About Us

Our service is backed by over 80 years of proven health care claims and benefit administration experience and knowledge.

Experience Unmatched.

MedBen has served the health benefits needs of employers both large and small since 1938. Over the decades, we’ve transitioned from basic hospitalization to comprehensive coverage, and from traditional health insurance to self-funding administration. But we continue to draw on our decades of experience so we can provide clients with the most effective and cost-efficient benefit management solutions.

MedBen offers total pricing transparency, so clients know that what they pay for health care accurately reflects its true cost… no undisclosed fees or hidden third-party disbursements. Our service model is built around the voice of the customer and continuous improvement.

Executive Staff

Stability is at the core of MedBen leadership. Our Executive Staff has been with MedBen an average tenure of 22 years and are recognized experts in benefits management.

Kurt Harden

Kurt Harden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Serving MedBen clients since 1991

Kurt Harden has overseen the development of innovative cost-saving solutions for clients in the areas of clinical claim review, pharmacy benefit coverage, wellness and value-based care. He is also active in his community, serving in a variety of volunteer and elected positions with local business, governmental, and educational organizations.

Caroline Fraker

Caroline Fraker

Senior Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer

Serving MedBen clients since 1992

A 30-plus year benefits veteran, Caroline Fraker assists MedBen clients with regulatory compliance, contractual and risk management issues. She is Past Chair of the Board of the Society of Professional Benefits Administrators (SPBA) and a member of the Licking County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee.

Wendell Crain

Wendell Crain

Vice President of Information Systems and Chief Security Officer

Serving MedBen clients since 2003

Wendell Crain oversees MedBen’s comprehensive security measures, including electronic data privacy, disaster recovery and business resumption planning, and loss and fraud prevention. His other chief responsibilities include maintaining the performance of hardware and software assets and ensuring availability of computer resources.

Brian Fargus

Brian Fargus

Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Serving MedBen clients since 2000

Brian Fargus directs MedBen’s sales and marketing efforts, including its self-funded services, pharmacy solutions, wellness program and consumer-driven products. He has been in the insurance industry since 1992, working in life insurance, HMO, Medicare Advantage, and brokerage services before joining MedBen.

Lori Kane

Lori Kane

Vice President of Administrative Operations

Serving MedBen clients since 1989

Lori Kane provides leadership for MedBen’s Claims, Client Services, Administration and Specialty Services Departments. Her talent for handling a wide range of administrative responsibilities allows MedBen to have both claims production and client service processes under the same management umbrella.

Ed Nydegger

Ed Nydegger

Vice President of Finance and Controller

Serving MedBen clients since 2010

Ed Nydegger oversees accounting operations and treasury and payroll administration. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Ed holds a Master of Business Administration from Capital University and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University.

Self-funding Saves. MedBen Delivers.