About McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc.

Founded in 1991, McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc. is an independent, family-owned Ohio health insurance broker dedicated to bringing large-group level service to small businesses. For more than 30 years we’ve focused on 2–50 employee groups, treating every client as the cornerstone of our business.

To support that focus, we’ve also published an educational resource—Small Group Health Insurance in Ohio—that explains how coverage works, outlines available plan options, and highlights considerations specific to Ohio employers.

Our mission is simple: deliver honest guidance, personalized support, and local expertise so employers can protect their people with confidence.

Our Founding Story

Our agency was founded in 1991 by Mike McCarthy and Ted Stevenot, two colleagues who left a large benefits firm with a vision for doing things differently. At the time, many brokers treated small employer groups (2–50 employees) as stepping stones to bigger accounts—often giving them minimal attention. We saw an opportunity to flip that script. Instead of using small groups as a stepping stone, we made them the cornerstone of our business.

From day one, we committed to offering small companies the kind of attentive, up-close service usually reserved for large corporations. We streamlined our processes to make health plan shopping efficient: gathering detailed information on the first call, preparing thorough proposals by the first meeting, and never recommending changes unless they truly benefited the client.

Prospects were often surprised (in a good way) when we’d say, “Your current plan looks competitive—you should stay put,” and walk away from a potential sale. By prioritizing honesty over a quick sale, we built trust that became the foundation of our growth. Small business owners found an insurance broker partner who actually told them the truth, and that trust proved magnetic. Word spread, our client base grew, and soon we were helping more groups each year than agencies many times our size.

Over the decades, our “every client counts” philosophy never wavered. We’ve had two-person startups and 50-person companies alike lean on us for guidance. (In fact, one of our very first clients – a business with 2 employees back in the early ‘90s – has grown into a company with several hundred employees today. Because we stuck with them from the start, they’ve stayed with us through every stage of their growth, even as larger brokerages tried to lure them away.) Stories like these reinforce why we love what we do. We’ve proven that putting people first isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also the surest way to build lasting success.

Our Mission & Values

Our mission has always been clear: Provide small employers with the same level of care, expertise, and service that big companies receive. We live this mission through core values that guide every interaction:

Every Client Counts: We treat each client as our most important client. Small groups aren’t a footnote to us—they are the heart of our agency. Your business, whether 2 employees or 50, will always get our full attention and respect.
Integrity & Honesty: We do what’s right, even if it means advising against a sale. You can trust us for straight answers. If your current plan is the best option, we’ll tell you so. We believe long-term relationships matter more than short-term gain.
Personalized Service: Insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is our support. We take the time to understand your needs and to be there when you need help. From answering basic questions to tackling complex claims issues, we go above and beyond to advocate for you and your employees.
Expertise & Experience: With over 30 years in the industry, we’ve developed deep insight into Ohio’s health insurance landscape. We continually educate ourselves on policy changes, carrier offerings, and market trends. This expertise means better advice and smarter solutions for you.
Independence & Commitment: We remain independent and locally owned, free from outside investors or corporate mandates. Unlike many agencies that have been bought out by national chains, we haven’t sold our business. This means we answer to our clients, not shareholders. This independence allows us to focus 100% on service, not on squeezing out profit. We’re in this business for the long haul and consider our clients part of the family.

A Partner You Can Trust

Throughout our 30+ year journey, we’ve been privileged to form lasting partnerships with Ohio businesses and their employees. Many of our very first clients are still with us today, a testament to the trust and satisfaction that we strive to earn every day. We take pride in knowing that when an issue arises – whether it’s a billing error or a critical treatment that needs approval – our clients can count on us to step in and fight on their behalf. It’s common for us to recognize an insurance company service representative by voice on the phone because we’ve worked directly with them so often to solve problems for our clients.

In an era where some brokerages have moved their smaller groups to impersonal call centers, we’ve held firm to our high-touch, ethical approach. We believe that doing right by people is the only way to do business. When you work with McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc., you get a dedicated, caring team that truly has your back. This remains true not just during the initial enrollment, but for every year and every challenge that follows. Our promise is to continue earning your trust through honest guidance, hard work, and heartfelt service, so you can confidently focus on running your business knowing your employees’ health coverage is in good hands.