Business Express Overview
By Steve Donohue March 3, 2010
Today the Commonwealth of Massachusetts sent letters to many small employers touting a new program called Business Express. (
See letter here).
The Business Express is a Program that the state has recently initiated allowing employers to enroll on a health plan through the MA Health Connector’s web portal. In short, I do not believe it is worthwhile for most of our clientele.
The Connector has been successful at enrolling individuals who are either low-income or not eligible for employer sponsored coverage.
The Connector’s success however, has not been evident in the employer group market- for the following reasons:
- Plan Designs- not all plans, or insurers, are available through this program
- The Connector had a pilot program offering coverage to employers that was recently stopped
- The Connector uses a Third Party (a Small Business Service Bureau) to administer their billing and enrollment- to date many employers are not satisfied with their level of service or accuracy.
- The extra level of inserting a 3rd party between employer and insurer often results in confusion, errors and problems.
For the most part, I find that only non-group individuals and some very small businesses benefit from working with the Connector- most employers do better dealing directly with insurers.
Select Network and Discounts
In the letter discounts and a Select Network are mentioned. It is important to note that many of the health insurance carriers offer a “Select Network” product now. What this means is either:
- Insurers will offer a product with a limited network of providers (excluding some high cost doctors and hospitals) at a lower monthly premium-or-
- Insurers will charge employees a higher copay or deductible when they use services of a high cost provider.
These types of plans are available right now WITHOUT purchasing health insurance through the Connector.
If you have any questions about your current level of benefits-or-if you want information about this most recent Connector sponsored program please call us toll-free at 1-888-882-2909.
