By Seth Teter

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) believes strongly in buying local when it comes to farm products. But it also put that belief into practice when it recently chose a new company to serve the health care needs of its members.

Its roots in the Buckeye state is one of many reasons that Medical Mutual of Ohio was selected by OFBF’s board of trustees to be the organization’s new health care supplier.

During 2008, Farm Bureau members who were Nationwide Health Plan customers will have their policies automatically converted to Medical Mutual with no disruption in coverage. Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, new health insurance customers may purchase individual health plans from Medical Mutual of Ohio. The move comes as Nationwide Insurance transitions away from risk-based health care – the OFBF member health plan was the last remaining business with Nationwide Health Plans.

OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher said the move means good news for OFBF members. “Here was an opportunity, because of change, for all three partners (OFBF, Nationwide and Medical Mutual) to find a solution that provides a quality, cost effective product that our members need,” he said.

Under the new partnership, OFBF members will have access to Medical Mutual’s SuperMed provider network, the most comprehensive group of doctors, hospitals and other medical service providers in Ohio. Members also will have easy access to Medical Mutual health insurance products through its network of independent brokers as well as Nationwide agents throughout Ohio. Medical Mutual’s individual insurance product, SuperMed One, along with small-group and Medicare insurance, will be offered in the near future.

“The Ohio Farm Bureau and Medical Mutual have many things in common,” said Kent Clapp, Medical Mutual’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Both were born and currently operate right here in Ohio. We are both pioneers in the insurance industry and place the satisfaction of our members as our No. 1 priority. We’re planning to make this a very successful partnership that will bring value to Farm Bureau members.”

A task force appointed by OFBF and Nationwide had considered numerous carriers in the process of selecting a new member health plan.

“In the spirit of our sponsorship relationship, Nationwide has been a partner in the fullest extent in doing the due diligence of finding a new health care provider,” Fisher said. “Medical Mutual comes to Farm Bureau in a business relationship in which they are committed to our purpose and committed to our core values.”

Keith Truckor, chairman of the organization committee for OFBF’s board of trustees, said Medical Mutual’s expansive network as well as the company’s exclusive focus on health care helped guide the board’s decision. “We think they bring a lot of energy and excitement, and with that in mind we expect big things in the future as far as policies, programs and pricing as well,” he said during October’s trustee meeting.

According to Fisher, maintaining health coverage as part of OFBF’s benefits package is consistent with the organization’s philosophy of serving members. “As we look out for our farm families and membership in rural Ohio, we see that health care is a major need for every citizen. Here is a case where we can help,” he said.

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