Dirigo Health Program (DirigoChoice)
- If you own a small business with 50 or fewer employees, you may be able to purchase health insurance coverage for yourself and your employees through the DirigoChoice.
- DirigoChoice offers small employers a comprehensive health insurance plan with a option of two levels of deductibles. The plan is a PPO which allows your enrollees to see either in-network providers or out-of-network providers (with greater cost sharing requirements). The plan is comprehensive, including preventative services, physician services, hospital care, maternity coverage, outpatient services, mental health services and pharmaceutical coverage, among other services.
- To buy coverage from DirigoChoice, you will be required to pay a minimum of 60% of the premium for your employees, and a minimum of 75 percent of your workers eligible for health benefits will have to enroll. In addition, you will be required to offer family coverage, although the required minimum 60% premium contribution applies only to employee premiums. Small employers are not required to contribute toward additional premiums for dependent coverage.
- Enrollees receive discounts on monthly payments and reductions in deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses based on their income and family size. See Chapter 5 for more information about discounts for low-income employees.
- Self-employed individuals can also buy coverage for DirigoChoice and be eligible for discounts based on income. See Chapter 5 for more information.
