MONROE - One year after the Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin started enrolling farmers, organizers are extremely pleased with the outcome, especially in Green and Dane counties.
The Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin (FHCW) was formed by the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives and its member cooperatives in April of 2007 to provide affordable, quality healthcare to Wisconsin agricultural producers and agri-businesses. The FHCW is the first of its kind dedicated to serving Wisconsin farmers and agribusiness across the state.
Bill Oemichen, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, said organizers were pleased and "somewhat surprised" by the enrollment in Green and Dane counties due to the number of options in healthcare in the area.
Oemichen said the program was launched by offering several quality health insurance plans at a great price. The group exceeded year-end enrollment goals in three months. Oemichen said, Aetna, the Farmers' Health Cooperative's insurance company, has added the Mayo Health System network of clinics, hospitals and health care providers.
Oemichen explained that the unique health care plan was "written by farmers for farmers.
"The plan provides health insurance designed to address the needs and wants of farmers and other agribusinesses at an affordable price," Oemichen said. "The quality of the insurance plans offered through the cooperative is comparable to those available only to larger businesses."
Members can choose from six products. They can choose their own doctors and hospitals, first dollar coverage of preventive care and a comprehensive benefit package.
The Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, Agri-Services Agency and Aetna worked with farmers to develop plans that provide the coverage farmers need, including:
• Coverage for work-related injuries
• Multiple plan, provider, and network options and choices
• Predictable, stabilized rates
• Prescription drug coverage
• 24-hour nurse hotline
Oemichen explained that there is 24-hour health care coverage, which means any farm injuries are fully covered.
"The staff in the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance says a large number of Wisconsin farmers do not have that kind of coverage now," Oemichen said. "They may think they have it, but they don't."
The plans also offer:
• Pharmaceutical drug coverage and preventative health care services, including screenings for up to $500 per year.
• Health Savings Accounts
• Deductibles range from with the lowest at $300 and to the highest at $5000
• Premiums paid for coverage are deductible
Oemichen explained that anyone in a health care plan now will not be denied coverage.
"FHCW will not reject individuals because of pre-existing conditions," he said, although he acknowledged the cost of covering some of those conditions could be quite high.
Applicants are subject to underwriting but it is not an extensive process. There are only five questions.
Oemichen explained that producers are asked to sign a three-year contract and that they are asked to pay a deposit of one month's premium that is returned after three years.
Any producer of any size can sign up for the plan.
"It should be people who make a substantial amount of income from their farming operation," Oemichen said. "We want FHCW members to be active farm workers, their families and employees. This is for people who work the soil."
Oemichen said the cooperative is key in a time when health care costs are driving families out of farming.
"We needed to make some changes," Oemichen said.
Oemichen said 18 percent of Wisconsin farmers are uninsured and 41 percent are unable to afford to ensure every family member.
For more information about FHCW, please call (800) 539-9370 or visit the Web site at http:// www.farmershealthcooperative.com.
The Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin (FHCW) was formed by the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives and its member cooperatives in April of 2007 to provide affordable, quality healthcare to Wisconsin agricultural producers and agri-businesses. The FHCW is the first of its kind dedicated to serving Wisconsin farmers and agribusiness across the state.
Bill Oemichen, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, said organizers were pleased and "somewhat surprised" by the enrollment in Green and Dane counties due to the number of options in healthcare in the area.
Oemichen said the program was launched by offering several quality health insurance plans at a great price. The group exceeded year-end enrollment goals in three months. Oemichen said, Aetna, the Farmers' Health Cooperative's insurance company, has added the Mayo Health System network of clinics, hospitals and health care providers.
Oemichen explained that the unique health care plan was "written by farmers for farmers.
"The plan provides health insurance designed to address the needs and wants of farmers and other agribusinesses at an affordable price," Oemichen said. "The quality of the insurance plans offered through the cooperative is comparable to those available only to larger businesses."
Members can choose from six products. They can choose their own doctors and hospitals, first dollar coverage of preventive care and a comprehensive benefit package.
The Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, Agri-Services Agency and Aetna worked with farmers to develop plans that provide the coverage farmers need, including:
• Coverage for work-related injuries
• Multiple plan, provider, and network options and choices
• Predictable, stabilized rates
• Prescription drug coverage
• 24-hour nurse hotline
Oemichen explained that there is 24-hour health care coverage, which means any farm injuries are fully covered.
"The staff in the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance says a large number of Wisconsin farmers do not have that kind of coverage now," Oemichen said. "They may think they have it, but they don't."
The plans also offer:
• Pharmaceutical drug coverage and preventative health care services, including screenings for up to $500 per year.
• Health Savings Accounts
• Deductibles range from with the lowest at $300 and to the highest at $5000
• Premiums paid for coverage are deductible
Oemichen explained that anyone in a health care plan now will not be denied coverage.
"FHCW will not reject individuals because of pre-existing conditions," he said, although he acknowledged the cost of covering some of those conditions could be quite high.
Applicants are subject to underwriting but it is not an extensive process. There are only five questions.
Oemichen explained that producers are asked to sign a three-year contract and that they are asked to pay a deposit of one month's premium that is returned after three years.
Any producer of any size can sign up for the plan.
"It should be people who make a substantial amount of income from their farming operation," Oemichen said. "We want FHCW members to be active farm workers, their families and employees. This is for people who work the soil."
Oemichen said the cooperative is key in a time when health care costs are driving families out of farming.
"We needed to make some changes," Oemichen said.
Oemichen said 18 percent of Wisconsin farmers are uninsured and 41 percent are unable to afford to ensure every family member.
For more information about FHCW, please call (800) 539-9370 or visit the Web site at http:// www.farmershealthcooperative.com.