HIGH POINT, N.C. – With small businesses feeling the impacts of rising health care costs, the NC Chamber has partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) to provide a new, more affordable health plan option for small businesses, their employees and their families. This plan, Carolina HealthWorks, is available to small businesses who are members of Business High Point – Chamber of Commerce.
Carolina HealthWorks brings together North Carolina small businesses to access more affordable health care through a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) model. A MEWA offers an alternative to small businesses that allows them to pool their resources and provide access to the rate advantages and benefits typically only enjoyed by larger groups.
“Rising health care costs impact small businesses daily here in High Point and throughout our region; and is a threat to many companies’ future trajectory” said Rachel Collins, President and CEO of Business High Point. “As a member of the North Carolina Chamber and an advocate in promoting Carolina HealthWorks; Business High Point – Chamber of Commerce is eager to introduce this innovative product to our local business owners.”
Carolina HealthWorks is available starting November 1 to North Carolina small businesses that have 2 to 50 employees and are members of either the NC Chamber or a participating local chamber. Carolina HealthWorks has chosen Blue Cross NC to be the administrator for this health plan, offering access to Blue Cross NC’s broad network. Small business owners have opportunities to enroll in the plan throughout the year.
Carolina HealthWorks is sold through Blue Cross NC appointed agents, allowing businesses to continue working with their existing Blue Cross NC agent. Direct enrollment is available through Blue Cross NC for those not currently working with an agent. More information about Carolina HealthWorks is available on the Blue Cross NC website or the NC Chamber’s website.
In North Carolina, small businesses are an important part of the economy. The state has more than 1 million small businesses.[i] Data from 2022 showed that businesses with fewer than 20 employees represented 18% of total private employment, and those with 20 to 40 employees represented 10%.[ii]
According to a national analysis, small businesses bear higher burdens from health insurance costs, representing a higher percentage of payroll costs when compared to larger businesses.[iii] In fact, among small businesses that do not offer health insurance, 65% cited cost as the most important reason.[iv] The impact of those decisions is significant since more than 94% of businesses in the United States have fewer than 50 employees and more than 27% of private sector employees work in firms with 1 to 49 employees.[v]
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Disclaimer: Benefits are provided by the NC Chamber Benefit Trust, with excess coverage from a licensed insurer. The Trust isn’t backed by a guaranty association but is regulated by the NC Department of Insurance.
The NC Chamber is the sponsor and plan administrator of Carolina HealthWorks, which is a self-insured non-plan Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement. Third-party administrative services are provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. The NC Chamber and Carolina HealthWorks are separate entities and do not provide Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.
[i] https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/North_Carolina.pdf
[ii] https://www.commerce.nc.gov/blog/2023/05/03/small-businesses-account-nearly-half-private-employment-north-carolina#:~:text=Within%20the%20category%20of%20small,Carolina%20and%20across%20the%20country
[iii] https://www.jpmorganchase.com/institute/all-topics/business-growth-and-entrepreneurship/small-business-health-insurance-burdens#section2
[iv] https://www.jpmorganchase.com/institute/all-topics/business-growth-and-entrepreneurship/small-business-health-insurance-burdens#section2
[v] https://www.jpmorganchase.com/institute/all-topics/business-growth-and-entrepreneurship/small-business-health-insurance-burdens#section2