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Cost Containment Strategies
Tired of shopping rates every single year?
There's a better way to control what you pay.
Switching carriers only resets the clock. Alternative funding strategies like level-funded, self-funded and captive plans give you more control, real claims visibility and the chance to keep what your group doesn’t spend.
At a Glance
Traditional vs. level-funded
| Fully Insured | Level- Funded | |
|---|---|---|
| Predictable monthly cost | ✓ | ✓ |
| See your claims data | — | ✓ |
| Possible refund if claims run low | — | ✓ |
| Rewards a healthy group | — | ✓ |
| Protection from large claims | ✓ | ✓ |
Sound Familiar?
Rates keep rising.
Nothing to show for it.
In a traditional plan, the carrier keeps what you don’t use and raises your rates when you do. It doesn’t have to work that way.
The problem
Every renewal is a take-it-or-leave-it number.
How we fix it
Alternative funding puts your own claims experience to work for you, instead of pooling you with everyone else.
The problem
You never see where your premium dollars actually go.
How we fix it
Level-funded and self-funded plans come with claims reporting, so you can see what’s driving costs and act on it.
The problem
Pharmacy costs climb faster than everything else.
How we fix it
PBM management that brings transparency to drug pricing, rebates and your formulary.
The problem
Your healthy team is subsidizing everyone else's claims.
How we fix it
A funding model that rewards a healthy workforce, so good claims years work in your favor.
Your Options
Four ways to fund your plan.
One right fit for your group.
Most employers only know the first option. We’ll show you where your group fits based on your size, claims history and appetite for risk.
The Default
Fully Insured
You pay a fixed premium and the carrier takes all the risk, and keeps any money left over.
Best for
Groups that want maximum simplicity.
Our Lead Strategy
Level-Funded
Steady monthly payments like a traditional plan, with claims data and a possible refund if your group’s claims come in low.
Best for
Healthy small and mid-size groups ready for more control.
Maximum Control
Self-Funded
You pay claims as they happen, with stop-loss insurance protecting you from large ones. Full flexibility in plan design.
Best for
Larger groups with stable cash flow.
Shared Stability
Captive
Self-fund alongside other like-minded employers, sharing stop-loss risk to smooth out the ups and downs.
Best for
Mid-size groups that want self-funding with a safety net.
Control and visibility ratings are general comparisons. Your options depend on your group’s size and claims history.
Pharmacy Benefit Management
Your fastest-growing cost
deserves a closer look.
Prescription drugs are one of the hardest costs to see and control. We review how your pharmacy benefit is priced and managed, and find the savings hiding in the fine print.
Pricing transparency
We look at how your drugs are priced and where the markups are.
Rebates and contracts
Make sure rebates and contract terms are working for you, not the middleman.
Formulary review
Smarter drug tiers that protect employees and your budget.
Supporting Tools
Tax-advantaged accounts
that stretch every dollar.
Paired with the right funding strategy, these accounts lower taxes for you and your employees.
Flexible Spending Account
Employees set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health expenses.
Health Savings Account
Paired with a qualified high-deductible plan, savings that grow tax-free.
Health Reimbursement Arrangement
Employer-funded reimbursements that give you control over the dollars.
Premium Only Plan
Lets employees pay their share of premiums with pre-tax dollars.
Quick Check
Could alternative funding
work for your group?
Check everything that sounds like your company. The more you check, the more likely a level-funded or self-funded plan could lower your costs.
FAQs
Funding questions,
answered.
What happens if our claims are higher than expected?
With a level-funded plan, your monthly payment stays the same. Stop-loss insurance is built in to cover large or unexpected claims, so a bad year doesn’t turn into a surprise bill.
Is level-funding only for large companies?
No. Many carriers now offer level-funded plans to small and mid-size groups. We’ll look at your size and claims history and tell you honestly whether it makes sense.
What is a captive, in plain English?
A captive lets a group of employers self-fund together. Each company keeps its own plan, but they share the stop-loss risk, which smooths out costs and adds stability.
Will switching funding models disrupt our employees?
Usually very little. Employees still get an ID card, a network and familiar benefits. We handle the transition and communication so it feels seamless.
Keep Exploring
Related solutions
that work with your plan.
01 · Group Health & Plan Design
Claims analytics and benchmarking that shape a plan around your workforce and budget.
03 · Voluntary Benefits
Employee-paid coverage at group rates that fills the gaps in your core plan.
05 · HR, Compliance & Technology
A dedicated expert keeping you compliant, with technology that makes enrollment simple.
Stop Renting Your Health Plan
See if alternative funding
fits your group.
We’ll compare your current plan against level-funded and self-funded options for free, and show you the numbers side by side.
Prefer to call?
Virtual appointments available
Meet with us by video, whenever it fits your schedule.