Chaffee County businesses get information on employee health insurance options
On Wednesday, Chaffee County business owners joined the Salida Chamber of Commerce, Partnership for Community Action, and Good Business Colorado for a learning session – “Healthcare on Any Budget” – at the Salida SteamPlant. Business owners explored a variety of healthcare options available to employers across a wide spectrum of price points.
Across Colorado, small businesses have weathered health insurance increases in the five to 10 percent range per year, translating to 25 to 50 percent increases over the last five years.
Salida SteamPlant Riverside Plaza. Merrell Bergin photo
“While healthcare benefits are increasingly becoming an expectation of job seekers and employees alike, the cost of insurance continues to skyrocket,” said Debra Brown. “We wanted to make sure that business owners walked away with concrete ideas for supporting the mental and physical health of their team, regardless of their budget.”
Health insurance experts were on hand to offer resources and advice, including:
- Allison Gergley, Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center Director of Marketing and Public Relations
- Anne Ladd, Peak Health Alliance Chief Executive Officer
- Mandy Kaisner, Solvista Health LPC Chief Operating Officer/Chief Clinical Officer
- Maria Adams, Connect for Health Colorado Community Partnership & Outreach Program Manager
- Tambra L. Stutes, RN, BSN, Enhabit Home Health & Hospice Administrator Branch Director
The panel was moderated by Dan Ridenour with Heart of the Rockies Radio.
“With workforce shortages and recent historical events, employers need to prioritize and focus on behavioral health strategies more than ever,” said Mandy Kaisner, LPC, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Clinical Officer for Solvista Health, a local community behavioral health clinic in Chaffee, Lake, Fremont, and Custer Counties. “While organizations aren’t able to change overnight, there are simple strategies we can prioritize to better engage our employees and encourage a healthy workforce.”
“We know that, as small business owners, you have a lot to manage, and you don’t have time to comb through health insurance options. Connect for Health Colorado has you covered,” said Connect for Health Colorado’s Outreach Manager Maria Adams.
“Our certified, local insurance brokers will provide your employees with information about financial help and plan choices, and they’ll review these solutions with you at no cost,” added Adams. “Remember that employees can get financial help to lower their monthly premiums when they use our marketplace. Let our experts do the busy work when it comes to health insurance, so you can get back to the essentials of running your business. Schedule an appointment with a Connect for Health Colorado-certified broker today.”
The Salida event was the ninth in Good Business Colorado’s 2022 “Helping Good Businesses Be Better” lunch & learn series held around the state. Supported by over 35 organizations representing more than 60,000 business owners in Colorado, previous workshops on issues like entrepreneurial climate change innovation and the good boss evolution have been held in places like Durango, Grand Junction, Fort Collins, and now Salida. The series is exploring ways small businesses across the state can build a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Colorado, one innovative business practice at a time.
With more than 440 business members, Good Business Colorado is a statewide, grassroots organization of values-driven business owners working to build a prosperous economy, equitable communities, and a sustainable environment.
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