Contact one of the participating chambers of commerce or visit www.healthycommunitiescoop.org.
JANESVILLE — A new health insurance co-operative formed to address the high cost and low availability of health insurance for small business owners will start offering coverage Jan. 1.
The Healthy Communities Cooperative, comprising chambers of commerce from six southern Wisconsin counties, has named WPS Health Insurance as its partner.
Chambers of commerce in Rock, Walworth, Green, Jefferson, Dane and Dodge counties formed the co-op to deliver high quality, affordable health care to participating companies.
The co-op is an independent corporation run by a board of directors elected from the participating communities. It became possible when Wisconsin passed a landmark co-op care law that allows cooperatives to bargain for adequate, cost-effective health insurance for agricultural producers and small businesses.
"We're excited that WPS has stepped up to offer our members innovative health and wellness plans that will give even small businesses preferred insurance rates and wellness programs not available in the traditional market," said co-op president Jacki Seversen of Schwartz & Shea Insurance in Janesville.
Seversen said WPS will provide its full portfolio, including health savings account-compatible high deductible health insurance plans and traditional preferred provider plans. A wellness program addresses one of the primary principles of the cooperative, to help employees identify risk factors and health issues, educate and help motivate individuals to make healthier choices.
"If you're not a company that's willing to buy into the wellness component, we don't want you," Seversen said.
Wellness is a critical component of the program, Seversen said. Too often, she said, small business owners get slapped with huge premium increases without the opportunity to understand them or do anything to lower them.
Starting with a health risk assessment, those insured by the plan will play an active role in keeping their health insurance rates under control by participating in the wellness program, she said. The goal is to identify lifestyle choices that help people improve their health.
The program coordinates existing community programs, resources and activities, along with education on proper diet and exercise, to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce future claims.
Membership is open to any member of one of the 10 participating chambers of commerce, including Beloit, Brodhead, Delavan, East Troy, Evansville, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Monroe and Whitewater.
Informational meetings will take place this summer in individual communities, with applications accepted this fall, along with regional health fairs to conduct health risk assessments and provide resources for engaging employees in wellness.