Gahanna officials propose exit from consortium to create city-run self‑insured health plan for employees

Gahanna officials told City Council on Aug. 25 they plan to leave the Central Ohio Healthcare Consortium and establish a standalone, self‑funded employee health insurance program starting Jan. 1, 2026. The administration recommends keeping UMR for medical administration and RxBenefits for prescription coverage while switching urgent care, wellness and employee assistance program vendors.

The change is intended to give the city “greater flexibility in vendor selection, transparency and claims management,” Director Berry said, and to “have complete governance over our own plan design and funding strategy instead of 1 vote of 12 in the consortium.” The benefits consultant NFP recommended the move following an RFP process and finalist interviews earlier this year.

The nut graf: City staff say the self‑funded model would not disrupt employees’ current provider networks, and forecast roughly $800,000 in minimum annual savings versus remaining in the consortium. Council agreed to place the two related resolutions on the consent agenda for the…