People like having a choice rather than a single option—it’s basic human nature. When it comes to healthcare, no one wants to make the wrong choice—especially employers—when so much of their spend goes to healthcare for their employees. Every company is unique, and so are the people who work for them. Today, employers have a ...
Employers and employees have a common goal when it comes to health care, and that’s to save money. Most employers are seeing a rising cost of health care, which ultimately and unfortunately gets passed on to their employees. Many employers implement programs to reduce costs for all parties, which can include health and wellness and ...
Millions of Americans were struggling with depression before COVID-19 reared its ugly head. The number of adults in the U.S. showing signs of depression has tripled since the start of the pandemic, according to a recent study by JAMA Network Open. With prompted quarantines, stay-at-home orders, halted social events, job insecurities, personal finances, and other ...
We are all facing unprecedented challenges and obstacles related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. First and foremost, I want to assure you that Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) is here for you. Regardless of the hurdles this pandemic has created for all of us, WGAT will continue to ride the storm and support the agricultural ...
There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has helped fuel the growth of telemedicine. Although telehealth resources have been available for some time, an International Data Corporation (IDC) report found that an estimated 83.9% of patients were using it for the first time this year. Offering telehealth services is critical for the rural and ag ...
Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases in the U.S. An estimated 34.2 million Americans have diabetes—that’s nearly 10.5% of the U.S. population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of that 34.2 million, more than 7 million Americans remain undiagnosed. What do these numbers mean for employers and their workforce? ...
Nothing means more to us than taking care of essential workers who ensure the continuity of our food supply. We are committed to helping businesses maintain their operations and keeping their employees safe and healthy. Many agricultural employers are implementing screening and testing protocols as part of their COVID-19 prevention program, and rest assured, Western ...
Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) has specialized in offering affordable, convenient, and customizable benefit plans to meet the diverse needs of owners, managers, field workers, and seasonal employees in the agriculture industry for more than 60 years. Recognizing the unique population we serve, we created the Cedar Network more than a decade ago as an ...
Cross-border health care combines innovation and resourcefulness to reduce health care costs for employers while creating more options for their employees. Because Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) recognizes the significance the border region has on the agriculture industry, we designed a comprehensive Mexico Cross-Border Program to provide flexible medical and dental care options for our…
By David Zanze, Executive Vice President of Western Growers Assurance Trust How much are chronic conditions costing employers in lost productivity and medical expenses each year? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s an estimated $36.4 billion. For employers looking to become proactive in dealing with the impact of chronic diseases ...
Life changed in many ways during the COVID-19 pandemic, and employers find themselves continuing to make adjustments for the post-pandemic workplace. As we move forward, many organizations are taking an opportunity to re-evaluate and reshape their health benefits and prioritize mental health for their employees. Investing in a mentally healthy workforce is good for business, ...
By David Zanze, Executive Vice President of Western Growers Assurance Trust When Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) was launched in 1957, our mission was to give Western Growers members an affordable option for health care benefits by offering highly customizable benefit plans to meet their diverse needs. WGAT, together with PinnacleRx Solutions (PRxS), continues to ...
By David Zanze, Executive Vice President of Western Growers Assurance Trust When Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) was founded in 1957, our mission was to give Western Growers (WG) members an affordable option for health care benefits by offering highly customizable benefit plans to meet their diverse needs. Our focus continues to be supporting our ...
There’s been a consistent rise in the cost of health care in the last decade. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average cost of employee health insurance premiums increased by 4 percent in 2021 from the previous year to $22,221. On a macro level, premiums for individuals and families increased 22 percent over the ...
By David Zanze, Executive Vice President of Western Growers Assurance Trust On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) was signed into law. The CAA represents the most significant changes to the private insurance market since the Affordable Care Act and includes extensive transparency reform, which protects patients against unexpected or “surprise” medical bills. ...
By David Zanze, Executive Vice President of Western Growers Assurance Trust The pandemic has changed the way employees view and access health care, specifically when it comes to telehealth. Although telehealth services have been available for quite some time, they have proven incredibly convenient as a substitute for office visits for those wanting to avoid ...
On October 16, 2020, a settlement agreement was reached in a class action lawsuit against the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and certain individual Blue Plans. If approved by the Court, the settlement will establish a $2.67 billion fund for payments to members of the settlement classes. Postcards were recently mailed to potential class members ...
Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) is excited to announce the launch of its newly-designed website. Visitors can learn more about WGAT’s affordable health plans and services, including health management and wellness programs, pharmacy benefits management solutions and Mexico Cross-Border plans. The new website gives plan participants easy access to resources and forms; frequently asked…
New look, same great functions. Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) portal login pages are getting a refreshed look! Starting July 1, 2021, when you visit WGAT Portal sites HealthView for employees, WERC for employers and OPIS for providers, you will see a fresh new look for the login pages. No changes were made to the ...
Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) has made it easier and more convenient for members to schedule appointments at Cedar Health and Wellness Center locations in Santa Maria, Salinas and Watsonville. You can reach the Cedar Health & Wellness Center Appointment line, powered by Everside Health, at 866-443-2202. When calling to schedule your appointment, please include ...