The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) announces that it is now offering a new comprehensive package of employee health and wellness programs to its medium-size businesses. As one of Northeast Ohio's largest small business support organizations, COSE is comprised of more than 17,000 member companies.

Group Wellness Plus(TM) will be offered to COSE members with 51 or more employees, providing customized health insurance through Medical Mutual and access to Medical Mutual's Superwell(R) programs at no additional cost.

"Free health screenings, online health risk assessments, disease and maternity management programs, Weight Watchers(R), smoking cessation, along with a 24-hour nurse hot line are among the advantages of the new Group Wellness Plus program," said Steve Millard, COSE president and executive director.

Millard said another innovative feature of Group Wellness Plus(TM) is the COSE Wellness Mini-Grant Program. "The mini-grant program offers member companies with COSE/Medical Mutual health insurance a matching dollar amount of up to $1,500 for company-sponsored wellness activities and we hope this will encourage more businesses to adopt wellness programs for their employees."

Errol Brick, executive vice president of Sales and Customer Relations for Medical Mutual, said the mini-grant and the entire Group Wellness Plus(TM) program will reward companies that go the extra mile in trying to keep their workers healthy. "As business owners all over the country are learning today, a healthy workforce is a highly productive workforce," said Brick. "We are looking forward to helping COSE members help themselves, not only with their health insurance, but now serving them with a complete menu of great health and wellness programs."

About Medical Mutual: Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual of Ohio is the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio. The company serves its customers through high-quality, affordable group and personal health insurance plans, and third-party administrative services to self-insured group customers. For more information, visit the company's award-winning Web site at .

About COSE: One of Northeast Ohio's largest small business support organization, COSE strives to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. Comprised of more than 17,000 member companies, COSE has a long history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether it's through group purchasing programs in healthcare, workers' compensation, payroll services, or shipping, or advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation. COSE also produces more than 100 networking and business education events each year - all focused on connecting our members to each other to increase their productivity and sales. ()