In 2024, the Medical Expense Plan (MEP)—MHS Association’s flagship health insurance offering—provided coverage for 2,133 individuals across 10 member organizations. Total expenses for the year approached $22.4 million.
As an IRS-designated church plan administered through a nonprofit partnership with Everence, MEP participants benefited from significantly reduced overhead costs of just 7%, compared to the industry average of 13–15%. Strong financial performance led to a $1.83 million distribution to participating organizations in the first quarter of 2024, adding to a cumulative $30.64 million distributed over nine of the past thirteen years.
Through its affiliation with the nation’s largest PPO network, 99.5% of claims were processed in-network. MEP also made significant strides in promoting physical and mental well-being:
- A two-year campaign to encourage primary care engagement reduced prospective risk scores by 5%, with preventive screening rates (colorectal, mammography, and PAP tests) now exceeding Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s book of business averages.
- 59% of MEP participants now have an established primary care physician, compared to 39% in the broader Highmark population.
- New programs launched in 2024, including Mental Well-Being powered by Spring Health and Omada virtual care, expanded access to mental health services and provided personalized support for diabetes, hypertension, and weight management.
MEP continues to deliver exceptional value, strengthen participant health outcomes, and contribute meaningfully to the long-term success of our member organizations.