President's Letter: Healthcare Reform - The Foraker Response

Dennis McMillian discusses pursuing an affordable health insurance product for nonprofits for the past 25 years, and "a gradual, thoughtful process that allows nonprofit employers to provide adequate coverage for their employees."

Says Dennis, "Regardless of the current debate, I expect certain trends to emerge as a national plan evolves.  Employers and employees will likely be asked to do more to provide insurance coverage.  Today we can’t drive in most states without car insurance.  In the future, not having some form of health insurance won’t be an option, either.  Clearly, government will be part of a new health care system.  Already we have government-managed systems for senior citizens and people who can’t afford to pay for their care – Medicare and Medicaid – although both need revisions to become more effective.  And the concept of promoting wellness has universal appeal and will be a part of any solution."

The Foraker Group offers two “off-the-shelf” health insurance plans with the vision to shift to a true association plan when the numbers are right. Here are some of the recent highlights of Foraker's health initiative:

• 318 employee lives are currently enrolled (as of 08/21/09).
• 26 groups are enrolled.
• Four groups with the potential to bring on 11 additional employee lives have inquired about the plan (as of 08/21/09).
• In January 2009, approximately 130 employees were enrolled in the benefit plan.  The plan more than doubled that number in 7 months.   
• In spring 2009, eight briefing sessions were held to provide updates to Partners and brokers.  
• Two of our largest groups joined during June open enrollment – one group with over 70 employees and another with over 30.
• Almost half our members have completed the online health assessment.  This is the highest rate of all Premera groups in Alaska, Washington and Oregon.  
• To date, two wellness workshops have been held in Anchorage, the next wellness workshop will be held in Juneau in September.  Recently, interest surfaced in Fairbanks for a wellness workshop.
• The requirement of funding dependent coverage has been lifted.
• Waiting periods to enter the plan have been waived, although participants must still be Foraker Partners.
• A group of preferred brokers has been identified.  These brokers are familiar with the plan and have sold and/or consistently promoted it.  Partners will be referred to preferred brokers. 

Read the entire Letter from the President.

If you have questions about The Foraker Benefit Plan, please contact Rebecca Savidis by phone at 907-743-1200, or by email at rsavidis@forakergroup.org.

How are you getting your health insurance coverage? How is your nonprofit handling health insurance?