Having only one option isn’t really an option at all.

Imagine if your furnace stopped working in the dead of winter, and the only company in a 60-mile radius that could fix it charged triple the average cost. At that point, your only choice is to get your wallet out – because you don’t have any other options.

When you only have one health insurance option, a lot is at stake and it can feel like you’re backed into a corner. Hence, Minnesota’s legislative creation of 40 Square Cooperative Solutions. The organization is Minnesota’s only independent cooperative dedicated to providing comprehensive health plan options for the state’s agribusinesses – and their employees – along with farm families, agricultural trade associations and cooperatives.

“40 Square was started to provide more options for farmers in rural Minnesota,” said Amanda Beavens, executive director of 40 Square. “That’s what we still strive to do. Offering different health care options to rural Minnesota gives them the freedom to choose what works best for them. Health care isn’t, and never will be, one-size-fits-all.”

Since its inception, 40 Square has worked tirelessly to offer a variety of major medical health plans with a range of options. All plans include coverage for doctor visits, preventative care prescription drugs, hospital care, no-cost annual exams and more.

Depending on their desired deductible amount, members can choose from multiple plans through Aetna, 40 Square’s provider.

For those looking to lower premium costs, 40 Square is now offering a no-prescription plan.

“You can save significant money if you go with the no-prescription plan,” Beavens said. “It’s a great option for those that don’t take regularly scheduled medicines. And with this plan, you can get a prescription savings card that will offer you discounts on the few prescriptions that may come up.”

Open network, value-based pricing plans are also being offered to new groups this year, which can save heath plan participants close to 15% when compared to standard plan options. Because these are open network plans, every provider is eligible to deliver services and members can select their own provider.

“The value-based pricing plans are great additions to our portfolio,” Beavens said. “With these plans, rising medical costs are contained and members can rest assured knowing that their medical bills are being audited and repriced to ensure that inappropriate costs aren’t collected.”

40 Square also boasts an Aetna Premier Care Network Plus (APCN+) plan, which offers reduced rates to residents in 13 Minnesota counties: Anoka, Brown, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Nicollet, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Washington and Wright.

Available to three distinct groups – farm families, agribusinesses and agricultural trade associations and co-ops – 40 Square remains committed to helping Minnesota’s agricultural community receive access to comprehensive health plan options.

“You’re signing up for more than a policy when you sign up with us,” Beavens said. “You’re signing up to join our health care cooperative. Our board of directors are farmers just like everybody else on the plan. They’re the ones making decisions for the membership based on members’ feedback.”

Farming is tough. Choosing your health care shouldn’t be. Choose 40 Square Cooperative Solutions today.

“We’re here to make your lives easier, not harder,” said Cole Trebesch, a Minnesota farmer and 40 Square board chair. “40 Square is the solution rural Minnesota has been looking for.”

For more information or to request a free quote, visit https://www.40square.coop/.