Kansas Farmers Service Association

In response to the rising cost of providing health insurance to Kansas farmers cooperatives’ employees, several cooperative managers with the assistance of KFSA, formed a committee to explore the options to the standard health care plans, and in 1983 formed Agri-Business Benefit Group, Inc. (ABBGI), a 501 (c)(9) employee benefit trust, and the Agri-Business Benefit Plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

From its meager beginnings with 9 participating cooperatives and a total of 171 employee participants, ABBGI has grown to provide a choice of three competitively priced medical plans which include both local and mail order prescription drug coverage, an HSA compliant medical plan and an optional dental plan to 79 Kansas farmers’ cooperatives with over 2100 employee participants. ABBGI, through its affiliation with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, provides its participants with first class claims administration and access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield network providers.

ABBGI’s success is due in part to the cooperation of every cooperative, every employee of those cooperatives and every dependent, that participates with ABBGI in its constant efforts to control health care costs. Another factor in the continual success of ABBGI lies in the growth potential. If your Kansas cooperative does not already participate in ABBGI, please consider becoming a member and participant at your next renewal.

If you are interested in learning more about ABBGI please contact barkley@kfsa.com or phone Mary Barkley at 1-800-362-2104.