Bend, OR, February 16, 2009 – Clear One Health Plans, Inc. (OTCBB: CCHN) today announced the launch of the first fully-insured chamber association health plan available in the state of Oregon. In collaboration with the Bend Chamber of Commerce and Johnson Benefit Planning, a local health brokerage firm, the new Bend Chamber Association Health Plan will be available through Clear One Health Plans on March 1, 2010. The new Bend Chamber plan will be offered to businesses that are members of the Bend Chamber of Commerce and currently employ two or more full time employees. The new plan will provide Bend Chamber of Commerce members with four different medical plan options that include major medical, preventive, maternity, mental health, alternative care, and prescription drug coverage.
“One of the most critical issues facing businesses today is how to provide affordable health care to their employees,” said Ruth A. Rogers Bauman, Executive Vice President of Corporate Analytics and Government Programs of Clear One Health Plans. “The new Chamber plan will allow local business the opportunity to band together for the purpose of providing cost effective quality health care to their employees. We are excited to partner with the Bend Chamber of Commerce and Johnson Benefit Planning to launch this new plan in effort to help local businesses better control their health insurance costs."
The Bend Chamber of Commerce’s membership currently includes over 1,300 businesses with over 25,000 employees, which is one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in Oregon as well as one of the largest in the Northwest. “We received unanimous approval from our board and are thrilled to provide more value to our membership by offering exclusive health benefits through the Bend Chamber. We are excited to provide our members with value-added services through Johnson Benefit Planning," stated Tim Casey, Executive Director of the Bend Chamber of Commerce. “Given local economic conditions, providing businesses with additional access to health care coverage is even more important. We consistently hear from employers that managing health insurance costs is one of their biggest challenges and we appreciate the support we received from Congressman Greg Walden in making this a success. Members have been asking for this type of plan for a while, and we believe this new, unique association plan will reduce insurance premiums for employers so they can offer affordable health care to their employees.”
The Bend Chamber of Commerce Association Plan will be brokered by Johnson Benefit Planning, a local brokerage firm based in Bend, Oregon that provides consulting services for employee benefits. Each employer group applying for coverage will be considered separately and will be rated on employer participation and employer contribution. Discounts will be provided for employer sponsored wellness programs and employer participation. “We are excited to have the opportunity to provide local businesses the opportunity to purchase this unique health coverage that previously may have been beyond their ability to obtain," stated Tom Spear of Johnson Benefit Planning. “Employers will also have the opportunity to provide employees with a lower cost alternative to traditional health insurance as well as receive discounted premiums for encouraging employees to maintain healthy, active lifestyles.”
The new Bend Chamber Association Health Plan is approved by the Oregon Insurance Division as a Qualified Association Plan. Any employer that is a member of the Bend Chamber of Commerce, is in good standing, and has at least two full time employees may enroll. Each group is considered separately and rated individually. Employers may enroll any month during the first year or until an annual enrollment period is established. New Bend Chamber members may enroll the first day of the month following the start of their membership. For more information about the Bend Chamber and the new Association Health Plan visit www.bendchamber.org/insurance. To get a quote or enroll, call Johnson Benefit Planning in Bend, Oregon at 541-382-3571.
About Clear One Health Plans, Inc.
Clear One Health Plans offers affordable health plans to meet the needs of employers, providers, and consumers. The Company provides health insurance, including Medicare Advantage plans, commercial plans, individual plans, and administrative services to individuals and businesses throughout the West. The Company also offers life, disability, dental, vision and voluntary benefits programs, as well as employee benefit services to self-funded employers, associations, Taft-Hartley Trusts, and Chamber of Commerce plans. Clear One is dedicated to the development of community-based employee benefits programs, health insurance, and ancillary plans. For more information call 541-385-5315 or visit www.clearonehp.com.
About Johnson Benefit Planning
Johnson Benefit Planning (JBP) is a local employee benefits brokering and consulting firm for public and private employers throughout Oregon. The company was founded in Bend Oregon 18 years ago. JBP has been a long time member of the Chamber and started working with the Chamber more than five years ago to help establish a vehicle through which we could provide Chamber members employee benefits on a large group basis through a Multiple Employer arrangement. This required establishing rules that would qualify the arrangement as a Multiple Employer Organization under federal guidelines established by the Department of Labor. JBP persisted in these efforts, traveling to Washington D.C. on several occasions to meet with legislators to gain their support, with the Department Of Labor. We are very thankful to Greg Walden and his staff for their effort on behalf of the Chamber. After achieving that status we gained approval from the State of Oregon with significant input and help from Ruth Bauman, COO at Clear One Health Plans.
Our Mission is to provide members more affordable benefits via formation of a large group made up of many employer members of the Chamber of Commerce. Thereby reducing rates for selected coverage’s and developing a sustainable health benefits plan for all eligible member groups that have Chamber membership.
JBP will provide ongoing communications, employer and employee services with enrollment and Human Resources support to our members. You may reach JBP by phone at 541-382-3571. Their office is currently located in Bend at 516 SW 13th St Ste 201 but are in the process of moving into the Chamber building at Suite number 100, effective April 1, 2010.
About Bend Chamber of Commerce
The Bend Chamber was founded in 1926. With over 1,300 members, the Bend Chamber is one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in Oregon and one of the largest in the Northwest. The mission of the Chamber is to “To Enhance the Economic Vitality of Bend.” The Bend Chamber believes in helping businesses achieve success through several avenues including advocacy, education, and networking. Members receive a comprehensive benefit package with the Chamber that opens doors to different educational opportunities with the Business Success program, networking opportunities with ribbon cuttings and Business After Hours, and up-to-date information on what’s happening at the local, state, and national level. From small, home-based businesses to large corporations, the Bend Chamber offers something for every business. For more information, call 382-3221 or visit www.bendchamber.org.
Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking in nature and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. The words “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “appears,” “will,” and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
###