What’s the good news, ladies? Happy birthday to us!

Happy 2nd birthday, ladies! I can’t believe that it’s been two years ago that I had been doing some writing for Paul Wilson and I asked him for topic suggestions and he said, “Susan, there is so much negativity out there, I really need some ‘Good News’ to tell people.” That got me thinking about all the amazing women I know in our industry and how instrumental they have been in inspiring me during my career and “What’s the Good News Ladies?” was born! Here’s to many more years of motivating stories from women around the country. I’m excited to kick off our second year with stories from Suzannah and Kassi as the both share how they have implemented new strategies for their clients to help reduce cost and be a hero to their employees!

Suzannah Gill, Esq, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

“Over the past few years, I’ve invested considerable time and energy into vetting best practices to help my clients sustainably reduce health benefits costs while providing better care and benefits for their employees. As part of that process, I’ve made a commitment to client transparency—both in the services that I offer them and the partners and solutions that we work with.

“Based on that investment in education and the best practices that my team has implemented as a result, we’ve reduced several of our clients’ PEPM health care costs by 35 percent to 40 percent from the prior year, while actually enhancing the benefits offering for the employees. It’s been so much fun to deliver this great news instead of the old standard discussion about their annual health care increase and if it was going to be in the single or double digits—what a positive change! It’s been so energizing to be a student of the industry while delivering outstanding results for our clients and their employees.”

Kassi O’Brien, Managed Benefits, Inc.

“Recently I help a non-profit better their benefit design and reduce cost over current for their July 1st renewal. This group was fully insured and received a 30 percent initial renewal increase. The group is under 100 eligible employees, so reporting was very limited. Together, the executive director, CFO and I decided to look at alternative funding options. I was able to find a level-funded option that decreased cost over current by 1.81 percent and bettered benefit design by way of lowered co-insurance and PCP co-pays.

“The group now has insight into their claims and utilization as well as the possibility for a return at year end. While we are hoping for a return, they understand this is long-term strategy. We now have the ability, through claims reporting, to see how employees are using the plan and pin-point how we can help the employee population improve they use the plan.

“I also placed a separate telemedicine service at no cost to the employee and $0 dollar copay. Because of our work, this non-profit can place the cost savings back into their initiatives and continue to help our community. Employees are happy because they will see a reduction in their monthly portion paid. We are happy because for the first time the group is in the driver seat when it comes to the health care they purchase.”

I thank you all for sharing with me over the past 2 years your successes and introducing me to some fascinating women all over the country. As always, if you know of great women in the field that are working hard to make this this industry event better, do an email introduction for me at scombs@combsandco.com I’d love to connect!