Posts by Frank Stichter

Denial is easy when you’re on the inside looking out – the proverbial “no I don’t.” Finally admitting and acknowledging a problem means something needs to change if you want to improve upon it. The status quo doesn’t work if you have a problem. When others seem to think or know you have a problem,…

I attended the Annual Health Rosetta Conference in Chicago last week. There were a few hundred like-minded brokers, consultants, employers, unions, and vendors at the largest Health Rosetta Conference yet. The group has grown exponentially in the last few years, as we all want to fix the broken system that still has us purchasing health…

There is a perception that health insurance is complicated, when in fact when you break it down it’s actually pretty simple. The people in the insurance industry have made it complicated for everyone – employers, employees, providers, and users. Does anyone feel in control of their healthcare costs? This leads to the “Healthcare Paradox” –…

If you see a drug on TV, it’s probably a specialty drug. Specialty drugs have grown in popularity and use, significantly in the last decade. They are truly life changing and life savings drugs. Specialty drugs are generally defined as those that are approximately $1,000 or more in cost for a 30 day supply. These…

For decades, employers have been constantly wrestling with the cost of health insurance. Paying more and getting less seems to be a reoccurring theme each year. We’ve all been told how complex healthcare is by health insurance companies, hospital systems, big Pharma, and brokers and consultants, AND it’s so complex that it can’t be fixed,…

Here are 3 steps you can take to achieve significant results. Employee benefits, especially health insurance are becoming more and more expensive. Employers are having to deal with inflation, supply chain issues, employee retention and recruiting, so it’s very difficult for employers to afford benefit packages that are attractive to employees. Add competitive wages to…

In a crowded world of insurance brokers, it’s difficult for anyone to distinguish between a knowledgeable and innovative mind and a broker that wants to maintain the status quo. It’s sometimes hard to know whether your broker has your best interests in mind, or theirs. Does your broker recommend that you spend your money like…

Many employers seem to be content with the status quo and avoid discovering and implementing proven, innovative strategies that can significantly benefit their organization as well as their employees. It seems to be just easier to do nothing – but there is an increasing cost. Sticking with the status quo of the traditional insurance company…

So often employers are at the mercy of insurance companies and the renewals that they impose. The advice that many employers receive is the worn out suggestion to pass increases on to employees – either with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, or higher contributions out or their paycheck. The alternative to shop the market but…