MBE Health Insurance Program
(Provided by SCMBDC)
Joycelyn Nery - Lic#: 0F48746 / Nick Lee - Lic#: 0F44602

Nothing is more important than being in good health. As a business owner, keeping your employees healthy is important to your success. Lost time due to health issues translates to lost revenue, yet according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, only about two-thirds of small businesses (under 200 employees) offer employee health benefits.

In keeping with our mission “to support and develop minority business enterprises to compete and succeed in the open market,” Southern California Minority Business Development Council, Inc. is now set up to offer minority business enterprises (MBEs) affordable, top-quality health insurance benefits. Effective this summer, certified minority businesses can enroll in the MBE Health Insurance Program.

We know that finding the right employee health insurance program can be a confusing and frustrating experience. With so many different types of plans and carriers to choose from, it can be overwhelming. We’ve made our MBE Health Insurance Program simple and straightforward so you can spend more time focusing your attention on the health of your business rather than on health insurance matters. Our program will take care of that for you.

The following Q&As provide more detailed information about the program.

Why do I need such a program?

Increasingly, employees cite the importance of “quality of life” issues like medical/dental/vision insurance benefits as top priorities in determining where they want to work.

In a competitive market, offering a good benefits package helps employers recruit and retain top-performing employees.

Employers receive a tax deduction for offering a benefits package.

What's unique about the program? Why sign up for this program and not another?

As a certified minority business, you receive special incentives and certain financial benefits under the MBE Health Insurance Program. One of the key incentives is the limited refund program. This can lead to significant savings and can go directly back to your bottom line.

You will also receive personalized service through a dedicated account manager who provides onsite consultation for you and your employees. This personalized approach ensures that all questions are answered to your satisfaction.

What are some key features of the program?

Highly trained insurance professionals provide a comprehensive evaluation of your benefits needs and those of your employees. They can help you determine whether to go with a HMO or PPO, as well as what costs you should pay for coverage and how your employees can contribute to increase their coverage. They can also help you decide what percentage of the premiums to pay for.

Plans feature customized benefits for your company at the most competitive prices and can be designed to meet your company’s objectives and budget. These include:

Medical benefits (HMO & PPO)
Dental benefits (DHMO & PPO)
Vision
Short- and Long-Term Disability
Long Term Care
Employee Assistance Program
Coverage for dependents, living at home, can be provided, up to the age of 23 whether or not they are currently enrolled as full-time students.

All major California insurance carriers are considered. As a company, you can select any combination of benefits that you need. You also will have an opportunity to discuss your individual needs with insurance professionals and create a plan of benefit offerings tailored to the growth of your business and changes in recruiting demands.

How many employees must I have to apply for this program?

An employer must have at least two (2) employees to participate in the MBE Health Insurance Program.

Are there other requirements?

You must be certified as a minority-owned business enterprise (Asian, Latino, African American or Native American) by SCMBDC, any of the NMSDC affiliates, or a recognized certifying agency.

Your company must be headquartered in California or have no less than 50% of your employees based in California, and only California employees can be insured under this program.

How do I sign up?

If you are a SCMBDC Certified MBE, click here to inquire about the Health Insurance Program.

If you are a Certified MBE with another organization, click here to fill out an inquiry form.

Visit www.scmbdc.org for more information, or call SCMBDC at (213) 689-6960

Don’t wait -- contact us today!