Big Sky Chamber and UnitedHealthcare team up to help Montana businesses control heath care costs, recruit and retain employees

Newly designed community chamber program health plan is tailored to small business employers statewide

UNITEDHEALTHCARE IN MONTANA

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For a small business, offering health insurance can go a long way toward recruiting and retaining quality employees. In fact, 80% of Montana’s workforce between 18 and 64 years old get their insurance through their employer. However, health care costs continue to be a challenge for small businesses. In Montana, a premium for a 40-year-old employee is $449 a month on average, and there continues to be a 16% annual increase year-over-year. It’s clear there needs to be a better option.

Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and UnitedHealthcare are working together to provide a new choice for employee health coverage through the Community Chamber Program. These group health plans give chamber members, not just in Big Sky, but any chamber in the state, more choice and flexibility in choosing a health plan. 

“We’re trying to make a difference in a daily business owner’s life, help them with recruitment and retention, and keep their employees healthier,” said Big Sky Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer, Brad Niva. “That is the only reason we are motivated to bring a plan to Montana that makes a difference—not just for Big Sky, but for the whole state.”

The big picture for Montana small businesses

By banding small employers together as if they were a single large employer group, chamber members gain access to the plans and rates that are typically only available to large employers. 

“Everybody’s looking for health benefits,” Niva said. “But when I started looking at Montana’s landscape, I saw unusually high premiums from the two players in the state. UnitedHealthcare is coming in and offering a better product at a better price. The platform and what they offer is amazing—this is what Montana businesses need.” 

These plans are designed to help meet the challenges of rising health care costs with savings, flexibility, and simplicity. The plans are expected to lower employee monthly premiums by as much as 12% compared to existing providers in the state, and the plans are built with benefits and tools to help support a company’s most important asset: its people. 

With a variety of deductible and coinsurance plans, chamber members can tailor health plans to the needs of their employees, who can get access to more than 8,000 physicians and health care professionals and 58 hospitals in Montana, in addition to UnitedHealthcare’s more than 1.7 million physicians and 7,100 hospitals nationwide¹. The plan also offers members 24/7 Virtual Visits and health and wellness programs, including UHC Rewards, an incentive program where plan participants can earn dollars by completing activities. 

“We’re excited to expand our commitment to supporting the health and wellness of more people across Montana through this community chamber offering,” said Gary Daniels, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare in Montana. “At UnitedHealthcare, we know that a one-size-fits-all approach to health plans for chambers across the state will not work. We’re focused on doing things the right way, which means taking a diligent approach and listening to the specific needs of business communities across the state.” 

Doing the right thing for small businesses in Montana

“Even though it has the name Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, these health plans are designed to support the chambers of commerce across the state,” Niva said. “There’s no industry agency in the state that looks out for small business better than your local chamber.”

Big Sky Chamber membership is not required to get a quote on UnitedHealthcare plan coverage. All members of affiliated chambers in Montana are eligible and there is a minimal fee required. To learn more, go to: https://lp.uhc.com/bigskychamber.

24/7 Virtual Visits is a service available with a Designated Virtual Network Provider via video, or audio-only where permitted under state law. Unless otherwise required, benefits are available only when services are delivered through a Designated Virtual Network Provider. 24/7 Virtual Visits are not intended to address emergency or life-threatening medical conditions and should not be used in those circumstances. Services may not be available at all times, or in all locations, or for all members. Check your benefit plan to determine if these services are available.

UnitedHealthcare Rewards is a voluntary program. The information provided under this program is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be nor should be construed as medical advice. You should consult an appropriate health care professional before beginning any exercise program and/or to determine what may be right for you. Receiving an activity tracker, certain credits and/or rewards and/or purchasing an activity tracker with earnings may have tax implications. You should consult with an appropriate tax professional to determine if you have any tax obligations under this program, as applicable. If any fraudulent activity is detected (e.g., misrepresented physical activity), you may be suspended and/or terminated from the program. If you are unable to meet a standard related to health factor to receive a reward under this program, you might qualify for an opportunity to receive the reward by different means. You may call us toll-free at 1-866-230-2505 or at the number on your health plan ID card, and we will work with you (and, if necessary, your doctor) to find another way for you to earn the same reward. Rewards may be limited due to incentive limits under applicable law. Components subject to change. This program is not available for fully insured members in Hawaii, Vermont and Puerto Rico nor available to level funded members in District of Columbia, Hawaii, Vermont and Puerto Rico.

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