By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Continuing a process that began over two years ago, the Hays Chamber is again attempting to create an insurance offering for members, this time attracting a big name to the project — BlueCross Blue Shield.
"We've tried to be proactive on putting together some affordable health insurance options for our Chamber members," said Hays Chamber President and CEO Sarah Wasinger. "The last two attempts, unfortunately, at this point in time had not been successful."
Those unsuccessful attempts led the chamber to explore other options.
"We are very excited about it because it's a name and insurance that people are very used to around here in western Kansas and that they know and they trust. It's called Chamber Blue of Kansas," she said.
Chamber Blue of Kansas, she said, is designed specifically for use by chambers of commerce.
The Hays Chamber has access to the plan through its affiliation with the Chambers of Commerce Executives of Kansas.
Wasinger said nearly 40 chambers of commerce across the state are participating members in the plan.
"So the goal of this plan is to essentially have all of us pool our resources together," she said.
Three sessions have been scheduled to allow for area businesses to find out more about the plan.
The first is slated for noon June 13 at The Venue at Thirsty's Brew Pub and Grill, 2704 Vine, during the chamber's Lunch and Learn session. RSVPs are required. Lunch will be available for $12.
The second event is scheduled for 8 a.m. July 13 at The Press, 230 E. Eighth, and the third at 9 a.m. Aug. 5 at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine.
"You don't have to be a chamber member to come learn about it," Wasinger said. Instead, these meetings are designed to explore the need, while allowing anyone with interest to learn more details.
But if implemented, only chamber members would be able to take advantage of the insurance program.
The chamber will use the information collected from interested parties to secure rates from the company.
"You can't really rate a group or get proper premium prices in place, and make sure that they're going to be valid quotes unless you kind of have that pre-data from that group that you're going to insure," Wasinger said. "So we're asking for folks whether they are currently chamber members or not to come learn about the plan."
An interest survey is also slated to be distributed in August.
"If you are a chamber member, we're going to be sending out a link to that survey," Wasinger said. It will also be available in the weekly chamber news email blast and the Monthly newsletter.
If implemented, the insurance offering would begin in January.
While the details continue to be shared, Wasinger said the potential offering could be a financial benefit to businesses — and could also help recruit and retain employees.
"As a small business owner, one of your biggest expenses right now is probably going to be, outside of payroll, your insurance," Wasinger said. "There are so many challenges to our workforce already (including) being able to entice people to fill those spots that you have in your organization.
"Having strong benefits is very necessary right now in order to compete with your cohorts across the region," she continued. "And so, we just think this is going to be one more tool in that kit to make your business stand out above the crowd."