Financial Planning Association Unveils Member-Exclusive Group Health Plan to Protect Association Members and Their Employees

DENVER, Colorado, Aug. 13 -- The Financial Planning Association issued the following news release:

The Financial Planning Association(R) (FPA(R)), in partnership with Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants (RISC), is pleased to announce the availability of an FPA Group Health Plan to help financial planners who are members of FPA gain access to affordable health care coverage for themselves and their employees. In response to member demand, FPA and RISC worked together for nearly two years to develop a national group health plan that will enable members to secure alternative health care with more options and lower costs./

The new FPA Group Health Plan, underwritten by National General/*, is available to FPA members with companies ranging from 2-50 employees (minimum varies by state). Highlights of the FPA Group Health Plan include:

* Level Self-Funded Premium Health Plans with rates approximately 25% lower than comparable Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans/**

* Customized group health plans with different co-pays and deductibles

* Short-term medical plans, medi-gap products, customized HSA plans, and senior products (Medicare Supplement and Advantage Plans)

* Dental and vision plans

* Critical illness and accident plans

* Individual life insurance

* Individual disability income

* Long-term care insurance

* Deductible credit - for same calendar year

* AETNA Signature Administrators(R) PPO medical network

"FPA is thrilled to be one of the first-to-market with a national group health plan to help our members address their personal health care needs, but also stay competitive, attract the right employees and grow their businesses," says FPA Executive Director and CEO Lauren M. Schadle, CAE. "Designed to meet the growing needs of our members, this new benefit is another example of how FPA drives member value to help practitioners create scalable businesses and achieve desired outcomes."

An early test of the new Group Health Plan with select FPA members in June was met with a positive response as members either enrolled in the Group Health Plan or started the enrollment process. Among those members was Christine Damico, CFP(R), EA, who said, "We saved thousands of dollars on a plan that's almost the same as our old one. I was surprised by how easy the process was. Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants took care of all the set-up and answered my questions right away. I've already recommended them to a colleague at another firm."

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The FPA Group Health Plan is a Level Self-Funded Premium Health Plan and is governed by individual state laws and regulations. At this time, regulations in Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York and Washington D.C. prohibit members in those states from participating in the plan. In the coming months, as the group health plan grows a base of insureds, FPA and RISC will work to open those markets for members wanting to participate.

Over the last decade, FPA and RISC have partnered to offer members industry-leading insurance solutions, including group long-term disability, term life, dental and vision plans. RISC has a host of services to help practitioners choose the right plan and is available to assist FPA members with needs assessment, evaluation of existing coverage, gathering and analyzing insurance quotes, providing recommendations, and the underwriting process.

"The new FPA health plan offers more choices, lower premiums, and easy access to custom quotes," says John Ryan, CFP(R) of Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants. "This, combined with the expert benefit specialists ready to help members make the best plan selection, makes for an outstanding member benefit offering."

FPA members who want to begin the FPA Group Health Plan enrollment process, can call Broker Source/*** at 913.333.3381 or get a quote. Initial rates and coverage eligibility will be shared with the applicant shortly after employees complete medical history statements and submit forms for underwriting.

FPA members interested in learning more about the plan can attend an informational webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET, or they can contact FPAInsurance@OneFPA.org or call 800.322.4237 and select option 2.

Journalists interested in learning more about the FPA Group Health Plan can contact Ryanne Harrah at 303-867-7151 or RHarrah@OneFPA.org.

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About the Financial Planning Association

The Financial Planning Association(R) (FPA(R)) is the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) professionals, educators, financial services professionals and students who are committed to elevating the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning. Through a collaborative effort to provide members with tools and resources for professional education, business support, advocacy and community, FPA is the indispensable resource in the advancement of today's CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) professional.

Footnotes:

/ Due to individual state regulations, plans not available in DE, HI, MT, NC, NH, NY, and DC.

*/ National General Benefits Solutions, incorporated in 1965, focuses on providing small- and mid-sized employers with benefits options previously only available to large employers -- helping employers lower costs while providing quality benefits to their employees.

**/ Potential savings based on standard, level-funded product rates compared to similar ACA rated products.

***/ Broker Source has been selected by Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants to provide the administration for the FPA Group Health Plans.