Bookmark & ShareFor Immediate Release: 09/16/2008
The Health Insurance Partnership
Big Benefits for Small Businesses
Brought to you by the Washington State Health Care Authority
The new Health Insurance Partnership (HIP) program will benefit you and your small business clients. The HIP provides Washington small employers access to health insurance coverage at a lower employer contribution rate than in the traditional small group health insurance market. The HIP also offers a premium subsidy to eligible employees, based on their family income.
Eligible small employers are those who have 2-50 employees, a majority of workers earn $10/hour or less, and the employer does not currently offer health insurance coverage to their employees.
The HIP offers several health benefit plans, all of which are currently offered in the small group market, with a wide range of benefits. Small employers may choose from a range of comprehensive benefits to high deductible health plans, depending on the needs of their group.
HIP Benefits for Agents and Brokers:
- An opportunity to grow your businesses. This unique product provides options to those businesses that might not have been previously able to consider purchasing health insurance through the small group market.
- A simplified administrative process makes it easy for small businesses to enroll and begin coverage.
- Training opportunities throughout the state will ensure you fully understand the program’s value and requirements.
In October and November 2008, the HCA will offer HIP training to interested agents and brokers. Any producer who attends the training will be added to our list of "HIP-preferred" agents and brokers. We will also list your contact information on our website, and refer you to interested small employers throughout the state.
The HIP will begin accepting applications on January 1, 2009, so sign up for the training and start thinking about small employers who can benefit from the HIP.
