Live Updates-Press Releases

For Immediate Release:
June 25, 2012

For more information, please contact:
Ashley Sulock
Director of Marketing & Communications
Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
(413) 499-4000, x 115
asulock@berkshirechamber.com

Pittsfield, MA -The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) has initiated the launch of Chamber Health Coop, a purchasing cooperative, of which the Berkshire Chamber is a part, that makes health insurance more affordable for small businesses. Chamber Health Coop members can save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year on their health insurance from Fallon Community Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Health New England. Small businesses can start enrolling in the coop today for coverage beginning August 1,2012.

“The Commonwealth is pleased to support the new Chamber Health Coop through MACCE," said Governor Deval Patrick. "Small businesses are vital to our continued economic success here in the Commonwealth and we need more innovative programs like the Coop to reduce the high costs of health care that inhibit growth and development."

“Chambers of Commerce have fought for years to lower the cost of health insurance. We are pleased that Governor Patrick, Senate President Murray, and Speaker DeLeo share this aim and helped pave the way for group purchasing cooperatives,” said MACCE President Tom O’Rourke. “The Chamber Health Coop will give businesses one more tool they can use to lower the cost of insurance for themselves and their employees.”

The Chamber Health Coop provides coverage options to businesses across the state. Fallon Community Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care offer insurance in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, while Health New England operates in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties in Western Massachusetts.

“Health care is changing more rapidly than ever. The coops are just one example of the new landscape in Massachusetts,” said Peter Straley, president and CEO of Health New England. “Health New England is very pleased to offer a plan option for MACCE members in the western region. We look forward to a successful partnership with a focus on health improvement, improved quality of care and cost reduction.”

“Fallon Community Health Plan has a history of understanding and responding to the health insurance needs of small businesses. We’re very pleased to participate in the MACCE cooperative and have the opportunity to provide our high-quality, affordable solutions to many other businesses in the commonwealth,” said David Przesiek, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Fallon.

In addition to offering savings on health insurance plans, the Chamber Health Coop provides health and wellness programs to help small business employees maintain their health.

“Harvard Pilgrim is excited to be part of MACCE’s new health insurance cooperative,” said Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Vice President of Sales Martha Murphy. “We are especially proud to offer a customized wellness program aimed at helping Harvard Pilgrim Chamber Health Coop members achieve healthier lifestyles.”

Participants in the Chamber Health Coop that enroll in Fallon Community Health Plan or Health New England plans have access to the interactive FirstVitals® health management Web portal. Any small business that has 50 or fewer employees and is a member of one of the 62 participating chambers and other associations, including the Berkshire Chamber, is eligible to join the Chamber Health Coop. These associations collectively have over 34,000 eligible small business members. If a company is not yet a member of a participating association, it may join one and then enroll in the coop.

"The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the only qualified association in Berkshire County participating in this exciting new cooperative," said Michael Supranowicz, President & CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. "High health care costs pose a tremendous burden to the many small businesses in Berkshire County, and we're eager to be part of a program that can begin to provide some relief."

For more information on joining the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, please email Bob Heck at bheck@berkshirechamber.com or call (413) 499-4000, x117.

To learn more about the coop, visit www.ChamberHealthCoop.com.

About MACCE
The Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives represents the 100+ Chambers of Commerce in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MACCE's mission is to be an accessible and valuable resource to the chamber professionals serving our state's communities. MACCE provides a wide-range of resources and opportunities for all chamber professionals and their member-businesses.

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