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.
North Risk/Bearence, Wellmark present to MBI members
at the Annual Winter Conference
This week, Mike Pyle from North Risk Partners / Bearence Management Group and Dave Daniel from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield presented to MBI members at the Annual Winter Conference. At the meeting, they both provided an up-to-date timeline on where we stand with the creation of MBI Plus. Wellmark also shared that they have 30 people working full time on the back-end to ensure that the product is viable and works. While this may seem like a slow process, it’s important to remember that Association Healthcare Plans are brand new to Iowa. It’s also important to remember that MBI is the first association that has gone as far as we have to deliver a product to our membership that brings value and hopefully cost savings. So while the creators of MBI Plus have to live by the old adage, “it’s a good thing you’re first, and a bad thing you’re first,” we have still been given the assurance that a fully-insured MBI AHP, backed by the strength of Wellmark’s brand, is likely to be available for enrollment by fall 2019.
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. (View the February issue for other ideas)
 
 
Remind Employees to Get Flu Shots
This time of year the flu bug runs ramped among offices. Post a list of locations near your office offering flu shots on the company bulletin board.
 
Assess Your Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of designing work tasks (and work spaces) in a way that limits stress on the human body. For office workers, this means things like keyboards designed to minimize the risk of repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel, screens that minimize eye strain, and chairs that minimize back pain.
 
Incentivize Smoking Cessation
In a study conducted by The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton School, employees who were financially incentivized to quit smoking were 3 times more successful at quitting the habit than non-incentivized employees.
 
More ideas coming in next month’s issue!
Frequently Asked Questions
MBI Plus | Website