Farm families consider options for health coverage

For farm families, finding healthcare coverage is an important but challenging task.

University of Missouri Extension Ag Business Specialist Amie Breshears said health coverage is a crucial topic for farm families.

"People are the farm's most important asset, and health insurance helps the farm in several ways," she said. "It impacts profitability (because the) farm needs healthy people to operate, work and make decisions. It helps pay for healthcare needs. It manages and reduces the risk to personal well-being and farm enterprise vitality. (It provides) peace of mind, access to health and wellness programs, better health outcomes, farm safety and protects the financial future."

Breshears presented free Extension webinars this winter on child care and health insurance. She said farm families have a few options when it comes to healthcare coverage.

There are income-based options such as the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Seniors can use Medicare and Medigap. Farmers who have served in the military can use Tricare or the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, also known as CHAMPVA.

Breshears said there are several other options, including a family member working off the farm and getting insurance through their employer. She said families can also get coverage through association memberships, directly contacting insurance brokers or health insurance companies, health ministry programs or other short-term coverage plans.

Breshears said coverage through an off-farm employer seems to be the common approach.

"I don't have specific statistics to cite, but anecdotally I see many farm families with someone working off the farm, and sometimes doing so specifically for health insurance," she said.

Another option for farm families could be to purchase a health plan through their state Farm Bureau, Breshears said. Farm Bureaus in several states offer health plans, including Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and the Dakotas. Missouri Farm Bureau Health Plans launched this year.

"Though not technically health insurance, these plans may fill a need for farmers, farm families and farm workers," she said.

Missouri Farm Bureau Health Plans operate under specific state legislation and are not regulated as insurance.

They are medically underwritten plans, meaning people have to be approved, but this can potentially mean lower costs than unsubsidized marketplace plans. People can apply and enroll at any time.

To enroll, people need to be a Missouri Farm Bureau member. An annual membership costs $30, but membership is not required to get a quote. More information is at mofbhealthplans.com.

In a release about the health plans, Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins said farm families have shown interest in another healthcare coverage option.

"The strong interest we're already seeing shows just how valuable these plans are to our members," he said. "We're proud to offer solutions that provide real peace of mind and help strengthen rural communities across the state."

Farmers in Iowa can visit iowafbhealthplan.com for information about Iowa Farm Bureau's Health Plans.

Whatever farm families decide works best for them, Breshears said enrolling is a crucial task to complete.

"Health insurance is an essential consideration for farm and rural families, whether it's young folks returning to the farm or older farmers navigating their senior years," she said.