DETROIT, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne County Health Choice leads the way for employers to stave off rising health care costs. The agency kicks off its open enrollment campaign during Safe Senior Awareness Days at Eastland Center in Harper Woods. Small business owners and their employees are invited to attend and join the medical benefits program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16.
The Wayne County Health Choice Small Business medical benefits program provides basic medical services to hourly employees and their families. A business is eligible to sign up for the Health Choice program if it is based in Wayne County and at least half of its employees earn less than $10.50 per hour. The salary cap on what hourly employees can earn is $15 per hour.
Health Choice is often referred to as a three-share program, because three parties share the costs of medical benefits: the employer, the worker and Wayne County. Each party pays about one-third of the costs, which can be as little as $56 per month. Michigan’s Governor Jennifer Granholm recently lauded the Health Choice Small Business medical program for its fresh approach to tackling a national problem. Wayne County Health Choice is being examined as a national model for extending the health-care safety net to hourly workers who work for small businesses.
Thanks to this managed care program, thousands of Wayne County residents have access to routine doctor visits, prescriptions, dental care, lab tests and emergency care services. Participants have access to an expanded provider network and can choose the network that best suits their needs. Over 1,400 small businesses participate in the Health Choice Small Business medical program, with more than 18,000 employees and family members enrolled.
“We are committed to providing the highest level of customer service and quality assurance for all Health Choice programs,” said Dr. Ruby Wesley, director of Patient Care Management Systems (PCMS) and Wayne County Health Choice. Wesley explained that the agency purchased more telephone lines and hired more people, bringing customer service, billing, enrollment and database management in-house.
“We will earn our clients’ trust every day ... now is the time to sign up,” said Wesley.
Open enrollment extends through November 12. For more information on Wayne County Health Choice programs, call (800) WELL-NOW (1-800-935-5669).
Wayne County Health Choice
CONTACT: Dr. Ruby Wesley of Wayne County Health Choice, +1-313-833-3450