Brooklyn's Progress
April 2004

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Group Health, Inc. (GHI), in conjunction with the State of New York Insurance Department, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Health Resource & Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services have launched Brooklyn HealthWorks, a new low-cost health insurance plan designed to assist small businesses in northern Brooklyn by providing their employees and their families with comprehensive health coverage. The announcement was made at a press conference held April 26 at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, one of the participants in the Brooklyn HealthWorks Provider Network.

New York State Superintendent of Insurance Gregory V. Serio commented on Brooklyn HealthWorks, which is a Healthy NY health insurance product that has been tailored to meet the needs of the small businesses in northern Brooklyn.

"Healthy NY is meeting the health insurance needs of New Yorkers and has become a model program for other states that are looking for innovative ways to offer quality health insurance to the working uninsured, “ Superintendent Serio said. “The ability to broaden the use of Healthy NY through the use of local resources provides even more New Yorkers access to this quality health insurance. The Governor's continued commitment to providing access to quality health insurance to all New Yorkers is highlighted today with the launch of Brooklyn HealthWorks, which because of the collaborative local effort will provide working Brooklynites the health insurance they need.”

Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, said, "Small business owners and their employees need health insurance options that they can
afford. Brooklyn HealthWorks demonstrates that local communities can, with the support of foundations, the government and the insurance industry, generate these options.  Brooklyn HealthWorks will make health insurance available to many businesses that can not currently afford it."

"Brooklyn HealthWorks shows what partnership among providers, government, foundations, insurers and the private sector can achieve when working together," said Frank J. Branchini, President and CEO of GHI. "GHI is proud to be a part of this program and we remain committed to finding ways to reduce the number of uninsured New Yorkers.”

A broad-community-based consortium that includes the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, HRSA, the State of New York Insurance Department, The New York City Community Trust, The United Hospital Fund, the Sirus Fund, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, the health care service providers in northern Brooklyn, Program Planners, Inc., and other public and private organizations, have worked together to create a health insurance plan that keeps benefits high and premiums affordable.   

Premiums for Brooklyn HealthWorks are significantly lower than commercial health plans available in the borough. Brooklyn HealthWorks will allow small businesses that could not previously afford health insurance for their employees to offer comprehensive coverage with premiums that may be as low as $120 per person per month.  Employers and employees can share these costs in ratios tailored to the finances and needs of each business and its employees. 
 
Brooklyn HealthWorks offers a comprehensive benefit package, including pharmaceutical coverage.  Health care services are provided by five area hospitals and almost 1,000 participating physicians, specialists and other health care service providers. The program is being piloted in eight community boards (15 specific zip codes) in northern Brooklyn that have the highest rate of uninsured, low-wage workers in the borough.
 
To be eligible for Brooklyn HealthWorks, a small business must: have two to 50 employees; not have provided health insurance to its employees for the past 12 months; have 30 percent of its employees earning $32,000 or less annually; and be located in the following zip codes in order to participate—11205, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11211, 11212, 11213, 11216, 11217, 11221, 11222, 11225, 11233, 11237, and 11238.  Once it is offered, 50 percent of the eligible employees must enroll in the program.

To enroll in Brooklyn HealthWorks and to receive more information, including a list of all the benefits and a provider directory, small businesses who meet the requirements listed above should call Michelle Matthews, Marketing & Enrollment Specialist, at 718 596-4550, ext. 136.  Information can also be accessed on the Brooklyn HealthWorks web site at http://www.brooklynhealthworks.com/.