Landus, an Iowa-based agriculture solutions and farm technology provider, has announced affordable, farmer-focused health coverage options are now available through its new Landus Health and Conduit Health program.
The initiative is powered by Momentum Ag, a Division of Patriot Growth Insurance Services, LLC, and will provide comprehensive health insurance coverage through a nationwide provider network, ensuring health care is affordable and accessible for thousands of farmers across the nation.
Momentum Ag may sound familiar to some readers. Back in January, FBN spun off its health insurance project to Patriot Growth Services, which rebranded the FBN health insurance program under the Momentum Ag moniker.
According to sources with direct knowledge of the process, Landus had previously come to a tentative agreement with a separate entity to underwrite its health insurance program, but Landus and the unnamed entity mutually decided to part ways due to lack of coverage for accidents involving motorized vehicles. Landus then pivoted to an alternative partner to launch the program, with Momentum Ag entering the equation.
According to a Landus press release, health insurance programs for farmers and their employees have been overwhelmingly expensive, and coverage has been limited across the ag industry, with farmers paying the majority of expenses out of pocket. Landus Health and Conduit Health makes health coverage available for farming operations of any size and is specifically designed with rural families’ needs in mind, the cooperative adds.
“There are plenty of people out there that are thinking about what’s happening now, but one of the key advantages is going to be investing in the farmer themselves,” says Dehra Harris, senior director - training and performance. “One of the biggest changes is actually having affordable health care insurance, and we need to make models where it comes to you. Those resources don’t mean that you’re leaving the farm for five hours at a time. This is the stuff that actually works for you.”
Landus Health and Conduit Health offers, among other benefits:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Program includes $0 preventative and telemedicine along with care coordination and disease management for chronic conditions.
- At-Home Access to Care: All farmers who sign up for Landus Health or Conduit Health will receive a TytoCare kit for convenient, efficient at-home access to health providers and diagnoses regardless of proximity to provider locations. According to Landus representatives, enrolled farmers, their employees, and their families can be seen by a medical professional virtually with no upfront co-pay expense via the TytoCare kit.
- Affordable Program Options: Multiple program options are offered to fit every budget with solutions for employee only, employee/spouse, employee/children, or family.
- Nationwide Provider Network: Available options use the Cigna nationwide network, so it’s easy to find an in-network provider wherever you are.
“We listened to our farmers. Rural vitality is central to our mission here at Landus, and affordable, high quality health coverage is a key part of that,” said Matt Carstens, Landus and Conduit president & CEO. “I look forward to partnering with a farmer-focused company like Momentum Ag to get this critical support in the hands of farmers.”
Additional developments
Landus also shared the following news items this week:
- The acquisition of DSM Advantage, a strategic move that marks the launch of a new freight brokering division, Landus Advantage. The cooperative says the addition will increase its ability to support farmers with quality freight service year-round. By entering the freight brokering industry, Landus is now positioned to offer its farmer-members and other customers competitive freight rates, reliable service, and a streamlined experience, according to the cooperative.
- The acquisition of independent, Iowa-based distributor Wickman Chemical, which Landus says will bolster a variety of chemical products and service offerings for customers in Iowa and Kansas. The acquisition also opens up Wickman Chemical’s customer base to have access to all that Landus has to offer. The purchase agreement will go into effect on October 1, 2024.
- A collaborative venture with Wessels Oil Company to spur the creation of Landus Energy, which the cooperative says will significantly enhance the customer experience for both Landus and Wessels Oil Co. and deliver energy products (off-road diesel, regular diesel, gasoline, LP, etc.) to Landus customers.
The financial terms of both deals were not disclosed as of press time.
You can visit Landus.ag to learn more.
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