Governor Peter Shumlin, Vermont Health Connect representatives, and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce today announced the launch of the Small Business Countdown to Coverage, aimed at helping Vermont’s small businesses make their health insurance decisions for this coming year. The Countdown to Coverage series will include presentations and events in every Vermont county during the couple of months, along with weekly webinars to ensure that small businesses have the tools and resources they need to make the best decisions for their businesses and employees.
Governor Shumlin hailed the work of Vermont Health Connect and its many partner organizations, including the Vermont Chamber, in helping to prepare employers for their new health care choices.
‘As someone with experience running a small business, I know that employers often shoulder complex decisions regarding health care coverage for their employees,’ Shumlin said. ‘Vermont Health Connect’s Small Business Countdown to Coverage is here to help. Through Navigator partners like the Vermont Chamber, we are determined to help all of our small employers make the right decisions for their businesses and their employees.’
Since Vermont Health Connect officials began their work just over a year ago, they have participated in or hosted more than 200 events to educate all Vermonters about the new insurance marketplace. They have also made tools and resources available to Vermonters, including the final rates for all plans. Since July, Navigator organizations that receive grant funding to provide in-person assistance have been canvassing fairs, farmers markets, chambers of commerce, Rotary meetings, and community forums to educate businesses and individuals who will be using Vermont Health Connect when it opens this fall.
‘The Vermont Chamber has many years of experience guiding Vermont’s small businesses as they make health insurance decisions,’ said Betsy Bishop, Executive Director of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. ‘In our new role as a Navigator organization, we are bringing our experts to the table to help small businesses prepare to use the new insurance marketplace.’
Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees that choose to offer health care insurance will purchase coverage through Vermont Health Connect starting this fall, making it easier for these small businesses to benefit from the greater choices in coverage that large businesses already enjoy. Small businesses will choose the plans that will be available to their employees and the amount the business will contribute to the cost of the plans. Their employees will then pick the plan that best suits their unique needs. All employee decisions are consolidated into one bill ‘ reducing paperwork and administrative burdens.
Open-enrollment starts this October 1, allowing ample time for small business to enroll during the fall. If a business would like employees to have their insurance cards in hand on January 1, 2014, they should complete their enrollment by November 30 and pay their first invoice by December 21.
Vermonters who do not have insurance through a job will be able to purchase a plan through Vermont Health Connect as individuals or for their families. Depending on how much their household earns, they may qualify for a free or low-cost health plan, or get financial help to lower the cost of their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
‘Vermont Health Connect allows you and your employees to make sensible health coverage decisions,’ said Robin Lunge, Vermont’s Director of Health Care Reform. ‘No matter how Vermonters access Vermont Health Connect ‘ online, by phone, or in-person ‘ they will find that the marketplace offers quality, comprehensive health insurance options.’
Vermont Health Connect has partnered with many Navigator organizations such as VBSR, the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce, HR Consulting Services and many of the local chambers of commerce. Vermonters can visit www.vermonthealthconnect.com now to find a Navigator near them and tools to help them make health insurance decisions for plans that go into effect as early as January 1, 2014.
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/VermontHealthConnect
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/VTHealthConnect
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/VTHealthConnect
Governor Shumlin launches Vermont Health Connect’s 'Small Business Countdown to Coverage'
Submitted by tim
on