The Idaho Lawyer Health Benefit Plan is a self-funded group benefit plan designed to serve the needs of Idaho Law Firms. Coverage extends to principals, employees, spouses and dependants. The plan provides rich benefit options to select from when making decisions about coverage. As a self-funded plan, premiums that would have gone to an insurance carrier are now paid to a trust as member contributions to finance the cost of member benefits. Money that remains after administrative and claims expenses are paid, is reinvested into the trust.

To be eligible for the Idaho Lawyer Benefit Plan, the applying group must meet all of the following requirements:

• One participant must be a member of the Idaho State Bar  
• Hold residency in the State of Idaho
• Have been in business for greater than 3 months
• Have at least 2 employees that will be covered at the time of enrollment
• Agree to the terms of the Joinder Agreement

Yes, to participate in the medical coverage the following requirements must be met:

• Minimum Eligible Employee Participation of 75%
• Minimum Employer Contribution of 75%

Yes, Dental and Vision plans are also available.  Participation in the Dental and/or Vision Plan is available to those enrolled in the Medical Plan.  These benefits require a 75% participation level of the members enrolled in the Medical Plan coverage.

Yes, in the event that the solo has at least two employees that will be covered under the plan at the time of enrollment.  The attorney can count himself/herself as one employee.  For example, a solo practitioner and a paralegal employed by the firm would meet the eligibility requirement.

The long-term vision is to include solo attorneys without employees.  Until such time we can provide you with contact information for a representative that will help you acquire an individually rated policy.

There are no published rates for the health benefits program. Each group fills out an application for coverage after which the group is underwritten and priced. The Medical Plan provides five plan design options to choose from when considering coverage and each plan is quoted during the underwriting process. The application is available at www.idaholawyerbenefit.com.  Quotes are generally available within three to five business days.

Employee eligibility is determined by the number of hours required by the Participating Employer who employs him/her, which minimum number of hours will be at least eighty (80) hours per month, but not more than one hundred fifty (150) hours per month as designated by the Participating Employer at the time of adoption of the Plan.  Further, and for purposes of determining the number of eligible employees, the Participating Employer shall count all employees that are not covered by another creditable plan.

The waiting period is determined by the Participating Employer.  The Plan’s waiting period is the period of time from the Enrollment Date to the first day of the month following a period of time or periods of times specified by the Participating Employer in the Joinder Agreement.  Participating Employers often use the following waiting period: The first of the month following the month in which the employee was hired.

No, the Plan is a self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) in which participating employers make contributions that are paid to a Trust and then utilized to finance the cost of member benefits. The Plan is not insurance and it does not participate in the state guaranty association.

No, not unless you plan to become an employer and meet the eligibility requirements of the Trust.

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