Florida Private School Saves Over $800,000 While Enhancing Health Benefits with The Difference Card
A leading independent co-educational college preparatory middle and high school in South Florida faced a major challenge heading into its July 2025 health insurance renewal. Their incumbent carrier, Cigna, proposed a staggering 42% premium increase, which would have driven the school’s total healthcare costs to over $2.5 million—a level the school simply could not sustain.
To find a more sustainable solution, the school turned to Acentria Insurance, a Foundation Risk Partners company. Their consulting team partnered with Oldemar Da Silva, Senior Consultant at The Difference Card, to craft a cost-saving, benefit-enhancing strategy.
The Solution: Alternative Funding + Smarter Plan Design
The Acentria team conducted a thorough market analysis and identified Florida Blue as an ideal replacement carrier. Florida Blue offered a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) that aligned well with The Difference Card’s Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)—creating a structure that would lower fixed premium costs while maintaining strong coverage.
Together, the Acentria and Difference Card teams implemented a dual-option strategy featuring both a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). This plan design preserved employee choice and network access while layering in first-dollar coverage through The Difference Card’s MERP, resulting in enhanced benefits for staff and educators.
The Results: From +42% to -6%—with Guaranteed Savings
This combined approach eliminated the projected 42% rate hike, replacing it with a 6% reduction below current costs. That’s a dramatic swing of 48 percentage points, delivering guaranteed savings of $880,000 in healthcare expenses for the school.
To provide added stability, the school also opted for The Difference Card’s Monthly Budget Guarantee. This performance-backed feature delivers predictable, level-funded monthly costs—and returns 100% of any surplus back to the employer, creating the opportunity for additional financial upside.
Could Your Organization Achieve the Same?
If rising health insurance costs are straining your budget, there’s a better way. Connect with a Difference Card consultant or request a customized proposal to discover how our solutions can help you reduce costs, improve benefits, and protect your bottom line.
