Local businesses have new opportunity to join GTP health insurance plan

The Greater Topeka Partnership has teamed up with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas to offer area businesses access to health insurance savings typically associated with large-group medical coverage.

The new opportunity, dubbed Chamber Blue of Kansas, is an association health plan that allows employers to join together to purchase insurance. A larger pool of people and businesses enrolled in the plan may mean more plan options and potentially lower costs.

“This is a big deal, and a new concept for the GTP and our members,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. “We’re excited to see Chamber Blue of Kansas come online, as it could mean better health coverage at lower costs for many of the local businesses that make our community great. For this plan to be as impactful as possible, we need lots of employers to get on board.”

More than two dozen chambers of commerce in Kansas have partnered with BCBSKS to make this health plan a reality, and Topeka’s chamber was one of the first to sign on. In Shawnee County, Chamber Blue of Kansas is open to employers who have two or more employees and are current, dues-paying members of the Greater Topeka Partnership.

“Providing access to affordable health insurance continues to be a challenge for small and medium-sized businesses,” said Keith Richards, owner of Meridian Roofing Solutions. “As a business owner, I see the value in being able to coordinate with hundreds of other businesses in Shawnee County to negotiate rates and share the Chamber Blue plan that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has developed. This has the potential to be a powerful benefit for our employees and could provide us an important tool for recruiting and retaining talent. I encourage all businesses to review this opportunity to ensure the best rates possible.”

Chamber Blue of Kansas improves employers’ abilities to attract and retain top talent by elevating their buying power and increasing their access to health-care coverage provided by the state’s largest health-insurance provider. Area businesses interested in Chamber Blue of Kansas are encouraged to visit BCBSKS.com/ChamberBlueKS. To become a member of the Greater Topeka Partnership, visit TopekaPartnership.com/GTP-membership. Questions about memberships may also be directed to MemberRelations@TopekaPartnership.com. 

“Chamber Blue of Kansas could be a game-changer for Shawnee County businesses,” said Curtis Sneden, president of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. “Chambers across Kansas have been working hard to stand up this plan because we recognize health coverage is a vital part of employee compensation. The easier it is for employers to provide affordable health insurance, the easier it will be for them to attract new employees and the happier those employees will be.”