eBay announced that it has launched a program that will allow its top U.S. sellers to purchase health care insurance. The Health Care Solutions program, originally scheduled for last Fall, will be provided by Marsh Advantage America. Available plans include: GE Voluntary Benefits* Medical Reimbursement Plans; Discount Prescription Drug Plan; Discount Health Services; Major Medical Plans; and Property & Casualty – Business Owners. (Not all plans are available in all states.)

Health Care Solutions will be only available for PowerSeller account holders and their eligible dependents (as defined by each individual carrier), but eBay said it hopes to examine the feasibility of extending the program to employees at some point in the future.

If an individual loses their PowerSeller eligibility for any reason, their existing coverage will remain effective as long as their premiums are paid when due. But they will not have access to elect new plans or make changes to existing plans unless they pay an administration fee of $50.

Because insurance carriers would not treat eBay PowerSellers as a traditional insurable group, Marsh Advantage America negotiated a series of individual plans. Marsh Advantage America is a service of Seabury & Smith, Inc., part of Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC). Marsh Advantage America designs, manages and administers insurance programs and worked with eBay to develop the Health Care Solutions Program for PowerSellers.

Details are available to PowerSellers by signing in to the PowerSeller Portal Pages.

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/marketing.shtml