Almost 19 million Californians receive health insurance through employer-sponsored benefits. Still, California has a higher portion of uninsured and lower rates of employer-based coverage than the nation. Employers report that cost, complexity and understanding insurance have made the path from uninsured to insured difficult. Using this feedback, Blue Cross has created a portfolio that is unlike any other offered in California.

“Segments of the uninsured, such as small business owners and employees, have unique challenges and needs,” said Brian Sassi, general manager of Small Group services for Blue Cross. “BeneFits is designed to make qualification and administration of employer-sponsored coverage easier and more affordable by providing options that were previously unavailable.”

According to a Small Employer Health Benefits Survey, 63 percent of uninsured businesses cite “affordability” as a major reason for not offering health benefits. “With BeneFits, we knew that we had to have a solution for the business owner and employee,” said Melissa Hall, director of Product and Service Innovation for Blue Cross of California. “For example, in Los Angeles, prices for a 29-year-old begin at just $58 a month. For an employer, this means their contribution could be less than $15 a month.”

Additional solutions through BeneFits include:
• Employer contributions are half of the industry average, beginning at 25 percent or $50 per month; • Employee participation requirements are reduced to 60 percent (15 percent less than the traditionally 75 percent participation requirement); • Coverage is guaranteed (you cannot be turned down due to health reasons); • Rates are guaranteed for 12 months; • Savings on integrated Workers’ Compensation (approximately 10 percent); • Potential reduction of payroll taxes; • Coverage options for part-time employees.

A companion statewide education campaign is also underway to dispel myths regarding employer-sponsored benefits. Blue Cross and the U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced a collaboration to bring assistance and education to small businesses throughout Southern California. In addition, a new Web site, www.ca-healht-insurance.net, has been launched to better assist businesses with the task of understanding and securing health care coverage.

The BeneFits portfolio offers four Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans and one Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan. The plans provide a choice of deductibles and coverage levels, free wellness programs, discounts for health-related products and services and other valuable lifestyle resources. Premiums may vary by employee plan selection, age, county of residence and other factors.

Author Information:
For more information on BeneFits from Blue Cross employers can contact Eric Trost @ pension & Benefit Insurance Services, Inc., or log onto call toll free at 1 888-661-0700 or visit http://www.ca-health-insurance.net. To review small business health insurance plans and information please email or log on today http:\\www.ca-health-insurance.net.

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