The cost of health insurance makes it difficult for small businesses to offer this benefit to their employees, but a State of Maryland program is hoping a new program will alleviate that problem. The Maryland Health Insurance Partnership was authorized through legislation passed during last year's special session of the General Assembly. It provides small companies with a subsidy of up to 50% of an insurance premium if they provide this coverage to their employees. Nicole Stallings with The Commission says the businesses must meet certain criteria. "You have 2 to 9 full time employees. The average wage of those employees has to be below $50,000, and you cannot have offered health insurance to your employees for the past 12 months," says Stallings. "If you meet those three criteria, you could be eligible for a subsidy of up to 50%."

Stallings says the program is capped at $15-million the first year, and the Governor and the General Assembly plan to increase funding to $20-million next year.
Several informational meetings on this program will be held throughout the state. The nearest ones to Frederick will be on Tuesday, August 26th at Celebrate Health and Wellness at 12803 Oak Hill Avenue, Suite A, in Hagerstown from 8:30 until 10:30 AM. Another one is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27th at the Maryland Technology Development Center at 9700 Great Seneca Highway in Rockville from 9:00 until 11:00 AM.

Pre-enrollment takes place in September. Stallings says small businesses can purchase this coverage through a local insurance provider. The insurers participating in this program are CareFirst, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Coventry Health Care, United Health Care and Aetna. Coverage begins October 1st.

The state hopes to sign up 1,500 small businesses in the Partnership.