Since 1983, Employers Health has provided employers and their employees with exceptional benefits at a sustainable cost. See how we’ve grown from a local coalition of 25 employers to one of the nation’s leading employee benefits group purchasing organizations.
Exponential Growth
As time went on, Employers Health expanded to collaborative purchasing for dental services and prescription drugs, eventually leading to pharmacy benefit management (PBM) for clients. Since our beginnings, we’ve expanded our team, launched one-of-a-kind initiatives and developed PBM resources that provide our clients with knowledge of market and industry trends.
Today, Employers Health Serves Companies Nationwide And Proudly Covers More Than 1.6 Million Lives.
Our History
1983
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2024
1983
Stark County Health Care Coalition, dedicated to the containment of health care costs in Stark County, was established in 1983 by nine of the county’s largest employers. William Wilson, Executive Secretary of the Stark County Foundation, and the executives of Controlled Power Corporation, Diebold, Inc. The Hoover Company, Nationwide Insurance Company, Ohio Power Company, Sugardale Foods, Inc. The Timken Company, Unimet and White Engines, Inc., realizing the need for an effective cost control program, facilitated the formation of the Coalition.
In its initial year, the coalition was comprised of 25 companies, representing over 20,000 employees. Martha DuShaw, Ph.D. was the founding Executive Director.
1984
Founded the Community Health Care Advisory Committee.
1985
Began work to provide access to health care coverage to uninsured and underinsured in the community.
The C.A.Re.S. Project (Community Alternatives to Reduce Cost Shifting Program) continues as a main focus area for the organization.
1987
Continued participation in community, regional and statewide health planning activities.
Aggressive membership expansion program to broaden base in the community.
Virginia Neutzling, R.N., M.Ed. named second executive director for the organization.
1988
Established a committee of business and community leaders to solidify and continue work to address the uninsured.
Continued significant participation and leadership in the Northeast Ohio Wellness Committee.
1989
Received a grant for $750K from the Ohio Department of Health for the Stark County Health Care for the Uninsured Worker Project. The grant funding was for two years.
One of 10 associate founding members of the National Business Coalition Forum nka National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions.
1990
Formalized a PPA (Preferred Provider Agreement) with a local hospital.
Launched The Basic Health Plan of Greater Stark County to provide access to health care coverage for uninsured workers. Support and participation of four hospitals in Stark County: Doctors Hospital, Timken Mercy Medical Center, Massillon Community and Alliance Community. Affiliated with the Ohio Health Choice Plan network of physicians. Professional Claims Management became the third-party administrator.
1991
A JPP (Joint Purchasing Program) was implemented January 1, 1991 with Doctors Hospital and Timken Mercy Medical Center that included special rates for health care services provided by these two local hospitals.
Grant funding for the Health Care for the Uninsured ended June 30, 1991. A total of 118 employees with 137 dependents, equaling 255 covered lives were protected under the plan. Discussions took place to identify an insurance company that could assume The Basic Plan into its product line and was assumed as a fully insured product of National Life Insurance Company July 1, 1991.
1992
Five member organizations participated in the JPP (Joint Purchasing Program) during the first year (1991).
As a fully insured product line of Nationwide Life Insurance Company, The Basic Health Plan had 194 employees enrolled in the plan, with 445 covered lives. The Basic Plan continued to offer self-employed and small business a cost-effective health benefit plan.
1993
The 10 year milestone anniversary for Stark County Health Care Coalition!
1994
Entered into an agreement with Medco to provide prescription drug services to participating companies.
1995
Christopher Goff becomes third Executive Director of The Stark County Health Care Coalition.
Professional Claims Management, Incorporated, together with Insurance Dentists of America, were selected to develop a managed dental program.
Managed Health Network selected as Behavioral Health Vendor following extensive RFP process.
1996
Name changed to The Community Healthcare Coalition.
1998
Began group purchasing for pharmacy benefits with CVS Health.
1999
Employers Health Purchasing Corporation of Ohio (EHPCO) established as a subsidiary of The Community Healthcare Coalition to facilitate purchasing programs and data measurement initiatives.
2000
Caremark and iScribe collaborate with EHPCO to introduce area physicians to electronic prescribing.
2002
Launched Refuse to Misuse, an antibiotic resistance awareness campaign.
2003
Akron/Canton Diabetes Collaborative established.
2004
Published first Consumer Guide to Hospital Quality (which ultimately was published for five consecutive years).
2005
Launched Control Your Diabetes for Life, a multimedia effort aimed at improving the quality of diabetes care management.
Distributed $100,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations that serve the under-served or uninsured populations.
2006
Moved to new Canton, Ohio office.
Implemented a Diabetes Physician Recognition Program (DPRP) through Bridges to Excellence.
2007
Launched Know Your Numbers, an initiative outlining the numbers individuals should know to control and maintain good health.
Celebrated 25th Anniversary!
7 team members.
2008
Columbus, Ohio office opened.
2009
Hosted a first-of-its-kind Symposium on Health Care Policy Reform in partnership with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio and Schottenstein Zox & Dunn, in Columbus, OH.
2010
Merged with Employer Healthcare Alliance, Cincinnati, OH.
2011
Dropped “Ohio” from name to establish organization as a national coalition.
Added preferred medical vendor, Aetna to group purchasing offerings.
2012
Added second PBM offering, SXC Health Solutions, which was renamed Catamran and shortly thereafter acquired by UnitedHealth Group and now operates as Optum Rx.
2013
Right Direction, an initiative to address depression in the workplace, was formed.
Celebrated 30th anniversary!
Hosted 15th Annual Employer Symposium.
21 team members.
2016
Launched HR Benecast, your employee benefits podcast.
Produced first Employers Health & Wealth Administrator Workshop, designed to increase awareness of laws, rules, regulations and recent changes in employee benefit plans.
2017
New headquarters opened in Canton, Ohio.
Employers Health is first certified as a Great Place to Work.
2018
Reached $1 billion in pharmacy spend.
2020
Employers Health is first recognized as NorthCoast 99 recipient, honoring great workplaces in northeast Ohio.
43 team members.
2022
Reached $2.2 billion in annual pharmacy spend.
56 team members.
2023
Employers Health Foundation is organized to fund capital projects that improve the Greater Stark County community in the areas of physical health, mental health, education and childhood poverty.
40th Anniversary!
Reached $3 billion in annual pharmacy spend.
70 team members.
2024
80 team members.
A Team Of Experts
Over the years, we’ve grown to more than 80 team members, all with a passion for ensuring our clients and their employees receive top-notch benefits at a sustainable cost. Our team and culture allow us to meet our promises for continued success.
A Healthier Future For All
When employees have access to great health care, they and their families can receive the care and medications they need to be successful in the workplace and at home. Quality, affordable benefits lead to happier, healthier and more productive lives for all.
Interested In Working With Employers Health?
Complete the form below to learn more about Employers Health, our processes and how our team of PBM experts can save your organization money with the power of employee benefits group purchasing. A member of our team will be in touch soon.