By DONALD H. WICKMAN

At first, a business might consider being a member of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce (RRCC) to take advantage of its marketing opportunities, business contacts, legislative updates and tourism contacts.

However, RRCC and other chambers of commerce across Vermont also offer another optional benefit: health insurance.

Joan Hill, the chamber’s director of membership development, said members often aren’t aware of this benefit of competitive health care coverage.

“CIGNA health insurance offers many different plans to choose from, including a savings plan and a Northeast Delta Dental (that) provides dental insurance with the best rates and most coverage,” said Hill.

Chamber Benefits Inc. (CBI) makes the insurance program available to all chambers of commerce in Vermont. CBI is a subsidiary totally owned by the Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The program is able to offer competitive pricing by providing insurance to a large population.

CIGNA is the primary carrier and provides insurance for employees of companies that are headquartered in Vermont and employ one to 50 workers.

There currently are six different health insurance plans available based on deductible amounts. There are plans with deductibles of $600, $1,000, $2,500 and $3,000. The remaining two allow for $2,450 and $3,500 in deductions, but both of these high-deductible health plans can be used with a health savings account, or HSA.

Part of the Medicare program, HSAs were signed into law in 2003 by former President George Bush. The bill entitled individuals to save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis. An HSA is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers in the U.S. who are enrolled in a high- deductible health plan.

The policyholder is responsible for the first several thousand dollars of medical expenses, and then the policy will provide most additional coverage. The HSA then backs up the health insurance policy. High deductible health plans typically are lower in cost, with the idea the insured will deposit their savings into the HSA for future health problems.

The health insurance plans offered by CIGNA’s Open Access Plus provider network in Vermont permits someone to select their primary care physician, and no referrals are required to see a specialist. It also covers 24-hour emergency care and offers the option to visit a licensed physician who isn’t part of the Open Access Plus network.

Singles, two people or families of three or more persons are eligible for coverage in the health insurance plans.

Employers can sign up for the Northeast Delta Dental by meeting nearly all of the criteria, but there isn’t a set limit on the number of employees. This is a perk for companies with more than 50 workers.

Dental plan coverage also is available for singles, two people or families of three or more.

Members are able to sign up for the health care program at the following local insurance carriers: Lion & Panther, Rutland; Poulus McCullough Insurance in Mendon, Poultney, Bethel and Woodstock; and Thomas Insurance & Benefits in Rutland.

For further details, call Hill at 802.773.2747, ext. 103 or visit www.vaceinsurance.com/healthinformation/index.html.