Farmers’ Health Cooperative
to Offer Dental Coverage in 2009

The Farmers’ Health Cooperative of Wisconsin (FHCW), which puts large group purchasing to work for Wisconsin farmers and agribusinesses looking for affordable, high quality health insurance coverage, will expand its product offerings to include dental coverage in 2009.

FHCW found out that dental care is highly sought after by members.  “Since forming in 2007, we have had several requests from members for dental coverage” said Melissa Duffy, FHCW’s Executive Director.  “As a member-owned and governed cooperative, the FHCW Board of Directors took this very seriously and directed staff to send out a Request for Proposal to dental carriers.”

Upon receiving the bids, the FHCW Board of Directors chose as its carrier the not-for-profit Delta Dental of Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s largest dental carrier.  For over forty years, Delta Dental has offered high-value, high quality and innovative dental benefits to Wisconsin employers.  This coverage, which would not otherwise be available to individual farmers, is now accessible to farmers and agribusinesses through the large group purchasing power of a cooperative.

Under the Farmers’ Health Cooperative/Delta Dental plan, members will have the freedom of choice to see any dentist in Wisconsin. As an added bonus, Delta Dental has secured agreements with over 80 percent of Wisconsin dentists to provide dental care at a discount to members.  Premiums range from $25.24 per month for self-only coverage to $96.20 per month for family coverage.

Like the six medical insurance options offered by FHCW since 2007, the dental plan provides high-quality, comprehensive benefits.  The plan offers 100 percent coverage of one dental cleaning/examination every 6 months and other diagnostic and preventive services such as sealants and fluoride treatments with no deductible.  Fillings, root canals, extractions, root planning and major restorative services such as crowns and dentures are also covered.

Existing FHCW members who are interested in dental care should act now to sign-up for coverage effective March 1, 2009.  After March 1, members will have to wait until next January to enroll.  Farmers and agribusinesses should call 1-800-654-8840 to enroll in FHCW’s dental plan or to find out more about the Farmers’ Health Cooperative. Information is also available on the web at www.farmershealthcooperative.com. 

The Farmers’ Health Cooperative will explore other insurance offerings that have been requested by members, and plans to take advantage of its large group status in order to save members money in other areas.  “Now that we have a large group together, the options for FHCW continue to grow,” Duffy said.  “This is what purchasing cooperatives are all about.”