Hartford health insurer Aetna Inc. Friday announced a new medical coverage specifically designed for the more than 40,000 Connecticut chambers of commerce members.
As part of the program, chamber members can initially choose any Aetna Small Group plan design, including several consumer-directed, health savings account-compatible options. This also gives them access to the insurer’s online tools.
That includes the recently launched small business “tax credit calculator,” which allows small business owners determine if their companies are eligible for a tax credit through the federal health care reform law, and the Aetna Resource Connection, which gives participating small businesses access to discounts on a variety of services.
Chamber members will also have the exclusive opportunity to offer additional coverage by combining their health insurance plan with one of Aetna’s Hospital Indemnity Plan options.
Those plans provide consumers with a flat dollar payment for a hospital stay, as well as a per diem payment for each day in the hospital.
Aetna officials say such payments are often used for expenses directly associated with a hospital stay, such as deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance. The payments may also be used for indirect costs such as travel expenses, child or elder care, and loss of income – anything the member wishes.
Finally, under the program, Chamber members can add an optional dental plan to their benefits package, including 100 percent preventive group dental coverage.
“Small businesses are one of the most important driving forces in our economy,” said Mark Bertolini, CEO and president of Aetna. “Aetna is committed to offering small businesses innovative health benefits solutions that enable these organizations to have greater financial security.”
