The hope of a nationwide association health plan for the real estate industry got a boost in June when the U.S. Department of Labor released a rule expanding the definition of “employer” to include “working owners.: The change meant independent contractors and sole practitioners could participate in AHPs that often offer more health care options at lower costs. As a result, NAR embarked on a multitiered effort to access the feasibility of AHPs for real estate professionals and their families. Now, four months later, there has been significant progress. But a number of hurdles remain.
