If your small business doesn't have a health insurance plan because of the high cost, the Small Business Chamber is ready to help, thanks to a grant from the Public Welfare Foundation.

The chamber has hired a full- time health care outreach coordinator to represent small businesses in direct negotiations with primary health care providers to establish business- to- business contracts for health care services. This approach has resulted in very affordable primary and preventative health care for the business owner and employees.

In addition, the chamber is working with an insurance company to develop lower premium health insurance policies specifically for hospitalization, specialists, and pharmaceuticals. These affordable plans can be layered over the primary health care plan.

The primary health care program is flexible in regard to services provided and cost sharing between the employer and employees. Because this is not insurance, pre- existing conditions are not an obstacle to participation. Even with the group health insurance plans available, the effect of pre- existing conditions on premiums is minimized.

The Chamber is busy identifying for- profit and non- profit primary care physicians across South Carolina who are interested in working directly with small businesses in this effort. Interest has been good, and now primary health care providers are in almost every part of South Carolina ready to go.

This service from the Small Business Chamber is available to existing members for a flat $50 fee. Non- members pay an increased rate. The chamber works with businesses in developing health care programs that meet the needs of the businesses.

Call (803) 252-5733 and ask for Rachel Kotti, health care outreach coordinator, for more information.