Oct. 16, 2024 – Finding the best and most affordable health care coverage is a smart business practice and key to retaining your employees. Nov. 1 marks the beginning of open enrollment, bringing health care coverage costs and cost-containment options top of mind for everyone.

The State Bar’s Group Health Plan for Law Firms can help you provide quality health care coverage for your team.

Know that law firms can enroll in the group health plan at any time during the year, not just during the open-enrollment period. Check your coverage options to see how your firm can offer competitive compensation and benefits to attract and retain talent. This is especially important as health care costs continue to rise.

About the State Bar’s Association Group Health Plan: Customizable to Fit Your Firm

As a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, you have access to a range of health insurance options designed to suit the unique needs of your firm’s legal professionals.

Coverage is provided by Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS, WPS Health Insurance). Understanding these options can help you make informed decisions about your health care coverage.

Eligibility. Your firm is eligible for coverage under the State Bar Group Health Plan for Law Firms when:

• there are at least two nonfamily members employed within the firm; and

• the employees work at least 26 hours per week.

Please know that pure solo attorneys are not eligible. Under current federal and state association health plan law, the State Bar’s plan cannot provide coverage to individual attorneys either working as solo practitioners without at least one nonfamily employee, or as individual participants outside their firm’s employee group health plan.

Your employees may decline coverage. You must offer it to every nonfamily employee who works 26 hours or more per week (unless your law firm employee handbook defines full-time as 30 hours or more).

12 coverage options. State Bar members have a choice of 12 different health insurance plans: six traditional copay plans and six high-deductible health plans. This broad selection ensures that everyone in your law firm can find a plan that aligns with their specific needs, whether you are looking for family or individual coverage, comprehensive coverage, or a more basic plan.

Our firm found that the State Bar of Wisconsin group health plan for law firms had a significantly lower premium than we could get for our own group. We are a small firm with about 10 employees. The plan is a PPO so we can go to the health providers of our choosing and have had no issues with coverage or administration. Our contact, Christine Nadolski, is super responsive and answers our questions in an easy-to-understand manner. I would highly recommend the plan.
– Atty. Kathy Bach, DeMark, Kolbe & Brodek, S.C., Racine

Employer contributions are optional. Whether you are a smaller practice or part of a larger firm, you can adjust your plan according to what best fits your financial and health care needs. For instance, your firm could match an eligible federal subsidy or contribute toward premiums.

Flexible provider network access. The insurance plans provide access to both in-state and out-of-state networks, so you can choose from a wide range of health care providers, ensuring continuity of care. This flexibility is especially beneficial for those who need specialized care or prefer to maintain relationships with longtime health care providers.

Flexible group sizes. The insurance plans accommodate groups of all sizes. This means that even if you are the only person needing coverage in your firm, you can still access group rates and benefits, which makes it easier for smaller firms to secure quality health insurance without having to meet traditional group size requirements.

Plan Benefits

The insurance plan provides access to online tools and resources to access health and wellness information, preventative medications without a copay, and common medications available in both generic and brand names. The plan also provides for preventive services without any cost-sharing when care is received from in-network providers.

In addition to the core benefits and health insurance coverage, other services include:

• access to telemedicine consultations for nonemergency situations in the areas of general medicine, mental health care, and dermatology.

• Propeller: A sensor and app to monitor your asthma or COPD.

• Welldoc: Helps you take charge of your health by monitoring your diabetes.

• Tobacco Cessation Assistance to support to those wanting to stop smoking.

• Active & Fit Direct Program, which allows access to fitness center membership discounts.

Need Help Making the Right Choice?

When selecting a health insurance plan, consider your current health needs, preferred health care providers, and budget. Review each plan’s details, including premiums, deductibles, and coverage limits, to ensure it meets your requirements.

For more information on the available plans or to get personalized assistance, contact the Professional Insurance Programs representatives for rate quotes:

Christine Nadolski
Benefits Manager
cnadolski@profinsprog.com
Phone: (414) 755-4172

Wendy Block
Senior Account Manager
wblock@profinsprog.com
Phone: (414) 755-4185

Or visit the Professional Insurance Program’s website on the State Bar Group Health Plan for Law Firms. Navigating health insurance may be complex, but with the right information, you can make a choice that provides you with the coverage you need.

Law firms can enroll in the group health plan at any time throughout the year, not just during open enrollment time in November. For coverage effective Jan. 1, 2024, paperwork must be submitted by Dec. 15.