Medical Mutual of Ohio
Encyclopedia
Medical Mutual of Ohio is an American mutual health insurance
company; it is the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio
and serves more than 1.6 million customers. Employing 2,400 people; Medical Mutual is one of the biggest employers in downtown Cleveland.
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio
’s historic Rose Building, the company also has statewide offices in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Independence, Richfield, Toledo and Youngstown, as well as an information systems facility in Beachwood. In 2008 Medical Mutual of Ohio ranked 806 out of the top 1,000 corporations in America.
A few years later, in 1945, Medical Mutual of Cleveland was formed to provide coverage for doctor fees. CHSA merged with Akron Hospital Service to form Blue Cross of Northeast Ohio in 1957, and four years later, Medical Mutual of Cleveland became affiliated with the Blue Shield system.
In 1984, Blue Cross of Northeast Ohio and Medical Mutual of Cleveland merged to form Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northern Ohio. Two years after the merge, the new company joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northwest Ohio to form Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio.
In 1997, the company left the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association and re-claimed the name of one of its predecessors, becoming the present day Medical Mutual of Ohio.
, Cleveland Cavaliers
, Cleveland Indians
, Cincinnati Bengals
and Columbus Blue Jackets
. Besides pro teams, the company is also the official insurer of numerous colleges and universities and local organizations, like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
company; it is the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and serves more than 1.6 million customers. Employing 2,400 people; Medical Mutual is one of the biggest employers in downtown Cleveland.
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
’s historic Rose Building, the company also has statewide offices in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Independence, Richfield, Toledo and Youngstown, as well as an information systems facility in Beachwood. In 2008 Medical Mutual of Ohio ranked 806 out of the top 1,000 corporations in America.
Headquarters
Headquartered in downtown Cleveland Ohio, Medical Mutual of Ohio operates in the historic Rose Building. The Rose building was erected in 1900 and was the tallest building between Chicago and New York. Meant to house dentists offices, the Rose building had almost 100 different dentists by 1902.History
In 1926, Elyria Memorial Hospital administrator John R. Mannix began experimenting with the idea of hospital pre-payment and the basic principles of insurance, eventually leading to the formation of the Cleveland Hospital Service Association in 1934. At this time, hospital associations such as the CHSA became known as Blue Cross Plans. In 1939, Blue Cross Plans united to form the Blue Cross AssociationA few years later, in 1945, Medical Mutual of Cleveland was formed to provide coverage for doctor fees. CHSA merged with Akron Hospital Service to form Blue Cross of Northeast Ohio in 1957, and four years later, Medical Mutual of Cleveland became affiliated with the Blue Shield system.
In 1984, Blue Cross of Northeast Ohio and Medical Mutual of Cleveland merged to form Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northern Ohio. Two years after the merge, the new company joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northwest Ohio to form Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio.
In 1997, the company left the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association and re-claimed the name of one of its predecessors, becoming the present day Medical Mutual of Ohio.
Significant milestones
Below is a list of milestones in the corporate history of Medical Mutual of Ohio.- 1934 - Cleveland Hospital Service Association formed to provide hospitalization insurance.
- 1939 - Blue Cross Association formed. CHSA was a member.
- 1945 - Medical Mutual of Cleveland formed to provide insurance for physicians’ bills.
- 1957 - CHSA merged with Akron Hospital Service to form Blue Cross of Northeast Ohio.
- 1961 - Medical Mutual of Cleveland becomes affiliated with the Blue Shield System.
- 1984 - Blue Cross of Northeast Ohio merged with Medical Mutual to form Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northern Ohio.
- 1986 - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northern Ohio merged with Blue Cross of Northwest Ohio to form Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio.
- 1993 - Among the fastest-growing healthcare companies with a managed care product known today as SuperMed. SuperMed proved beneficial to the Greater Cleveland Growth Association’s Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and later became a national model for insurance among small businesses, chambers, and associations.
- 1997 - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio renamed Medical Mutual of Ohio. Kent Clapp named Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
- 1997 - Medical Mutual expanded beyond health insurance and created Antares Management Solutions to leverage the company’s computer systems.
- 2001 - Medical Mutual’s Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), SuperMed Plus, is recognized as the first PPO in the United States to earn Full Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
- 2003 - Medical Mutual purchased Consumers Life Insurance Company, which held licenses to sell insurance in 38 states.
- 2007 - Medical Mutual acquired Carolina Care Plan, one of the largest health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in South Carolina.
- 2010 - Medical Mutual selected to run the Ohio High Risk Pool by the Ohio Department of Insurance.
In the community
Medical Mutual is the “Official Health Insurer” of a variety of organizations. Medical Mutual insures numerous professional sports teams, including the Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
and Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Besides pro teams, the company is also the official insurer of numerous colleges and universities and local organizations, like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Articles & interviews
- Inside Business Magazine: The Feeling's Mutual : After Losing CEO Kent Clapp in a tragic accident, Medical Mutual is back on track with longtime leader Rick Chiricosta. (June 2009)
- Reuters.com: Walgreens Accepts Medical Mutual of Ohio Prescription Plan (February 11, 2009)
- Reuters.com: Medical Mutual of Ohio Earns Top Accreditation for Product Excellence (March 31, 2008)
- Inside Business Magazine: Prescription for prevention: with today's aging population, Kent Clapp leads medical mutual of Ohio to new heights by focusing on preventative health care. (November 2007)