Three chambers of commerce in southern Nevada are taking advantage of an Association Health Plan (AHP) rule issued in June by the Department of Labor (DOL) to form the Clark County Health Plan Association, which intends to offer a choice of ten different policies from two UnitedHealthcare affiliates.
The three organizing units are the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, the Latin Chamber of Commerce, and the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.
“Aligning with other organizations certainly made the process a bit more difficult because you’re trying to balance different interests with these other chambers,” said Henderson Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Scott Muelrath. “I think what was so unique for us was being able to take the time for a collaborative approach to creating an umbrella so that some of our smaller chamber brethren could also participate.”
Practically speaking, this means that members of the other two chambers will have to nominally join the Henderson Chamber to participate.
“We didn’t want the other chambers to feel like we were taking their members, so they can stay with their parent chamber and then spend $200 with us to allow for access to the association health plan,” said Muelrath.
Earlier, the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce announced plans to re-establish an association health plan it ran prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare). That group could continue on its solo path or join the Henderson plan.
The Clark County Health Plan Association has already been submitted for approval to the Nevada Division of Insurance.
“This is exciting news for Nevada, because it provides additional insurance options for Nevadans which may fit their personal needs and the needs of their families,” said Insurance Commissioner Barbara Richardson. “Not only does it comply with Nevada’s health insurance market requirements but it also creates a more competitive small group market.”