The Foraker Group launches third option for group health plan

The Foraker Group has announced the addition of a third option to its innovative health benefit plan. Foraker, along with the Rasmuson Foundation, unveiled the program in October 2008, which is designed to create a healthier nonprofit sector in Alaska.

Originally the program offered two options to help expand coverage to underinsured individuals and families, or those who currently have no insurance – a high deductible plan ($1,500 deductible) with a Health Savings Account (HSA), or a catastrophic standard plan ($2,500 deductible). Both plans offer options for preventive care.

The new option, a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA), allows for greater cost savings in the monthly premiums. The new $3,000 deductible HDHP with HSA will become effective July 1, 2009. It also offers options for preventive care. All three options are available through Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska.

Enrollment in The Foraker Group Benefit Plan has steadily increased since it began six months ago. According to Barbara Dubovich, executive director of Camp Fire USA Alaska Council, the program "is a proactive health management plan that provides more control to each employee and will, we believe, result in lowered premium costs in the future."

Over the next two months, Foraker in conjunction with Wallace Group Services will hold meetings around the state to provide further details about the third plan option, discuss updates in participation requirements, and review the status of becoming an association plan. Names of preferred brokers who are familiar with the benefit plan will be announced as well. Nonprofit leaders and brokers are encouraged to attend.

A meeting schedule and registration is available at www.forakergroup.org, click on calendar, then special briefings. For more information, call Rebecca Savidis at The Foraker Group, 907-743-1200.

The Rasmuson Foundation is supporting the Foraker initiative through Health Savings Account incentives and an enhanced comprehensive Health Risk Management (HRM) program. The HSA incentive consists of a $250 contribution per enrolled employee for the first two years ($500 total) and is available to the first 2,000 employees enrolled in a Health Savings Account. The HRM assists employees in evaluating their own health risks and helps employers manage the effectiveness of the insurance plan.

For more information, contact Rebecca Savidis, 907-743-1200.