Healthy Start

As the rebuilding of the Arizona economy begins, small businesses and startups likely are looking for ways to provide more generous overall compensation packages to their employees, a critical factor in helping technology companies attract and retain top talent.

The Arizona Technology Council’s association health plan (AHP) formed in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield can help.

Consider what has happened since the AHP’s launched in January 2020:

• Growth of 200% in employers and 130% in employees by February 2021.
• The health plan’s current gross annualized premium is nearly $3 million.
• The average group size of an employer participant is 10 employees.

Technology industry employers with as few as two employees have access to a benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance and AD&D; employee assistance; and health savings account (HSA)/flexible spending account (FSA) administration. The AHP also provides members with relief from COBRA administration, bill paying, compliance filings and managing participant eligibility and benefits enrollment. 

Features for participating companies include:

• Access to a statewide network, including the Mayo Clinic, with exclusive network options in Maricopa and Pima counties; 
• Choice of a wide selection of primary care providers and specialists; 
• Local customer service for care and claims support; 
• Telehealth visits with doctors, counselors and psychiatrists anytime and anywhere from a smartphone, computer or tablet; and 
• Tools and resources to help members make educated decisions about health care choices. Members can shop and compare costs for more than 1,600 procedures, find a doctor or speak to nurse on call 24/7, access health plan information via mobile app, and much more. 

These are among the reasons the AHP has helped more than two dozen technology industry employers with 232 employees across the state find lower-cost and richer benefits for their companies. All have expressed their intent to renew for another year.

For more information about the Council’s association health plan, visit aztechcouncil.org/AHP.