When Roger Adams of Hermon quit his job in 2001 to concentrate full-time on his taxidermy business, health insurance was not his primary concern.

“When you’re starting out, money is tight so the option of insurance is put on the back burner,” Adams said Tuesday.

For almost six years, Adams, now 39, lived without health insurance, waiting until his business brought in enough revenue to cover the cost of a deductible. In 2005, finances were looking promising. After a minor chin injury left Adams with three stitches and a $900 bill, he finally decided it was time to look into coverage.

Adams and his wife began shopping for a plan that would offer basic coverage and they settled on Chamber BlueOptions, a joint program of the state’s regional and local chambers of commerce and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Launched in January, Chamber BlueOptions offers health insurance to self-employed individuals and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Participants must be members of a local or regional chamber of commerce.

Adams joined the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and in January he enrolled in a BlueOptions plan with an annual deductible of $4,000. Adams said he rarely goes to the doctor, but believes the plan is the best deal around.

On Monday, the Maine State Chamber Purchasing Alliance, an independent affiliate of the Maine State Chamber, announced that Chamber BlueOptions will add two new health insurance plans to its existing roster of five.

In 2008, Chamber BlueOptions will include one HMO plan, four Preferred Provider Organization plans with deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, and two consumer-directed Health Savings Account plans with $2,000 and $5,000 deductibles.

“Giving a Maine small-business owner and their employees seven choices of health insurance plans is a welcome change from a one size fits all approach that small businesses had to accept in the past,” said Dana Connors, Maine State Chamber president. “Our regional and local chambers are excited to be offering real solutions to expand health care coverage to more Maine people.”

Joe Kiley, 39, owner of Kiley Funeral Home in Brewer, said his Chamber BlueOptions plan covers himself, his wife, their three children and his uncle. Kiley’s small staff of part-time employees receive health insurance from other jobs or family members, he said.

With a $5,000 annual deductible, Kiley said he saves at least $500 a month over other health insurance plans. Having broken his leg while sledding last winter, Kiley said he and his children make plenty of visits to the doctor.

“Paying $6,000 or $7,000 out of pocket is still better than trying to come up with $30,000 for a couple nights at the hospital,” Kiley said.

More than 500 small businesses, representing just over 3,500 employees and their dependents, have enrolled in Chamber BlueOptions since its introduction in January.

In order to qualify for group coverage, a small business typically needs 75 percent of its eligible employees to enroll in a health insurance plan. The Chamber BlueOptions product requires 60 percent of eligible employees to participate to qualify for group coverage.

In addition, businesses that purchased a Chamber BlueOptions product in 2007 can qualify for a 2 percent discount on annual premiums if they undertake specified wellness activities. The discount is available to businesses with 25-50 employees who renew their plans in 2008.

“We’re proud of the first year success of Chamber BlueOptions and our partnership with state, regional and local chambers,” said Don Antonucci, director of small group sales for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Anthem believes that more insurance options in the marketplace is good for business as it allows an individual business to choose a product that meets their employees’ varying needs for insurance coverage.”

For more information on Chamber BlueOptions, speak to a local insurance broker or visit www.chamberblueoptions.com.

Anne Ravana may be reached at aravana@bangordailynews.net or 990-8133.