LEWISTON – Donald Dubuc hates the idea that a person can go to the poor house for lack of health insurance.

So for the past 14 years or so, he’s offered health insurance to the employees of Landry & Son Acoustics, an industrial ceiling tiles installer, which he co-owns.

“It’s real important … you know that if somebody got sick they wouldn’t be robbed of their life savings,” he said of his 17 employees. “We’re one of a handful of subcontractors that offers health care to our employees. We try to take care of them.”

This year, to better extend that benefit, Dubuc signed up the company for a new health insurance program offered jointly by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

The program, dubbed Chamber BlueOptions, gives small businesses a choice of programs tailored for their individual employees. The program offers five policies – from preferred provider organizations to HMOs to health savings accounts – and a variety of deductibles and coverage options.

Last week, two more options were added to the program for 2008: a health savings account with a $5,000 deductible and a new PPO with a $3,500 deductible.

“We’ve grown really well,” said Don Antonucci, the director of small group sales with Anthem BC/BS. Launched last January, the program was picked up by 500 small businesses, covering 3,500 people – 20 percent of whom had no health insurance. “I’m excited about the additional options and price points.”

Flexibility was the reason Landry & Son switched coverage nearly a year ago when BlueOptions was first rolled out.

“This one lets the employees choose,” Dubuc said. “Some have $2,000 deductibles and pay very little or nothing out of pocket, and others have $500 deductibles and pay more out of pocket for more coverage.”

Landry & Son is one of about 15 small businesses locally that have enrolled in BlueOptions. Local chamber President Chip Morrison said the program isn’t a panacea, but gives small businesses more choices.

“We’re looking for more arrows in the quiver … they still need more options,” said Morrison of his members. “The cost of health care is growing and there’s no relief in sight.”

For Nancy Gagne, an insurance agent for Nationwide in Auburn, the program gave her two things she wanted: prescription coverage and wellness care.

“It’s only about $75 per month more for it … this allows me to have preventative care, which is very important to me,” she said, adding she’s in the process of scheduling a check-up, something she wasn’t covered for under her old policy.

Dana Turner, co-owner of Lewiston’s C&C Insulation, said BlueOptions has helped his company save money while providing coverage for his 30 employees. Coupled with 401(k) matches and profit sharing, medical coverage is an essential part of a benefits package that he uses to attract and keep workers.

“We provide a basic plan for employees and they can upgrade any way they want to,” he said. Compared with his previous policy, the chamber option is “a definite savings.”