History of CEBCO

Like most employers sponsoring employee benefits, many Ohio counties were struggling with unpredictable rate increases in health insurance. In response, in April 2001 a resolution was adopted asking CCAO to research and consider forming a health insurance program. In July, the CCAO Board voted to study the feasibility of building such a program, and created a steering committee to oversee the project. The authority for counties to contract and purchase health insurance coverage and to establish and maintain a self-insurance program or joint self-insurance program was already set under ORC Sections 305.171(E) and 9.833.

The CCAO Board hired AON Consulting to assist with surveying counties and perform a feasibility study. With six counties committed, CEBCO was started effective January 1, 2004. New counties have joined steadily since.