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State of Washington Increases Health Care Coverage Options for Small Businesses
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For Immediate Release: 10/21/2008

The new Health Insurance Partnership (HIP) is an innovative program from the state of Washington, developed exclusively for small business owners, their employees, and their families. The HIP provides small businesses access to quality health insurance coverage with a lower employer contribution than in the traditional small group health insurance market. The HIP also helps eligible low-income workers pay their share of the premiums.

Eligible small businesses are those with 2-50 employees, a majority of workers earning $10/hour or less, and the employer does not currently offer health insurance coverage to employees.

Several health benefit plans will be offered through the Health Insurance Partnership, all of which are currently available in the small group market, with a wide range of benefits. The benefit plans range from comprehensive plans to high deductible health plans. Through the HIP, small businesses can select the level of coverage and costs that best meet the needs of their group.

The HIP provides employers with a new health insurance option that includes some attractive benefits:

  • Access to quality health care plans already available in the small group market.
  • Lower employer premium contribution (40% vs. typical 75% in small group market).
  • Subsidy for eligible low-income workers and their families to help pay their portion of their monthly health insurance premium.
  • A simplified administrative process makes it easy for small business employers to enroll and begin coverage.
  • Specially trained agents to guide employers through the enrollment process, and ensure they fully understand the program’s value and requirements.

The HIP is a state-sponsored program administered by the Health Care Authority (HCA). The HCA also administers Basic Health for low-income individuals and families; health care coverage for more than 300,000 state employees, retirees, and their families; and the free Prescription Drug Program for Washington residents.

The HIP will begin accepting applications on January 1, 2009, for coverage starting March 1, 2009. Go online now to www.hip.hca.wa.gov to get more information or find a preferred agent who can help you enroll in this new program.