By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
When people are choosing jobs there is a checklist of items that often get considered before accepting a position. Pay, flexibility, location, growth and benefits are just a few of the points of interest that jobseekers consider. Small businesses and entrepreneurs know that the ability to provide health insurance can be extremely expensive and put their growth in jeopardy when trying to recruit help.
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Megan Barfield
said the chamber has partnered with 30 other chambers across Kansas
to offer an Association Health Plan called Chamber Blue of Kansas.
"We are part of our state association, CCEKS, which is Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas," said Barfield. "Us chambers said we need more buying power than just our small chamber. CCEKS said we'll be the group and it can trickle down from there."
Small businesses equate to over 99% of all businesses in Kansas.
With this new
partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, smaller businesses will have
access to insurance savings associated with large group medical coverage.
"An association health plan is a group medical insurance, but it allows smaller companies to access the health insurance savings associated with a large group," said Barfield. "You think of your large employers of over 500 employees. They get great rates because they have so many policies."
With 30 chambers and some of their members onboard, which lowers the risk
across the pool, the plan provides health insurance with more competitive
premiums.
The Great Bend Chamber is holding informational sessions on March 22 at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and noon at the chamber office to learn more about the plan.
The initial rates will be determined in September 2022 based on groups or businesses that have completed an interest survey. Plans would become effective Jan. 1, 2023.