DENTON—Gaining customers and securing sales dominated Chris Smith’s thoughts when he launched FlexShield in Denton four years ago. Maintaining health insurance coverage was not a priority.

As the window tint business expanded and profits grew, Smith grew more concerned about how his family would cope with a medical emergency or just large expenses associated with uninsured care. Like many entrepreneurs, Smith shopped for coverage and found most plans cost-prohibitive.

“You can spend thousands of dollars a month for family health insurance,” he said. “There’s no way I, as small business owner, can afford to spend that much.”

However, Healthy Texas, a new employer-based program to help uninsured small-business owners offer health insurance to their employees and families, is available to Smith and other entrepreneurs. Funded by The Texas Department of Insurance and overseen by insurance giant Celtic and United Health Care, Healthy Texas uses a pool to reimburse carriers for above-average health care claims costs.

“As a result of the public/private partnership, the program’s premiums should average 25-30 percent lower than commercial-market plans,” said Bob Garrison, owner of Denton-based independent agency AR Garrison & Associates. “The average small employer, insuring himself, his family and four employees and their families could expect to pay significantly more using a standard group health plan compared to enrolling in a Healthy Texas plan.

AR Garrison & Associates sells HealthyTexas through United Health Care and Celtic Insurance, and has assisted several companies since the plan launched Jan. 1, 2011

“Since health status does not impact the rates for this guarantee-issue program, there are no medical underwriting or rate penalties for pre-existing conditions,” Garrison said. “Plans are for groups in Texas with at least two and no more than 50 eligible employees.”

Employers qualifying for HealthyTexas also must:

• Not have provided group insurance 12 months prior to HealthyTexas application.
• Have at least 30 percent of employees receiving annual wages at or below the federal poverty level ($32,490 in 2010)
• Sixty percent of eligible employees must enroll with at least one of the employees being under the federal poverty level.
• The employer must pay at least 50 percent of the premium costs for employees.

To receive a HealthyTexas quote, as well as determine if a company is eligible for a small business tax credit, go to http://www.insuranceconnectionusa.com for more about the program. Information is also is available by calling Garrison at 940-382-4700.

About AR Garrison & Associates

AR Garrison & Associates is a company assisting individuals and small companies to find appropriate and affordable insurance for their health, life, home and auto needs. The company’s mission is to provide clients accurate information they can use to choose the best insurance plans for their needs.