Benefit Connection Highlights

The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce is proud and excited about the offerings of our employee benefits package for 2008. Our extensive program - the Benefits Connection - has been developed for the membership through a massive, cooperative effort of volunteers, staff and board members. What has emerged is an ALLIANCE of insurance carriers with benefit packages that fill the needs of the small and mid-size employers in New Castle County.

This Alliance is anchored by our medical carriers - AmeriHealth and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware. Each carrier has its own unique personality. They are recognized as the leading health insurance companies both in Delaware and the region. Both carriers use an age adjusted rating plan and offer wellness benefits, a prescription drug card option, the availability of a managed care network (HMO), or the freedom to use your own doctor and hospital.

Our Benefit Connection encompasses the major needs of our members such as:

• Guaranteed issue
• Options to choose to use your own doctor and hospital
• Plans for employees in DE, PA, MD, and NJ
• One bill to your company
• One person to contact at the County Chamber
• Flexibility to elect different plans
• No pre-X clause for employees with continuing coverage
• Stability of program rates

Dental - Traditional and DMO plans offered by United Concordia Dental Plans, Dominion Dental and Delta Dental to businesses with as few as one employee.

Weekly income or short-term disability - Prudential offers this program with a one-week waiting period and a maximum of six months. Maternity is included, and all businesses with one or more employees are eligible.

Long-term disability - Harleysville Life offers this benefit with various waiting periods and benefit terms to eligible businesses with two or more employees.

Pre-tax benefits packages - AFLAC (American Family Life Assurance Co. of Columbus) and Colonial Supplemental Insurance provides additional products such as cancer insurance, short-term disability and hospital confinement that can be paid for with pre-tax dollars. This type of benefits package, known as a "Cafeteria Plan," also enables your employees to pay premiums, unreimbursed medial expenses, and child care with pre-tax dollars. A cafeteria plan increases your employee's take-home pay while reducing your taxable payroll.

Workers' Compensation - The carriers offer competitive premiums and dividend plans.

Blood Bank of Delmarva offers Benefits Connection members free memberships as a means of providing blood for the community and coverage for themselves and their families.

Business Insurance Donegal Insurance Company offers eligible businesses discounted premiums from already competitive rates for general liability, business auto, property, tools and equipment.