Executive Director’s Page
Finally, A Member-Owned Group Health Plan
United, through the support of its members, there is little that the
State Bar of Texas can’t accomplish. That is the story of the Members
Health Plan.
You have likely heard of the Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange, the
online insurance marketplace for State Bar members, their employees, and
their dependents that opened in November 2013. You have probably heard
about the great advice and advocacy its counselors provide. You may even
know about all the free enhancements you can access after enrolling in a
major medical plan through the exchange. These enhancements are also
available to those on Medicare.
That’s great, but I want to tell you what I have been hearing from
some of you. I hear you want to leverage the buying power of a group
plan for Texas attorneys—one that will help shelter our members from
market disruptions.
In response, I am excited to introduce you to the Members Health Plan,
a member-owned group health plan launched in May by Member Benefits
Inc., the administrator of the exchange. The plan is listed as an option
on the exchange and may provide attractive rates to some members,
including solo practitioners with one additional full-time employee. As
the program grows, we anticipate that solos—regardless if they have any
employees—will be eligible to join the plan as well.
This plan is the culmination of years of effort and obstacles.
As president-elect in 2013-2014, I was proud to be part of the State
Bar leadership team that launched the exchange. The exchange replaced a
group model that couldn’t compete with plans on the market, as high
premiums drove away healthy groups and caused the plan to go into a
death spiral. Additionally, at that time solo practitioners were unable
to participate in group programs.
The mission to enhance the insurance options for all Texas attorneys
did not end there. It has been spearheaded through the dedication of the
volunteer State Bar board members on the Insurance/Member Benefits
Subcommittee. They deserve all the credit for the continuous expansion
of the program that got us to where we are today.
Without the Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange, the Members Health
Plan would never have been possible. It is the participation of so many
members—16,000 individual enrollees and counting—that provided the
support to allow the program to get started.
Unlike in the traditional insurance market, where profits go back to
the insurance company and its shareholders, the potential surplus
generated from the Members Health Plan goes back into the plan to
enhance benefits and reduce costs for plan participants. With 13 newly
available plan options, prescription benefits, a national PPO network,
and more, the Members Health Plan has the potential to save your firm
money and be a long-term solution to managing your healthcare expenses.
Go to membershealthplan.com
for more information or to request a quote.
Whether it is the Members Health Plan or free legal research through
Casemaker and Fastcase or savings on a virtual assistant through
LexHelper or guidance on the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional
Conduct through the Ethics Helpline or discounts on hotels and rental
cars, the State Bar of Texas continues to find new ways to benefit our
members and make their lives more enjoyable and their work more
productive.
Sincerely,
Trey Apffel
Executive Director, State Bar of Texas
Editor-in-Chief, Texas Bar Journal
(512) 427-1500
@ApffelT on Twitter
Have a question for Trey? Email it to trey.apffel@texasbar.com and he may answer it in a future column.