On June 10, the Book Industry Health Insurance Partnership (BIHIP), a coalition of nine organizations, including the American Booksellers Association (ABA), announced a partnership with LIG Solutions to provide its members with a choice of health insurance options. Joining ABA in this partnership are American Society for Indexing, Authors Guild, Book Industry Study Group, Graphic Artists Guild, Independent Book Publishers Association, Novelists Inc., Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and Western Writers of America Inc.

Since April 2018, BIHIP has been vetting various companies for association-sponsored health insurance programs. Initially, the coalition’s goal was to create an association health plan (AHP). The coalition was formed following a presidential executive order that expanded eligibility for organizations to pool resources across state lines to offer members health insurance at negotiated rates. BIHIP’s goal, however, had to be modified when the executive order was deemed illegal. The government appealed the ruling, and the case is still in the courts.

With expanded AHPs currently off the table, the coalition modified its goal to find a company that could provide coalition members with extensive knowledge of the health insurance market to help members navigate the wide array of insurance options, including ACA-compliant major medical, Medicare/supplements, short term policies, vision, dental, critical care, supplemental coverage, and small group/Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRAs) programs.

Additionally, the coalition wanted to ensure that all businesses and their employees could take advantage of the benefit, including: individual members and their immediate family; business owners and their W2 employees; 1099-employees/independent contractors; association volunteers; and association staff and their immediate family.

The partnership with LIG Solutions addresses all of these revised goals, and the coalition is committed to launching the program by the fall. LIG’s services are free. Health insurance plans do not cost more if you buy through LIG’s agents.

LIG Solutions is an insurance advisor with experience in the health, life, and Medicare insurance industry. LIG Solutions offers insurance solutions for associations, societies, membership organizations, and other affinity groups. LIG Solutions helps people understand their health benefits and different plan options to determine the appropriate health insurance option. While health insurance agents typically only represent one carrier, LIG broadens consumers’ choices and can sell insurance from many insurance companies in all 50 states.

For more information on this new offering, see the FAQs.

For information about health insurance in general, see health insurance options for small businesses.