The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has announced new dental and vision benefits for its health program, Brooklyn HealthWorks.

Brooklyn HealthWorks, the Chamber’s low-cost health insurance plan for small businesses, selected (after a competitive review process) Guardian Life Insurance Company of America to provide the new services to the program’s 525 member businesses, representing 2,300 employees and family members.

“Seventy-three percent of HealthWorks members who responded to our 2008 survey told us it was important to have the ability to offer these additional services to their employees,� said Carl Hum, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber. “We are happy that we are able to respond to their needs.�

HealthWorks members now can choose from two dental plans through Guardian. One plan option gives members the flexibility to select providers either in- or out-of-network while the more modest plan requires members to see in-network providers and have services coordinated by a primary care dentist. Both plans feature an extensive tri-state provider network.

The new vision care services are provided by Davis Vision, whose network includes both private practice doctors and retailers including Target, Sears and Pearle. HealthWorks members have the option to go out of network or select a provider in-network at a significant savings.

Discounts up to 25 percent are available to members for elective procedures such as laser vision correction surgery and other non-covered “cosmetic extras.�

“We are excited to partner with Guardian to make these dental and vision plan options available to our HealthWorks clients,� said Dean Mohs, Brooklyn HealthWorks executive director.. “Both plan options provide employees and family members with access to routine dental exams, x-rays and cleanings for as little as $5 per visit, and employers have the convenience of enrolling online and receiving one monthly invoice for their medical and new dental/vision benefits.�

The Brooklyn Chamber launched HealthWorks in 2004, in partnership with GHI (EmblemHealth) and the NYS Department of Insurance, in response to Brooklyn Chamber members’ ongoing concerns about the lack of affordable health insurance. Brooklyn HealthWorks’ success can be measured not only by the addition of new dental and vision services and increased enrollments (since October 2007, the program has experienced a 427 percent jump in new member businesses, from 123 to 525), but also the expansion of its employer-based model beyond Brooklyn’s borders — a pilot project launched in Upstate New York earlier this year is modeled after HealthWorks.

“We were always confident in the HealthWorks model,� said Mohs. “Although the vast majority of the uninsured work at small businesses, the low-cost nature of HealthWorks demonstrates these businesses will provide health benefits to their employees if affordable, quality options are available. National health reform efforts in Washington need to incorporate this very important consideration."

For more information, visit www.brooklynhealthworks.com or call Mohs at (718) 943-3882.

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