19.14 Small Employers Access Program
The Small Employers Access Program was created in 2004 to assistant small employers (up to 25 employees) provide health care coverage for their employees through the creation of purchasing pools. In addition to small businesses, these pools may include any municipality, county, school district or hospital employer located in rural areas, as well as any nursing home employer regardless of the number of employees.
Insurers are selected by the Office of Insurance Regulation through a competitive bidding process. Approved insurers must offer basic, standard, and high-deductible plans, must maintain public awareness programs, encourage the effective use of health saving accounts and demonstrate the ability to deliver cost-effective health care services.
