IGDA to launch health insurance scheme

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has launched a healthcare program for its US-bound membership.

The IGDA board, writing on its online blog, claimed that one of the biggest challenges that face independent developers was the “skyrocketing cost of health insurance” – particularly in the US.

“As a professional association, it’s incumbent upon us to support the community in direct, practical ways as we all work through this economic downturn,” read the announcement.

The IGDA said its health insurance initiative is aimed at mimicking one of the key health insurance benefits that large businesses tend to enjoy; “collective bargaining to help lower rates for employees.”

The group said that any IGDA member “in good standing” is eligible for the health plan, which costs $48 per year for regular members, and $25 per year for hardship members. [Correction below]

[Correction – the costs cited by the IGDA are annual membership fees only. Costs for health insurance will be calculated on a case-by-case basis, though IGDA members will have access to group rates.]

The new health insurance policy will launch at the beginning of 2010.

Visit the IGDA blog for more details and the fine-print.