State Chamber Helps Small Business With Health Costs

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 2024) – Rising healthcare costs are often a big hurdle for small businesses when it comes to keeping employees and growing their companies. The State Chamber of Oklahoma has a new initiative that could help. In an effort to make Oklahoma the best state in the country to start, run, and grow a business, The Chamber has set up ChamberCare.

It’s a distinctive, self-funded healthcare option administered by Allied, utilizing the extensive Aetna Signature Administrators network. It is exclusively available to small employers who have a minimum of two individuals enrolled in their medical plan, with no more than 50 total employees.

“By being able to provide affordable quality coverage for their employees, it’s a huge game changer for Oklahoma small businesses,” said Chad Warmington, State Chamber president and CEO. “That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to do things, like policy, products, or services or whatever we can do to make Oklahoma the best state in the nation for businesses.”

Last week, officials from local chambers from all over the state gathered in Oklahoma City with State Chamber staff and members to learn more about the new healthcare option. By working with in-state brokers and partnering with local Oklahoma chambers to distribute the plan, ChamberCare promises to be a boost to the overall state business environment.

“We are very excited about this program. We’re a small town. We have a lot of small businesses that have probably fewer than five employees that I think this would be helpful for,” said Nancy Runge, president of the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce. “They haven’t been able to afford coverage, or they have whatever is the best insurance available. So, I think this will give them some good options. This will help with our current members and hopefully help us recruit new members.”

To learn more about the plan and see which businesses qualify, go to https://okstatechamber.com/chambercare/.