Health Insurance Benefits for PAT Members: 2026

Offering health insurance coverage is a great way to attract and retain career professionals, leading to a more sustainable organization to achieve your mission for the long haul.

 

Health Options

As part of your membership with the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee (PAT), your organization has access to group health insurance plans for employees. Participating member organizations can choose to pay all or part of an employee’s health insurance costs. Any remaining amount not covered by the coalition will be automatically deducted from the employee’s regular paycheck.

Coverage options include plans for spouses and families, as well as dental and vision packages.

How it Works

Coalition must be registered with PAT.

Your organization/board determines how much money to put toward health insurance.

A sliding scale is recommended to accommodate for wages and ages.

Employees select an insurance plan from PAT’s Cafeteria Plan options.

Coalitions must have at least two employees to participate: only one must opt-in for insurance.

Any change in employment satisfies normal changes outside the open enrollment period (open enrollment is November 15-December 5.)

Coalitions complete an ACH form at open enrollment to cover premiums.

Withdrawals occur on the 15 of the month prior to coverage.

NO administrative fees are incurred.

Beyond Health Insurance: Board of Directors Liability Insurance

Health insurance is just one part of a strong protection plan for coalitions. As a best practice — and sometimes a contractual requirement — coalitions should also carry Board of Directors Liability Insurance. This type of insurance helps protect board members from legal risks related to their leadership decisions and responsibilities.

As a member benefit, Prevention Alliance of Tennessee (PAT) offers access to agents who can help underwrite Directors & Officers Liability Insurance for your Board of Directors.

Insurance is critical for nonprofits and coalitions: board members are often volunteers and do not always have deep pockets. Many funders, grantors, and partner agencies require coverage as part of their risk management standards.

Securing policies demonstrates professionalism and accountability and protects organizational stability and reputation. You should also require all contractors to hold an Umbrella Policy for events your insurance policy does not cover.

In order to manage financial fallout, prevent leadership turnover, and preserve your organization’s credibility and sustainability, review your policies today.

 
 

Health Insurance FAQ

Q: How do we opt-in for health insurance?

A: Submit ACH form and enrollment information with employee information and plan selection in Excel form to ceo@tncoalitions.org.

Q: What is the open enrollment deadline?

A: December 5, 2026

Q: How do we make changes if we have changes in employment (hire new staff, fire existing staff, upgrade staff eligibility for benefits)?

A: Submit ACH form and enrollment information anytime there is a change with employee information and plan selection in Excel form to ceo@tncoalitions.org. 

Q: What fees are associated with these plans?

A: Health insurance is a member benefit. Only plan premiums and PAT membership dues are required. No additional fees will be charged by the insurance provider or PAT.

Q: How many employees does our organization have to employ to be eligible?

A: Your organization must employ at least two people, but only one has to participate in the health insurance plan to be eligible. 

Q: What plans can we choose from?

A: The plans are through Cigna and can be viewed HERE. Please note, the Value plan does not meet ACA requirements for required coverage and is a catastrophic plan only. 

Q: How will our coalition pay for these plans?

A: Your coalition may use fringe benefit grant funds to pay for health insurance premiums. An ACH will post to your organization's bank account on the 15th of the month prior to coverage to pay for plan premiums. This means you will be required to have enough unrestricted cash on hand to cover premiums the month before you are reimbursed. 

Q: Are dental and vision insurance options available?

A: Yes, dental and vision insurance are both add-ons to the health insurance selections.

 

Q: What is the coverage period?

A: The health insurance coverage period is on the calendar year, beginning January 1, ending December 31. Open enrollment ends December 5 of the year prior to coverage. 

Q: What if I lose an employee mid-year?

A: If an employee departs or their employment is terminated, you will submit a termination form to PAT and coverage will discontinue on the last day of the month after their last premium is paid. If a premium is paid on the 15th of the month, their coverage will continue through the next month. (ie: If an employee is separated on the 13th of the month or earlier and termination forms are submitted prior to the ACH on the 15th, their insurance will end on the last day of the month of termination. If an employee is separated on the 16th of the month or later and the ACH has already occurred, their insurance will end on the last day of the month after their termination.)

Q: What if I gain an employee mid-year?

A: If you hire an employee mid-year or their eligibility status changes, you may submit paperwork to add the employee's coverage. If submitted prior to the ACH on the 15th of the month, coverage will begin on the 1st day of the next month. If submitted after the ACH on the 15th of the month, coverage will begin on the 1st day of the month after the first ACH withdrawal.