Author Archives: CorpStrat News

The Impossible Is Now Possible: Up to $3M of Life Insurance in 8 Minutes? Yes, Really.

Mother, father and child portrait outdoor as family

We’ve all heard the phrase, “If it sounds too good to be true…”—but sometimes, innovation turns that on its head.

For decades, purchasing life insurance meant enduring extensive paperwork, medical exams, blood tests, and weeks—sometimes months—of waiting. It was a cumbersome and invasive process that many dreaded.

But what if we told you that someone in reasonably good health could now obtain up to $5 million of term life insurance—without labs, needles, or lengthy delays?

Introducing SwiftTerm from CorpStrat: Real Life Insurance. Real Fast.

This isn’t a gimmick from an unknown startup. This is from a A+ rated carrier, Symetra, a company with over 60 years of experience in the insurance industry. As of December 31, 2024, Symetra Financial Corporation boasts $68.4 billion in assets, serves over 2.1 million customers.

symetra logo

Here’s how SwiftTerm works:

Symetra has integrated with powerful data sources—pharmacy databases, access to health insurance claims histories, driving records, financial information, frequent buyer programs, and more—to assess risk in real time. If you’re a fit, you’ll receive an instant offer and potentially be fully issued in as little as 8 minutes. And if a deeper review is needed, coverage can still be approved within about 3 days, all without a nurse visiting your home or requiring lab work.

No labs. No needles. No hassle. Just coverage.

Seamless. Fast. Almost magical. Worst case you don’t qualify, they move you to accelerated underwriting, where a human takes over and generally clears any obstacles.

This is life insurance for the 21st century—smart, efficient, and designed for people who value their time as much as their protection.

Bottom line? The game has changed.

If you’ve been putting off getting life insurance because of the hassle, now’s the time to reconsider. You could have a policy in place before your next coffee break.

Don’t believe it? Let’s talk.

📞 Give us a call.
📩 Or shoot us a message.
🕒 8 minutes could change everything.

Protect Your Most Important Asset: Your Data

 

Person Holding Gray Twist Pen and White Printer Paper on Brown Wooden Table

In today’s digital business environment, your most valuable asset isn’t your inventory or even your people — it’s your data. From employee records to health insurance details, payroll figures to tax returns, the information your business handles is not only critical to your operations — it’s also a prime target for cyber threats and regulatory scrutiny.

As an employer, you are a data steward — and the responsibility to protect that data rests squarely on your shoulders.

What’s at risk?

  • Employee health plan details (PHI)
  • Payroll and compensation data
  • Social Security numbers
  • Financials, tax returns, and accounting records
  • HR files, onboarding docs, and termination info

This is confidential, sensitive, and regulated information — and in many cases, sharing it with vendors opens you up to liability unless proper safeguards are in place.

What is a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)?

A BAA is a legal document required under HIPAA when a Covered Entity (like your company) shares Protected Health Information (PHI) with a third party (called a Business Associate).

It outlines:

  • How that vendor can use your data
  • Security measures they must have
  • What happens in case of a breach

If your vendor handles PHI and you don’t have a BAA in place, your business could be liable for any mishandling, data breach, or HIPAA violation — even if it wasn’t your fault.

Who Needs to Sign a BAA With You?

Here’s a rule of thumb: If they touch your employees’ health or personal data — get a BAA. Start with the below common vendors.

Vendors That May Require a BAA:

 

BAA vendors

*CPA firms may not require a BAA unless they are directly handling PHI or managing plan-related details.

What You Should Be Doing as a Business Owner or HR Leader

  1. Audit Your Vendor List
    Identify every third party with access to employee data or systems storing it.
  2. Request a BAA From Each Vendor
    Ask them: “Do you handle PHI or any health plan data? Do you have a BAA template or will you sign ours?”
  3. Review Your Privacy Practices
    • Are you encrypting emails with sensitive data?
    • Who on your team has access to employee health records?
    • How are files stored and backed up?
  4. Use Secure Channels
    Avoid sending PHI or personal data through unencrypted email or shared drives without permission controls.
  5. Train Your Staff
    Make sure your HR and benefits team knows what qualifies as sensitive information and how to protect it.

Final Thought: Protect Data Like It’s Money — Because It Is

Data breaches, regulatory fines, and lost trust can cost your business far more than just a headache. Think of your data as digital currency — and make sure you’re working with partners who take that as seriously as you do.

