New Insurance Options Offer Affordability, Choice, and Flexibility to Assist
Small Businesses With Health and Wellness Needs
BOISE, Idaho, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Working in conjunction with local
Chamber of Commerce organizations throughout the state, Regence BlueShield of
Idaho today announced it will offer affordable health insurance options
designed specifically for small business.
Regence Chamber Select offers comprehensive coverage, network choice and
personalized health management resources with affordable rates specifically
designed for Chamber of Commerce member companies.
Between 2000 and 2003, 5.6 percent of Idahoans with employer-sponsored
insurance lost their healthcare coverage -- a decrease of 26,049 individuals.
The problems associated with rising healthcare costs are especially poignant
for a majority of the Chambers' membership given that approximately only one
in three small employers offered insurance to their employees in 2002.
"The uninsured population continues to be a growing problem in Idaho. We
know that a portion of the uninsured in Idaho are people who work for small
businesses that believe they cannot afford to offer health insurance to their
employees," said John Stellmon, President, Regence BlueShield of Idaho.
"Regence Chamber Select was designed to give small businesses the ability to
have affordable coverage; expand benefits; or perhaps reinstate benefits for
their employees," said Stellmon.
Modeled after the company's Regence Select product, Regence Chamber Select
also uses the concept of separating the health insurance benefits from
provider networks so customers can choose the benefits they desire, and then
combine those benefits with the physician and hospital network that best meets
their needs at the price they can afford. Discounts of up to 22% can be
achieved depending on which benefit design and network option is chosen.
Additionally, Regence Chamber Select helps employers maximize their
resources by increasing awareness and improving self-management of care
through the CareAssist program. All products offer personal health coaches at
no additional cost.
According to Stellmon, "It is our goal to assist employers to have healthy
employees; and healthy employees promote healthy businesses. Our personalized
CareAssist program was developed to work with employees and their families to
lead healthier lifestyles, effectively manage chronic conditions and assist
them to better understand their healthcare benefits."
Regence Chamber Select offers a choice of three health plans and three
provider networks for a range of choice and cost. Benefits range from a
$750 deductible to a $2,000 deductible for an individual. Benefits include
physician services, immunizations, inpatient services, outpatient services,
optional maternity services, pharmacy, mental health and chemical dependency
and an employee assistance program.
In addition, Regence BlueShield of Idaho's Discount Services Program,
which offers access to price breaks on various health and safety items, is
included with Regence Chamber Select.
Regence BlueShield of Idaho has more than 500 employees statewide and is
headquartered in Lewiston and maintains offices in Boise, Coeur d'Alene,
Pocatello and Twin Falls. It is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Association, an association of 40 independent, locally operated
Blue Shield and/or Blue Cross companies that collectively provide coverage to
88.8 million people -- nearly one in three Americans. It is an affiliate of
The Regence Group, consisting of four Blue Shield and/or Blue Cross plans
located in four states, including Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Utah. For
more information, visit our Web site at http://www.id.regence.com.
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SOURCE Regence BlueShield of Idaho
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Related links:
http://www.id.regence.com
CONTACT:
Georganne Benjamin, Communications of Regence
BlueShield of Idaho, +1-208-395-7723, or cell, +1-208-867-6888
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