New health plans for small businesses

Small businesses in Washington state looking for health insurance for their employees should check out the new federally-funded Health Insurance Partnership (HIP). This is a new program administered by the state's Health Care Authority that provides small employers access to the same health insurance coverage available in the commercial market, but at significant savings.

The health plans available through the partnership include:
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, Group Health Cooperative, Regence BlueShield, and Asuris Northwest Health and vary based on annual deductibles ($500-$5,000), co-pays, co-insurance, and prescription drug coverages.

Small employers (up to 50 employees) who don't currently offer health insurance qualify for the program if at least 50 percent of their employees are considered low-wage (their monthly wage doesn't exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level).

Also, premium subsidies of up to 90 percent are available to employees who qualify based on their family income. Get the details here.