Farm Bureau's Health Care Cost Survey

Wisconsin farmers lack health insurance coverage. Farm families pay twice as much for private insurance than from off-farm sources.

Click here to read entire report [pdf]

About one-third of Wisconsin farmers are either uninsured or only have catastrophic health insurance coverage, according to a survey released by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

The Farm Bureau conducted a survey in March 2006 of 500 farmers to determine the extent and costs of health care coverage of farmers. They survey also compared the costs and level of coverage of farmers who purchase their own insurance to farmers who get insurance from off-farm employment.

"The results of this survey are striking, but nothing new," said Sabrina Gentile, Director of Governmental Relations with the Farm Bureau.

"The number of farmers who don't have insurance, and those with insurance just to cover catastrophic health events, is a wake-up call for the need to enact reforms so small businesses are able to get affordable, quality health care that covers wellness, and not just catastrophic medical problems," said Gentile.

The survey is part of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's "Farmers Care About Health Care" campaign, which is focused on increasing the awareness of the cost of health to farmers, and the challenge of obtaining quality and affordable coverage.

The survey showed that, not surprisingly, farmers who get insurance privately, pay considerably more than those farmers who are able to get insurance coverage from their own or a spouse's off-farm employment. The Farm Bureau survey showed farmers who purchase their own insurance pay 93% more in premiums and other out-of-pocket costs, compared to those who get insurance from off-farm employment. The average out-of-pocket cost for farmers purchasing their own health insurance is $8,826, compared to $4,245 for those obtaining insurance from off-farm sources.

The Farm Bureau survey found that 64% of farmers who had health insurance purchased it themselves, with 36% obtaining insurance through their own or a spouse's off-farm employment.

Farmers who purchased their own insurance had monthly premiums 52% more, and total out-of-pocket costs 183% more, compared to those who get insurance off-farm.

"Farmers want health insurance for their families and employees that they can afford on their own without having to turn to another job to get affordable, quality health care coverage," said Gentile.

The Farm Bureau survey showed that farmers who purchased their own health insurance were able to afford coverage through higher deductibles and co-payments, or with limited or no preventative care and prescription drug coverage.

Summary of Farm Bureau Health Insurance Survey:

Farmers lack insurance coverage or are underinsured
Almost one-third of farmers in Wisconsin have no insurance or have only catastrophic coverage, with 14% of farmers having no insurance, and just 17% having only catastrophic coverage. This is consistent with a 2002 University of Wisconsin-Madison Program on Agricultural Technology Studies (PATS) study of dairy producers conducted that showed 20% of just dairy producers did not have insurance coverage.

Coverage
Of those who indicated they had health insurance, 64% indicated they privately purchased their own insurance, with 36% getting insurance from their own or a spouse's off-farm employment. This is consistent with a 2002 Barron County Health Department survey that showed 70% of the dairy producers in the county purchased their own health insurance.

Cost
Farmers who purchase their own insurance pay on average $4,245 more, or 93% more, for their health insurance compared to farmers who get their insurance from off-farm sources. This includes premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses. The average out-of-pocket cost for farmers purchasing their own health insurance is $8,826.

Farmers who purchased their own insurance paid on average $171, or 52% more a month for their health insurance premiums compared to farmers who get their insurance from off-farm sources.

Farmers who purchased their own insurance had deductibles that were on average $2,892, or 183% more a month compared to farmers who get their insurance from off-farm sources. The average deductible for farmers purchasing their own health insurance is $4,471.

Level of Coverage
Of those farmers who purchased their own insurance, 17% indicated they only had catastrophic coverage, coverage that covered only major health events with high deductibles. The rest had a combination of insurance that covered things like doctor visits and prescription drugs.

Those farmers who purchased their own insurance had lower coverage for doctor visits and prescription drug coverage.

Return to Farmers Care About Health Care home page>>>

Go to Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation web site>>>