Health care costs are an ever more costly issue for employers and employees, but new legislation is paving the way for business organizations to offer a health care alternative to small and midsize business owners, who otherwise may not have been able to extend coverage options to employees.
A health insurance pool, offered most recently by the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance, allows member businesses to tap into lower rates. Kathy Tilque, president and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, says small businesses are able to leverage the larger membership base of the allied chambers to bring down premiums.
The offering, brokered by Employee Benefit Exchange, became a possibility after a pair of bills sponsored by State Senator Kate Brophy McGee and signed by Governor Doug Ducey allowed business organizations to collectively negotiate lower rates. And businesses are jumping on board.
Employee Benefit Exchange broker Dallas Rosenberger says businesses from a number of East Valley chambers – including Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler and Queen Creek – have taken advantage of the benefit. Healthy participation could be positively impacting premiums.
“As of late, we’ve seen rates actually lowered,” Rosenberger says.
