Anthem, SOCA Mark Decade of Helping Ohio Small Businesses Lower Healthcare Costs

The SOCA Benefit Plan has delivered $1.3 billion in small business savings and continues to expand affordable health coverage statewide

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio and the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), along with four other chamber alliances, are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their landmark partnership, the SOCA Benefit Plan, an innovative health plan that has transformed access to affordable health coverage for small businesses across Ohio.

In addition to SOCA, the Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce, the Central Ohio Chambers of Commerce, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber offer the health plan to their member chambers.

Since its launch, the SOCA Benefit Plan has demonstrated measurable progress in expanding access to affordable health coverage and stabilizing costs for Ohio small businesses:

• More than 94,000 Ohioans are now covered through the plan, representing 7,200 employers and 51,000 employees statewide.
• Since 2016, the program has generated an estimated $1.3 billion in employer savings.
• The average employer covers 13 employees and family members.

“Reaching the 10-year milestone of the SOCA Benefit Plan is a testament to the strength of our partnership with the chamber alliances and the value it continues to deliver to Ohio’s small businesses,” said Jane Peterson, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio. “For a decade, this program has helped employers achieve meaningful savings while accessing more stable, predictable health coverage and supporting the health and well-being of their employees. We’re proud to work alongside SOCA and all the alliances to provide solutions that empower small businesses to grow and thrive.”

Launched in May 2016, the SOCA Benefit Plan was created to help sole proprietors and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees better manage healthcare costs by allowing them to band together under a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA). By pooling their employees into a larger risk group, participating businesses gain access to competitive group rates, flexible benefit designs, and innovative cost-management tools, including Anthem programs that improve health outcomes while lowering expenses. The SOCA Benefit Plan is the largest MEWA in Ohio.

“The SOCA Benefit Plan was created to give small businesses a stronger voice and greater purchasing power in the healthcare market,” said Matt Appenzeller, president and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance. “Over the past decade, we’ve seen firsthand how this program has delivered real savings, expanded access to quality coverage, and helped thousands of small businesses better manage one of their most significant expenses. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished with Anthem and our chamber partners, and we remain committed to building on this success for Ohio’s small business community.”

Through collaborative solutions and innovative care models, the SOCA Benefit Plan will continue to help small businesses ensure Ohioans have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.

Employers may learn more about the SOCA Benefit Plan by contacting their health insurance agent or Anthem representative.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Community Insurance Company, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X at @AnthemBCBS.

About SOCA

Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance has delivered value to Chambers of Commerce and their members since 1993.