The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has finalized a plan to begin offering health insurance to its membership. The organization made the announcement at its ASTA Small Business Network Conference in Colorado.
ASTA will offer the insurance through an “association health plan” (AHP) to its membership in 39 states by the end of the year. (The plan is not yet available in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.) As part of the program, coverage will be available to both individuals and small business owners and their families, including ASTA-member independent contractors. Additional states could be added to the program at a later date if existing legal restrictions affecting those states are resolved, ASTA said.
In addition to health insurance, members will also be able to purchase other types of insurance coverage through the plan, such as disability insurance, life insurance and Medicare supplements. ASTA said it anticipates coverage will be available before the end of the year.
ASTA said that a plan of this kind had been a frequent request of its members over the past several years, as it could allow individuals and small business owners to obtain coverage at group rates much more favorable than if purchased individually.
ASTA said that it is working with the insurance vendor on marketing and enrollment materials, which will include details on the cost of the program and how to enroll.
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