DOL Greenlights Idaho Farm Bureau Association Health Plan

The Department of Labor on Monday OK’d an association health plan from the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.

The Employee Benefits Security Administration released an advisory opinion saying the federation’s plan qualifies as an employee welfare benefit plan and a multiple employer welfare arrangement under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

“This is an innovative model that expands access to employer sponsored coverage, especially for small businesses, by reducing regulatory complexity and the cost of health coverage,” Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Daniel Aronowitz said in a statement.

The federation encompasses 39 county farm bureaus across Idaho, representing nearly 11,000 ...