MEWA Insurance
Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) Insurance
Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) have been an active force in the employee benefits landscape since the 1970s, making health plans more flexible, accessible, and supportive for workers and their families. Unlike alternative group plans, MEWAs bring employers together for a common purpose — leveraging collective power to secure quality, cost-effective healthcare coverage through risk-sharing pools.
If you are a business owner who is looking for comprehensive insurance solution, consider a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA). This innovative collective insurance arrangement is available to businesses in Ohio and members of a chamber of commerce, offering a strategic approach to providing group health and other insurance options to employees.
Employers typically determine how much to pay for their participation in a MEWA based on several factors, including the number of employees they have enrolled, the level of coverage they choose, and any additional services they may opt for. Additionally, MEWAs often have fixed monthly costs that employers contribute, along with potential adjustments based on factors such as claims experience and usage throughout the year.
Benefits of Joining a MEWA
- Lower premium costs through group purchasing power
- Access to benefits typically available only to large employers
- Shared risk pool
- Administrative support
Who Is MEWA Insurance Right For?
MEWA insurance tends to be the right fit for small to mid-size businesses in similar industries or regions that want better benefits at a lower cost than they could secure on their own.
Regulatory Considerations for MEWA Insurance Plans
MEWAs are regulated at both the state and federal level, including under ERISA. Gilbert’s Risk Solutions helps navigate this compliance landscape so you can focus on providing great benefits, not untangling regulations.
Our Benefits Management Services Approach
We offer a full complement of benefits from the nation’s premier insurance partners, and our experienced employee benefits consultants can help you develop a package that’s right for your workers and your budget. Our approach is consultative and solutions-based.
Your Outsourced Partner
Navigating MEWA eligibility, compliance, and plan selection can be complex — we act as your outsourced partner throughout the process, from initial evaluation to enrollment.
360 Degree Approach
We take a 360-degree view of your business to ensure all aspects are secure. Our team of experts in Loss Control, Employee Benefits, HR, and training are all available to our commercial clients, ensuring multi-pronged risk mitigation.
Value Added + Tailored Solutions
In addition to access to our highly experienced benefits and HR consultants, we think you need another layer of protection. A 2015 study found U.S. employers face about a 12% chance of an employee claim that could result in a lawsuit — compliance, documentation, and HR best practices are your main defense. Many employers encounter unpredictable and sizable expenses that are hard to plan for; our commitment is to provide customized solutions for each unique situation, guiding you toward maximizing benefits and compliance while minimizing risk and administrative burden.
MEWA Insurance Plans FAQs
A MEWA pools multiple unrelated employers together to purchase coverage collectively, often achieving better rates and access to benefits than a single small employer could secure alone.
Risks can include exposure to the claims experience of other participating employers and regulatory complexity, since MEWAs are subject to both state and federal (ERISA) oversight.
Often, yes — MEWAs are particularly well-suited to small and mid-size employers looking for benefits and pricing typically reserved for larger companies.
We guide employers through eligibility requirements, compliance considerations, and plan selection, acting as your outsourced partner throughout the process.
