Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin Announces 7.9 percent Rate Change in '08

Compares to Double-Digit
Increases Endured by Farmers for Years

MADISON, Wis. (October 18, 2007) – The promise of stable, affordable health insurance rates is being delivered to farmers across Wisconsin who've joined the Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin (FHCW), according to Jeff Bennesch, FHCW board chairman.  Launched in April, the health insurance purchasing cooperative is currently providing high quality health insurance customized to serve the needs of farmers and agribusinesses.

The FHCW board of directors this week approved a base rate increase of 7.9 percent for its 1,600-plus current members who renew their insurance coverage through the cooperative in 2008.  Because the risk of members is pooled under the cooperative concept, all FHCW current and future members will benefit from this low percentage base-rate increase.

"Our goal is to provide members with health insurance they can afford to keep from year to year," said Bennesch.  "This rate change represents our commitment to affordable health insurance delivered through the cooperative." 

The FHCW is entering its first rate renewal period, with rate changes taking effect for policies renewed effective January 1, 2008.The base rate increase does not include increases members may incur if they move into a higher five-year age band.  Such age band increases are standard throughout the insurance industry.

Bennesch said farmers and agribusinesses interested in coverage through FHCW have the opportunity to ask questions at a series of town hall meetings currently taking place across the state, but do not need to wait until the town hall meetings come to their area to receive more information about FHCW.  They can contact the Farmers Health Cooperative of Wisconsin now for more information by calling (800) 539-9370 or visiting www.farmershealthcooperative.com.

The Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin was conceived and promoted by the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (WFC) as a way to help Wisconsin farmers obtain quality health care.  WFC works with its partners, administrator Agri-Services Agency and insurer Aetna Insurance, to deliver the health care Wisconsin farmers need at a price they can afford.  "Stable rates offer Wisconsin farmers dependable coverage at a predictable cost," said Bill Oemichen, WFC president and CEO.  "Gaining some stability in this important operating cost area helps our farmers stay in business," he added.

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