Santa Clara County Aims To Boost Coverage for Small Business Workers
On Monday, a coalition of health care groups in Santa Clara County unveiled Healthy Workers, a program designed to provide affordable health coverage for small businesses and their employees, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
The program will be modeled after the county's Healthy Kids initiative.
Organizers say Healthy Workers targets small businesses that employ between two and 50 workers. Employees must meet certain age, residency and employment criteria to qualify for the program.
The cost of Healthy Workers coverage will be split among employers, workers and the community. Employers will pay $150 a month per employee, while employees will pay $75 a month plus copayments of $5 to $10.Â
The program will provide comprehensive health benefits, including:
- Emergency care services;
- Mental health services;
- Outpatient and inpatient care;
- Prescription drug coverage; and
- Specialty care.
Workers who enroll in the plan can receive services at Valley Medical Center in San Jose or participating county and community clinics.
Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System will provide the discount health plan, and the Santa Clara County Family Health Plan will administer it. Working Partnerships USA also helped develop the Healthy Workers program (Goldston, San Jose Mercury News, 3/1). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.