Farm Bureau health plans —
what they are, where they’re available, and how they compare.
Farm Bureau health plans are individual health coverage offered through state Farm Bureau organizations. They are not ACA-compliant plans and not Health Shares — they occupy a separate regulatory category that varies significantly by state. This page explains what Farm Bureau plans cover, which states offer them, and how they compare to your other options.
Not ACA plans, not Health Shares — a separate regulatory category
Farm Bureau health plans are offered by state Farm Bureau organizations — agricultural membership associations — to their members. Because Farm Bureau organizations are membership associations rather than insurance companies, their health plans are exempt from many ACA requirements in states that have enacted specific Farm Bureau exemption laws.
This means Farm Bureau plans can exclude pre-existing conditions, charge higher premiums based on health status, offer lower benefit levels, and deny coverage entirely. In exchange, premiums are often significantly lower than ACA benchmark plans — particularly for healthy individuals above the subsidy cliff.
Farm Bureau plans are not Health Shares. They are structured as insurance-like products with defined benefit schedules, typically administered by insurance companies or TPAs. The regulatory treatment and consumer protection level varies significantly by state.
Do you need to be a farmer to join?
No. Most state Farm Bureaus offer general membership to any resident — you do not need to own farmland or work in agriculture. Annual membership fees typically run $40–$100/year. The membership requirement is a formality in most cases, not a genuine barrier to access.
Farm Bureau health plans are only available in select states
Farm Bureau plans exist only in states where the legislature has enacted specific exemptions allowing the state Farm Bureau to offer health coverage outside the ACA framework. Not all states have done this — and availability, plan structure, and regulatory oversight differ significantly where they do exist.
Farm Bureau plans vs. ACA plans vs. Health Shares
| Feature | ACA plan | Farm Bureau plan | Health Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-existing conditions | Covered by law | Can be excluded | Often excluded |
| Health underwriting | None — guaranteed issue | Yes — can deny | Yes — can deny |
| ACA subsidies | Yes — income-based | No | No |
| Typical monthly cost (healthy, age 40) | $532–$661/mo unsubsidized | $200–$450/mo est. | $150–$350/mo est. |
| Mental health coverage | Required by law | Often limited | Often limited |
| Regulated as insurance | Yes — DOI + ACA | Varies by state | No — contract law |
| Enrollment timing | Nov 1–Jan 15 only | Year-round | Year-round |
| ACA minimum essential coverage | Yes | No | No |
How to get a Farm Bureau health plan quote
Farm Bureau plans are sold directly through each state’s Farm Bureau organization — not through healthcare.gov or insurance brokers. Select your state below to go directly to that state’s Farm Bureau health plan page.
Contact your state Farm Bureau directly
Farm Bureau health plans are sold exclusively through each state’s Farm Bureau organization. There is no central marketplace or broker. Click your state below to go directly to the health plan information page for that state’s Farm Bureau.