The I.B.M. Blog & Articles

The International Brotherhood of Magicians

21 Nov

International Brotherhood of Magicians Announces New Membership Benefit

Category: News   Posted by: I.B.M. Website Editor

Your I.B.M. Board of Trustees and Member Benefits Committee are pleased to announce a new program which will not only make membership in the I.B.M. even more valuable, but which we believe will also attract new members.

After speaking with I.B.M. members for several years, we’ve heard concerns about how busy your lifestyles are, how hard it is to get everything done that needs to get done, and how difficult it is to deal with rising insurance costs, Health Care Reform, health insurance, life in-surance, disability income, identity theft, and more.

With these things in mind, the I.B.M. conducted a “member needs assessment” during the past two years in order to identify areas in which members would like to see us develop new services. Many members noted the high cost of insurance. They asked that we consider creating a program which would grant access to a broad range of insurance providers at re-duced rates. After more than a year of work, such a program is now in place for you.

The I.B.M. has entered into an exclusive agency agreement with Association Health Programs (“AHP”), a duly licensed insurance broker located in Overland Park, Kansas, to fur-nish group insurance benefits to I.B.M. members. AHP offers access to only national “A” (or higher) rated insurance carriers which provide a large variety of offerings, namely:

Health Insurance for individuals and families, full-time and part-time employees, and business groups

  • Long-term Care Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Income
  • Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Identity Theft Insurance
  • Alternative Care Insurance

The I.B.M. has given AHP exclusive rights to market its group insurance products and services to our membership for an initial 3-year trial period, except that AHP may not contact or market to members who indicate that they do not wish to be contacted by AHP. (Regrettably this program is available to U.S. members only, as applicable laws prohibit AHP from providing its group insurance products to members residing outside the United States.)

The I.B.M. is not and cannot be an endorser or a guarantor of AHP‘s group insurance products and services. Our members who choose to purchase group insurance through AHP must look solely to AHP for satisfaction in AHP’s furnishing of insurance services and products. However, the I.B.M. is optimistic that things will work out well for all concerned, because in do-ing our due diligence on AHP we had good reports from other associations who have used AHP’s services.


Here are some questions you may have, and their answers:

Q. Why did the I.B.M. choose to do business with AHP?

A. AHP has specialized in servicing national associations for over two decades. AHP currently services more than 250 national associations. This provides I.B.M. members with buying power we wouldn’t otherwise have. AHP has established business relationships with many national insurance carriers. AHP is up to speed on Health Care Reform. We believe AHP to be extremely knowledgeable about the insurance products in which our members have ex-pressed an interest.

Q. How can AHP help I.B.M. members?

A. Insurance today and the options available are difficult to understand. AHP can help our members make informed decisions regarding important insurance protection matters. AHP should be able to provide you with the guidance you need.

Q. How did the I.B.M. make its decision to contract with AHP?

A. While conducting our research, some members of the I.B.M.’s Member Benefits Committee sent their current health insurance and life insurance policies to AHP to compare what they currently had versus what AHP could provide. Depending on the specifics of the individual or company, the Committee members learned they could obtain the same or similar coverage they currently had through AHP for reduced rates. They also learned they could move to simi-lar or better policies and still save several thousand dollars on their premiums annually. The Committee wanted to make such surveys available to all I.B.M. members who reside in the U.S.

Q. Is this a good option for me?

A. We suggest taking the same approach as the Committee, by sending your current health and/or other insurance policies to AHP and seeing if they can provide the same or better cov-erage for a better price or value. You have nothing to lose, only something to gain. You will have the flexibility to design your own plan. You may choose from a variety of options that make sense for your situation.

Q. Who do I contact?

A. You may visit AHP’s exclusive link here or, just call them at 1-888-450-3040. You may also write to Association Health Programs, P.O. Box 7170, Overland Park, KS 66207.

Although those of you who choose to participate in this program will be dealing directly with AHP and not with the I.B.M., the I.B.M. is desirous, especially in the program’s early going, to monitor member satisfaction with the program. Accordingly, please di-rect any member feedback, which we hope will be positive, to Terry Richison, Chair of our Membership Benefits Committee, at terryrich@charter.net.

We hope that you will take advantage of this new I.B.M. member benefit, and that it will save you money on your insurance and health care needs!


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