Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Opportunities:

 The SRCC offers access to health insurance plans through Independent Health for our members and their employees who work over 20 hours per week. For rates of each of the health insurance, dental and vision plan information contact Melissa Switzer at Choice Employee Benefits Group at 716-631-5033 ext. 111

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is eligible for group health insurance? – Current business members who employee 2 or more employees for 20 hours or more a week. Their eligible employees may apply for group health coverage(s) through the Southtowns Regional Chamber of Commerce. Member companies must maintain a current membership with the Southtowns Regional Chamber of Commerce in order to continue to receive access to group health insurance through the Chamber.
  • What paperwork is required to be completed by employers? – First, New York State insurance regulations require that businesses enrolling in group health coverage through the Chamber show that they are authorized to do business in the State of New York (i.e., by providing partnership or incorporation papers) AND show income from the business (NYS 45, quarterly withholding report showing employees for corporations). Each insurance company requires member company’s complete an Employer Application at the time the group enrolls. Employers need only complete the Employer Application associated with the carrier employees are enrolling.
  • What paperwork is required to be completed by employees? – Eligible employees are to complete (in full) an application for the appropriate coverage selected and return it to their employer for approval and submission to Choice Employee Benefits.
  • Who is considered an eligible employee? – Eligible employees are defined as those employees who work 20 hours or more per week or satisfy the eligibility criteria defined by the member company. Member companies who follow different
    eligibility conditions must disclose this criteria in writing prior to enrolling in benefits.
  • When can we enroll in group health coverage? – NEW member companies must enroll no later than the 1st day of the month following 30 days of hire. New employees must enroll within 30 days of their date of hire, with coverage effective the first day of the month following 30 days. Of course, employees of a member company who experience a qualifying event, such as loss of coverage (through a spouse), divorce, etc. may enroll within 30 days of the date of the event.
  • Are there other times during the year that we may enroll? – Generally, Open Enrollment is the only opportunity you may enroll or change existing health coverage. The SRCC will notify you of this opportunity through regular mailings and emails. As a consumer you should take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the changes in plans, rates and enrollment requirements by attending the open enrollment sessions.
  • Can I make changes to my existing coverage during the year? – Generally, changes in status or qualifying events will permit existing subscribers to make changes in response to the qualifying event. Changes in status, or qualifying
    events include, but are not limited to: birth of a child, QMSCO’s, marriage, divorce, legal separation, loss of coverage through another source (such as a spouse). If you lose coverage through another source, such as a spouse’s plan, you may enroll
    in coverage through the SRCC as long as your employer is a current member of the SRCC and you enroll within 30 days of the date of the loss of coverage. Documentation to support your qualifying event will be required to accompany your application. For example, if you become married, we will request a copy of the marriage certificate or other form of validation indicating the date the event took place. Changes to existing health plan coverage
    must be made within 30 days of the date of the event by submitting a completed application to Choice Employee Benefits.
  • How do I disenroll a dependent? – In the event you must disenroll a dependent due to death, divorce or a qualifying event, and enrollment form must be completed and sent to Choice Employee Benefits within 30 days of the event. You must
    also submit a copy of documentation to support the qualifying event, such as the 1st and last page of the divorce decree with enrollment change form. Documentation must accompany the enrollment form in order for the change to be processed by the
    insurance company.