurance program.

The Chamber of Commerce Health Benefit Solution will include health, dental and life insurance coverage to businesses belonging to participating chambers.

The alliance is made up of eight chambers, including the Glendale, Peoria, Northwest Valley, Southwest Valley and Buckeye Valley chambers, and represents more than 4,000 businesses.

Chamber members are eligible for the plan, but rates for each business vary.

Policies are effective starting next month.

Jennifer Willis, director of sales for Humana, said Humana recognized the need to offer a program for smaller companies.

"What we're finding is some small businesses choose not to cover because they can't afford it," Willis said.

She said the plans are tailored to be affordable for small businesses and will be offered for groups as small as two people.

Humana is offering three health plan options: traditional preferred provider organization plans, high-deductible health plans with optional health savings accounts, and CoverageFirst.

Humana representatives will host workshops to explain the plan and will offer wellness and health education programs, such as a health risk assessment, stress management and health resources, and CPR and first aid training, as part of the program.

Members who sign up will have access to a 24-hour nurse line and online services, such as a Web page where they can track claims online.