Pittsburgh-based health insurer Highmark, an independent Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, has partnered with Seattle-based Array Health to use the latter's health insurance exchange technology in a private exchange aimed at small businesses.

A full implementation of the plan will work with small businesses offering their employees a defined contribution, then those employees going to a Highmark online store, powered by Array, to select from seven health plans, two dental plans and two vision plans depending on their needs.

"Because of cost, many small employers find it difficult to provide employee health insurance," Steven Nelson, SVP of health services strategy, product and marketing at Highmark, says in a statement. "We believe that if they can offer their employees a fixed dollar amount toward the purchase of insurance, then we can help insure more individuals and the employer can manage long-term health care costs."

The exchange will be piloted to employer groups covering 10 to 99 individuals, beginning Jan. 1.