What is Chamber Blue?
Introducing Chamber Blue of Kansas- a large group association health insurance plan offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.
A Great New Program
This is a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to offer their employees health insurance at an affordable rate. With as few as two W-2 employees, your business is eligible through the Chamber.
The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with Chamber Blue and bring this program to our community.
Information with SURVEY QR Code
Thank you for your patience. The results are below:
How Does it Work?
- You must participate in the interest survey (due August 18).
- For enrollment, you must be a current Chamber member.
- Employ two or more W-2 employees unless your business files taxes as an S-Corp or C-Corp.
- Must have 70% of eligible employees enroll in the group health plan and pay 25% of the lowest cost plan offered.
Timeline
July-August 18 2022: Complete your interest survey. BCBSKS will collect your company's information, your participating employees' names, dates of birth, genders, and zip codes. Your business does NOT have need to be a current member of the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce to complete the survey and receive rates.
September 2022: All participants in the interest survey will be given plan pricing. Plan pricing will be the same statewide. There is no obligation to accept the proposed rates. You must be a current member or join the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce to accept the proposed rates.
October-November 2022: BCBSKS representatives will be assigned and plan enrollment for Chamber Blue will begin.
December 2022: Member materials and ID cards will be distributed.
January 1, 2023: Plan becomes active.
FAQs
Q: If I fill out the survey, am I automatically enrolled in the Chamber Blue program?
A: No. While you must fill out the survey to participate in the first year of Chamber Blue, it does not obligate you to join the program if it does not fit your needs.
Q: What about the 70% eligibility? I have employees who use their spouse's insurance.
A: 70% eligibility does not mean that 70% of all employees must join the program. If they are eligible for another program- with a spouse, for example- they do not count as an eligible employee.
Q: What if I hire someone after I join the program? Will they be excluded?
A: No. If you are already in the program, they are eligible.
Q: What happens if I leave the program? Can I re-enroll later?
A: You can re-enroll, but there is a 2 year mandatory interim.
Q: If I don't sign up now, can I join later?
A: You can! However, new employers requesting entrance to Chamber Blue will be underwritten, and may be approved or denied based on health.
Q: Is there good hospital access?
A: Over 90% of Kansas hospitals are included in the Blue Cross Blue Shield network- that includes hospitals in Johnson & Wyandotte Counties.
Q: What does the plan pricing look like?
A: Plan pricing will be introduced in mid-September. It will be based on the survey that is out now, so more participation potentially equals a better rate.
Q: I'm a member of more than one Chamber/there's another Chamber in my area. Which Chamber do I go through?
A: The closest participating Chamber. Or, if you have two locations, the Chamber closest to your business 'HQ'.
Q: What qualifies as a "full-time" employee?
A: 30 or more hours per week is a full-time employee.
Q: Who fills out the survey?
A: The employer must fill out the survey.
For more information or to complete the interest survey, please contact:
Jen Anders
President/CEO
Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce
jen@llchamber.com
(913) 682-4112