The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, announced a new partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) and Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas (CCEKS) earlier this year. This partnership stitches together 53 local Chambers of Commerce across Kansas to offer an Association Health Plan entitled Chamber Blue of Kansas.
Chamber Blue of Kansas is an association health plan (AHP) that allows for employers to join together to purchase insurance. The larger pool of people enrolled in the plan allows the possibility for more plan options, and potentially, lower cost.
The initial rates will be based upon employers who complete an interest survey; completing the survey does not obligate your organization to enroll in the program but it does provide access to the initial group. The survey is live currently with a deadline of Aug. 18, 2022, for all interested parties to submit.
In the three weeks since the survey link went live in the Great Bend area alone there has been 91 organizations representing 899 employees complete the survey and at the state level, there has been over 1,300 organizations complete the survey representing approximately 20,000 employees! The response has been phenomenal and is poised to be one of the largest association health plans in Kansas. This is the best opportunity and lowest barrier of entry for small employers to access large group health insurance.
The initial rates will be determined in September 2022 based on groups/businesses that have completed the survey and plans will become effective Jan. 1, 2023.
Great Bend area business owners, non-profits, and organizations are encouraged to reach out to participating chambers within Barton County: Great Bend, Ellinwood, and Hoisington Chambers of Commerce. The Interest Survey, as well as a recording of prior information session can be found at greatbend.org.
For more information please visit https://www.bcbsks.com/chamberblueks to view the Employer Guide, Benefit Brochure, and to review the eligibility criteria, plan options. To receive the survey link please contact Megan Barfield at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at 620-792-2401 or by email at mbarfield@greatbend.org.
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About Great Bend Chamber of Commerce:
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce was established in April 1921. It is a not-for-profit 501c(6) chartered organization of business, industry, professional men and women and individuals working together to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life and advocate and elevate our members’ economic prosperity and are the catalyst for our community’s future.
About Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas:
As a private not-for-profit 501(c)6, Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas (CCEKS) operates with the primary goal of serving its membership by providing excellence in professional development, networking, resource, and idea exchange opportunities. Also, CCEKS provides guidance and leadership training to chambers across the state and the board members who serve in local communities.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas:
For 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Great Bend Chamber of Commerce is not affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.