Why Is Employer Sponsored Health Insurance So Complex? (And How That Complexity Protects You)

young woman confused using laptop

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to understand your benefits – specifically your health insurance, you’re not alone. Between the acronyms, the fine print, and the seemingly endless rules, navigating health coverage can feel like a full-time job. But beneath the complexity lies an important truth: many of these layers exist to protect you — the employer and the consumer — and to keep the system fair and accountable.

A Web of Regulations Designed to Protect

Employer-sponsored health plans aren’t governed by just a handful of rules — they’re subject to dozens of federal laws. According to BenefitsPro, at least 46 federal laws apply to some employer health plans, and 42 apply even to self-funded ones. That’s in addition to state-level regulations and guidance from multiple government agencies.

Each law adds a piece to the puzzle — whether it’s about what must be covered, how claims are processed, how your data is protected, or how insurers must behave. It’s no wonder employers and employees alike often find the system hard to decipher.

Add that to the rating complexity created by the ACA – where most states have age rated and location rated plans – based on each particular plan and participant age, and you have a heck of an administration challenge to boot!

Complexity with a Purpose: Consumer Protections

Even though it can be confusing, much of this regulation exists for your benefit. Here are just a few of the ways the law works in your favor:

  • Coverage You Can Count On
    The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance companies to cover people regardless of preexisting conditions. This means you can’t be denied care because of your health history — a major shift from the past.
  • Essential Health Benefits
    The ACA also defines 10 essential health benefits — including maternity care, mental health services, and prescriptions — that must be included in most plans. These protections ensure coverage is not just available, but meaningful.
  • Accountability for Insurers
    Rules like the “medical loss ratio” ensure that insurers spend most of your premium dollars on actual care — not just overhead or profits. If they don’t, you may get money back in the form of a rebate.

State Rules Add Another Layer

On top of federal laws, each state has its own insurance department that oversees insurers operating locally. States can add additional requirements or consumer protections, which further contribute to the complexity — but also enhance fairness, transparency, and access to care. California has more of these additional requirements than any other state,

Why It Matters

All of this regulation might make health insurance feel difficult to understand, but the intent is clear: to ensure that plans are reliable, insurers are accountable, and consumers are treated fairly. These rules:

  • Safeguard your right to coverage
  • Help keep costs transparent
  • Provide standards for what must be included in your plan
  • Hold insurance companies to high standards

Final Thoughts from CorpStrat

Employer Sponsored Health insurance isn’t complex by accident — it’s complex by design. At CorpStrat, we help employers and employees cut through the noise and make sense of their benefits, because understanding the “why” behind the system empowers better decisions.

Need help navigating your benefits strategy or simplifying your company’s insurance plan?

Connect with us today at www.corpstrat.com, or call (818) 377-7260.

We simplify the complex — so you can focus on your people, your business, and your future.

Exploring Level-Funded Health Plans for Small Groups

sick woman telehealth

Health insurance costs continue to rise, making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to offer competitive benefits while managing expenses. In response, level-funded health plans are gaining traction as a cost-effective alternative to traditional fully insured options. Major carriers, including UnitedHealthcare and Anthem, have expanded their offerings in California, particularly for groups under 100 employees, making it easier for small businesses to explore self-funded solutions with built-in cost controls.

While these plans present attractive savings opportunities and flexibility, they also come with challenges—most notably, the difficulty in truly impacting claims costs when employees struggle to negotiate care or access providers in urgent situations.

Why Are Level-Funded Plans Gaining Popularity?

Level-funded plans have historically been more prevalent in Northern California, where HMO options are scarce and PPOs are significantly more expensive than in Southern California. However, with rising healthcare costs across the state, these plans are expanding their footprint and becoming a more viable option for small and mid-sized businesses looking for greater control over healthcare spending.

Here are some key reasons behind their growing appeal:

1. Cost Predictability with Potential for Refunds

Unlike traditional self-funded plans that expose employers to unpredictable claims costs, level-funded plans offer fixed monthly payments, making budgeting easier. If claims are lower than expected, businesses may receive a refund on unused claims dollars, creating a financial incentive to promote healthier employee behavior and cost-conscious care utilization.

