BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : JULY 10, 2000 ISSUE
FRONTIER -- FEATURES Remedy #4: Association Health Plans HOW IT WORKS: You pay a nominal fee to participate in a health plan through a sponsoring association--typically, an industry or trade group. The association administers the plans. WHO IT'S FOR: Best for fewer than 15 people, including dependents. WHERE IT'S OFFERED: All 50 states. WHAT'S GOOD: Often provides better and more affordable coverage than you could get on your own, with discounts averaging 10%. Saves on administrative costs. Associations can serve as your advocate in disputes with your insurer over coverage. WHAT'S NOT: Nine states don't allow association plans to offer discounts (Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Washington). Offers less variety than a consumer choice health-purchasing group. WHERE TO GO: The Association Healthcare Coalition, a nonprofit representing about 40 associations, 202 543-4455. Also, try your local Chamber of Commerce. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _					RELATED ITEMS The Health Care Crisis CHART: Ouch! The Nation's Smallest Companies Faced the Biggest Hikes in Health Care Premiums TABLE: Remedy #1: Medical Savings Accounts TABLE: Remedy #2: Self-Funding with Stop-Loss TABLE: Remedy #3: Split Funding TABLE: Remedy #4: Association Health Plans TABLE: Remedy #5: Consumer Choice Health Purchasing Group CHART: Who's Covered Commentary: Search for a Cure INTERACT E-Mail to Business Week Online

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