The Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan was established in 2016 to enable small businesses to offer self-insured group health plan coverage to their eligible employees and dependents. Over the 10 years since, the Plan has provided affordable health benefits to more than 1,600 small business employers in Ohio — and we are proud of what it has meant for them and the families they employ.
After careful review, Ohio Farm Bureau has made the strategic decision to partner with the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) to offer eligible OFBF members access to the SOCA Benefit Plan. This strategic partnership will help OFBF Health Benefits Plan participants benefit from the SOCA Benefit Plan, which is Ohio’s largest multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA).
As an important step in this overall move, we will formally close the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan (HBP) effective December 31, 2026. No coverage is being interrupted before that date. Your current plan will remain fully in force through the end of the 2026 plan year.
This FAQ will provide answers to the most common questions about this change, or contact your health insurance agent.
Partnering with the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance brings our eligible members into Ohio’s largest MEWA — same Anthem coverage, with more long-term stability. The SOCA Benefit Plan covers nearly 90,000 covered lives, whereas the current Ohio Farm Bureau plan covers approximately 4,400 covered lives.
December 31, 2026. Claims incurred through that date will be processed under the current plan’s terms and runout provisions.
We expect that most will. As with any self-funded plan, the SOCA Benefit Plan evaluates each group it takes on, and a small number may not receive a quote.
If your group does not receive a quote, your broker will be notified and can help you evaluate other coverage options. The status of all groups will be communicated via brokers and agents by October 9.
No. If you receive a quote, you and your broker are free to evaluate other options. We have arranged for your Ohio Farm Bureau membership to grant you access to the SOCA Benefit Plan because we believe it is the least disruptive and strongest option available, but the decision is yours.
Coverage under the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan ends December 31, 2026, and does not renew. Groups that do not enroll in the SOCA Benefit Plan or secure other coverage will be without group health coverage as of January 1, 2027.
Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans for individuals and families are not changing. Ohio Farm Bureau is not stepping away from health benefits. We remain committed to offering Health Care Solutions to our members (for both individuals and families and also for small businesses).
The Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) is a prominent not-for-profit organization that connects over 100 chambers of commerce across Ohio. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, SOCA leverages the collective buying power of its network to provide cost-effective business benefits and healthcare solutions that small businesses typically cannot secure on their own.
The SOCA Benefit Plan is a self-funded health plan established by the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance and offered as a benefit through membership organizations across Ohio – including, now, the Ohio Farm Bureau. Coverage is provided through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. It is structured almost identically to the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan — the same self-funded multiple employer structure, the same Anthem coverage and administration, and the same Plan Manager, Consoliplex. What changes is the size of the pool. The SOCA Benefit Plan covers nearly 90,000 covered lives, whereas the current Ohio Farm Bureau plan covers approximately 4,400 covered lives.
No. The SOCA Benefit Plan uses the same Anthem Blue Access PPO network as the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan. Your doctors and hospitals stay in network.
Yes. The SOCA Benefit Plan also uses Anthem’s Essential Rx formulary, so your covered medications stay the same. The pharmacy network is moving from the Base network to the tiered Rx Choice network – a change was already scheduled for our existing plan in 2027.
Yes. Your Ohio Farm Bureau membership is what establishes your access to the SOCA Benefit Plan. Keep it active and in good standing.
Your dues have historically been invoiced by Anthem at the same time as your health plan premium equivalents, which means two separate invoices. This is likely to change but we will keep you updated as the details are confirmed.
Quotes will be released to brokers and agents late September – early October for a January 1, 2027 effective date. See “Will every current group receive a quote?” above.
Rates are developed by the SOCA Benefit Plan based on group-specific factors and will be shown in your October quote. We are not able to state in advance how any individual group’s rate will compare. The stability benefit of a larger pool is about the predictability of future renewals, not a guarantee of a lower first-year rate.
Not identical, but close. Your October quote will map your group to the SOCA Benefit Plan design that most closely matches your current coverage, so accepting the mapped plan is the simplest path. You are also free to select a different design from SOCA’s portfolio if you would rather adjust deductibles, copays, or your contribution strategy.
Yes. This is a new plan, so full enrollment is required. Anthem will be able to provide details on current enrollment to assist.
Claims incurred through December 31, 2026 are handled under the current plan. For groups enrolling in the SOCA Benefit Plan, there should be no disruptions in prior authorizations or treatment plans.
Yes, before your January 1, 2027 effective date.
The same dental and vision plans offered today to Ohio Farm Bureau groups will be available to SOCA Benefit Plan groups. A quote for currently in-force plan(s) will be included on the quote if applicable. In addition, Anthem will offer Supplemental Health Plans to SOCA Benefit Plan groups in 2027. If you are interested in these lines of coverage, work with your broker or agent to get a quote.
Work with your insurance broker for questions and next steps.