Brad Weaver family

Key Points

  • Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans received 927 applications in its first year, saving some members up to $15,000 annually.
  • Applicants must be Ohio Farm Bureau members, age 64 or under with a healthy medical history to apply.
  • The program offers PPO coverage with premiums independent of income, stable year-round enrollment, plus coverage options at any age for vision and dental.

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Farm Bureau members have asked for a solution in the health care space for years.

One year ago, Ohio Farm Bureau launched a solution, working with a team of trusted agents to sell a new health plan option for individuals and families.

In the first year, a total of 927 applications have been received with 73 certified agents from 35 counties serving every county in the state.

“We are hearing amazing stories from our members who are enrolled in the plans,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Health Services Trevor Kirkpatrick. “We have some who are saving up to $15,000 a year in premiums when compared to their previous coverage. Better yet, they are using the same providers as they were previously.”

And like most successful Farm Bureau endeavors, it all starts with building relationships.

The team at 333 Financial Group in Marysville all became certified Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans agents because one of their clients with Farm Bureau ties asked that they do so.

In speaking with Farm Bureau staff about the health plans program, Roger Nicol, Union County Farm Bureau member and trustee on the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board, decided to make the connection.

“Early on…they realized that a key to the future success of the Farm Bureau program would greatly depend on the integrity of the face-to-face local agents,” said Nicol, who understood the need for families to have good health plan options after spending almost 40 years in the human resources field.

 “I recommended (333 Financial Group) because they manage their business with a servant heart,” he said. “They have their patrons’ utmost interest in mind over their own and go the extra mile for their clientele.”

The Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans gives their agency “another arrow in the quiver” for their clients when it comes to their healthcare coverage, according to Julie Owens, a financial advisor with the agency. 

Owens noted that unlike the Affordable Care Act marketplace, premiums are not determined by how much a family makes in a year, giving members more flexibility to earn, work and plan without worrying about how changes in income could affect their coverage costs or create surprises at tax time.

“Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans is able to offer a PPO network, not just an HMO,” Owens said. “There is no annual shopping. Once you’re in, you’re in.”

Kirkpatrick said many members note that the application process does take a bit of time to complete, but that extra time is worth it in the long run.

“I’ve had a few members say that they were more than happy to deal with a little extra paperwork to save $1,200 a month in premiums,” he said. “That is life changing.”

Owens agreed, and said part of the learning curve for her agency in the first year was making sure potential health plan program members know the expectations and opportunities of the program.

“It does take a little legwork,” she said. “We have conversations to set expectations.”

That also includes expectations about the plans themselves, and whether or not a member may be a good fit to qualify for the program due to their age and current and previous health conditions.

“It is different from the marketplace,” Owens said. “It is wise for us to talk through the medical needs. ‘Tell me more’ is important.”

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans overview

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans is for ages 64 and under, and for members with a healthy medical history. There are also vision and dental plan offerings that can be purchased by anyone regardless of age, with no underwriting.

An advantage to the program is that it is not bound by an open enrollment time frame, Owens said.

“Even after the traditional open enrollment period, the opportunity is still there,” she said, noting that her agency plans to remind their clients of that option year-round.

“We require that each applicant be an Ohio Farm Bureau member, but they do not need to be farmers, only to support our mission through membership,” Kirkpatrick said.

Owens said she was impressed with the tenacity with which Ohio Farm Bureau advocated for making this option available to its members. 

“I think it is a great program and I love how cool Ohio Farm Bureau is,” she said. “The members of Farm Bureau had a need, and Farm Bureau created a solution. I believe in it now.”

What’s Next

Members have three ways to apply for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans:

  1. Contacting a certified agent
  2. Calling 833-468-4280
  3. Visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org. An agent locator is also available on the website.

New SOCA partnership

SOCA benefit planOhio Farm Bureau recently announced a new partnership with the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) to offer eligible members access to the SOCA Benefit Plan for small businesses. SOCA plans will be effective for January 2027 start dates. This new partnership replaces Ohio Farm Bureau’s Health Benefits Plan.

The SOCA Benefit Plan administered by Anthem is a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) that allows small businesses and sole proprietors to join together in a self-funded group to access health benefits typically reserved for large employers. Members share in the overall claims risk—helping to keep rates more stable and affordable.

Visit OhioFarmBureauHealthPlans.org to get started for either individual or small business plans.

Feature photo: Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans is the right fit for Brad and Rebecca Weaver and their boys Marshall and Murphy. Photo by Olivia Spaight

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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