North Carolina small businesses will soon have access to a new health insurance option. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, alongside executives from the NC Chamber and Blue Cross NC, announced Carolina HealthWorks, the state’s first multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA). The policy was introduced at a news conference yesterday, according to the NC Department of Insurance.
The plan is available exclusively to NC Chamber members and members of participating local chambers. Commissioner Causey encouraged small business owners to explore the benefits of the program. “Finding affordable insurance has been a challenge for businesses and individuals alike,” Commissioner Causey remarked in a press release, highlighting the cost challenges faced by smaller businesses. He also noted the role of the N.C. General Assembly and Gov. Josh Stein in enabling the initiative and praised the Department of Insurance’s review team for their work.
NC Chamber President Gary Salamido highlighted the critical role of small businesses in North Carolina’s economy and the difficulties they encounter in obtaining health coverage. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of North Carolina’s economy — more than 1 million strong and employing nearly half of our state’s private workforce. But when it comes to health coverage, small employers have faced some of the toughest challenges: higher costs, fewer choices, and less control,” Salamido said in a press release introducing Carolina HealthWorks.
Blue Cross NC is partnering with the NC Chamber to help small businesses manage healthcare costs. “Carolina HealthWorks is a bold, collaborative solution to the rising cost of health care for small businesses,” stated Dr. Tunde Sotunde, CEO of Blue Cross NC, in a press release.
