One of the challenges of managing a restaurant or food service operation is offering benefits to employees. ORA members tell me regularly they are searching for an affordable solution, because taking care of their team members is critically important.
Offering a comprehensive compensation approach that includes health, dental and vision insurance is becoming table stakes in the competitive marketplace. And, it’s also the right thing to do.
That’s why we are thrilled about a new Association Health Plan that is available to small restaurant and hotel employer members through the National Restaurant Association, Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) and UnitedHealthcare®
Small restaurant and hotel member employers with 2-99 full-time employees now have access to the Restaurant & Hospitality Association (RHA) Benefit Trust – insured and serviced by UnitedHealthcare. Designed specifically for the hospitality industry, this Trust offers small businesses:
1. Product and pricing flexibility historically available only to large businesses.
2. Access to more than 120 plan designs – a product suite historically reserved for large businesses.
3. Access to a dedicated UnitedHealthcare account service team with more than 20 years of experience with association health plans.
Here are some fast facts:
• To participate, your business must be a member of the National Restaurant Association and the ORA. As Associate and Vendor members do not receive dual NRA/ORA membership, they are not be eligible at this time
• The Trust can be purchased through a broker or through the NRA’s website, RestaurantHealthCare.org
• The insurance premiums cost the same no matter whether you purchase through a broker or the website. UHC covers the broker’s commissions.
• This is not a replacement for other UHC insurance offerings, like those that we offer an ORA discount on. It is an additional offering for smaller businesses that we could not previously cover.
• The Trust is compliant with the ACA’s employer mandate (affecting restaurants with 50 or more FTEs).
• The Trust is run by a separate board of Trustees, not the staff of the NRA.
• We have a list of several ORA Core Vendors who are Health Insurance brokers that can sell the Trust products.
• There are more than 120 different plan options, from simple to richer options. These options are meant to be like those offered by “large” employers, but are designed to be simple to administer
• A management carveout is available, meaning that the owner can determine that only management will be eligible.
• Wellness options can be included.
ORA members: Reach out to our regional contact Alliah Shetah at alliah.sheta@optum.com or 763.361.6963, You may also contact your broker or visit uhctogether.com/ohra
