Mass. offers small businesses insurance discounts

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives announced the launch of Chamber Health Coop on June 25, a purchasing cooperative that makes health insurance more affordable for small businesses.
Chamber Health Coop members will have the opportunity to save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year on their health insurance from Fallon Community Health Plan, Harvard Pilgram Health Care and Health New England, according to the association. Small businesses can start enrolling in the coop today for coverage beginning Aug.1.
“The Commonwealth is pleased to support the new Chamber Health Coop,” said Mass Gov. Deval L. Patrick. “Small businesses are vital to our continued economic success here in the Commonwealth and we need more innovative programs like the Coop to reduce the high costs of health care that inhibit growth and development.”
“The Chamber Health Coop will give businesses one more tool they can use to lower the cost of insurance for themselves and their employees,” said Tom O’Rourke, president of the Mass. Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
The Chamber Health Coop provides coverage options to businesses across the state. Fallon Community Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care offer insurance in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, while Health New England operates in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties in Western Massachusetts.