In an age of concern about the rising cost of health care, architects have sketched out an opportunity to improve insured services and contain insurance costs for all employees across their industry.

And a year-long process led to the single, industry-wide contract as of June 1, that may inspire other groups of like-individuals to seek similar cover.

The Institute of Bermuda Architects has selected a designated health care insurance plan provider after an organised review of insurers.

The scheme allows for the Institute's membership, staff and families to share the benefits of one group health plan, providing the full benefits of major medical, dental and vision care insurance at group rates, rather than at individual company rates.

In effect, the Institute of Bermuda Architects Health Plan has standardised premium health care benefits for all participating offices.

But the professional body is not stopping there. The Institute is now reviewing submissions for group liability and pension needs.

President Colin Campbell, said: "The most compelling issues for us were that with a larger number of people participating in a single group health plan, the greater the choices and a reduction of the overall cost.

"There are between 75 to 85 people involved in the plan right now, but with other firms winding up the plans they already have, with a view to switching over, the group is expected to grow to just over 100 people.'' The group plan cuts down the health care plan expenses of some architectural firms and provides more employees with access to an insurance plan they really desire -- one that includes a dental plan and major medical.

It removes one distinguishing element among potential employers and administratively makes it easy to move from one firm to another in the group.

The Institute reviewed five local health care insurance providers, before short listing to Argus Insurance and BF&M Insurance, with the latter getting the contract. Mr. Campbell conceded that the two firms were virtually even in terms of their appeal.

He said: "Everybody who had a full vision, dental and major medical, semi-private room rate probably has had a reduction in their costs on the first go round, and all of us who are in smaller offices, with say a three person firm who had the bare minimum health care coverage, for just a small increase can get the benefit of the additional coverage.

"The savings on the health care cover for getting this group thing far exceeded the additional cost. One firm, which had already had the full coverage and a large number of people, were looking at savings of nearly the value of one salary per year. A number of other firms were saving anything from $500 to $800 a month.

"Professional organisations and even societies, unions, or other groups would be foolish not to investigate the possibilities. Of course, different organisations would each have a different matrix of membership, which may or may not provide for all their members equal cover, or what have you.

"So it really needs to be looked into on a group by group basis. But it would appear, just by the dynamic of numbers, that it would be a worthwhile exercise.'' The Institute has about 40 fully paid up member-architects across 14 firms.

But the businesses also include draughtsmen, secretaries and other support personnel.