Ohio Small Group Health Insurance
McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc is an independent, family-owned, Ohio-based health insurance broker focusing on small businesses with 2–50 employees. Based in Cincinnati and licensed statewide, we’ve spent over 30 years helping Ohio employers find the right small group health coverage. From ACA plans to association MEWAs to level-funded options, we help business owners understand their choices and make informed decisions. Coming soon, we’ll be launching a detailed resource explaining small group health insurance in Ohio for employers who want a clearer picture before getting started.
Summary for Ohio Small Employers
This page introduces McCarthy Stevenot Agency and explains how we help Ohio businesses with 2–50 employees navigate small group health insurance. It outlines who we work with, the types of plans we advise on, and how our process supports informed, low-pressure decision-making around employee health benefits.
Who We Help
Our agency works exclusively with Ohio’s small businesses. If your company has 2–50 employees, we’re here to make health insurance simpler. Whether you’re a two-person startup or a 50-employee firm, you deserve the same level of attentive, high-quality support that bigger companies receive.
As a family-owned small business ourselves, we understand the juggling act of running a business and taking care of your team’s well-being. Unlike big brokers who treat small groups as afterthoughts, we built our entire business around employers like you—providing hands-on guidance so you can focus on running your company. Learn more about our story and values on our About page.
What We Offer
Small group health insurance solutions for Ohio businesses. Our focus is on health insurance for small businesses in Ohio. We provide end-to-end support for your employee health benefits. As an independent broker, we partner with major insurance carriers and programs in Ohio. From traditional ACA-compliant plans to Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) association plans and innovative level-funded plans, we’ll find the optimal fit for your needs and budget. Our goal is to balance coverage and cost to get your team the best value. See our Services page for a full list of offerings.
How We Help
We help Ohio small businesses navigate health insurance through a clear, structured process. While every company is a little different, our work typically follows the same straightforward path.
Our process at a glance:
- Initial conversation and needs review to understand your business, budget, and workforce
- Prescreening when appropriate so carriers can provide accurate, tailored quotes
- Side-by-side plan comparison and guidance to help you weigh coverage, cost, and trade-offs
- Enrollment and employee onboarding to ensure a smooth rollout
- Year-round support and annual renewal review so your plan continues to work over time
Here’s how that plays out in practice:
Plan Evaluation & Selection:
We start by learning about your company’s needs, budget, and employee makeup. From there, we review the available options in Ohio’s small group health insurance market, including ACA plans, association plans (MEWAs), and level-funded plans. When appropriate, we initiate a prescreen so carriers can evaluate your group and provide accurate quotes. You receive clear, side-by-side comparisons and our honest guidance on what fits best.
Smooth Enrollment:
Once you decide to move forward, we guide you through implementation. We help you manage carrier paperwork so coverage goes live without disruption.
Employee Education:
We also help your team understand and use their benefits with confidence. For clients in Southwest Ohio, we can hold in-person meetings. Elsewhere in Ohio, we provide virtual walkthroughs or clear written guides.
Year-Round Support:
After enrollment, we remain your ongoing resource. Whether it’s a billing question, a coverage issue, or adding or removing an employee, you’ll get prompt, personal help from people who know your plan.
Annual Renewal Review:
Each year, we proactively review your renewal and explore whether better options are available. That may include updating prescreen data and gathering fresh quotes, so you can make an informed decision about staying put or switching — all at no additional cost.
Why Choose McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc.?
We know you have options when it comes to insurance brokers. Here’s why small businesses across Ohio choose (and stay with) McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc.:
- Dedicated Small Group Focus: Small groups aren’t a side business for us – they are our business. We concentrate on companies with 2–50 employees, delivering large-group level service on a personal scale to every client. This dedicated focus means we deeply understand the unique challenges and needs of businesses like yours.
- Deep Ohio Market Knowledge: As a local Ohio-based agency, we know the ins and outs of Ohio’s health insurance landscape. We keep up with state-specific opportunities – for example, we’re well-versed in the association health plans (MEWAs) available through various Ohio chambers and trade groups, and which ones offer the best savings. You get Ohio-tailored guidance that a national firm can’t match.
- Personal, High-Touch Service: When you work with us, you’re never just another account number. You get a dedicated, hands-on partner who treats your business like our own. We tailor our communication to your preference – whether that’s face-to-face meetings or quick responses via phone/email. And when an urgent issue arises (like a complex claim or coverage question), you have direct access to real people who care and act quickly. It’s like having an in-house benefits team, without the overhead.
- Independent & Unbiased Advice: We’re a privately owned, family-run brokerage that answers only to our clients, not to any insurance company’s sales quotas or a corporate parent. We’ve remained independent for over 30 years so we can always put your interests first. Our recommendations are honest and unbiased. If your current plan is truly your best option, we’ll tell you so (even if that means advising against a change). Trust and integrity come first, every time.
- No Extra Fees – Ever: Our services come at no additional cost to you. As a broker, we’re typically paid by the insurance carriers, which means you pay the same premium whether you work with us or go directly through the insurer. Unlike some agencies, we never charge consulting or broker fees for our standard services. You get all our advice, support, and yearly plan reviews included – delivering more value for your money.
Guide to Small Group Health Insurance in Ohio
Health insurance can be complicated, especially for first-time small group buyers. To help Ohio employers get a clearer picture, we’ve published an educational resource that explains how small group health insurance works and what options are available.
Our Small Group Health Insurance in Ohio guide outlines the basics of offering benefits to a group of 2–50 employees, compares ACA plans, MEWAs, and level-funded options, and highlights key considerations specific to Ohio employers. Whether you’re exploring coverage for the first time or reassessing an existing plan, the guide is designed to provide clear, plain-English answers to help you make informed decisions.
How to Get Started
Ready to explore health insurance options for your small business? Getting started with McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc. is straightforward and hassle-free.
Our process typically begins with a quick prescreen – to get started, simply download and complete the prescreen setup form (PDF) and return it to us. This step is often required by carriers to provide accurate small group health insurance quotes in Ohio.
Once the setup is complete, employees receive secure links to complete required health questionnaires. This information allows carriers to provide accurate, customized quotes for your group (and can uncover plan options and lower rates that generic online quoting sites might miss). Don’t worry – we’ll guide you through this step, making the process easy and confidential.
Once we have the prescreen information and where available, we’ll present a personalized proposal with side-by-side quotes from multiple insurers, including special association or level-funded plans you may qualify for. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each option, answer your questions, and help you make an informed choice. There’s no obligation or pressure – our goal is simply to help you find the best health coverage for your team.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to provide quality health coverage to your employees – or even just curious about what’s possible – we’re here to help.
Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation or start your prescreen. We’ll gladly talk through your needs and get to work on a personalized quote for your 2–50 employee group. With McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc., you’ll get straight answers, personalized guidance, and zero pressure—just the support you need to protect your team’s health.
Contact us now to get your personalized small business health insurance quote and see how easy managing health benefits can be.