Realtor associations add health insurance benefits for members

As they look to provide members with increased value outside of the MLS, some local Realtor associations are turning to health care and health insurance.

Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) announced Monday that it is teaming up with Upfront to deliver a healthcare insurance platform for its 18,000 members ahead of open enrollment season. ABoR said it was the first association to partner with Upfront, which is an integrated financial and health platform designed for the real estate industry. 

The company was part of the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) REACH Labs program. According to the release, ABoR helped pilot the program, which it says shows its commitment to finding solutions that benefit Realtors. 

“We are proud to be among the first in the nation to deliver a benefit of this caliber, providing our professionals with access to a comprehensive national healthcare platform,” John Crow, the president of ABoR and Unlock MLS, said in a statement. “It’s an immediate, tangible benefit that reduces financial stress and allows our agents to focus on serving their clients.”

ABoR’s announcement comes a little over a month after Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA) in Florida announced a partnership with PeopleOne Health in late 2025. Through the partnership, over 18,000 real estate professionals in Central Florida will gain access to PeopleOne Health’s care model and a suite of benefits.

ORRA members can now pay a monthly fee to cover most healthcare costs that an average person uses in a year. Subscribers have unlimited access to care teams including doctors, registered dietitians, pharmacists and mental health experts.

“This partnership is more than a new benefit; it’s a reflection of our values,” Lawrence Bellido, the president of ORRA, said in a statement. “As Realtors, we believe in service, perseverance and helping others build better lives. We’re proud to ensure the people who help others every day have access to the care they deserve. When Realtors feel healthy and feel supported, everything else becomes possible – their business grows, their relationships thrive and their impact multiplies.” 

As independent contractors, agents are often on their own when looking for health insurance options.

“The real estate market demands agility, and our support for our members must be just as nimble,” Emily Girard, CEO of ABoR and Unlock MLS, said in a statement. “We recognize that the biggest threat to a 1099 agent’s business isn’t just market dynamics—it’s the stress of unpredictable healthcare costs. By integrating Upfront’s national healthcare platform, ABoR is making a tangible investment in our members’ financial and personal well-being.”   

Both local associations said these partnerships reflect their commitment to supporting their members’ well-being and providing them with the resources they to succeed in both their careers and lives.

These partnerships come as many MLSs and local associations work to provide members with value as they look to navigate a new environment where offers of cooperative compensation are no longer on the MLS.