AmeriHealth New Jersey has announced a partnership with the New Jersey Conference of Mayors to help its members address health care cost concerns.

The NJCM is an organization that advocates for the united voice of New Jersey’s mayors, also providing a platform for businesses and local governments to jointly develop solutions to public and private issues across the state.

AmeriHealth, with offices in Mt. Laurel and Iselin, N.J., offers health plans in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania, with more than 265,000 members since its inception in 1995.

The partnership comes amidst news that the New Jersey State Health Benefits Commission recently projected that local governments could see health plan cost increases of up to 25% in 2010, placing a greater financial burden on the state’s municipalities. Through the partnership, mayors will have the opportunity to learn what health insurance options exist as alternatives to the state plan, according to AmeriHealth.

The company said it emphasizes creative alternatives to traditional health plans, including wellness-based solutions that help reduce health care costs, improve productivity and ultimately save money for municipalities.

AmeriHealth President and Chief Executive Judith Roman said the company is especially committed to market education.

“AmeriHealth works hard to arm municipal leaders with information about health insurance options that can result in cost reductions to local governments,” she said in a statement. “This partnership comes at a critical time and will foster better solutions for municipalities throughout the state.”

NJCM Executive Director Albert LiCata said that the states mayors “grapple every day with the many complex issues facing New Jersey towns and cities.”

“Working with our Business Council members, AmeriHealth’s perspective can help NJCM better understand and address the business community’s health care challenges and concerns during this particularly difficult economic time,” he said.