As Costs Climb, Farm Bureau Highlights Path to Affordable Health Coverage

KEARNEY, NEB. – As Congress approaches a year-end deadline to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, Nebraskan families, particularly those who purchase their own insurance, could soon face significant premium increases. For farmers and ranchers, who already shoulder some of the highest health insurance costs in the state, the uncertainty adds pressure to find affordable, stable coverage.

Rob Robertson, chief administrator of Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB), said Nebraskans who operate outside traditional employer-sponsored insurance systems are particularly vulnerable.

“The current health care insurance market discriminates against self-employed individuals and small business owners because they are not eligible for the discounted rates available under employer-sponsored plans. This includes farmers, ranchers, and nearly all small business owners in the state,” Robertson said. “Many farm and ranch families have relied on the ACA marketplace, which is getting more expensive, especially with government subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.”

Against that backdrop, Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plans (NEFBHP) are emerging as a lower-cost option at a time when families are looking for stable footing.

“Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plans offer comprehensive, benefit-rich options at rates that can be up to 50% less than unsubsidized ACA plans,” said Kelsey Scheer, assistant director of NEFB Health Plans. “This year, when open enrollment began, we ran a comparison to see how our coverage stacks up to the ACA marketplace, and we consistently see the incredible value these plans offer individuals and families.”

A recent comparison quote showed that a conceptual family comprised of a couple in their 40s with two teenage children could save up to $47,000 in premiums over the next year by choosing a Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan instead of a plan sold through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Actual savings will vary based on the specific Marketplace plan a household is comparing and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan option they select.

“When we compared plans side-by-side with what’s available on the Marketplace, the results were striking,” said Scheer. “For many families enrolled in a silver-level Marketplace plan, switching to our High Deductible Health Plan option — which also includes access to a Health Savings Account — meant saving thousands of dollars and gaining a plan with a lower deductible and lower out-of-pocket maximum.”

In one example:

• A traditional family plan with a $1,500 deductible costs $1,206/month through NEFB Health Plans. A similar plan from a leading insurance provider costs $3,316.09/month and carried a 64% higher out-of-pocket maximum.
• A bronze-equivalent plan under NEFB Health Plans cost $985/month, compared to $2,048.08/month from the comparison provider.

Savings extend to individuals as well:

• An individual in their 40s could purchase a traditional NEFB Health Plan with a $1,500 deductible for $516.25/month. Similar coverage through the comparison provider cost $1,702.81/month, with nearly double the out-of-pocket maximum.

“Plus, families and individuals have more choices with NEFB Health Plans to help control out-of-pocket costs,” said Scheer. “Our comparison shows our plans have lower deductibles, lower out-of-pocket maximums, and lower premium.”

For Madison County farmer Dawn Kucera, switching to a Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan was a simple decision once she saw the numbers.

“With my Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan, I will pay $270 per month. I’m saving $800 a month compared with the marketplace,” Kucera said. “As a farmer, I’ve had to buy my own insurance for years, and it’s been one of my biggest expenses. Having an option that finally brings those costs down gives me some breathing room and coverage I can rely on year after year.”

Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plans launched in 2024 following Nebraska Farm Bureau’s advocacy during the legislative session. Lawmakers passed a bill authorizing certain nonprofit agricultural organizations, including NEFB, to sponsor health benefit plans for their members.

NEFB Health Plans are backed by Farm Bureau Health Plans of Tennessee, which has provided member-based health plans for 75 years. The plans are individually underwritten, and some plans require a physical prior to receiving coverage.

Unlike insurance offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace, there is no open-enrollment period for NEFB Health Plans.

“If you miss the Jan. 15 deadline to sign up for an exchange plan, we accept new members every day,” Scheer says. “Even if you currently have a marketplace plan, I’d be happy to help you compare cost and coverage to see if we could help you save hundreds of dollars each month, possibly more.”

A paid Nebraska Farm Bureau membership is required to begin enrollment. Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS) agents in Nebraska exclusively sell these plans to NEFB members. For more information go to our website at www.nefbhp.com.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. Nearly 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.