Carolina Healthworks (2-50 employees)

With small businesses feeling the impacts of rising health care costs, the NC Chamber has partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) to provide a new, more affordable health plan option for small businesses, their employees and their families.

Carolina HealthWorks brings together North Carolina small businesses to access more affordable health care through a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) model. A MEWA offers an alternative to small businesses that allows them to pool their resources and provide access to the rate advantages and benefits typically only enjoyed by larger groups.

Carolina HealthWorks will be available starting November 1, 2025 to North Carolina small businesses that have 2 to 50 employees and are members of either the NC Chamber or a participating local chamber. Carolina HealthWorks has chosen Blue Cross NC to be the administrator for this health plan, offering access to Blue Cross NC’s broad network. Small business owners have opportunities to enroll in the plan throughout the year.

Carolina HealthWorks is sold through Blue Cross NC appointed agents, allowing businesses to continue working with their existing Blue Cross NC agent. Direct enrollment is available through Blue Cross NC for those not currently working with an agent. More information about Carolina HealthWorks is available on the Blue Cross NC website or the NC Chamber’s website.

Who Can Enroll

To be eligible for Carolina HealthWorks plans, a business must:

• Have 2–50 eligible employees*,
• Be headquartered in North Carolina, and
• Be a member of a participating local chamber or the NC Chamber

^{*In accordance with law, companies with two employees are eligible only if the second employee is a non-spouse employee.}