Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
MMIC Can Help Reduce Costs for Group and Individual Plans
Today, individual members and small businesses are looking for ways to reduce health insurance costs. With healthcare costs escalating over 10 percent per year, members are looking for lower-cost health insurance options.
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has partnered with Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants, Inc. (MMIC) to offer a variety of insurance options to members, including a free, no-cost, no-obligation group health or individual insurance quote. Funded Plan options are available as group health insurance, and companies can make two or more plan options available to their employees, including PPO, HMO, and Level.
A company with a minimum of two employees can enroll at any time (no open enrollment period). However, there is a Small Group Special Open Enrollment Period once a year (November 1 to December 15) when it’s easier for small businesses to offer group health insurance to employees. That is because during this 45-day period:
1. Your business does not have to contribute to the premiums; and
2. Only one employee needs to enroll to establish a group plan.
There are no minimum participation or contribution requirements to enroll on a group basis.
For individual health insurance, the open enrollment period runs from November 1 to December 15 of each year, with effective coverage on January 1. Coverage is guaranteed and covers all conditions (pre-existing conditions are covered). Employees who are unable to enroll during the open enrollment period can acquire insurance if he or she experiences a qualifying event (i.e., involuntary loss of health coverage, marriage, addition of a newborn, become a U.S. citizen, or permanent move to another state.) Short-term insurance is also available from one to 36 months if the individual qualifies.
Further, dental, vision, life, accidental death, and dismemberment insurance plans are offered to groups. This coverage is guaranteed (no health questions) and is available on a voluntary basis. Employer contribution is not required.
Group dental insurance provides coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
Group vision insurance offers plans with co-pays for exams, eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, and frames. Group life, accidental death, and dismemberment insurance plans are available to firms with less than 10 employees ($50,000 per employee) and firms with more than 10 employees ($100,000 per employee) respectively.
MMIC can offer the broadest range of insuring companies, policies, and plans. The staff at MMIC will analyze the health insurance needs of AFSA members and provide impartial objective advice with a view to improving coverage and reducing costs. For more information, contact Ed Sterczek at (800) 349-1039 or email ed.s@mmicinsurance.com.