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Chamber Members

Chamber Health Insurance Is Back and Blue

We were disappointed when the Chambers of Kansas Community Health Plan didn’t pan out at the beginning of this year. However, our Chamber didn’t give up on finding a way to offer our members this great benefit of group health insurance. Now, we’re excited to be partnering with over 40 other Chambers in Kansas to bring Chamber Blue of Kansas health insurance to our members. 

 

WHAT IS CHAMBER BLUE OF KANSAS HEALTH INSURANCE?

Chamber Blue of Kansas health insurance is a large group health insurance policy administered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. The goal of the policy is to help small, medium and even larger businesses lower their health care premiums while at the same time offering a variety of robust plans. According to Blue Cross Blue Shield estimates, the plan has the potential to have between 3,000 and 6,000 policies. That means that the plan would have great “buying power” to help keep costs lower and, most importantly, steadier from year-to-year. 

 

WHEN WILL THE PLAN BE AVAILABLE?

The plan is currently scheduled to become active on January 1, 2023. For those that enroll, member materials and ID cards will be distributed in December of 2022. 

 

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Plan pricing will be given to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield once you complete the interest survey in August 2022. The interest survey will allow BCBS to collect some basic information such as your participating employees’ names, dates of birth and zip codes, and it will allow them to estimate how much participation the plan will have. Based upon the current estimated participation, BCBS will then give you the proposed rates for the plan. 

You do NOT have to be a current member of the Iola Chamber of Commerce in order to participate in the survey and receive estimated rates. You are also NOT OBLIGATED IN ANY WAY to accept the rates and participate in the plan. However, in order to accept the proposed rates and move forward with enrollment, you must have joined the Chamber as a member. 

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN?

In order to be eligible to enroll in the plan, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must participate in the interest survey this August 2022. 
  • You must be a member of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism by the time you accept proposed rates and start your process toward enrollment. 
  • You must employ two or more W-2 employees unless your business files as an S-Corp or a C-Corp. 
  • You must have 70% of eligible employees enroll in the group health plan. 
  • You must pay 25% of the lowest cost plan offered. 

 

HOW DO I GET STARTED?*

Take the Interest Survey below to get started. By taking the interest survey, this allows you to get estimated rates on the plan. You will then have the option to accept the rates and move forward with enrollment, or decline the plan. 

If you want a little more information before you take the interest survey, please check out the following resources:

Employer Brochure

Benefits Brochure

 

Iola Chamber of Commerce

10 W Jackson Ave, Iola

620-365-5252

chamber@iolachamber.org

 

*THE FIRST YEAR IS THE BEST YEAR TO START THE PLAN BECAUSE BCBSKS WILL NOT REQUIRE HEALTH HISTORIES IN YEAR ONE AND YOU ARE GUARANTEED ADMITTANCE. AFTER THE INITIAL INTEREST SURVEY AND AFTER THE RATE STRUCTURE IS CREATED, BUSINESSES WILL THEN BE RATED ON THEIR HEALTH HISTORIES AND MAY NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE PLAN.


Take the Interest Survey

Please take a few minutes to complete the following survey:

Chamber Blue Survey

Completing this survey allows your business to be eligible to enroll in Chamber Blue effective January 1, 2023. If your business is currently enrolled with BCBSKS, you simply will include your business information and group number.  If your business is not currently enrolled with BCBSKS, please complete the census which will include the name, date of birth, gender and zip code for each employee, spouse and dependents covered under your current plan or those you believe will want coverage under this plan. 

The deadline is August 18, 2022. 

The survey is to be completed one time per business by the person responsible for the decisions of the health benefits for your company.  It is not to be passed to the employees to complete. 

Building our community since 1894

  • Allen County Regional Hospital
    Allen County Regional Hospital
  • The New Klein Lumber
    The New Klein Lumber
  • CASA
    CASA
  • Access Realty
  • General Repair & Supply
  • Wingert Billboards
  • Mentzer Family Farm
    Mentzer Family Farm
  • Thrive Allen County
    Thrive Allen County
  • Cox Communications
    Cox Communications
  • Peerless
    Peerless
  • Russell Stover
    Russell Stover
  • TLC Garden Center
    TLC Garden Center
  • Names and Numbers
    Names and Numbers
  • Audacious Boutique
    Audacious Boutique
  • Sterling Six Cinema
    Sterling Six Cinema
  • April Kroenke Photography
    April Kroenke Photography
  • Alpha Dog Supply
    Alpha Dog Supply
  • Community National
  • Lou's
  • The Protein Place
  • T Mobile
    T Mobile
  • SEK Mental Health
    SEK Mental Health
  • Diversified INC
    Diversified INC
  • Crown Realty
  • United Tire Recyclers
    United Tire Recyclers
  • Farm Bureau-Jason Dreher
    Farm Bureau-Jason Dreher
  • Quality Automotive
    Quality Automotive
  • Rural Development Group
    Rural Development Group
  • Dr. Robert N Smith O.D,
    Dr. Robert N Smith O.D,
  • Johnson Schowengerdt PA
    Johnson Schowengerdt PA
  • Shaughnesssy Construction
    Shaughnesssy Construction

    Construction Company specializing in building homes.

