Lessons from Connecticut on managing health care costs

Smarter Health = Retained Talent Benefits aren’t just a cost — they’re a retention tool. But if employees: • Wait weeks for care • Get routed to high-cost settings • Struggle with medication access 👉 They leave frustrated, and you pay twice: higher claims + higher turnover. Apex Health changes that: • 24/7 access to ER-trained staff • Cheaper, faster medication access • Better experience + healthier employees Smarter health doesn’t just save money. It helps you keep your best people.

Healthcare is at a tipping point. As costs rise and budgets shrink, brokers and consultants are no longer just advisers, they’re essential to closing the affordability gap.    A recent McKinsey & Company survey makes it clear: bold, proactive strategies are the only path forward. One standout? Reference-based pricing, which has seen a 33% surge in interest.    In my latest article for BenefitsPRO, I share how the most effective brokers and consultants I’ve worked with lead with value-driven strategies that make employer-sponsored health plans more affordable and impactful.    Read more: https://lnkd.in/evZkAfY2 

Every year, employers are faced with a daunting task: finding a health plan that is affordable, meets company needs, and makes employees happy. That pressure is only growing, as healthcare costs are projected to rise by nearly double-digits again next year. Zach Brock, CEO and Partner at Cypress Benefits Solutions, understands the pressure employers and brokers are under. He shares three things consultants and brokers should bring to the table during renewal season: a clear approach to pharmacy costs, strategic planning, and trust.

Employers have long faced unsustainable cost growth in providing health coverage for U.S. workers and their families. Yet at the same time, health care has become more confusing, costly, and complex for Americans than ever before. Absent transformative industry-led solutions, employers are taking health care innovation into their own hands. On Oct. 8, executives in our Roundtable on Transforming Health Care Economics will examine how employers and purchasers are driving change. We’re excited to welcome: Roundtable Co-Chair Elizabeth Mitchell, Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) Crystal Eubanks, Executive, California Quality Collaborative, and Vice President of Care Transformation, Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) Raymond Tsai, MD MS, Vice President of Advanced Primary Care, Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) Rob Paczkowski, CEBS, Senior Director, Global Benefits, eBay We’ll take an inside look at how employers are bringing health care organizations together to drive high-quality, affordable care—and how health care executives can take the lead in scaling financially sustainable solutions nationwide. Join our conversation on purchaser-led innovation as a Health Evolution Fellow: https://lnkd.in/gkGRPwnP

I'm excited to kick off a new year of Health Evolution's Roundtable on Transforming Health Care Economics exploring how purchasers are leading health care innovation through multi-payer, value-based payment models. We'll take an inside look at how employers and purchasers are leading change through efforts like the California Advanced Primary Care Initiative’s multi-payer value-based payment model, as well as direct contracting initiatives. Employers are at the forefront of most Americans' health care journeys, but they're often overlooked as partners for driving high-quality, affordable care and health. We're thrilled to bring purchasers and health care executives together to discuss how we can collaborate to create and scale quality, financially sustainable solutions nationwide!

CQC’s Crystal Eubanks, Executive Director, will join colleagues from the Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) tomorrow at the Health Evolution Roundtable on Transforming Health Care Economics. This discussion brings together employer and purchaser leaders to explore how collaboration, innovation and shared accountability can drive high-quality, affordable and equitable care. Proud to see CQC and PBGH continuing to shape the national conversation on purchaser-led transformation and sustainable primary care. ⤵️ See below for more details. #ValueBasedCare #PrimaryCare #HealthEquity

Mercer’s 2025 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans (Sept. 4, 2025) shows what so many of us are already seeing: 2026 will be the fourth straight year of higher health benefit cost growth. With double-digit increases, it’s no wonder 59% of employers are planning changes to cut costs next year. Here’s the real challenge: how do you manage rising costs without cutting back on the benefits your people count on? That’s one reason I’m such a fan of what we do at Nextep. Through our master medical policy, we give small and midsize businesses the buying power of a much larger group. The result? More affordable, competitive health plans that help companies protect their budgets and their employees. Healthcare costs aren’t slowing down anytime soon, which makes now the time to think differently about your strategy for 2026. Curious what others are seeing: Are you already making changes to your health plan for 2026, or holding steady and waiting it out?

🎤"When I was still practicing as a doctor, burnout was something I knew too well. Long calls, endless patient load, and exhaustion so deep that on some days, I literally collapsed from sheer exhaustion while attending to patients… The truth is, doctors are human. And when we're stretched beyond limits, both patients and hospitals suffer. In fact, no health practitioner should have to choose between their health and their duty. Yet, that's the reality for many."🎤 It’s not just one doctor's experience!!! It’s the reality for thousands of healthcare providers around the world. Dilemmas that should not be. That's exactly why we are building eGP Health. A system that refuses to make doctors choose between their wellbeing and their purpose. A platform where healthcare providers can deliver exceptional care without sacrificing their mental health, their family time, or their passion for medicine. When doctors are rested, present, and fulfilled, patients get better care. When the system supports both parties, everyone wins. So it’s not just about the convenience, we are listening and restoring dignity to healthcare delivery. We are creating space for doctors to be human too. What do you think? Should healthcare prioritize both doctor and patient wellbeing, or are we asking too much?

Too many people end up in the ER for something that could’ve been treated earlier. Tamir Aldad, CEO of Mindful Care, highlighted how smart triage is changing everything in mental healthcare delivery: • They assess every patient's urgency level first • High need cases get seen immediately • Less urgent cases get scheduled appropriately • This prevents expensive ER visits and hospitalizations • Most importantly, it stops patients from getting worse while they wait The business impact is huge. Healthcare systems save money by keeping people out of emergency rooms. But the real win? People get help before they hit rock bottom. This approach prevents relapses, keeps people safe, and stops mental health issues from spiraling out of control. It's a reminder that sometimes the best innovation isn't fancy technology. It's just being smarter about how we prioritize and deliver care when people need it most. Listen to the full podcast episode by clicking the link in the comments.

According to SHRM, employers are facing double-digit increases in health care costs for 2026 - the steepest jump in 15 years. Meanwhile, our clients are locked in single-digit renewals with AmeriHealth. How? We don’t just take whatever is given to us. We: Analyze claims trends to spot opportunities Design custom plans that align with client needs Proactively manage renewals so surprises don’t hit at the worst time The result: lower increases, better coverage, and employees who actually feel protected. In a market where double-digit spikes are becoming the norm, strategy matters more than ever. This approach doesn't just save money - it protects your people. If your current plan is hitting double digits without explanation, it might be time to see what a strategic approach like CLEAR’s can do.