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 the Ashtabula County Commissioners adopted a resolution 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.