United Way of Central Indiana plans a shared health plan for nonprofits statewide, to start Jan. 1 if Indiana approves
The Indiana UNITY Health Alliance, announced Sept. 10, would let human services nonprofits and local United Ways across the state cover their employees through one group plan. More than 40 organizations with over 1,000 employees have shown interest, and proposed rates come in October.
Indianapolis. Human services nonprofits and local United Ways anywhere in Indiana will be able to cover their employees through a shared health plan starting Jan. 1, if the Indiana Department of Insurance approves it, United Way of Central Indiana announced on Sept. 10.
The plan, the Indiana UNITY Health Alliance, is a multiple employer welfare arrangement, or MEWA, in which several employers join together to offer health and welfare benefits. More than 40 organizations representing over 1,000 employees have expressed interest, the United Way said, and its goal is to cover at least 500 employees in the first year.
What the plan would offer
The plan is to include medical, dental, vision and life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, health savings and flexible spending accounts, and telehealth. Members living in Indiana would use a statewide network of in-network providers, and those outside the state the national First Health Network, according to the plan's website.
An earlier overview on the website says the plan will be self-funded, that organizations with as few as two employees may join and that the United Way is studying an option for nonprofits with a single employee. The United Way plans to put up the initial $500,000 surplus, members owe nothing beyond their premiums, and they may leave with notice. It says the United Way expects medical premiums 8% to 15% or more below other plans on the market, with final prices set by each organization's workforce.
“This will give small nonprofits access to the benefits of being part of a large group health plan that they may not otherwise have access to.”
Who would run it
A board of trustees drawn from and elected by the participating organizations will oversee the plan, and United Way of Central Indiana, which serves Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties, will run it day to day. The United Way said the plan has been in the works for about two years.
Indiana requires a MEWA to register with the Department of Insurance, and the plan's website says it will receive its certificate of registration before operations begin. The last of three virtual information sessions is on Oct. 1, from 2 to 3 p.m. Proposed rates and open enrollment meetings are to follow in October, and the website lists Oct. 6 as the due date for organizations' information.
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