About - MESSA

MESSA building

A rich history

MESSA was born out of need at a time when public school employees had few health care options. In 1937, the Michigan Education Association started the first group hospitalization program for public school employees. For the first time, school employees had access to affordable insurance, providing financial protection and peace of mind.

That program evolved through the years and MESSA was formed in 1960 as a nonprofit voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (VEBA). A VEBA operates much like a member credit union-owned and operated by its members. As a VEBA, MESSA’s revenues can only be used to pay and administer our members’ medical claims. Unlike for-profit insurance companies, not a dime of our members’ premiums go toward shareholder profits or CEO bonuses.

Today, we are proud to provide our members and their families with the largest provider network in Michigan, comprehensive medical and prescription coverage, and outstanding personal service. We also offer vision, dental and short-term and long-term disability benefits.

Our members include teachers, education support professionals, K-12 administrators, higher education faculty and staff. For more than half a century, we have provided health benefits to public education employees, and now MESSA benefits are available to all public employees.

Our members keep Michigan’s schools and communities running — MESSA keeps them healthy.

QUICK FACTS

We cover about 66,200 members and 187,300 insured lives.
Members have the greatest choice of doctors (Find Care) and access to expert medical care from the best hospitals.
Our Member Service Center is nationally recognized for excellence in personal service and cost-effective operations.

We provide services that can help members with family planning, weight loss and diabetes.
Unlike for-profit insurance companies, not a dime of our members’ premiums go toward shareholder profits or CEO bonuses.

We are extremely efficient in our use of resources. We do not pay agent commissions and our administrative fees are lower than competitors.
Employers receive training and support to effectively manage employee benefits.
Each group is assigned a local field representative to provide personal service to employees and the employer.

MISSION STATEMENT

To exceed the expectations of our customers by providing extraordinary service and a superior healthcare experience.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE TO MEMBERS

Schedule your free annual checkup today

Last month, you probably made some healthy New Year’s resolutions. Why not continue that healthy streak and schedule your annual physical today to help get 2024 off to the right start?

We at MESSA care about your health and well-being. That’s why we want you to stay on top of your health.

February is American Heart Month and National Cancer Prevention Month, a moment to raise awareness about the two leading causes of death in the United States – heart disease and cancer.

It’s also a great time to put your MESSA benefits to work.

At MESSA, we cover one physical every calendar year for members and their dependents, making it easy to prioritize your health. This preventive checkup is free under every MESSA plan if you see an in-network provider.

Often, we are so busy with the tasks of everyday life that we hit the pause button on our health. However, regular checkups are necessary to live a full and healthy life. Routine physicals can help identify early health concerns and can be a lifesaver.

If you need help finding an in-network doctor, call us at 800-336-0013 or use our Find Care tool at www.messa.org/FindCare.