SMART Plan

THE ALBANY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFERS ITS MEMBERS A COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE

IKE MANY BUSINESS MANAGERS, LESLIE MCCLURE DREADED THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. NOT BECAUSE OF THE TASK OF RECONCILING FINANCIAL RECORDS, BUT BECAUSE SHE KNEW SHE WOULD HAVE TO SHARE BAD NEWS ABOUT AN IMPORTANT BENEFIT WITH EMPLOYEES. L

“Over the last 10 years, it’s been the same story when (group medical insurance) comes up for renewal, which is usually at the end of our fiscal year in December,” she said. “I’m having office meetings, saying, ‘I hate to tell you, but our health insurance is going up in the next year 15-20%. And guess what—we’re going to cut your benefits.’”

That changed for McClure, office manager for Hughey & Neuman, when the Albany-based real estate firm joined the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s SMART Plan two years ago. The plan is offered to Albany Area small businesses through their membership in the Albany Area Chamber.

"IT’S A NO-BRAINER," SHE SAID. "IT’S THE BEST THING I’VE HAD IN HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS."

The Georgia Chamber teamed with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to administer the plan. It is available to a Georgia business with two to 50 eligible employees if it is a member of the Georgia Chamber or a participating local Chamber. The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce participates, opening the plan to its members.

“We’ve had a very good experience with it. It works,” McClure said. “I’m able to offer employees taking advantage of it a better policy for less cost to the company and less out-of-pocket expenses for them.”

There’s been an extra benefit for McClure.

“It’s a two-year policy, so I’m not having to review it every 12 months, which has been nice,” she said. “I was glad to be able to keep that premium for two years and, for the first time in many years, look at my employees and not have to

In fact, Hughey & Neuman employees got a nice surprise with the first renewal. “Our rates went down a little bit,” McClure said. Family-owned Sunnyland Farms, which has long provided medical benefits to its employees, also has opted to join the SMART Plan.

“We’re pleased with the price,” Sunnyland COO Alex Willson said. “When we looked at different opportunities for our population, they came in most cost-effective for us. In terms of coverage, it was fairly similar with what we had been on previously.”

He said the decision on whether to stay with the SMART Plan will depend on whether it is “still the most costeffective” at renewal later this year.

Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber, said that having the SMART Plan available to Albany members is important to the health of both local residents and small businesses.

“Georgia ranks third in the nation for the number of uninsured people. Nationally, the uninsured rate just increased,” Holmes said. “That’s not good for people and that’s not good for business.”

BEING ABLE TO OFFER A COMPETITIVE MEDICAL PLAN TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES HIRE TALENTED PEOPLE WHO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MORE THAN THE DOLLAR AMOUNT ON THEIR PAYSTUBS WHEN TAKING A JOB IN A TIGHT LABOR MARKET.

“Having this tool for our small businesses and small organizations to have access to provide quality health insurance that’s competitive and affordable is more and more important,” Holmes said. “The talent pool isn’t just looking at salary. They want to know the full benefits. That’s going to continue.”

In addition to competitive rates, the SMART Plan offers predictable, fixed monthly payments, flexibility in choice of benefit plans, and access to Anthem’s Open Access POS network and Essential Rx Formulary. The plan is part LESLIE MCLURE OF HUGHEY & NEUMAN, WHO JOINED THE CHAMBER'S SMART PLAN TWO YEARS AGO

SUNNYLAND FARMS COO ALEX WILLSON OPTED FOR SMART PLAN TO OFFER MEDICAL BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES

Businesses participating in the SMART Plan also are offered discounted rates for specialty products, including dental and vision coverage, life insurance, and optional life and disability coverage.

“It’s effective,” Holmes said. “It’s not just a barebones plan where you can say you have insurance. It’s a solid plan.”

She said she’s happy the Albany Area Chamber can offer its member businesses and organizations the opportunity to access medical coverage they otherwise could not afford.

“It’s a benefit we can provide to our members that’s quantitative,” Holmes said. "It impacts our members' competitiveness and their long-term success."

"IT’S A GREAT PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS A WAY TO PROVIDE ANOTHER BENEFIT TO OUR MEMBERSHIP. WE’RE GLAD TO BE ABLE TO DO IT."

GET SMART! SIGN YOUR BUSINESS UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE.

We understand that as a small business, you are looking for ways to offer insurance at a cost savings. That’s why the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield have partnered together to administer the Georgia Chamber SMART Plan. This plan allows employers to join together to share in overall claims risk. By being a part of a larger, self-funded pool, employers have financial protection backed by Anthem.

As a participating chamber in the SMART Plan, the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce offers this benefit to its membership. In addition to financial protection, Chamber members will enjoy competitive ratespredictable, fixed monthly payments; flexibility in the choice of benefit plans; and Anthem’s broad Open Access POS network and Rx Formulary. Specialty products, including dental, vision, life, optional life, and disability plans are offered at discounted rates to participating employers.

10 MARCH | APRIL 2020 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE SMART PLAN, CALL THE ALBANY AREA CHAMBER AT 229-434-8700.

,.,... -�� � �___, �, � · · �bbJ� __,. ��� , lll Shopping locally has a powerful impact on our small businesses, community pride, stability, and our economy. This time of uncertainty is difficult for all, including small businesses and organizations who are impacted immediately and significantly by changes in foot traffic to their sites, utilization of their good or services, and fluctuations in consumer confidence. There are many ways to continue supporting the small businesses that are the backbone of our community, including these: • Utilize delivery services • Order takeout; use drive-throughs • Purchase gift cards for later use, or gifts • Post-schedule services • Shop local online • Utilize apps for shopping, services • Keep subscriptions, memberships • Buy now, pickup later • Follow us on social media as we give information on our members with the hashtag #SmallBizBigHearts The times are uncertain; the Albany Area Chamber's commitment to its member businesses and to community is not. We are working for you and advocating for you during this most difficult and fluid time, and are committed to providing the leadership, unity, stability and voice you've come to expect. PROTECT YOUR WORK FORCE • Assess teleworking; implement as needed • Limit large group activities & gatherings • Follow CDC-recommended social distancing • Sanitize "high-touch" surfaces regularly • Sick worker? Stays home. • Provide hand soap & encourage regular usage; avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth • Encourage other good health habits • Handle food safely ENSURE BUSINESS CONTINUITY • Make & implement business continuity plan • Communicate regularly with work force • Be prepared to change business practices if needed to maintain critical operations • Identify alternative suppliers • Prioritize customers • Consider digital meetings, e-commerce • Temporarily suspend some operations if needed • Update customers on site sanitation, health practices, changes to business-as-usual

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