  • Fillmore Coffee House & Plant Cafe
    Fillmore Coffee House & Plant Cafe
  • Since opening in 1985, 37 years here in Iola, our only purpose has been to provide freshly cooked Asian Cuisine and the warmest service to our customers and community. The owner is the Chef with 43 years experience since he learned how to cook in his family friend's European fine Chinese restaurant. Chef believes good food keeps the body in balance and works holistically to serve the health and wellness of each customer by consistently seeking to improve the dishes while serving home-made fresh and healthy authentic Asian foods. Visit China Palace soon!

  • C & J Mowing
    C & J Mowing

    Locally owned and operated residential and commercial lawn care service. Call today to schedule your home or business. (620)228-4622

  • Iola Public Library
    Iola Public Library
  • Allen County Commissioners
    Allen County Commissioners
  • Allen County Country Club
    Allen County Country Club
  • Allen County Fair Association
    Allen County Fair Association
  • Allen County Farm Bureau Association
    Allen County Farm Bureau Association
  • ACMAT
    ACMAT
  • Capper Jewelry
    Capper Jewelry
  • Dale's Sheet Metal
    Dale's Sheet Metal
  • Funtastic Party Rentals
    Funtastic Party Rentals
  • Graceland Portable Buildings
    Graceland Portable Buildings
  • In Step Dance Academy
    In Step Dance Academy
  • Infinity Real Estate
    Infinity Real Estate
  • CDL Electric
    CDL Electric
  • Jock's Nitch
    Jock's Nitch
  • Jo's Men's Grooming
    Jo's Men's Grooming
  • Max Grundy Designs
    Max Grundy Designs
  • O'Shaughnessy Liquor
    O'Shaughnessy Liquor
  • HR Block
    HR Block
  • SEK-CAP
    SEK-CAP
  • SEK Problem Gambling Task Force
    SEK Problem Gambling Task Force
  • Iola RV Park & Storage
    Iola RV Park & Storage
  • The Warehouse
    The Warehouse
  • The Wellness Studio
    The Wellness Studio
  • US Cellular
    US Cellular
  • Westco
    Westco
  • Whisked Away Home Bakery
    Whisked Away Home Bakery
  • Yates Center Health & Rehab
    Yates Center Health & Rehab
  • The mission of the Pregnancy Resource Center is to offer life-affirming support through education and services to the communities of Southeast Kansas.

    We offer:
    HELP to those involved in a planned or unplanned pregnancy;

    HOPE with education on subjects that affect teens and young adults;

    HEALING to those who have made negative choices by sharing the positive things they can do to change their future.

    PRCSEK is committed to assisting pregnant women to carry their babies to term by providing emotional support and practical assistance.

    PRCSEK reaches out to the families who need a helping hand with special needs children, the rebellious child, and teens growing up thru life changes.

    Single and married parents will receive emotional support and instruction for the everyday living of their families and the community. Therefore, they can face the future with hope and plan constructively for themselves and their children.

    PRCSEK's goal is to touch lives with family building blocks.

    Location Directions
    LOCATION
    1 South Jefferson Ave
    Iola, KS 66749

    Hours of Operation
    HOURS
    M-W-F: 9 AM - 12 PM
    Tues: 3 PM - 7PM

  • As a part of K-State Research and Extension, Southwind District programs present educational information and programming related to agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and community vitality.

    We serve the people of Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties and have offices in each of those counties.

    Our philosophy is to help people help themselves by taking university knowledge to where people live, work, and play. We work at being resonsive to the needs of the people by focusing our resources on providing quality information, education, and problem-solving for real concern. The information we provide is research-based and unbiased.

    Our Mission...

    "We are dedicated to a safe, sustainable, competitive food and fiber system and to strong, healthy communities, families and youth through integrated research, analysis and education."

    Our Vision...

    K-State Research and Extension is committed to expanding human capacity by delivering educational programs and technical information that result in improved leadership skills in the areas of communication, group dynamics, conflict resolution, issue analysis, and strategic planning that can enhance the economic viability and quality of life in communities.

  • O'Shaughnessy Liquor, LLC
    O'Shaughnessy Liquor, LLC
  • KJ Electrical Contracting LLC
    KJ Electrical Contracting LLC
  • Pachyy
    Pachyy
  • Family owned and operated , authentic mexican restaurant

© 2023 Iola Area Chamber of Commerce

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