Indiana Farm Bureau Health Plans Draws New Members In

With 1,631 active plans enrolled as of July 31, Indiana Farm Bureau Health Plans provides traditional health plans, Medicare supplement insurance plans or dental and vision plans for more than 4,000 people.

Indiana Farm Bureau created the plans to address members’ significant concerns about rising health care costs, especially for the self-employed, which many farmers are.

“Since health care continues to be one of the most important aspects of individuals’ and families’ wellbeing, those who can find a health plan that is not only affordable but also suits their coverage needs is critical,” said Patrick Williams, INFB Health Plans manager.

The plans also got the attention of people who weren’t involved with Farm Bureau.

“About 35% of those applying to INFB Health Plans are new INFB members, which goes to show that affordable, reliable health care is needed in the ag community,” Williams noted.

Among the top benefits of the plans are lower premiums – which INFB secured by working with Tennessee Farm Bureau, no defined service area, ongoing open enrollment and a large, nationwide provider network.

For many participants, the affordability coupled with the access to care make INFB Health Plans very appealing.

“Health insurance has always been a challenge on the farm, but since switching to INFB Health Plans it’s been much better. I’m saving nearly $600 a month and still able to get the coverage and preventive care needed,” said INFB member Anita Rediger of Rediger Farms Inc., a dairy cattle and grain operation.

For Rediger and many others, the fact that the plans are offered by the Indiana Farm Bureau carries a lot of weight, too.

“Beyond the dramatic savings, there is a real trust in Indiana Farm Bureau – in its character and its work as an organization. I appreciated the spirit and reasoning behind creating INFB Health Plans,” said Rediger. “From the nationally known and accepted providers to the option to have my doctor’s appointments with Teladoc, I feel like this is the coverage I was hoping for.”

Before Indiana Farm Bureau could offer the plans as a benefit to members, Indiana lawmakers had to approve legislation allowing the organization to do so, which they did, overwhelmingly, in early 2020.

Enrollment for INFB Health Plans opened in October 2020 and benefits went into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. Indiana Farm Bureau hopes to have 2,500 enrolled plans by the end of the year.

Indiana Farm Bureau Health Plans garnered Indiana Farm Bureau a 2021 New Horizon Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The award, which honors state Farm Bureaus with the most innovative new programs, is presented annually at the AFBF Convention.