The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, in partnership with the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), is pleased announce that sole proprietors are now eligible for enrollment in the SOCA Benefit Plan, administered by Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield.

For nearly 30 years, the Chamber has been proud to offer its member businesses savings on their healthcare costs. The program continues to be among the most utilized, with hundreds taking advantage of significant savings. Those plans, however, have always been targeted to companies with two or more employees. Now, sole proprietors can join with other small businesses for more affordable coverage when they meet the following criteria:

• Sole proprietors must meet certain underwriting requirements.
• They must demonstrate they are working more than 30 hours per week.
• They must also submit a cover page for Form 1040 with a Schedule C or Schedule F and a Schedule SE as proof of sole proprietorship status.
• They must be headquartered and do business in Ohio.
• The business must be a member of, and in good standing with, an eligible chamber of commerce, such as the Regional Chamber.

Kim Calvert, vice president of Marketing & Member Services, said, “Our healthcare program has been one of the strongest in our portfolio for many years, but we had always kept our eye out for a product for one. This new offering for sole proprietors is one more way we can assist our business community, especially during these challenging times.”

The SOCA Benefit Plan allows small businesses to join and share in the overall claims risk. By being part of a larger self-funded pool, sole proprietors have financial protection backed by Anthem’s stop-loss coverage.

Businesses that would like more information about the Regional Chamber’s healthcare discount program should call Customer Service Manager Becky Litowitz at 330.744.2131, ext. 1219, or email Becky@regionalchamber.com.