The Top 3 MEWA Health Plans for Ohio Small Businesses in 2025
- sam84347
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Are you tired of watching your health insurance premiums skyrocket year after year? You're not alone. Across Ohio, small businesses are feeling the strain of rising costs and limited options. If you're looking for a more affordable solution that delivers high quality coverage, MEWA health plans could be exactly what you need. In fact, many businesses save up to 50% on their premiums by enrolling in coverage through a MEWA.
A MEWA (Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement) allows small businesses to band together to access health plans and low rates usually reserved for larger companies. By pooling risk and using medically underwritten rates, MEWAs can offer significant cost savings, broader provider networks and more plan flexibility than individual ACA plans.
If you’re a business with 2 to 50 employees in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton, or anywhere in Ohio, MEWA plans can be a great fit for your healthcare needs.
👇 Let’s break down the top three MEWA options for 2025:
1. SOCA Benefit Plan – Backed by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
The SOCA Benefit Plan was created by the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) and is offered in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. It’s one of the most widely used MEWAs in Ohio, delivering cost savings, flexibility and access to a robust network.
Eligibility:
Most businesses with 2–50 employees
A married couple actively working for the business can satisfy the two-employee minimum requirement
Sole proprietors with one employee may also qualify
Single-member LLCs are not eligible
Must be a member of a participating chamber if you choose to enroll. Visit joinsoca.com/chamber-directory to view the list of eligible chambers
Carrier & Network:
Insurance Carrier: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Network: Blue Access PPO, one of the largest networks in Ohio and the U.S.
Plan Features:
Wide variety of medical plan designs (including Copay and HSA options)
Predictable monthly costs (fixed monthly premium structure)
Built-in wellness programs
Access to ancillary coverage like dental, vision and life
Key Takeaway:
With Anthem’s trusted network and SOCA’s broad chamber participation, this plan offers both flexibility and savings for eligible small businesses and sole proprietors across Ohio.
“The SOCA Benefit Plan gives small employers access to affordable health plans with competitive rates, built-in wellness programs, and the power of Anthem’s trusted provider network.”
2. COSE Benefit Plan – Backed by Medical Mutual of Ohio
The COSE Benefit Plan is administered by Medical Mutual and made available through the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and its chamber partners across Ohio. It’s an excellent fit for small businesses that want local support and strong plan options.
Eligibility:
Most businesses with 2–50 employees
A married couple actively working for the business can satisfy the two-employee minimum requirement
Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs with no other employees can be eligible
Must be a member of COSE or a participating chamber, such as the Cincinnati Chamber, if you choose to enroll.
Carrier & Network:
Insurance Carrier: Medical Mutual of Ohio
Network: SuperMed PPO, with strong access across Ohio and the U.S.
Plan Features:
Multiple plan options (including Copay and HSA options)
Predictable monthly costs (fixed monthly premium structure)
Integrated wellness benefits and employee resources
Access to ancillary coverage like dental, vision, and life
Key Takeaway:
The COSE Benefit Plan is one of the most flexible MEWA options in Ohio – and a top choice for sole props and single-member LLCs looking for affordable health insurance with strong support.
“With the COSE Benefit Plan, small businesses can gain control over their health insurance costs while offering competitive benefits to employees.”
3. Ohio Chamber Health Benefit Program – Backed by United Healthcare
Offered through the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, this MEWA plan is powered by United Healthcare (UHC) – one of the largest health insurance providers in the country. It combines trusted national coverage with cost-saving advantages for small businesses.
Eligibility:
Most businesses with 2–50 employees
Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs are not eligible
Must be a member of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce if you choose to enroll.
Carrier & Network:
Insurance Carrier: United Healthcare
Network: UHC Choice Plus PPO, one of the largest networks in Ohio and the U.S.
Plan Features:
Broad selection of medical plan designs (including Copay and HSA options)
Predictable monthly costs (fixed monthly premium structure)
Digital tools for employers and employees
Access to ancillary coverage like dental, vision and life
Key Takeaway:
If you're a small business with 2 or more employees, the Ohio Chamber Health Benefit Program offers the scale and stability of United Healthcare with the pricing advantages of a MEWA.
“The Ohio Chamber Health Benefit Program allows small businesses to offer employees high-quality, flexible health coverage at a more affordable rate.”
Which MEWA is Right for Your Ohio Business?
Whether you're a solo business owner in Cincinnati, a small team in Columbus, or a 35-employee company in Cleveland, there's likely a MEWA plan that fits your needs.
All three of these plans offer:
Potential savings of up to 50% compared to ACA community-rated plans
Medically underwritten pricing based on your group's health
Strong provider networks and flexible plan designs
Reliable support from major insurance carriers
Let Wilson Insurance Help You Gets Quotes and Enroll in Coverage!
At Wilson Insurance, we work with all three major MEWA plans in Ohio. We help small
businesses:
✅ Confirm eligibility
✅ Compare rates and plan options
✅ Navigate enrollment and plan setup
✅ Provide ongoing support – including claims assistance, renewals and day-to-day plan management
Wilson Insurance makes it easy for you to compare MEWA health plans, get accurate quotes and streamline enrollment. We’ve helped hundreds of businesses across Ohio successfully enroll in MEWA medical plans – saving many of them thousands of dollars each year on premiums.
Don’t miss out on big savings. MEWA health plans can slash premiums by up to 50%, making it easier for small businesses to offer exceptional coverage that attracts and retains talent. Whether you want lower rates, stronger networks or better plan designs, we’ll walk you through your options and help you get great coverage for your team.
Ready to see how much your business could save? Contact Wilson Insurance today for fast, free MEWA quotes!