The Department of Insurance Louisiana Health Care Commission announced that a free health insurance seminar for small-business owners will be held Thursday in Baton Rouge, La.
Co-sponsoring the event with the Commission is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.
According to the announcement, the Health Insurance Options for Small Business Seminar will inform small-business owners of a range of affordable health insurance options for their employees.
The seminar is the major event planned for "Cover the Uninsured Week," April 27 to May 3.
Census Bureau data indicates 16.9 percent of Louisiana residents live without health insurance, or 717,309 people, many of them employed full time. Approximately 60 percent of them are the working poor, according to the Department of Insurance.
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said in a statement, "The plight of the uninsured in Louisiana continues to be an urgent issue. Louisiana ranks 49th in the Health Care State Rankings for 2008 and 6th in the nation for percentage of the population without health insurance.
"Those without health insurance are more likely to be in poorer health than those who have insurance. We are taking this opportunity to educate small-business owners about the various options available to them for offering health insurance to their employees," he said.
The May 1 seminar will feature panel discussions on the history and basics of health insurance; how to find an affordable policy; the consumer-directed health care trend and why it is continuing to grow in popularity; pros and cons for small-business owners; legal and tax aspects of health savings accounts; and financial planning with a health savings account.
Attendees will receive a guide on insurance options and also will be able to pick up information provided by several major group health insurance carriers.
The department said small-business owners in the greater Baton Rouge area are encouraged to attend; however, attendance is limited by space. Those interested should visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance Web site at www.ldi.state.la.us to register.
Persons with questions may call or e-mail Thomas Clemons at (225) 219-4772 or tclemons@ladio.com.
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