Brooklyn's Progress
December 2005/January 2006

BY HAROLD EGELN

Chamber Member Henoch Getz of NYSKETCHES is receiving a healthy boost from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce's newly expanded borough-wide Brooklyn HealthWorks affordable health plan.

"It's well worth having," said Mr. Getz whose NYSKETCHES is a creative party entertainment and gifts company. "The expanded coverage is real good and the price is very affordable."

Mr. Getz and business partner Rebecca Miller, whose business is located in Boerum Hill at 269 Douglass Street (646-452-9946, http://www.nysketches.com/), are very happy about the program.

Brooklyn HealthWorks was upgraded and expanded on Aug. 1, offering two plans, now featuring a Group Health Inc. Tri-State Provider Network of more than 72,000 doctors and specialists.

"It's a very important plan, both affordable and offering good quality service. I've used it and it's been helpful to me," said Mr. Getz, who mostly handles the business part of the popular NYSKETCHES service with Ms. Miller doing the high-quality sketch artwork and caricature artist planning.

The upgraded low-cost insurance program now offers Total and Max plans specifically to assist eligible small businesses in Brooklyn, previously not able to afford health insurance, provide business employees and their families with comprehensive health coverage, noted Michelle Matthews, Director, Brooklyn HealthWorks.

The Total Plan offers monthly premiums for individual coverage of about $157, and the Max plan offers coverage of about $169, featuring significantly lower co-pays for hospital stays and surgery.

That's all good news, said Mr. Getz, who is now able to offer comprehensive health coverage for himself and his business partner, thanks to the Chamber plan.  Brooklyn HealthWorks helped this small business owner resolve one of the most critical issues facing American businesses, so that he can focus on providing the best in party entertainment for families, weddings, schools, bat mitzvahs, sales meetings, branch openings, trade shows and much more.

For more information about the Chamber's Brooklyn HealthWorks health insurance program, contact Michelle Matthews at 718-596-4550, or at mmatthews@brooklynchamber.com.  You may also visit the Web site at http://www.brooklynhealthworks.com/.