We ran into the same issues and I contacted our State AIA organization and the National organization to see what was available. Unlike the Engineering Societies, AIA lags behind. I used to work for an E/A firm and we had a health plan through the Engineering Society. It was a group plan.
When I inquired to AIA there was nothing. Our State organization had tried to do a group policy years ago. I did some research as to why it stalled and learned the following:
1. The problem was getting the interest from the firms and an insurance company who would host the group. It is a lot of legwork.
2. Getting a large enough group. If you lock into a "group" your annual renewals and premiums are then based on that "group". So, if a group member architect or family member has a catastrophic event that requires a lot of expenditures (heart surgery, coma for months, brain surgery, cancer and extended treatment) in one year, the insurance company will recoup their expenses by raising rates exponentially the following year. Especially if their metrics show that continuing care is required for this or these individuals. If you have a 100 paying person group, costs are spread over 100 paying persons, if 1000 persons, then you see how it would be spread out.
3. Current "Individual" or "Family" policies say with Blue Cross for example are theoretically considered a "group" policy per my conversations with Blue Cross and independent agents when we went through this exercise. When you apply for a Blue Cross Policy they compare you to your relative "age group" per their metrics. Say you are 40 -45 years old and have 2 teenagers. They say they calculate your policy costs on families of that make-up in your geographical area. That is your "group".
4. When you hit 40 years old, have some nitro pills or a shock pack handy because your rates will automatically double. Why, because they can.
5. Ours is outrageous. We have Blue Cross plan that has a HSA component. It was the best deal for us. I get some tax benefit and the HSA money can be built up and used also for retirement.
6. Why is it outrageous? Because of Obamacare, the free coverage, the folks who get free coverage don't go to a regular doctor, they visit the ER for any sniffle or ailment. I better get off my soap-box.
7. There are other minor health plans who now have low cost options. The catch is that they are non-qualifying plans. And you have to ask this when you talk to them. This means that if you sign up for one of these plans, you report on your 1040 if your plan is qualified. If not you have to pay a fine on your tax return. These plans "help" you calculate if it will be worth it to you to pay the fine balanced with your lower premium. The problem is that these policies are for 11 months of coverage and the cap on coverage is LOW. They have horrible stipulations. For example, Blue Cross is a $1 million policy typically, these "other" providers are $250k.
If you want to call me, I can tell you more info about what all we have looked at including other providers, etc. Hope this helps. Coverages options are a disaster now.
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Brian McNew AIA
McNew Architecture, APAC
Shreveport LA
Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2016 15:32
From: Nea Poole
Subject: Healthcare
Our small firm (26 people) is beginning to look at our healthcare renewal for 2017. This is a big issue for us since over the last two years our rates have gone up over 100% and all the prognosticators are saying this year rates will really spike. Has anyone found a solution to help mitigate expense such as joining a group of small businesses banding together to be able to get better rates?
I would appreciate any research, insight others might have.
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Nea Poole AIA
Principal
Poole & Poole Architecture, LLC
Midlothian VA
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