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Montana Nonprofit Association Health Plan FAQ's
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What are the plan details?
How do I get a quote?
How did this plan come to be?
What makes an "association plan" better than a "small group plan?"
What if I find a better rate next year outside the MNA plan?
Who can participate in the MNA plan?
Can I enroll other members of my family?
What if my nonprofit only has one employee, or one eligible employee?
Will BCBS cover my domestic partner?
Does this plan qualify for the State's Insure Montana Program?
What are the plan details?
The new MNA Health Plan offers seven plan designs. This following chart is only a summary of key points - please review the entire plan with your agent to determine the plan that best suits your organization.
Plans
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Benefits
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Deductible
Individual/Family |
Co-Insurance* |
Maximum Member Liability** |
Prescription Drug Coverage |
PPO Health First
Plan A |
$500/$1,000
(waived for physician services) |
60/40 |
$1,500/$3,000 |
$100 deduct - then $8, $15, $30. Mail order $16/30/60 |
Blue Choice
Plan A1 |
$500/$1,000
($20 co-pay for office visit) |
70/30 |
$2,000/$4,000 |
$100 deduct - then $8, $15, $30. Mail order $16/30/60 |
PPO Advantage
Plan F |
$1,000/$2,000
(waived for physician services) |
50/50 |
$3,000/$6,000 |
$500 deduct - then $8, $15, $30. Mail order $16/30/60 |
PPO Advantage
Plan G |
$1,000/$2,000
(waived for physician services) |
50/50 |
$4,000/$8,000 |
Deductible waived, paid at 100% for generic, 50% for name brand |
HSA 2500
Plan H |
$2,500/$5,000 |
100/0 |
$2,500/$5,000 |
Passed through to deductible, then 100% |
HSA 4000
Plan I |
$4,000/$8,000 |
100/0 |
$4,000/$8,000 |
Passed through to deductible, then 100% |
Blue Saver
Plan J |
$5,000/$10,000 |
100/0 |
$5,000/$10,000 |
Passed through to deductible, then 100% |
* The first number in Co-insurance is the percentage Blue Cross will pay after you have met your annual deductible.
**MML is the maximum you will pay in co-insurance costs after you have met your deductible.
Each plan also includes the following enhancements:
- 100% paid annual Vision exam benefit for all enrolled family members on the health plan
- $5,000 Life and AD&D insurance for the insured.
- 24/7 toll-free Health information hotline to registered nurses who can help you make the most informed choice for your healthcare needs
How do I get a quote?
Any Blue Cross agent in Montana can provide a quote, however, some agents are more familiar with the nuances of association plans and may be better able to assist you. To find the agent in your area best able to discuss the MNA Health Plan, please contact Sue Garrison at Mountain West Benefit via email at sgarrison@mwbs-insurance.com. Download BCBS application.
How did this plan come to be?
Last year, following our Health Insurance Survey, MNA employed Mountain West Benefits Solutions to create a formal Request For Proposal (RFP) describing how MNA had combined its former health plan with a plan previously offered by the Montana Association of Community Disability Services (MACDS). Separately, these plans had a 20+ year history of working for affordable and stable health coverage for nonprofits. The RFP went out to the major health insurance carriers in Montana and asked them to compete for the ability to offer health insurance to the newly formed combined group.
Following the RFP, Blue Cross Blue Shield was selected as the insurance carrier for the Montana Nonprofit Association Health Plan effective 7-1-07. By collaborating with MACDS, focusing on the growth potential of MNA, and retaining a top-tier consultancy we were able to design a health insurance plan more robust than were either of the prior plans. Because association creates advantages in the marketplace, we were able to enhance the benefits and secure more favorable terms for the merged program than either group could have on their own.
What makes an "association plan" better than a "small group plan?"
First, in an association plan, risk is shared across a larger pool of insured individuals. Second, ours is a retention contract plan, which allows MNA to retain a portion of the payments made over what is needed to pay the claims and retention cost of the plan. That money is then directed to a rate stabilization fund. Third, we are forming a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA Trust). The VEBA will be the mechanism that will govern the management of the new plan. The plan will collect a small rate-stabilization fee to help offset future rate increases - this has been tremendously successful for other association plans and allowed them to maintain premium stability and for many association plans, even to offer premium holidays. This is one of the strongest aspects of the plan.
What if I find a better rate next year outside the MNA plan?
Occasionally, there may be opportunities to get a lower rate outside the MNA plan; but when the plans are compared side-by-side, the MNA plan will offer enhancements not available to small groups and the rate stabilization effect of the MNA plan will be lower premium increases over the long haul. Maintaining loyalty to the plan will play a significant role in achieving long-term success and ongoing premium stability; if people opt in and out of the plan, everyone participating will lose out. This plan offers long-term stability of premiums if we all stick together and support each other.
Who can participate in the MNA plan?
Any 501(c)(3) organization that is a member of MNA is eligible for this new health insurance plan.
Can I enroll other members of my family?
Yes, rates are available for employee only, employee + spouse, employee + family and employee + child(ren).
What if my nonprofit only has one employee, or one eligible employee?
Some of the plans offered through MNA are available to groups with one eligible employee – please contact your agent or Mountain West Benefit Solutions.
Will BCBS cover my domestic partner?
Yes.
Does this plan qualify for the State's Insure Montana Program?
Yes, Nonprofits may be eligible for health insurance premium assistance and incentive payments through Insure Montana. Therefore, MNA encourages all nonprofits considering heath coverage for the first time to apply to Insure Montana. Even if there is no money currently available for premium assistance in the Insure Montana program, applying to Insure Montana before you offer health insurance to you employees will hold a place for you when funds do become available.
In order to be eligible for assistance you must meet minimum Insure Montana requirements:
- The organization must have between 2-9 full time employees;
- No employee may earn over $75,000 per year;
- The organization has not offered health insurance in the past 24 months. MNA encourages all nonprofits considering Heath coverage to apply to Insure Montana.
Please do not hesitate to contact Brad Robinson, Member Services Director at MNA if you have any questions.
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