According to Mercer, 51% of large U.S. employers plan to raise out-of-pocket costs in 2026, pushing workers to find alternative options—and pushing CFOs to look for any alternative to avoid another bloated renewal.
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Your Playbook for 2025-2026 Renewals |
What brokers and businesses getBrokers stay relevant. Businesses save and retain employees.
Use it as: 🔹 A supplemental option alongside high-deductible plans |
Let's talk positioningThink HSA The employer benefits playbook is changing—and fast. As premiums rise and utilization stalls, more companies are shifting away from bloated insurance models and toward modular, employee-centric care strategies.
At the heart of this transformation is the Health Savings Account (HSA)—a powerful, tax-advantaged tool that’s no longer just an add-on but the foundation of a modern health benefits stack.
Position HSAWhen paired with lower-cost health plans like Vativis or HDHPs, HSAs allow both employers and employees to take control of their health dollars.
Employers can fund HSAs without locking into a high-cost group plan. Employees use pre-tax dollars for real care: doctor visits, prescriptions, therapy, labs.
Any unused funds roll over year after year—unlike FSA “use-it-or-lose-it” models. It’s not just about cost savings—it’s about empowerment. |
4-Part Strategy to Lock in Employer Loyalty |
1. Cost narrativeAverage employer-sponsored coverage is now over $8,400/year for single coverage.
Position Vativis or other discount health plans as the answer to:
Talking Point: “You don’t need to choose between cutting benefits and cutting costs. You need better benefit options.” 2.Pair with HSA strategyEmployers are raising HSA contribution limits—align this with high-deductible plans plus Vativis.
This protects against major claims while Vativis reduces everyday care costs (Rx, labs, telehealth, DPC).
Sample Framing: “Pair your HDHP with Vativis to cover everyday care, and increase your HSA contribution for catastrophic peace of mind. The result? Happier employees and flatter spend curves.” |
3.Retention + Recruitment ValueVativis-type plans cover mental health, telehealth, and Rx—the most used, yet least-covered, services in many high-deductible or limited MEC plans.
Use this to frame it as a competitive edge in labor-heavy industries.
One-Liner for Employers: “This isn't just about saving costs—it's about keeping your people from walking out the door.” 4.Broker toolkit
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Mental Health-Employees Want it Traditional insurance either delays access with referrals or prices therapy out of reach.
New solutions fill the gap:
DPC -Smarter healthcare With rising deductibles, employees skip in-person care—even for chronic issues.
Direct Primary Care (DPC):
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