New Butler County program offers health insurance to working uninsured

As reported in the Middletown Journal, a new Butler County program called HealthShare is providing health insurance to uninsured individuals employed in that Ohio county (source: "HealthShare offers uninsured insurance," Sept. 3, 2007). The new program started Sept. 1, 2007.

According to the HeathShare website, the monthly cost of an insurance plan is $76.00 for a single person, $180.94 for an employee and spouse, $108.56 for an employee and children, and $186.97 for family coverage. To be eligible for the program, an employee must work for an employer in Butler County. In addition, the employee must earn at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or have had an involuntary loss of health coverage. All premiums for the HealthShare insurance plans are payroll deducted from the employee's paycheck.

The insurance has no pre-existing condition clause and no deductibles. Any employer in Butler County can enroll in the program. However, a notice on the HealthShare website states that "the program is intended to provide a healthcare solution to employees who cannot afford one or are not enrolled in a major medical plan. HealthShare IS NOT intended to replace your major medical policy and DOES NOT provide catastrophic benefits."