18 WESTERN PALLET
The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) announced this November that it will offer an association health plan to its members, extending affordable health care to small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in approved states.
“At NWPCA, we are proud to add this health plan that can help lower costs and increase competitive health coverage for the men and women who work hard crafting the wooden pallets that move our world,” said Brent McClendon, NWPCA President and CEO .
The plan, called NAM Health Care (www.namhealthcare.com), was developed to meet the unique health care needs of manufacturers. It will offer a portfolio of health benefits options insured by UnitedHealthcare. In states where these plans are available, businesses with 2 to 99 employees will be able to choose from a variety of PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and HSA (Health Savings Account) health plans.
“In working with NAM Health Care, our manufacturing members and their employees have greater access to a network of preferred providers,” added McClendon.
Members will also have access to UnitedHealthcare’s Choice Plus care provider network of more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. Under NAM Health Care, eligible member companies also will have access to supplemental benefits including dental, vision and life. UnitedHealthcare will work with any licensed and appointed agents who want to sell NAM Health Care.
Mercer will provide NWPCA small-business members that elect Mercer as their agent of record with consulting services regarding health benefit offerings and contribution strategies, marketing support to sign up and enroll their employees, plan administration and compliance consulting services.
The Mercer Affinity 365+SM platform will provide members technology for obtaining quotes for employee benefits, facilitating enrollment and providing ongoing benefit administration to help drive cost efficiencies and employee engagement. Member employer groups may continue to work with their current agents and consultants to obtain quotes through the NAM Health Care offering.
NWPCA is quoting these plans for eligible member groups for a December 1 enrollment date. To request a quote for these plans, where available, interested businesses may visit palletcentral.com/health.
NAM Health Care is an industry-based Association Health Plan (AHP) that’s fully ACA-compliant, administered by Mercer and sponsored by The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), of which the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association is an affiliate member. Medical, Dental, Vision and Life insurance are underwritten by UnitedHealthcare®. Plans are not available to member employers in all states.
NWPCA Launches NAM Health Care to Address Member Coverage Needs