2. Flexibility in Plan Transitions

One of the biggest concerns for small employers considering self-funding is what happens if it doesn’t work out. Traditional self-funded plans can create long-term risks, as claims history might impact future coverage options. However, level-funded plans allow small groups to return to ACA plans without their claims experience affecting their future rates, making the transition much less risky.

3. Growing Carrier Participation

Previously, level-funded plans were limited in availability, but major carriers have aggressively expanded their offerings. Anthem Blue Cross now provides level-funded options to groups as small as 25 employees, sometimes even allowing employers to keep an HMO plan or pair it with Kaiser, provided they meet participation requirements.

4. Opportunity for Customization

Unlike traditional fully insured plans, which offer limited flexibility, level-funded options allow businesses to tailor benefits to their workforce needs. This includes selecting narrow networks, incentivizing telemedicine usage, or implementing wellness programs to help lower claims costs over time.

The Challenge: Impacting Claims Costs in Real Time

While level-funded plans offer the promise of savings, their true financial benefits hinge on controlling claims costs—a challenge many small businesses struggle with due to limited employee ability to negotiate care.

Here’s why:

1. Employees Often Lack Negotiation Power in Urgent Care Situations

When employees need immediate care, they are unlikely to shop around for the lowest-cost provider. They often go to the nearest urgent care or ER without considering cost variations. Without strong navigation tools, this behavior can lead to higher claims costs that could impact the employer’s financial risk in a level-funded plan.

2. Limited Access to High-Value Providers

Although some level-funded plans steer employees toward preferred providers to help manage costs, finding in-network care can still be a challenge—especially in certain regions where provider access is limited. Employees may end up seeing out-of-network doctors, leading to unexpected higher claims that drive up costs for the employer.

3. Lack of Awareness on How to Utilize Benefits Wisely

Many employees aren’t aware of cost-saving strategies, such as utilizing telemedicine, urgent care instead of ER visits, or prescription discount programs. Without proper education and engagement, employees may not make cost-effective decisions, reducing the financial advantages of a level-funded plan.

What Can Employers Do?

For level-funded plans to be successful, employers must take a proactive role in helping employees manage healthcare costs. Here are some strategies that can help maximize savings and improve the overall effectiveness of these plans:

1. Implement Strong Employee Education Programs

Businesses should offer ongoing education to help employees understand when and how to use their benefits, including:

• Encouraging telemedicine for non-urgent care.

• Teaching employees how to compare costs for medical procedures.

• Promoting preventive care to reduce long-term claims.

2. Provide Access to Healthcare Navigation Services

Some level-funded plans include concierge services that help employees find in-network providers, compare costs, and negotiate medical bills. Employers should actively promote these resources to ensure employees utilize them effectively.

3. Align Plan Design with Cost-Containment Strategies

Employers can structure their level-funded plan to encourage cost savings, such as:

• Offering narrow network PPO options with negotiated lower rates.

• Incentivizing employees to use high-quality, lower-cost facilities for procedures.

• Implementing wellness programs that encourage preventive care and healthier lifestyles.

4. Leverage Carrier Partnerships for Better Insights

Carriers offering level-funded plans provide data insights on claims trends. Employers should work with their brokers and carriers to analyze this data and adjust strategies accordingly, such as adjusting plan design or modifying employee incentives to reduce unnecessary spending.

Is Level-Funding Right for Your Business?

While level-funded plans offer tremendous potential savings, they require active participation from employers and employees to be truly effective. They work best for businesses that are:

• Willing to educate employees on cost-saving healthcare strategies.

• Proactive in managing claims by leveraging carrier tools and analytics.

• Looking for cost predictability with the potential for refunds on unused claim dollars.

For employers struggling with rising healthcare costs, level-funded plans provide a compelling alternative to traditional fully insured options. However, success depends on implementation—a hands-off approach could lead to unexpected costs, negating the benefits.

If you’re considering a level-funded plan for your business, working with an experienced benefits consultant can help you navigate the options, optimize cost-saving strategies, and ensure the plan aligns with your company’s long-term financial and healthcare goals.

The Rising Cost of GLP-1 Drugs: Could They Double the Cost of Healthcare?

diabetes weight loss medication

The growing popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists—such as Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes, and Wegovy and Zepbound for weight management—has sparked both excitement and concern. These drugs, initially designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in weight loss, leading to a surge in demand. However, the skyrocketing costs of these medications are creating ripple effects across the healthcare system, raising questions about affordability, insurance coverage, and the long-term financial burden on both employer-sponsored and individual health insurance plans, including Medicare.

