LEWISTON, Maine — Community Health Options (CHO) is one of four remaining original Affordable Care Act-created consumer operated and oriented insurance plans remaining in the nation. Its strong membership of 53,000 Maine members, which is most of the individual market population in Maine, speaks to the resilience of CHO’s people and their commitment to the organization’s mission.
As a start-up six years ago, CHO had the opportunity to create the workplace culture of its choosing; everything that was established (strong commitment to behavioral health) and excluded (formal performance appraisals) was intended to support a psychologically healthy work environment. The result: an organization built on a foundation of trust, ongoing feedback and an environment free of judgment and malice.
The company is widely recognized for its Workplace Flexibility and Transition Program for employees. Workers enjoy the ability to change daily work schedules and start/end times, work a compressed schedule and work remotely. Targeted training programs are geared toward recruiting and retaining older workers, supporting their continued contributions to the workforce.
At weekly staff meetings, employees are encouraged to discuss work interdependencies, and leadership solicits input from staff during company-wide focus groups every year. There are no formal performance appraisals. Instead, managers meet with staff at least twice per month to discuss performance, work successes and barriers, and determine next steps. Leaders found that regular discussions encouraged the development of trust that leads to results.
Members routinely give CHO high marks for courtesy, respect and getting the information they requested. CHO has weathered many regulatory changes, a political climate hostile to health insurers, and loss of federal funding. However, its mission continues to resonate with customers and employees.
Community Health Options: Lewiston, Maine
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Additional workplace practices
Health and Safety
- Physical and psychological safety are important.
- Community enforces a strict anti-harassment and a no-weapons-allowed policy Farmer’s market; kitchen facilities; no vending machines with junk food.
Work-life Balance
Eight hours of paid time off each year for preventive health appointments.
Employee Growth and Development
Reimburses up to 75 percent of tuition and registration fees for up to two courses per academic year.
Outcomes
Recognized by the State of Maine Older Worker Committee of the State Workforce Board for efforts to recruit and retain older workers.