Pizzeria Delivers Employee Health Insurance

Along with the cost of gas and groceries, health insurance costs always seem to be on the rise. More small businesses and their employees are turning to a state program that helps pay the high costs of insurance premiums. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports on how one area business is benefiting from Insure Oklahoma.

At Simple Simon's pizza in Kellyville, they're used to serving up good food. But, like many small businesses, they haven't been able to deliver health insurance to most employees because of the cost.

"Insurance is outrageous, especially for a new company, because you have no history. It's very expensive," said Dustin Jones, restaurant owner.

But now, the restaurant's parent company, Oklahoma Pizzerias, which owns eight Simple Simon's and Cheezies Pizza restaurants in Northeastern Oklahoma, can offer coverage through the Insure Oklahoma plan.

"In our industry, the pizza business, not many people have insurance or the availability to get insurance. Insure Oklahoma makes it to where it's not a burden on me, nor is it on the employee for the cost of insurance," said Jones.

Insure Oklahoma is the state's employer/employee partnership for insurance coverage. The state subsidy pays 60% or more of small business employee's insurance premiums. Any business with 50 or fewer full-time employees may qualify.

"We went from having three or four people on insurance to 22 and so it's helped us a lot," said Jones.

One of those employees is Carrie Carroll. She went without health insurance for several years before qualifying through Insure Oklahoma a couple of months ago.

"Not having insurance, you can't go to the doctor if you have an emergency or whatever. It's nice to be able to go when you need to," said Carrie Carroll, employee.

For employees it means peace of mind. Jones believes Insure Oklahoma should be food for thought for other small business owners.

"I think that once employers become educated on what it can do for them, I think it can be a great thing," said Jones.

This Insure Oklahoma segment is sponsored by The News On 6's parent company, Griffin Communications and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Click here to find out more about the program.