You want to cover your people.
Benefits are part of how you keep a crew together. They are also what people compare when they are deciding between two jobs.
MEC PLANS FOR EMPLOYERS
Coverage built for the workforce major medical wasn't.
Three levels of ACA-compliant MEC coverage for hourly, part-time, and variable-hour teams. Preventive care at 100%, $0 telehealth, and plans employees actually use.
Plans start at $55 per employee per month.
MEC plans at a glance
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Preventive care at 100% on all three plans, with no copay.
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$0 telehealth, unlimited, 24/7, in English and Spanish.
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Prescription coverage starting with preventive drugs. Generics on Plus, brand on Enhanced.
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23,000+ providers in Utah and 1.2 million nationwide.
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Vision discounts through VSP Choice, plus member savings through BenefitHub.
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Three plan levels, starting at $55 per employee per month.
THE CHALLENGE
You have to offer coverage. You want to.
Major medical pricing was built for salaried headcount, not hourly rosters that turn over. If you are an applicable large employer, you have to offer coverage. A MEC plan meets that offer requirement.
It has to be affordable.
Major medical premiums assume salaried headcount and low turnover. On an hourly roster, the math stops working fast..
People have to actually enroll.
A plan nobody signs up for does not help anyone. Price it so employees opt in instead of waiving.
Three plan levels. Pick the one that fits your roster.
Rates shown are employee-only. See each plan's Summary and Plan Booklet for full benefit details, copays, and limitations.
MEC
MEC Plus
MEC Enhanced
INCLUDED IN EVERY PLAN
Preventive care at 100%
Included
Included
Included
Preventive prescriptions
Included
Included
Included
$0 Cost virtual urgent care, unlimited, multi-lingual
Included
Included
Included
VSP Vision Discount Program
Included
Included
Included
ADDED WITH MEC PLUS
Generic prescription coverage
-
Included
Included
Primary care visits, 3 per year
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Included
Included
ADDED WITH MEC ENHANCED
$0 Cost virtual behavioral health
-
-
Included
Brand prescription coverage
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-
Included
Specialist visits, 3 per year
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-
Included
Urgent care, 3 per year
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-
Included
Convenience clinic, 3 per year
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-
Included
Diagnostic testing, 4 per year
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-
Included
Outpatient surgery, 1 per year
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-
Included
Dental Value discount program
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-
Included
Rates for all coverage tiers
| Tier | MEC | MEC Plus | MEC Enhanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee only | $55 | $79 | $129 |
| Employee + spouse | $85 | $119 | $194 |
| Employee + children | $99 | $139 | $222 |
| Family | $129 | $175 | $277 |
Download the MEC plans overview (PDF) — a two-page summary of all three plans, rates, and group guidelines.
HERE WHEN YOU NEED US
Questions? Start here.
Whether you're exploring EMI Health or already working with us, there's a direct path to a real person.
New to EMI Health?
Tell us about your organization and the sales team for your state will reach out.
Start a conversation →Already working with us?
Billing, enrollment, renewals — find the right team for brokers and groups.
Find your contact →Using EMI Central?
Step-by-step portal guides for group administrators and brokers.
Get portal help →SINCE 1935
Coverage people understand is coverage people use.
GETTING STARTED
Getting started is simple.
No underwriting. No claims data to gather. Your broker works with you at every step.
01
APPLY
Submit a group application
One application. There is no underwriting and no claims history to pull together.
02
CHOOSE
Pick your plan level
MEC, MEC Plus, or MEC Enhanced. Employer-paid, contributory, and voluntary setups all work.
03
LOCK RATES
Hold your rate for an extra year
A 3% rate-cap guarantee locks your rates for one additional year.
Minimums: 10 eligible employees, or 5 if you offer MEC alongside an EMI Health major medical plan.
Groups with 10-40 eligible employees may offer up to 2 MEC products
Groups with 41+ eligible employees may offer up to 3 MEC products
QUESTIONS
Common questions about MEC
What is a MEC plan?
MEC stands for minimum essential coverage. It covers preventive care at 100%, plus telehealth and a set of everyday services depending on the plan level. It is built to be affordable enough that hourly and part-time employees will actually enroll.
How is MEC different from major medical?
Major medical is built to cover big claims. It has a deductible, an out-of-pocket maximum, and coverage for hospital stays, surgery, and ongoing treatment. That protection is why it costs several hundred dollars a month per employee.
A MEC plan is built to cover everyday care at a price hourly employees will pay. It covers preventive care at 100%, $0 virtual urgent care, and a set number of doctor visits, prescriptions, and tests depending on the plan level. It does not cover hospital stays or major procedures, and it has no deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
A MEC plan is not major medical and does not replace it. Many employers offer MEC to hourly and part-time staff and major medical to salaried staff.
Does a MEC plan satisfy the employer coverage requirement?
Yes, it satisfies the requirement to offer coverage. A MEC plan is not a minimum value plan, so it does not satisfy the separate minimum value standard.
Who is eligible, and what are the minimums?
You need 10 enrolled employees, or 5 if you offer MEC alongside an EMI Health major medical plan. Employer-paid, contributory, and voluntary setups all work.
Can we offer MEC alongside another carrier's major medical plan?
Yes. Many employers pair MEC for their hourly and part-time workforce with major medical for salaried staff, and the major medical plan does not have to be with EMI Health.
What states is MEC available in?
Every state where EMI Health is licensed for group business. Utah and Idaho are newly available for sale. Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are new EMI Health states.