Health plan drops premium burden for employers

Hollister-based Connell Insurance Inc. has introduced a new plan for employers, the Group Voluntary Supplemental Health Options Plan, or SHOP. The plan is available to employers who are members of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and to all Springfield companies. Eligible companies must have at least five employees.

Rhonda Haden, life and health specialist at Connell, categorizes SHOP as a limited or “mini-medical” plan that can accompany a major plan or stand alone.

“A lot of businesses are having to go with a lot higher deductibles, and this plan would help pay that deductible, their office visit co-pays and their co-insurance,” she said. “For any out-of-pocket expenses, this would help fill in that gap.”

Haden said the plan originally was designed to help employees in Branson whose jobs are seasonal or part-time but who still need health care in the off months.

“I saw a need – we have a lot of part-time and seasonal employees that have no benefits,” she said. “This is something that they can pay for throughout the year while they’re working, so that when they are off over the winter months, it will be paid for.”

Also eligible for the plan are year-round employers that have employees who do not qualify for a company’s major medical plan.

Employers who sign up for SHOP are not required to pay any portion of the premium, as it is completely employee-funded. But employers can opt to pay as much of the premium as they can afford as a way to help their employees, Haden said.

Benefits under the plan continue to increase for five years after an employer signs up, but the premium does not increase. The plan initially offers coverage for hospital, surgery, doctor’s visits, wellness, preventive medicine, prescriptions, ambulance service, outpatient diagnostic X-rays and laboratory fees.