August 1, 2013
Covered California, the state’s Health Benefit Exchange Marketplace, announced today that Western Health Advantage is one of the health plans to be offered in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).
“As health care reform mandates take effect in 2014, we’re excited to help small businesses make critical decisions regarding the health care benefits they offer to their employees,” said Garry Maisel, Western Health Advantage President and CEO. “For over 16 years we’ve been committed to making sure small businesses can afford to invest in the health of their people – because their employees are an investment in the health of their business.”
Covered California will make it simple for small businesses to purchase a health plan and receive significant tax credits if they meet certain requirements. Small businesses can begin to shop for Western Health Advantage this October, with coverage starting in January 2014.
Western Health Advantage will offer the plan’s full network of health providers in both Region 2 (Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Solano) and Region 3 (Yolo, Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado).
Western Health Advantage holds an “excellent” accreditation, the best ranking awarded, from the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) and consistently earns high customer service ratings from the California Office of the Patient Advocate. WHA was also recently recognized as one of the first in California to be awarded with “Exchange” accreditation.
Maisel is a frequent panelist and presenter on the impacts of health care reform on small business and individuals in California and is available to respond to media inquiries and questions about today’s announcement.