Small businesses in Northern Colorado now have another option for providing group health insurance to employees, courtesy of a partnership between Poudre Valley Health System and Colorado Choice Health Plans.

PVHS quietly launched Peak Health Solutions in December, a family of insurance products that promote health and wellness programs, as well as chronic illness management.

The health-management features of the plans cover 29 chronic-care conditions, according to Carl Smith, vice president of PVHS payor relations.

The plans also offer access to PVHS’s many preventative care programs, such as Healthy Families and Healthy Hearts Club, often at reduced prices.

The program also includes an online service where members can manage their health information, including family health histories and ongoing care.

Peak Health Solutions was developed to address a lack of coverage or inadequate coverage for employees of small businesses in the region and across the nation.

Nationwide, approximately 11 million employees of companies with fewer than 25 workers are uninsured, according to a report by HealthReform.gov.

The plans are also geared toward promoting local providers