Helping Small Businesses Access Health Insurance

Grantee Name

Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier

Funding Area

Expanding Health Care Coverage

Publication Date

July 2011

Grant Amount

$98,899

Grant Date:

September 1, 2008 - April 30, 2010

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The Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier is a 110-year-old organization committed to enhancing the economic strength of Chautauqua County, including providing access to quality, affordable health care.

With a planning grant from the New York Health Foundation’s “Expanding Coverage Options in the Small Group and Individual Market in New York State” program, the Manufacturers Association examined options for aggregating the County’s small employers into a larger unit that would allow them to reduce premium costs by using experience rating rather than community rating. It also analyzed demographic data and business perspectives through a telephone survey and through focus groups with business owners.

This grant was one of five organizations that received a planning grant from the 2008 NYHealth request for proposals (RFP), “Expanding Coverage Options in the Small Group and Individual Market in New York State.” The RFP grew directly out of the Foundation’s desire to generate ideas for expanding health insurance options for small businesses and sole proprietors.

Read an NYHealth special report that contains a summary of findings from this RFP.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Analyzed demographic data and business perspectives through e-mail, mail, and telephone surveys and through focus groups with business owners.
Examined Professional Employer Organization (PEO) and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) options.
Determined that regulatory requirements rendered the MEWA infeasible and abandoned the PEO because businesses were not interested.
Created an operational partnership with the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce.
Formed an alliance with Liazon Corporation, an insurance exchange.
Issued a request for proposals to a variety of insurance carriers and selected to work exclusively with Univera Healthcare to provide eight health insurance plan options to employers.

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