News - MLA
Friday, October 28, 2022 12:00 AM

Health Insurance and Healthcare Options for Members

Running a library takes hard work and dedication. We understand that while every library is different, there are common needs – like attracting a great workforce. MLA organizational membership unlocks tools to help libraries attract and retain talent through access to high-quality benefits packages from partners you can trust including:

Blue Cross® and Blue Shield ® of Michigan and Blue Care Network small and large group health plans for full-time staff (available for libraries covering one or more employees) and we are now pleased to offer Healthiest You plans for a simple and cost-effective solution for part-time staff.

MLA is dedicated to saving libraries time, and money, and reducing the hassles of offering employee benefit plans. The affordable and flexible plans allow your library to offer a complete medical, dental, and vision package that will attract and retain the talented employees needed to build a successful team.

Please note: You may recall back in 2019 that MLA took advantage of new federal rules to create a health insurance “pool” where Michigan libraries could access large group pricing, but a court case challenged those rules and the program had to be disbanded.  We do not see a path forward in the foreseeable future. Rates for small businesses (like our libraries) are the same whether you’re direct with the Blues or sponsored through an association or chamber. The rates can’t be discounted, but we offer our members a direct connection to a highly trusted licensed insurance agent who not only provides MLA with our own association insurance but who now works with over 30 of our member libraries throughout Michigan.

Rick Labian at National Insurance Services (NIS) knows library needs and will provide details on plan options, run proposals, and provide implementation/enrollment assistance. He is very responsive to the needs of our members and offers good advice and “best fit” options.

To learn more, please contact Rachel Ash, MLA Membership and Communications Director at [email protected].

“We’ve worked with Rick from the beginning with this process and he knows he will be hearing from me soon about costs for the upcoming year. Our pricing through NIS is still less expensive (savings of over $11,000/year) then what our township has to offer to my library so we’re pleased there is an alternative for us to choose.”
~BillieJo Bluemer, Director, Rauchholz Memorial Library, Hemlock, MI

What is HealthiestYou?

HealthiestYou Animated Overview 2020 from HealthiestYou on Vimeo.

Library Directors: HealthiestYou is a new affordable option to provide your library staff with access to free healthcare.

What is HealthiestYou?
HealthiestYou is a healthcare service that offers convenient, confidential access to quality doctors and providers by phone, video, or app 24/7/365.

What can you use HealthiestYou for?
HealthiestYou can help you with everyday, non-emergency healthcare issues, including sinus problems, allergies, flu symptoms, and more. By scheduling an online visit with one of their U.S. board-certified and licensed medical doctors, you can be diagnosed, treated, and prescribed medication if necessary and skip the waiting room or the trip to urgent care.

The current rate for MLA Organizational Members that enroll in HealthiestYou is $12.75 per employee per month, paid by the employer, and is guaranteed until 12/1/2023. It renews annually after that. The plan can be offered to full and/or part-time employees and includes access for their dependents. Plan set-up is simple and done all online.

Check out this flyer that explains the program from a member's perspective or click the video link above for a short one-minute video about how the program works.

Interested in learning more? HealthiestYou is available exclusively to MLA Organizational Members. If your library is interested in participating or learning more, please contact Rachel Ash, MLA Membership and Communications Director at [email protected] to verify your eligibility and connect you with Rick Labian at NIS to learn more or enroll.

 


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