For those entrusted with selecting benefits for their smaller businesses, the challenge of providing enticing packages to employees has long been an uphill battle. In a landscape dominated by corporate giants, the odds have often seemed insurmountable. Legacy insurance providers hold all the cards, leveraging bulk discounts and leaving SMBs struggling to secure affordable health care options for their teams. This disparity highlights a significant gap in coverage between full-time workers at larger companies and the often diverse workforce of smaller ventures, which may include skills-based, shift, and part-time workers. This burden not only affects individuals but also impacts our economy as a whole.

Yet, amidst these challenges, a glimmer of hope has emerged in the form of AI.

Traditionally viewed as the domain of tech giants and high-paying industries, AI is now democratizing access to quality health care. With AI-driven analytics and decision-making tools, payers are ushering in a new era of fairness and efficiency in health care provision and offering SMBs a chance to level the playing field. While benefits advisors continue to grapple with market complexities in order to provide the best options possible,, smaller employers have historically struggled to secure favorable terms for their teams.