At The Difference Card, we are proud to shine a light on the brokers who go above and beyond to bring meaningful, cost-effective benefits solutions to their clients. This month, we are excited to feature Steve Brazinski of Anderson & Kime Employee Benefits Inc., located in the heart of Ridgway, Pennsylvania. A Legacy of Trust and […]

Health insurance costs have been rising for years, and experts predict the trend will only continue. Many businesses are turning to other health insurance benefits, like self-funded health insurance plans and medical expense reimbursement plans (MERP)), to lower their spending. Self-funded and MERP products are both employer-sponsored health plans under Section 105 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). […]

An enterprise technology firm with over 200 employees was recently confronted with a staggering +35% renewal increase from their health insurance carrier, Medical Mutual of Ohio. This proposed rate hike would have added $800,000 to the company’s annual healthcare expenses—an increase the employer simply couldn’t absorb within their existing budget. In search of a more […]

Understanding PCORI Fees for Self-Insured Health Plans 2025 PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) Fees The applicable dollar amount for plan years ending on or after October 1, 2024, and before October 1, 2025, the tax is equal to $3.47. This is a .25 increase from the $3.22 rate in 2024. Fees are reported and paid […]

At Difference Card, we take pride in recognizing outstanding brokers who go above and beyond in providing innovative benefits solutions to their clients. This month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Juan Martinez, a seasoned benefits consultant with USI in the Los Angeles, California market. A Passion for Client Success  With over a decade […]

An online continuing education provider faced a 9% renewal increase from their health insurance carrier, Aetna, for March 2025. This growing organization has 31 enrolled employees across multiple locations nationwide. The company sought an innovative solution to enhance its health benefits while simultaneously reducing costs. Additionally, they needed a comprehensive payroll and human resources management […]

Regulatory Compliance Services for Insurance With how quickly the insurance and regulatory landscape can change, it’s no wonder that insurance brokers sometimes struggle to stay compliant. If you’re in the same boat, it may be time to seek extra compliance help. One option many businesses and brokers use is insurance compliance services. Partnering with a […]

Health insurance is a major consideration for employees. Businesses looking to hire and retain the best talent need to offer competitive benefits to motivate their team. But how do you offer affordable healthcare without driving up your expenses? Insurance producers can provide businesses with alternative insurance packages to make it easier to offer their employees […]

Challenge: A Costly Renewal Increase A supply chain printing company in California faced a significant health benefits renewal increase for February 1, 2025, exceeding their budget. Their existing health insurance carrier, Aetna, proposed a steep 23% rate hike. Seeking a cost-effective solution, the company’s executive team turned to their trusted health benefits consultant at McGriff […]