10-31-2002

 

MAYOR AMBROSINO AND STATE DELEGATION ANNOUNCE

HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

 

Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino, together with state senators Tom Birmingham and Robert Travaglini, and state representatives Bob DeLeo and Kathi-Anne Reinstein, announced the program’s availability to small businesses in Revere through a city-wide mailing.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has created a program to help small business owners and their employees pay for health insurance.  The program, called the Insurance Partnership, is administered by the Division of Medical Assistance and is available statewide to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees.  With this program, many employees who otherwise couldn’t afford health insurance now can.

 

“The Insurance Partnership is a valuable resource for Revere businesses who offer their employees health insurance benefits,” said Mayor Ambrosino.  “By participating in this program, business owners can save up to $1,000 on annual insurance premiums for each enrolled eligible employee.  While paying for health insurance can be one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses and their employees today, the Insurance Partnership is a welcomed opportunity that can mean certain relief for qualified participants,” Mayor Ambrosino said.

 

For each enrolled employee, the Insurance Partnership pays the employer a fixed monthly sum depending on the kind of coverage an employee elects.  The Partnership also provides Premium Assistance payments for the enrolled employees.  At a time when the average cost of health insurance for a family in Massachusetts can be $600 per month or higher, the Insurance Partnership can help businesses save over $200 per month per employee.  Qualified employees stand to save nearly $300 per month.

 

“The Insurance Partnership is another valuable option for the hundreds of small businesses in the City of Revere.  Because the Insurance Partnership pays a percentage of an employee’s monthly premiums, qualified families can feel relief right away,” said Representative Reinstein. 

 

“Health insurance has become a primary concern for small business owners and their workers alike,” said Representative DeLeo.  “The Insurance Partnership provides some relief of those concerns,” he said.

 

To join the Insurance Partnership, a business must employ 50 or fewer full-time employees; offer or plan to offer comprehensive health insurance to its employees,  and contribute or be willing to contribute at least 50% of the cost of the insurance purchased by the employee.  Qualifying employees must be between the ages of 19 and 64 (inclusive), be a resident of Massachusetts, receive comprehensive health insurance through his or her qualified employer and have a family income that falls within certain guidelines.

 

According to Trisha Ross, Marketing Director for the Insurance Partnership, the program already has 12,000 businesses enrolled statewide, but they are looking to grow.  “We are very appreciative of the active support demonstrated in Revere by Mayor Ambrosino and the state delegation,” said Ms. Ross.  “Massachusetts is a state in which there are over 400 thousand people going without health insurance,” she said.  “This is a free program that can help employers attract and keep good employees,” Ms. Ross continued.

 

To find out more about the Insurance Partnership or to apply, Revere business owners are encouraged to either call the Partnership at 1-800-399-8285 or visit their website: www.insurancepartnership.org .

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