Solutions

Plan Redesign - Building Materials - 1993

After years of low claims and rising costs a building material distributor replaced their defined benefit medical and dental plan with a health spending account and contributed $150 monthly per employee. The life insurance and short-term disability insurance was not replaced.

Observations
Positive feedback from employees.
Annual refunds average 4-months contributions.
Long-term disability insurance is available and should be implemented.

Supplier Consolidation - Long-term Care - 1990

A long-term care provider with a dozen collective agreements sought to simplify administration and reduce expense factors by consolidate their benefit suppliers and contracts.

Three suppliers were selected, one for retirement savings, one for long-term disability insurance and one for life, medical and dental.

Observations
The lower expense factors and risk distributions resulted in numerous rate reductions and refunds.