Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce - eCapeChamber
Insurance for employers

Cape Cod’s seasonal economy is very dependent on workers from other countries. In fact, many businesses could not function without them. But there’s a problem. Most of the Cape’s estimated 5,000 international workers with H-2B visas have no health insurance.

When seasonal workers fall ill or get hurt, they often seek the emergency services of Cape Cod Health Care and Outer Cape Health Services. Until last year, the state’s Free Care program partially reimbursed hospitals and community health centers for serving seasonal workers, but no more. Only Massachusetts residents qualify for the Free Care program, leaving seasonal workers out of the safety net they once relied on.

As an employer of international workers, you should be concerned with their plight and the consequences to your business if seasonal workers don’t show up for work because of untreated illness or injury.

Click here for a complete employer brochure.

Click here for a recent presentation by the H2B Visa Task Force on the seasonal temporary labor needs of Cape Cod & Islands employers.

Click here for a brochure on Health Insurance Plans for H2B Seasonal Employees.

Click here for a brochure on travel protection information and health insurance plans for H2B Seasonal Employees.

Here are a list of helpful resources:

SHIP health insurance providers
Links to town Chambers
Links to state and federal agencies with H2B Oversight
Links to Cape Cod Healthcare and Community Health Centers
Insurance Partnership