How to Win This Renewal Season: The Difference Card Playbook
In September’s episode of Cup of Joe, we dove deep into a football-themed strategy to help you tackle the challenge of rising health insurance renewals. As renewal season approaches, your opponent is a projected 20% renewal increase for 2025. But just like football, you can design the perfect game plan to secure a win for your clients. Let’s break down the key strategies from this month’s episode.
Building the Right Team: Choose a Strong Network
Just like a football team needs strong players, your healthcare strategy requires a solid network of providers. At The Difference Card, we typically partner with one of the “big four” — Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, or Aetna — to ensure employees have access to top-tier providers nationwide. A well-structured plan is crucial, but without a competitive and wide-reaching network, it’s like having a great playbook without any players to execute it.
The Secret Play: Utilizing the MERP
Here’s where we differentiate ourselves: The Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP). Think of it as a trick play that elevates your team’s chances of winning. MERPs help employers customize plans and reduce healthcare costs, all while maintaining quality. This combination of network, plan design, and MERP has consistently proven to be a winning formula against rising healthcare costs.
For those unfamiliar with MERPs, check out last month’s Cup of Joe episode, where we covered MERP 101 in detail.
Additional Plays for Success: HSAs, FSAs, and Lifestyle Accounts
To further lock in the win, we recommend adding tools like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These act like extra points after a touchdown—while they won’t win the game on their own, they are critical for securing victory. For those ready to “go for two,” consider adding lifestyle accounts that cover non-traditional expenses, like travel for out-of-state care, to give employees even more control over their healthcare.
Keeping the Team Healthy: Wellness Incentives
Just as a coach needs to keep players healthy all season long, offering wellness incentives can help keep your employees in top shape. Providing perks for flu shots and annual physicals ensures that your team is ready to face the challenges ahead.
Communication is Key: Don’t Let the Game Plan Fail
No matter how good your playbook is, if your team doesn’t understand it, you’ll lose. Clear and consistent communication is essential during open enrollment and beyond. Make sure employees are fully aware of the benefits available to them and know how to use them effectively.
The Final Play: Partner with The Difference Card for a Win
As the renewal season approaches, let The Difference Card be your Tom Brady—leading you to victory. With our playbook, you can offer top-tier benefits, keep your clients happy, and stay within budget.
Ready to beat the 2025 renewal increase? Let us help you call the right plays and secure a win this season!
