Risk Managers

“Does government funding of something unaffordable make it affordable? Does it lower healthcare costs? Or increase healthcare costs? There’s a silver lining here. Don’t you see it? – Bill Rusteberg

“Once you know some things, you can’t unknow them. It’s a burden that can never be given away“ – Alice Hoffman

By Sherrie Mancini

One of the most inspiring examples in global healthcare reform comes from a country many don’t realize is fully capitalist: Taiwan.

By Nicole Miles

At 300 pounds I was leading an open enrollment meeting teaching people to take care of their health Then I heard it, that cough-laugh from the back of the room,
the one that hits you in the gut.

Nope, it’s not over. It’s only a temporary delay.

House Republican leaders presented no firm plan Tuesday for advancing health care legislation as anxiety rises in the GOP ranks over the impending expiration of key Obamacare subsidies at the end of the year.

Mental health experts express disbelief. “Never in all our clinical studies did we ever see an apparent sustained remission like this!” said Dr. Hornsberry, professor of mental health studies at the University of Texas.

Manufacturers have reduced GLP-1 drug prices to $299–$349/month for cash paying consumers, a 70%+ drop from 2021 prices.

“Imagine Americans receiving deposits into HSAs to pay for cash transactions and premiums for patient-driven insurance plans, backed by taxpayer-funded reinsurance as a safety net…” – Ge Bai

Senate Publicans plan to offer an alternative health care bill as Democrats seek to extend tax credits.

Two BUCA brokers on the way to a prospect meeting:

By Dutch Rojas

The Empty Surgery Center That Perfectly Explains Why Your Insurance Is So Damn Expensive

By Colton Storla, CPBS, GBDS  – December 9, 2025

The same pushback comes up in almost every conversation I have with employers about DPC. Let’s clear up what’s real and what’s just noise.

CHRAOS is Your Turnkey ICHRA & Personalized Benefits Solution.

Prepare to Crush Your Competition

The market is changing, awareness and adoption of alternative program designs are growing, but many brokers and employers have yet to implement programs that really deliver meaningful impacts to the end consumers, the employees because they lack the tools to effectively manage them across large populations.

The upcoming year will be a pivotal one for the US workers’ comp market

75% of claims paid within 24 hours, 95% within one week. Rated best pet insurance on the market.

Check out coverage and rates at Pet-USA. For customized benefits and group quotes email RiskManager@RiskManagers.us

FACTOIDS:

• The number of insured pets in North America rose 12.2% in 2024 to 7.03 million, up from 6.25 million in 2023, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
• Pet-USA – Rated best pet insurance on the market. 75% of claims paid within 24 hours, 95% within one week.

For an affordable $10.99 you can get a lifetime supply of Ivermectin at Cuero Feed & Seed today……………

Ivermectin has been available for horses at Texas feed & seed stores for years. And the best part? Horses didn’t need no damn prescription. Now human Texans get the same equal rights.

Mary Bowden has to be loving this………….Here’s to you Mary!…...Salud!

“However, return to full cost premiums will add additional premium increase.” (Our Best Guess Translation: If state supplemental appropriations are not forthcoming once again get ready to grin and bear it)

TRS ActiveCare New Theme Song Hits The Charts

HB 3126 was passed by the Texas legislature this year granting former TRS ActiveCare member districts the privilege of rejoining the Texas government health plan if they meet certain eligibility requirements.

By Bill Rusteberg

Imagine backing your self-funded health plan through capital markets instead of an insurance carrier.

Lender’s fee is a PEPM charge averaging $2 PEPM. “No separate interest or discount is applied to the claims, only the PEPM fee.” Lender regularly funds within 24 hours. Collateral? Slow walking stop loss carriers eventually repay the loan. Plan sponsors avoid cash flow disruption.

DPC Myth #21: Adding DPC to any employer health plan will automatically save on health insurance premiums

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Cristy Gupton

When employers and DPC doctors start talking, the obvious elephant in the room is the question: “Does this save money?”  The simple answer is “Yes…but”.

“Anyone with discretionary authority or responsibility for the administration of a plan” assumes certain risk and would be wise to consider Cover Your Ass Insurance.

Cuban said he was talking to Humana about “putting together direct-to-employer programs” that would bypass traditional layers in the drug supply chain. 

By J Galt

President Donald Trump stated that his administration is seriously studying Australia’s compulsory retirement savings program as a potential model for the United States. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance retirement security and address the nation’s declining birthrate.

Future millionaires? Three newborns meeting for the first time in the post delivery room: “I’m investing in Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs” says Billy. “I’m investing in Mishe Health” says Debbie. “I’m shorting UHC stock! “ says Juanito. “No, no, no!” cries Maria, “Invest in Frontier Direct Care. Direct primary care is the future of healthcare!”