Could GLP-1s Double Healthcare Costs?

GLP-1 drugs are among the most expensive outpatient prescription medications on the market today, with a monthly cost ranging from $900 to $1,300 per patient. As their popularity grows, insurers, employers, and government programs like Medicare face mounting expenses that could significantly drive up the overall cost of healthcare.

Several estimates suggest that if a sizable percentage of the U.S. population were to use these drugs long-term for weight management, the total spending on GLP-1s alone could rival that of cancer treatments. A report from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) estimates that widespread adoption of these medications could add hundreds of billions of dollars annually to U.S. healthcare spending.

Impact on Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

Employers, already struggling with rising healthcare premiums, are grappling with how to handle the increasing costs of GLP-1 drugs. Many insurers currently cover Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes treatment but deny coverage for Wegovy and Zepbound, which are FDA-approved for obesity. This creates frustration among employees who are unable to access these life-changing drugs unless they have a diabetes diagnosis.

As more employees push for coverage of weight-loss medications, employers must decide whether to absorb the additional cost or pass it on to workers through higher premiums, copays, or deductibles. Some large corporations are beginning to cover weight-loss GLP-1s, but this could lead to higher insurance costs for all employees, including those who do not take the medications.

Impact on Individual and Medicare Insurance

For individuals purchasing their own insurance, GLP-1 drug coverage varies widely by carrier. Medicare, which currently does not cover weight-loss medications, may face increasing pressure to change its stance as obesity treatment becomes a greater public health priority. If Medicare were to begin covering these drugs, it could add billions in new spending, likely leading to higher Medicare Part D premiums or more restrictive eligibility criteria.

At the same time, Medicaid programs in some states have begun covering GLP-1s for weight loss, recognizing obesity as a serious health condition that leads to higher long-term healthcare costs. However, this raises concerns about budget sustainability and whether the federal government will need to step in to negotiate lower prices.

Will Drug Manufacturers Face Pressure to Lower Costs?

As demand for GLP-1 drugs soars, manufacturers like Novo Nordisk (Ozempic, Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro, Zepbound) face growing calls to lower prices. Some key forces driving this pressure include:

  • Government Negotiation: The Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and GLP-1s could soon be on the list of targeted drugs for cost reductions.
  • Employer Pushback: Large corporations and employer groups are lobbying insurers to demand rebates or lower pricing from drug manufacturers.
  • Patent Expirations & Generic Competition: Once patents expire, generic versions of these drugs will likely emerge at a fraction of the current cost, but this is still several years away.

The Coverage Gap: Diabetes vs. Weight Loss

One of the most frustrating challenges for patients is the inconsistent insurance coverage for GLP-1 drugs.

  • Diabetes GLP-1s (Ozempic, Mounjaro) are covered by most insurance plans, as they are approved for treating Type 2 diabetes.
  • Weight-loss GLP-1s (Wegovy, Zepbound) are often denied because most insurers do not cover weight-loss treatments, despite obesity being a recognized medical condition.

This policy leaves many patients forced to pay out-of-pocket for weight-loss medications or seek loopholes, such as obtaining an off-label prescription for a diabetes drug like Ozempic or Mounjaro.

As obesity treatment becomes a greater focus of national healthcare discussions, insurers may eventually expand coverage, but at what cost? If insurers begin widely covering these drugs, the financial burden could be shifted to higher premiums for everyone.

Looking Ahead: The Future of GLP-1 Drugs in Healthcare

With the growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs, the healthcare system is at a crossroads. Policymakers, insurers, and employers must weigh the benefits of expanding access to these effective medications against the potentially unsustainable costs they introduce.

In the coming years, we may see:

  • More government intervention to control drug pricing and negotiate discounts.
  • Increased employer demand for alternative pricing structures.
  • Potential changes to Medicare and private insurance coverage policies regarding weight-loss medications.

For now, individuals and employers should stay informed on coverage policies, negotiate with insurers, and explore all options for cost-effective access to these groundbreaking treatments.

Reach out to us at CorpStrat to ask how we help employees and companies navigate healthcare.