Chamber BlueOptions Insurance Adds to its Options and Benefits for 2009 Suite of Insurance Plans Meeting Small Busi...( AUGUSTA Maine Nov. 6 /- Building ...),Health

AUGUSTA, Maine, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on the successful launch on a new line of insurance options for small businesses in Maine, the Maine State Chamber Purchasing Alliance, Inc., local chambers and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have announced further additions to its Chamber BlueOptions product line for 2009. Starting in January, Chamber BlueOptions will include eight health plans from HMO and PPO options with varying levels of deductibles to consumer driven health plan options.

"Both employers and employees of small businesses are surprised by the variety of choices they have to meet their employees own insurance needs," said Dana Connors, President of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. "Small businesses are getting a range of health plan choices usually only available to a large company."

The plan options have been increased from seven to eight options for 2009. Chamber BlueOptions health plans are available to small businesses with 2-50 employees and self-employed people who are members of a Chamber of Commerce at the regional or local level. The suite of insurance plans is a joint offering of the Maine State Chamber Purchasing Alliance, Inc., local chambers and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine. Unlike most insurance plans for small businesses, the eight options are available for each employee to choose from, rather than a typical "one size fits all" approach. For example, a twelve person firm with eight employees electing health insurance coverage from their employer could have their employees choose eight different plans under Chamber BlueOptions -- an unprecedented choice for a small business.

More than 500 small businesses representing over 3,000 employees have chosen Chamber BlueOptions for their health insurance. More than twenty percent of enrollees did not previously have health insurance.

"Chamber BlueOptions is clearly meeting a need of small businesses in Maine for greater choice in health i
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