A new alliance with the National Restaurant Association will allow UnitedHealthcare to provide coverage and services to nearly 1 million restaurant owners and 13 million of their employees.

The Restaurant Health Care Alliance, a new initiative between the two partners, will offer the insurer’s products to workers in restaurants across America, including the 4 million to 6 million in the food service industry uninsured at any given time, both groups said. The program launches May 22, beginning with state restaurant associations in Colorado and Pennsylvania, with further rollout scheduled through 2010.

Dawn Sweeney

The National Restaurant Association represents 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets for the restaurant industry nationwide.

In development for the past two years, the Alliance will provide restaurant owners and employees with easier access to cost-effective health benefit options meeting the needs of its industry and also help employees understand health care options amid tax and eligibility changes beginning this year.

Dawn Sweeney, the National Restaurant Association’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement, “As the nation’s second-largest private-sector employer, the restaurant industry is dedicated to finding affordable health care solutions for our workers.

“We are committed to reducing costs in the health care system and expanding health care coverage for our work force,” she said. “UnitedHealthcare’s vast experience and diverse capabilities make them the right partner in developing the Restaurant Health Care Alliance. Our members will benefit by providing them easier access to affordable health care coverage for their employees and dependents and allow for future opportunities to provide added benefits.”

Gail Boudreaux, UnitedHealthcare’s president, said the insurer is “excited” about the “unique opportunity” to work with the industry to tailor health care information and products that best meet the needs of its employees.

Among the products available in some markets will be UnitedHealthcare Catalyst, combining comprehensive catastrophic plan coverage with an up-front benefit allowance for certain preventive-care services, according to the insurer.

Individual employees without employer-sponsored coverage can choose from a wide range of UnitedHealthcare’s individual and family plans, some starting at under $100 per month. Other products, including dental plans and discount health cards, will also be available.