The Affordable Care Act 

For nearly thirty years WIBA has attempted to meet the health insurance needs of independent businesses.  Throughout that period we have provided a plan in which members could enroll without regard to their condition.  That plan is terminating in the spring.

Our surveys have made clear that a large majority of members oppose the Affordable Care Act and want, at the very least, delays in its implementation.  We also know from our surveys that health insurance is the second largest expense (after salaries and wages) for most of our members.  With that in mind we have also committed to serve you under the new law. 

We first partnered with the Great Plains Health Care Partnership and others to create a statewide health coop.  We expected approval in January of 2013, but the funds intended to provide the startup loans were traded away in the Fiscal Cliff negotiations.  We are still examining opportunities to collaborate with an approved coop in another state.  Our president, Tim Witsman is chairman of the Kansas Health CO-OP Board of Directors.

With the implementation of the ACA, Karen Fillenworth, Manager of Insurance Services for the for-profit WIBA Insurance Services, is  a licensed agent for the exchange.   As part of the process to become licensed she received training about the qualified health plans and about insurance affordability programs. There was also training in privacy and security standards to ensure that your personal information will not be compromised. She is able to help you work your way through the healthcare.gov website to enroll in an exchange plan or, she is also licensed with other insurance providers in the state and can help you enroll in off-exchange plans that are still compliant with the new laws.

Judy Whiley, WIBA's Manager of Membership Services, completed the training to become a Navigator.  A Navigator is trained to ensure provision of accurate, impartial information relating to benefits, cost sharing, eligibility, enrollment, premium tax credits and subsidies, provider networks, and quality to individuals and businesses seeking health coverage through the Health Care Marketplace.  A Navigator may not sell or recommend a particular policy.  If you have any questions please call Judy Whiley at 316-201-3264.

Our insurance consultant, David Hornick, has prepared what follows to help you understand, in as few words as possible, the Affordable Care Act.

1)       The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (also known as Obama Care) encountered its most significant implementation date on January 1, 2014.  It was on that day that all Americans were required to have health insurance coverage.

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