Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield continues to partner with MBI and North Risk Partners / The Bearence Management Group to develop an association healthcare plan (AHP) for all eligible MBI members called MBI Plus. This program is being developed in cooperation with state regulators to ensure it complies with the often complex state and federal AHP laws and regulations. AHPs allow members to join together to obtain health insurance coverage. There are eligibility requirements associated with joining MBI Plus. While we have partnered with North Risk / Bearence to help us develop MBI Plus, there will be opportunities for exclusive MBI preferred partners to access MBI Plus through North Risk / Bearence.
How Employers Are Fixing Health Care
Recently, MBI signed onto a national effort with the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future (PAHCF). The PAHCF’s mission is to improve what’s working in health care and fix what’s not – primarily supporting the strength of employer-provided health coverage and resisting a call for single payer health care at the national level. The effort is comprised of leaders from different industries who agree that a one-size fits all, government-controlled health care system is not the answer. According to a February 2018 survey , the majority of Americans continue to be satisfied with their employer’s health plan with more than half of the respondents saying that coverage plays an essential role in their choice to stay in their current jobs. 

Taken from a recent Harvard Business Review article, “For competitive companies, providing quality coverage is good business. It helps attract and retain employees (good health plans are a sought-after benefit), and workers who received good, affordable care are more satisfied and productive. But that coverage is expensive, and costs are rising.”  Companies not only struggle with costs, but with forecasting and budgeting for those increased expenses and being happy with health care outcomes. The article continues, “All employers are trying to control costs, but only focusing on costs would be shortsighted……employer's have explicitly pursued health care value – lower costs coupled with better outcomes. It would do little good to secure bargain-priced care if that didn’t help people resume their lives and return to work.”

It’s in this spirit that MBI continues to partner with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and North Risk Partners/The Bearence Management Group to develop an association healthcare plan (MBI Plus) that will deliver a product to our membership that brings value, anticipated cost savings and an overall plan that will provide better outcomes. We are attempting to do exactly what we believe will help you recruit and retain top employees for your companies. 

MBI staff continues to meet with our partners on a regular basis. We are tentatively planning to have pricing and final plan designs on schedule this late spring/early summer. MBI Plus is likely to consist of four different plan options including a quality high-deductible plan, available on both the HMO and PPO networks. Included will also be ancillary coverage including two dental plans and one vision plan. For the most recent up to date information, please refer to the FAQ section at the bottom of this email. If you are interested in possibly pursuing MBI Plus, please email Laurie Delmott at ldelmott@mbi.build .  
Wellness Program Series
Employee wellness programs are on the rise in many companies as a way to attract top talent, keep them happy and productive and decrease employee turnover.
The key to having a successful wellness program at work is encouraging overall wellbeing while still keeping it fun. This series each month is designed to provide some ideas to get you started and keep you going.
 
 
HOLD COMPANY-WIDE CHALLENGES

The Mile-A-Day Challenge
For 30 days, employees track how many days they ran at least 1 mile. The winner at the end of the month gets a prize.
 
The 7 Hours of Sleep Challenge
For 30 days, employees track how many nights they slept at least 7 hours. The winner at the end of the month gets a prize.
 
The 8 Glass of Water Challenge
For 30 days, employees track how many days they drank at least 8 glasses (8 ounces) of water. The winner at the end of the month gets a prize
 
The Whole Life Challenge
The 8 week long Whole Life Challenge incentives major lifestyle change by awarding points for completing each of the 7 Daily habits: nutrition, exercise, mobilize, sleep, hydrate, lifestyle, and reflect. Game mechanics help keep you engaged and a scoreboard keeps you in friendly competition with co-workers.
 
More ideas coming in next month’s issue!
Frequently Asked Questions
MBI Plus | Website