Douglas County healthcare program creates new option for small businesses

Small businesses in Douglas County have a new health coverage option available to them through PrimeWest Health’s new Values Health program.

PrimeWest Health, based in Alexandria, is a county-based purchasing health plan that serves 13 rural Minnesota counties (including Douglas).

Values Health provides health-care coverage for businesses with one to 50 employees who have not offered coverage to employees within the past year.

In addition, the company’s corporate offices must be located within Douglas County and the average wage of the applying business cannot exceed $18.22 an hour.

The program was developed under a state grant in 2007 and is a multi-share program, meaning that it draws financing support from multiple areas – not just the employer or employee.

Values Health focuses on preventative health care with the idea that health maintenance is much less costly than treating a full-blown health issue.

At this time, only Douglas and Meeker counties have enrolled in the Values Health plan by committing funds to the program. Because of the investment of local funders, Values Health is now available to small businesses throughout Douglas County.

“The availability of a health coverage program specifically designed for small businesses – including retail, service, manufacturing and agriculture – across Douglas County is a strong asset for employee retention and recruitment to small businesses,” said Jason Murray, executive director of the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission.

If you are interested in learning more about the Values Health program and how it can be used by your business, make plans to attend any of the following informational meetings (registration is not required):

•Wednesday, December 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Brandon Fire Hall.

•Tuesday, December 28 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Galeon in Osakis.

•Tuesday, December 28 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Galeon in Osakis.

•Thursday, December 30 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Miltona Community Center.

•Tuesday, January 4 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Kensington Community Center.

•Wednesday, January 5 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Douglas County Library Meeting Room.

For more information on Values Health and the informational meetings on this new program, contact Matt Magnuson with PrimeWest Health at 1-888-588-4420.

Tags: local news, douglas county, news, health, healthcare