Farmers Business Network launches fbn Health insurance

Date:12-18-2018

Farmers Business Network, the independent farmer-to-farmer network, announced FBN Health, a multi-state healthcare network for farmers, their families and their farm employees, giving farmers access to more affordable healthcare options, designed just for them.

The high cost of health insurance is squeezing farmers, forcing family members to take off-farm jobs or even to leave farming altogether to afford medical care. And it's preventing young people from beginning to farm or return to their family farm.

"Healthcare is one of the greatest personal risks facing farm families - from the rising and unpredictable healthcare costs to the actual health and well-being of the family itself," said Lucas Strom, Head of Insurance at Farmers Business Network. "Our members have been asking us to find a solution that's affordable, has options and is easy to navigate, and we believe FBN Health is one giant step in the right direction."

By leveraging the purchasing power of the FBN network, FBN has lowered health insurance premiums and passes those savings straight to the farmer. In many cases, FBN expects that eligible FBN members will see significant premium savings over the individual marketplace.

FBN has tailored health benefit plans to meet FBN members' needs with a farmer-focused healthcare offering. FBN Health gives farmers the option of four different health plans that offer:

- Health coverage for the entire farm family - including farm employees: Medical, dental and vision

- Free, 24/7 telephone access to a doctor-at $0 co-pay-so farmers don't have to waste any time driving to town when there's a medical question or need

- Extensive regional and national networks of providers based across the country

With rising costs of health coverage, farmers need affordable health benefits that give them the chance to continue to farm as a business rather than have to make the choice among skyrocketing healthcare costs as an independent business owner, risking the health and wellness of the farm family, and their passion and livelihood.

"We are strong believers that farmers deserve quality health insurance that is not at the expense of a farmers' P&L. By teaming up with Lifestyle Health, we're able to provide much lower rates for relatively healthy members of the farm family or farm employees," said Strom. "Through this approach, and the power of the FBN network, we anticipate qualified members may see up to 25 - 35 percent saving under the right circumstances. We're really excited to bring this option to farmers."

This is only the beginning. Rural communities deserve better healthcare options and with FBN Health, FBN is innovating ways to bring down costs and improve health outcomes.

FBN members in 11 states-Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Dakota-can enroll at any time during the year, and members in Minnesota can enroll beginning April 1, 2019, with more states coming soon.

FBN Health benefits will be made available to any FBN member group that has a minimum of two enrolled employees that has its own Tax ID Number (FEIN). Any full time employee of the group will be eligible for coverage under the program including family members (active employees) and farm hands.

For more information on FBN Health, visit www.FBNHealth.com or call 800-483-6214.

Creating an Independent Farm Economy to Put Farmers First
The idea for the FBN network originated from farmers who wanted to create an independent, farmer-driven information and commerce network.

With the launch of FBN Health, farmers are one step closer to having a totally independent full-farm profit system: from FBN Insurance, crop insurance powered by data; to FBN Direct's input ecommerce platform; to FBN Analytics comprehensive agronomic-network data analytics & decision support; to FBN Crop Marketing's premium contracts, production contracts, advisory & risk management, and price intelligence powered by a global buyer network.

About Farmer's Business Network, Inc. and FBN Insurance LLC

Farmer's Business Network, Inc. is an independent farmer-to-farmer network, built by and for Farmers, representing Farmers First℠. FBN members receive comprehensive farm benchmarking, real world seed performance, input optimization and pricing analytics based on over 160 million acre events of real-world precision agronomic data. The FBN Direct e-commerce platform provides national, transparent pricing on ag chemicals, fertilizers, seeds, technology and services. FBN Crop Marketing provides farms premium contracts, production contracts, risk management, and price intelligence powered by a global buyer network.

The FBN network has grown to covering more than 26 million acres of member farms in the U.S. and Canada. Blending the best of Midwestern agricultural roots and Silicon Valley technology, the company has offices in San Carlos, Calif., and a National Operations Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., and employees spanning 44 states and Canadian provinces.

The FBN Network's mission of creating a better farm economy has earned the support of world-class technology investors GV (formerly Google Ventures), DBL Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers LLP, Bow Capital, Acre Venture Partners, Temasek, and T. Rowe Price. To learn more, visit: www.fbn.com.