It’s not hard to find a health insurance broker or consultant. Most of the time, they’re coming to you looking for business. The right broker or consultant will be someone who understands and aligns with your employee benefits strategy and business goals.
There are certain non-negotiables that you should expect. Your broker or consultant should:
They should save you time, money, and aggravation — especially when rolling out new health benefits plans to your employees. The following checklist can help you evaluate each broker and consultant against the same high standards.
There are 10 key attributes of exceptional benefits partners. Here’s what to look for when choosing an employee health benefits broker or consultant:
Recognizes the specific challenges, regulations, and coverage needs relevant to your industry, employee groups, and company size.
Knows how to help employers transition to or manage integrated benefit plans that emphasize preventive care and cost savings.
Studies existing health plan data to identify trends, outliers, and opportunities for greater value and lower cost.
Compares plans against industry best practices and uses forecasting tools for data-driven decision-making.
Explores alternative strategies beyond carve-out solutions for a cost-effective integrated pharmacy approach.
Provides peace of mind regarding legislative changes, state mandates, and health data privacy laws.
Offers a structured, transparent approach to health plan benefits management with minimal disruption to employees.
Offers testimonials and metrics that demonstrate improved plan performance with lower costs and higher employee engagement.
Provides or arranges training support for internal teams, along with access to comprehensive benefits communication materials.
Serves as a true partner, offering proactive updates on market trends, new program options, and current health plan performance.
There are questions that should get answered while marking off the checklist and choosing your best-fit benefits planning partner. Some of these questions include:
Listen for answers that align with your goals for cost management, valued-added features, and improved employee health. The right broker or consultant partner will add simplicity to a complicated process.
They understand that their clients have decision fatigue in dealing with an ever-changing selection of employee health plans. It’s their role as an intermediary to narrow down the right choices for your employees and their unique health needs. But that doesn’t come without a proper conversation first.
Also see Working with a Broker article for additional insights and information.
All references to “Highmark” in this communication are references to Highmark Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.
Talk to your client manager today and we’ll help you find the right health plan for your company.
