3 - Chamber Q&A: Can Chamber Members Get Discounted Health Insurance?

Q: I keep hearing the Chamber offers a health insurance option. Is that real, and who qualifies?

A: It's real, and it's one of the most powerful, yet underused benefits offered. Through our partnership with the Missouri Chamber Federation, any McDonald County Chamber member business with 2 to 50 employees can have access to the Chamber Benefit Plan.  This is a group health insurance option built specifically for small businesses throughout the state of Missouri that normally get squeezed out of good rates on the healthcare marketplace when they try to shop alone.  Here is what one of our members had to say: “As a small manufacturer, we couldn’t put a big-company benefits package together on our own. Through the McDonald County Chamber of Commerce we got access to employee insurance — and the year we got it, one of our lead people had a heart attack and needed a quadruple bypass. That coverage wasn’t a perk. It kept a key person and their family afloat when it mattered most. That’s just one of the many services the McDonald County Chamber of Commerce does for shops like Cooper Gear.”
— Shawn Cooper, President/CEO, Cooper Gear & Manufacturing

Q: How does it actually save money compared to a regular small-group plan?

A: Small businesses on their own are stuck in a tiny risk pool, which means higher and less predictable rates. The Chamber Benefit Plan pools thousands of small Missouri employers together into one large and self-funded arrangement backed by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield stop-loss coverage. The more businesses sharing the risk means more stability and real leverage.  In a recent statewide poll, 80% of participating employers said the plan cut their health insurance costs by at least 10% and some up to 30%, with most saying renewals have stayed affordable year over year.

Q: What kind of coverage does it include?

A: There's real choice here, a mix of PPO options and HSA-qualified plans, plus dental and vision add-ons and HSA accounts through Central Bank. It's not a stripped-down, one-size-fits-all product; employers pick the plan design that fits their team and budget.

Q: How do I sign up or learn more?

A: Start by making sure your Chamber membership is current, that's the only prerequisite. From there, contact the Chamber office and we'll connect you with a certified broker who can walk your business through eligibility, plan options, and pricing specific to your team.