Take Back Control of Your Healthcare Spend—One Step at a Time

Posted on July 11, 2025

Take Back Control of Your Healthcare Spend—One Step at a Time. Imagine what the world would be like if other industries operated the same way healthcare does. A world where you could only buy coffee from one approved café, you needed prior authorization to use Wi-Fi at home, or you paid hundreds of dollars at a brand-name theatre, without knowing there was a more affordable choice down the street.

Across every community, a wide range of medical providers are available–some delivering exceptional care at lower costs and others who fall short on both. Yet, many employers–and employees–are unaware of these options or, if they are, how to access them. As a result, they often stick with the same choices year after year, missing possible opportunities for better care and savings.

Tackling high healthcare costs.

Employers need to know that high-quality healthcare options are available in their communities. For example, we recently helped a client whose employee was navigating a critical medical situation. After the employer reached out, we quickly stepped in and provided quality metrics on two facilities. This comparison not only gave the family peace of mind but also protected them from potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs.

Whether you’ve had the same broker for 20 years or recently found a new consultant, if you’re not receiving detailed information about options that could improve your benefits, start asking questions. Request an analysis or get a second opinion if needed. A trusted benefits consultant can help you build a strategic runway for meaningful, sustainable change.

Change made at your pace.

If you find a provider or program that aligns with your organization’s needs but aren’t sure how to proceed, you’re not alone. Many employers feel overwhelmed by the idea of changing their benefits program. But remember: you don’t have to make drastic changes all at once. A strategic pathway can be designed with your broker or consultant, and meaningful changes can be made slowly over time.

At Conner Insurance, we realize that every employer is at a different stage in their health plan journey. That’s why we created a specialized framework that meets you where you are.

Crawl – If you're not ready for large changes, that's okay. Small, minimally disruptive alterations can still drive real value. For example, simply providing employees with access to quality and cost comparison tools can encourage smarter healthcare decisions. These steps don't require reworking your current plan, but can begin shifting behavior and controlling costs.

Walk – At this pace, more active engagement and modest plan changes are made. These actions can take more effort and coordination, but they still work within your existing structure and can lead to more meaningful cost savings and improved employee experience.

Run – At this pace, all of the strategies are optimized to their best potential. This means rethinking the current setup. These changes require a deeper understanding of your workforce, stronger partnerships, and more proactive management. But the return can be substantial: lower costs, better outcomes, and a program that truly supports your workforce while aligning with your company’s financial goals.

Improving your healthcare benefits program is a process that takes time and thoughtful steps. You wouldn’t limit yourself to one café or pay too much for a movie ticket without checking other options first—healthcare should be no different. Whether you are ready to crawl or run, moving beyond limited choices to create a benefits program that truly supports your company and your people is key.

Join the discussion and learn how to design a benefits plan that delivers cost control, employee satisfaction, and truly high-quality care.

This year, Conner Insurance is hosting the 2025 NextGen Healthcare Summit: Healthcare Reimagined—Aligning Quality Care with Financial Strategy, where we take a deep dive into the realities of traditional health plans and the unsustainable financial pressures they place on businesses and discover a new path forward: one that prioritizes high-quality care, restores transparency, and empowers employers to take back control of their healthcare spend. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Your benefits consultant or broker should be providing you with detailed insight about the providers available in your community, and if they aren’t, start asking questions—today!

At Conner Insurance, we meet you where you are—whether you're crawling, walking, or ready to run. Stop returning to the same café or expensive movie theatre—you have more options!