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Health Insurance Solutions

Overview

EFCA churches, as well as other churches and ministries who are clients of FCMM, now have access to the group health insurance programs of GuideStone Financial Resources (the church benefits board that serves Southern Baptist and select evangelical ministries). The GuideStone health plans are self-insured but are administered by Highmark (the Blue Cross medical network) and Express Scripts pharmacy network.

In conjunction with the denomination partnership, GuideStone has developed insurance solutions that provide group health plans to any size group, starting with two eligible employees. As a group health plan, there are qualifications and procedures for underwriting, including completion of health questionnaires by all eligible employees.

The health plans include both standard Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). HDHPs are eligible for use with a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Plan Sizes

Small Group of 2-4 Participants

An employer obtaining group health insurance for 2 to 4 participants will chose one health plan from the 11 offered by GuideStone. All eligible employees must be covered unless having a waiver for other group coverage such as through a spouse.

Mid-Size Group of 5+ Participants

A mid-size group requires participation of 75% of eligible employees with a minimum of 5. The employer may choose to offer two plans for employees to elect.

Group of 10+ Participants

A group of 10 or more allows additional choices of offered plans for employees to elect.

Access to Personal Plans

While GuideStone had also offered Personal Plans for staff members of smaller churches, access to those plans had been frozen with limited exceptions for eligibility (such as new employment or a qualifying family change). However, as of November 2017, GuideStone has also opened Personal Plans for coverage at any time with Evidence of Good Health application for staff members of employers with ten or fewer employees.

All Plans Qualify as Group Health Plans

Both the Group Plans and the Personal Plans are deemed group health plans and may be provided by the employer as a nontaxable benefit. That means that GuideStone does not issue individual medical insurance policies; rather, it provides group health coverage through the plans it makes available. This is made possible because of GuideStone’s unique structure as a church benefits board.

How to Get Started

Contact GuideStone according to the group plan type below and request a proposal by identifying the church’s EFCA/FCMM connection. (EFCA churches in the Texas-Oklahoma District are covered by a prior association plan and should contact the district office for information.) Visit www.guidestoneinsurance.org for general health plan information.

Small Groups: GuideStone utilizes a web-based system to obtain coverage quotes for small groups of 2-4 eligible staff members. By following this link, www.guidestoneinsurance.org/microgroup, the church can run an illustrative rate and follow steps to obtain a firm rate and proposal. If the church wants to obtain the firm rate, a representative follows up promptly with the church. Assistance is still available by calling (844) 467-4843 but initiating contact through the website allows more prompt response.

Larger Groups: A church or ministry with 5 or more eligible employees may request a quote and more information by visiting this page or calling (844) 467-4843.

Personal Plans: Another option offers Personal Plans to be obtained. Employees at eligible small employers may apply for medical coverage (for themselves and eligible family members) within 60 days of when one of the following events takes place: new employment, increase in work schedule from under 20 hours/week to over that number, or change in family size. In addition to these events, an application for coverage can be made at any time by providing evidence of good health. For more information regarding eligibility, plan options, or enrollment, see the Personal Plans Health Coverage page. Click "Get a Quote" on the Personal Health Plans page to begin an application, or call (844) 467-4843.

 
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