Farmers’ Health Cooperative
of Wisconsin is dedicated to serving farmers and agribusiness.
- Be between 18 and 64 years old*,
- Live or work in Wisconsin, and
- Be actively at work in production agriculture whereby at least 66 percent of income is derived from farming. 'Actively at work' is defined as working a minimum of 30 hours per week on a regular basis and not on a temporary (less than six months) or substitute basis.
- An agribusiness must be a business enterprise providing direct services to production agriculture in Wisconsin subject to approval by the cooperative.
- Administrative Fee: For coverage beginning on or after January 1, 2008, the fee to join the cooperative is $12 per farm family or employee, per month. The $12 will be included in your monthly premium, and will be used for the cooperative's administrative expenses.
- Capitalization Payment: State law requires that members invest in the Farmers' Health Cooperative by making a capitalization payment, payable when joining the cooperative.
*unless you are part of an agribusiness
The goal of the Farmers’ Health Cooperative is not only to help members manage the cost of health care from year to year but also to find ways to prevent medical problems that could adversely affect members’ quality of life and add to the cost of health care. One tool that has been proven effective in accomplishing this is a Health Risk Assessment, which is a health questionnaire usually accompanied by a simple screening for easily managed diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes.
It is a requirement of membership in the cooperative that each covered adult participate in a Health Risk Assessment (HRA) within 90 days of enrollment in the plan. The information gleaned from the HRA will not be used to increase your premiums. In fact, your information will remain confidential and will not be shared with the health insurance company. If you don’t participate in the HRA, you will not be covered by FHCW’s insurance. It is important to note that the HRA is not required PRIOR to enrollment in the health insurance program but AFTER you have enrolled.
There is no cost to you for this service. The HRA will also be used to help Farmers’ Health Cooperative measure its success over a long-term period, which will be helpful in providing once and for all that farmers do not pose a higher risk to health insurers compared to other professions.
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