Who doesn’t love a good list? There are lists everywhere you look. In the golf industry alone, there are lists that come out each year: Top 100 Golf Courses, Best Public Course by State, and on and on. Heck, you can even find a top ten list of top ten lists (I stayed away from the Top 10 Researchers Who Experimented on Themselves).

In the spirit of a good list, I’ll be creating a ‘list’ of my own. Each week I’ll be highlighting a different GCSAA member benefit or program. I’m using the term ‘list’ loosely as this is not a top 50 list, but more of an awareness list that will provide a quick snapshot of various GCSAA programs and member benefits.

So, without further ado, let’s jump right into #1:

1. GCSAA Association Health Program

This one (pun intended) is something I’ve become much more familiar with as my wife and I welcomed our first child last month and I’ve been reintroduced to my health insurance many times leading up to, and following the birth.

Proper health insurance is a huge benefit no matter where you are in life or what you do. GCSAA members have asked for health insurance as a member benefit and GCSAA has partnered with Association Health Programs (AHP), an insurance broker who specializes in unique and cost-effective association insurance solutions, to offer our members quality and customized health care options. All GCSAA members (excluding Friend Members) will have access to this program.

Health insurance is not the only insurance available to members. GCSAA members have access to dental, vision, telehealth, mental health, disability, life, accident, long-term care, and Medicare supplements as well.

“Having access to affordable health insurance plans has been a key concern for many of our members for a long time,” Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO said. “And with current events, it’s now even more vital to be able to offer them access to benefit plans from major insurance carriers to provide coverage for the member and their families.”

The program has options for members in 38 states. Due to state legal restrictions, the program is not available in 12 states: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. U.S. territories and those outside of the United States are excluded as well.

AHP partners with A+-rated insurance carriers to offer Preferred Provider Plans (PPO). A few examples are United Healthcare PPO, Aetna PPO, and Cigna PPO. Product options, carrier availability, and rates vary by state and individual circumstances. GCSAA members are responsible for the premiums and make payments directly to the insurance providers.

A 5- to 10-minute online census form is required prior to obtaining assistance with product options and rates. 

This is an awesome member benefit and I hope you’ll take a look at the insurance offerings available through your GCSAA membership if you’re shopping around.

If you have questions, please visit our FAQ Page, our GCSAA Association Health Program homepage or call AHP at 888-450-3040.

That wraps up the first edition of the weekly Top 50 ‘list'. I hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to come back next week for the second edition!