April Case Study: How The Difference Card Helped an Elite Producer Win a New Account by Slashing Employer Health Benefit Costs by 25%
An enterprise technology firm with over 200 employees was recently confronted with a staggering +35% renewal increase from their health insurance carrier, Medical Mutual of Ohio. This proposed rate hike would have added $800,000 to the company’s annual healthcare expenses—an increase the employer simply couldn’t absorb within their existing budget. In search of a more sustainable solution, the employer turned to the consultant market for help.
A Strategic Partnership: USI + The Difference Card
Enter USI Insurance Services, a top-tier brokerage that bid on the account using its USI One® service model—enhanced by a strategic partnership with The Difference Card. Together, they created a tailored benefits strategy that not only solved the employer’s renewal challenge but also delivered significant cost savings and improved employee benefits.
Thanks to this innovative approach, the client saved over $900,000 on their health insurance renewal—winning USI the new business.
Market Intelligence + Custom Plan Design
Jennifer Revell, a sales leader from The Difference Card’s Midwest team, played a pivotal role in this success. Working closely with the consultant, Jennifer identified a more cost-effective plan design that better aligned with the Ohio market landscape.
The brokerage team secured a new plan from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, resulting in a 43% reduction in fixed costs compared to the initial renewal quote.
To further enhance the plan, The Difference Card implemented a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP). This design improved employee benefits—lowering out-of-pocket costs—while controlling employer liability through the Difference Guarantee, a cap that locked in a guaranteed $780,000 in savings.
Results That Matter
The final outcome was a health benefits package that delivered:
The consulting team didn’t just help a client solve a pressing financial issue—they won the account by delivering better value to both the employer and its employees.
The Difference Card Impact
The Difference Card consistently delivers measurable savings across industries, helping organizations reduce health insurance costs by an average of 18%. In addition to cost savings, these strategies boost employee satisfaction and retention by maintaining or even enhancing benefit quality.
Discover Your Savings Potential
Could your organization achieve similar results? Connect with a Difference Card consultant today or request a customized proposal to explore your savings potential.
