Employee Benefits Plan Design & Cost Management
We help small businesses cut costs and build smarter benefits plans, backed by 24+ years of experience.
What This Actually Means for Your Business
No jargon, just what each piece actually does for you.
Plan Design
Choosing the right plan structure, PPO, HMO, ICHRA, or level-funded, for your specific team and budget, instead of a one-size-fits-all quote.
Cost Management
Comparing carriers, negotiating your renewal, and adjusting plan design year over year so costs stay predictable instead of climbing on autopilot.
Compliance & Strategy
Keeping your plan design compliant with ACA and state rules while still controlling costs, not choosing one at the expense of the other.
Looking for ways to offset what you spend? Some very small employers qualify for a federal tax credit on premiums. Our guide, Tax Credits and Deductions for Offering Health Benefits, explains who qualifies and how to claim it.
Cost Management Isn't a One-Time Fix
Plan design and carrier comparisons matter most at renewal, not just at signup. Your advisor reviews your plan every year and adjusts as your team and the market change, so costs stay in check long after the first quote.
Real Cost Management vs. Managing It Alone
| With HBP | On Your Own | |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier comparison | Ongoing, across multiple carriers | Usually one quote, one carrier |
| Renewal negotiation | Every year | Rarely revisited |
| Plan design options | PPO, HMO, ICHRA, and level-funded compared | Whatever's offered |
| Compliance monitoring | Ongoing | Self-managed |
| Cost to you | Typically no added cost | Same premium either way |
| Point of contact | Your advisor and a full support team | Call center rotation |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does plan design actually lower costs?
By matching the plan structure, PPO, HMO, ICHRA, or level-funded, to how your team actually uses care, rather than defaulting to the same plan type every year regardless of fit. The right structure for one business isn't always right for another.
How often should I compare carriers or renegotiate my renewal?
Generally every year at renewal, at minimum. Costs and carrier competitiveness shift annually, so a plan that was the best option two years ago may not still be today.
Does switching plan types, like to ICHRA or level-funded, actually save money?
It depends on your specific team, claims history, and goals, there's no universal answer. Your advisor can walk through your actual numbers to see what a switch would realistically mean for your business.
Does working with an advisor on cost management cost extra?
Typically no. Advisor compensation generally comes from the insurance carrier as part of the premium already filed with the state, not billed to you separately.
Ready to put a strategy in place? Explore Small Group Health Insurance or ICHRA plans for small businesses to compare coverage options, or see Benefits Administration and HR Solutions for how we handle the day-to-day once your plan is in place.
Meet Our Small Group and ICHRA Advisors
Ready to Talk Through Your Options?
Let's look at your current plan and see where there's real room to cut costs, at no added cost to you.
Disclosures
We are compensated by the insurance carriers for policies you choose through us. There is no direct cost to you. Compensation may vary by carrier and product. Information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. Please consult your professional advisors about your specific situation. Tax treatment of ICHRA reimbursements can vary by employer and employee. We are licensed to advise clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Contact us to confirm availability in other states.
