WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — Small businesses in Wayne County now have access to a new, more affordable health insurance option through a partnership between the NC Chamber and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC).
The plan, called Carolina HealthWorks, is available to small businesses with 2 to 50 employees that are members of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce or other participating chambers. The program uses a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) model, allowing small businesses to pool resources and access health care rates and benefits typically available only to larger employers.
Todd Walker, president and CEO of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, said the initiative is designed to support the local economy by easing the burden of rising health care costs on small businesses and their employees.
Carolina HealthWorks becomes available starting November 1 and is administered by Blue Cross NC, providing participants access to the insurer’s broad statewide network. Businesses may enroll throughout the year and can work with their existing Blue Cross NC agents, or enroll directly through Blue Cross NC.
State and business leaders say the program addresses a critical challenge for small employers, as health insurance costs often represent a larger share of payroll compared to larger companies. Blue Cross NC and the NC Chamber describe Carolina HealthWorks as a collaborative, long-term solution to help small businesses remain competitive while supporting their workforce.
More information about Carolina HealthWorks is available through the NC Chamber and Blue Cross NC websites.
