Changes to The Farmer Member Health Plan
Nov 20, 2019
Effective January 1, 2020, the Land O’Lakes (LOL) Cooperative Farmer Member Health Plan will not offer coverage to any residents of the State of Nebraska.
Due to changes in federal law, the LOL Cooperative Farmer Health Plan cannot be offered in Nebraska in 2020. Efforts are being made to determine if there is a legislative path available in Nebraska in the next session that would create the opportunity to offer the plan again in 2021.
In the interim, Nebraska Farm Bureau invites members of the 2019 Nebraska Cooperative Farmer Health Plan who have received termination of coverage letters for the 2020 year to enroll in the Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Member Health Plan.
"Farm Bureau members saved thousands on premiums in 2019. We are pleased to offer our plan through Medica not only to current Farm Bureau members in 2020, but also to participants of the Co-op Farmer Health Plan. The 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan is a fully insured health plan with no restrictions on pre-existing health conditions," said NEFB Chief Administrator Rob Robertson. "The 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan policies generally include the same networks, covered services, and benefits as our plans had in 2019 with a projected savings of 25% (on average) than individual policies sold on the federal marketplace exchange."
Members of the 2019 Co-op Farmer Plan involved in production agriculture or agribusiness must join Nebraska Farm Bureau by Dec. 5, 2019, to enroll in one of the NEFB Member Health Benefit Plans.
While changes in federal law prevented the Nebraska Cooperative Farmer Health Plan from being offered in 2020, Land O' Lakes, the plan sponsor, is actively working on solutions to offer its plan at some future point, according to Rocky Weber, President of the Nebraska Cooperative Council. Weber further stated that "with the problems of high health insurance premiums for agriculture, the cooperative members of the Nebraska Cooperative Council appreciate the efforts of NEFB to make its Member Health Plan available as another option to provide some cost savings to farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses."
Farm Bureau's open enrollment for the 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan began November 1, 2019, and ends December 15, 2019.
Eligibility of Farmers, Ranchers, and Agribusinesses
Additionally, 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan participants must attest that 50% of their gross income comes from production agriculture or agribusiness that provides services or inputs to production agriculture or are employed by someone who meets these criteria.
Exclusively Sold by Farm Bureau Agents
NEFB Member Health Plans are offered exclusively by Medica through Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS) agents. 2019 Co-op Farmer Health Plan participants can enroll in 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan as long as they join Nebraska Farm Bureau by Dec. 5, 2019.
To enroll, visit a FBFS Agent, provide a proof of cancellation (letter), and become a Farm Bureau member in Nebraska by Dec. 5, 2019. Farm Bureau membership must be maintained throughout the coverage period.
For more information or to find an agent, go to www.nefbhealth.org or contact a local FBFS agent to enroll.
Due to changes in federal law, the LOL Cooperative Farmer Health Plan cannot be offered in Nebraska in 2020. Efforts are being made to determine if there is a legislative path available in Nebraska in the next session that would create the opportunity to offer the plan again in 2021.
In the interim, Nebraska Farm Bureau invites members of the 2019 Nebraska Cooperative Farmer Health Plan who have received termination of coverage letters for the 2020 year to enroll in the Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Member Health Plan.
"Farm Bureau members saved thousands on premiums in 2019. We are pleased to offer our plan through Medica not only to current Farm Bureau members in 2020, but also to participants of the Co-op Farmer Health Plan. The 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan is a fully insured health plan with no restrictions on pre-existing health conditions," said NEFB Chief Administrator Rob Robertson. "The 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan policies generally include the same networks, covered services, and benefits as our plans had in 2019 with a projected savings of 25% (on average) than individual policies sold on the federal marketplace exchange."
Members of the 2019 Co-op Farmer Plan involved in production agriculture or agribusiness must join Nebraska Farm Bureau by Dec. 5, 2019, to enroll in one of the NEFB Member Health Benefit Plans.
While changes in federal law prevented the Nebraska Cooperative Farmer Health Plan from being offered in 2020, Land O' Lakes, the plan sponsor, is actively working on solutions to offer its plan at some future point, according to Rocky Weber, President of the Nebraska Cooperative Council. Weber further stated that "with the problems of high health insurance premiums for agriculture, the cooperative members of the Nebraska Cooperative Council appreciate the efforts of NEFB to make its Member Health Plan available as another option to provide some cost savings to farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses."
Farm Bureau's open enrollment for the 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan began November 1, 2019, and ends December 15, 2019.
Eligibility of Farmers, Ranchers, and Agribusinesses
Additionally, 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan participants must attest that 50% of their gross income comes from production agriculture or agribusiness that provides services or inputs to production agriculture or are employed by someone who meets these criteria.
Exclusively Sold by Farm Bureau Agents
NEFB Member Health Plans are offered exclusively by Medica through Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS) agents. 2019 Co-op Farmer Health Plan participants can enroll in 2020 NEFB Member Health Plan as long as they join Nebraska Farm Bureau by Dec. 5, 2019.
To enroll, visit a FBFS Agent, provide a proof of cancellation (letter), and become a Farm Bureau member in Nebraska by Dec. 5, 2019. Farm Bureau membership must be maintained throughout the coverage period.
For more information or to find an agent, go to www.nefbhealth.org or contact a local FBFS agent to enroll.