High-Quality, Affordable
Health Care Coverage for
Commercial Fishing Families
Since 1997

FPHP Fact Sheet

Provide access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage for an under-served population.
Federal and State funding used to leverage private investment by making monthly premium payments affordable.
Unique financial structure abates current and future risk by: purchasing stop-loss insurance, building a reserve, and building a claims history for a formerly uninsured population.
Members of the community perform the Plan’s enrollment and outreach services.

2,100 fishermen and their family members currently covered.
Uninsured (43%) and underinsured (prior to joining FPHP).
Low income (34% of fishermen earn between 100%-200% of FPL versus 12% statewide).
Small businessmen (81% work on boats of four or fewer) and employees work for multiple employers throughout year.
Large Italian and Portuguese immigrant populations.
Higher than average prevalence of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Diabetes, and Asthma in the community.

Comprehensive, high-quality health care coverage including:

Office visits.
Pharmaceutical coverage.
Chiropractic.
Mental health and substance abuse services.
Hospitalization.
Emergency coverage worldwide.
FPHP supports improved safety-at-sea through training provided free to meet the specialized health and safety needs of fishing members

Boston University study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, identified early-on the possibility of using the FPHP as a model for other programs that would provide high-quality, affordable health care coverage to other under-served populations.
Since 1997, the State of Massachusetts has recognized the effectiveness and value of the FPHP by repeatedly renewing funding for the program.
Grappling with healthcare reform at the national level, Congress and the White House have studied the FPHP experience and sought out the expertise of the FPHP board and management. The nation now looks to Massachusetts for solutions that can be applied across the country; the FPHP is seen as a part of the solution.

Rate of uninsured fishermen dropped from 43% to 13% since 1997.
89% of members satisfied (compared to 41% prior to joining).
Members who always or frequently delayed seeking care prior to joining the Fishing Partnership Health Plan fell dramatically, from 30.1% to 6.3% since joining the Plan.

For every $1 that was expended, the FPHP provided savings of over $4.00 to the U.S. Federal Government.

Fishing Partnership Health Plan