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MO legislature approves Farm Bureau health plan bill

Missouri Farm Bureau is another step closer to offering a health plan to its members.

On Thursday, state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 79, a bill sponsored by State Senator Kurtis Gregory, that allows the non-profit membership organization to offer a health plan.

“It’s really been three years in the making,” says Garrett Hawkins, president, Missouri Farm Bureau.

He says Governor Kehoe still needs to sign the bill, but once that happens “it starts into motion a bunch of backend work on our part as we think about the best way to deliver the plan to our membership.”

There’s a difference between a health plan and health insurance.

“Health plans are a balance of affordability and coverage. That’s what we’ve seen in other states,” says Hawkins. “One of the major differences is there will be medical underwriting on the front end. Once a member applies, a medical underwriting process will take place to adequately assess risk.”

Hawkins says there are steps taken on the front end to help maintain costs to offer robust coverage and different options for members.

Hawkins tells Brownfield he’s optimistic the plan could be available for members in the next year.

Currently, 12 state Farm Bureaus across the country offer health plans for their membership and once the bill is signed, Missouri would make 13.

This year, health plans were approved in Alabama and Florida. State lawmakers in Ohio are still considering legislation.