For many farmers in Minnesota, choosing a health insurance plan each year is a frustrating and overwhelming task. In the past, Minnesota farmers who didn’t have access to a group plan were left to navigate the complicated world of health benefits on their own, only to learn their options were limited and oftentimes, unaffordable. Understanding the burden this placed on many of their farmer-owned co-op members, Land O’Lakes, Inc. wanted to provide an alternative. They saw an opportunity when a law was passed in Minnesota last year allowing agricultural co-op members to band together to purchase group health benefits.
Land O’Lakes partnered with Gravie, a Minneapolis-based benefits marketplace, to design a health plan exclusively for farmer-owned co-op members. Last year, a select group of Minnesota co-ops piloted the program, which resulted in hundreds of farmers and their families enrolling in coverage and on average, saving 10-20 percent. Due to its success, the list of co-ops participating in the program this year is expanding. CentraSota is one of the many co-ops involved in the program, for a full list, visit
gravie.com/mncoop.
In 2019, eligible co-op members and their employees who want to take advantage of the program can choose from a variety of cost-friendly health plans all providing access to PreferredOne’s broad Minnesota network. The plans range in coverage levels allowing members to find options that meet their unique needs and budget. There are no fees to join the program.
For coverage beginning Jan. 1,
2019, eligible co-op members and their employees can enroll in a plan from Oct. 29-Dec. 21. During the enrollment period, licensed advisors will be available to help members evaluate their options by phone, email and in-person at select locations in co-op communities throughout Minnesota. For a list of in-person meeting locations and times, visit
gravie.com/mncoop. To learn more about the Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s Minnesota Cooperative Member Health Plan, visit
gravie.com/mncoop. Questions? Call (844) 538.4690 or send an email to coop@gravie.com.