December 1, 2025 4:04 PM

Renews Aetna Signature Administrator Network Agreement and Enhances Cost Containment with Faircost Optimizer

A powerful judge confronts a millionaire who refuses to stand in court, turning arrogance into humility as justice, respect and mercy prove that nobody is above the law in this courtroom.

By Molly Mulebriar

It’s getting close to that time of year again when Texas school districts must decide whether to continue membership in the TRS ActiveCare government health insurance program.

“The corruption started the moment the industry rebranded from Pharmacy Benefit Administrator (PBA) to Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), the moment their role shifted from neutral claims processor to profit-driven gatekeeper of the entire drug benefit.”

National average is $615. Texas is $570…………..That’s even cheaper that cheap can get…

Our 2026 Individual & Family Markets Producer Bonus Program offers strong incentives for producers selling qualified health plans in the individual and family market.

By Fred Turner

Today marks a key milestone for Curative. We’ve raised a $150M in Series B, at a $1.275B valuation! This fuels our mission to redesign traditional healthcare by eliminating the financial barriers to care and providing the user experience our members deserve.

Plan sponsors must recognize change brings risk and doing nothing brings risk too. So what’s the difference?

Humor is based on truth. Patient experience hasn’t changed in all these years, What was then is what it is now…………….

By Kati Talento, Former Whitehouse Policy Advisor

Healthcare is the only industry where being cheaper and better than your competition doesn’t get you more customers.

By Bill Rusteberg

I’ve met a lot of interesting people over the years in the insurance business some of whom I’ve written about on this blog such as Uncle Miltie, an interesting character who practiced selling the old fashion way by simply showing up out of nowhere, traveling here, there and everywhere in search of fast and easy wealth.

The ICHRA Shop, a leading provider of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) solutions, has partnered with Fijoya – the platform that unifies and streamlines the benefits experience from policy to payment – to bring employers a fully integrated, transparent benefits solution already in use across joint customers.

Percent of Medicare is not perfect, but it is the reference point the industry will continue to use.

The Texas legislature in their wisdom injected a dose of competition into the managed care network world with this year’s passage of SB926 which allows health plans to steer plan members to lower cost in-network providers.

By Kimberly Carleson

Out of 174,561 physicians, between age 31–40, more than 80% now work in corporate-owned practices.

How the language of access obscures the mechanics of purchasing… and keeps employers from acting as buyers.

By Chris Deacon

This latest case against Blue Shield of California and Magellan is just one of several lawsuits across the country alleging that carriers are knowingly constructing and maintaining illusory provider networks.

The problem I see with most health insurance consultants is almost all pre-determine a client’s tolerance for risk before determining where the risk tolerance actually lies.

HR Director Reacts After Served With Lawsuit

“A perfect storm of Supreme Court decisions, aggressive litigation and emerging technologies is exposing HR executives to unprecedented legal liability, even for decisions made by their outsourced partners.”

Source: Business Wire, 11/25/2025

Leveraging Capital Rx’s spread-free, full pass-through pharmacy benefit model, Capital Equilibrium is bringing Rx cost savings and renewal stability to the self-funded municipality and commercial markets

By John Riggs

When most people think of life insurance, they think of protection — not retirement income.

But for high-net-worth individuals, cash-value life insurance can play a dual role: providing long-term protection and serving as a tax-efficient income source in retirement.

By Stacy Edgar

CHRA is reshaping the individual health insurance plans. How? Carriers are putting out ICHRA-specific plans. Here’s an example: Take this new Wellpoint offering in Texas. What makes this an ICHRA-specific plan?

Largest employer south of San Antonio considers health insurance options for 2026

The district’s insurance consultant presented “Insurance Plan Options” including TRS ActiveCare to the Brownsville Independent School District insurance committee November 13, 2025.

November 13, 2025 SOURCE: Pfizer

• Acquisition brings highly differentiated clinical-stage obesity candidates with potential to reshape the treatment landscape
• Complements and transforms Pfizer’s Internal Medicine portfolio
• Positions Pfizer to lead in one of the most dynamic and high-growth therapeutic areas

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Metsera, Inc. (NASDAQ: MTSR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company accelerating the next generation of medicines for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are both preparing to launch once-a-day weight loss pills by next year …….That would allow patients to avoid the jab of auto-injector pens with tiny needles……Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill is likely to arrive for patients first.

Underwriting Results of a Mid-Size Self-Funded Health Plan

Amazing things can happen when you pay attention. The graph above illustrates the results one can expect when a self-funded plan sponsor replaces an insurance consultant who wasn’t paying attention with one who does.

Jack Rusteberg, age 4, announced yesterday, he wants to be an actuary when he grows up.

“That’s great!” said his grandfather. We could use another actuary around here! Risk Managers will be gifting Jack a special calculator for Christmas.”

$5 office visit includes all lab work.

Photo Referred By S. McDaniel

Lung cancer patients says “What the hell, I’ll take a pack of non-filtered Camels please! And charge it to the room………..”

Status Quo Health Insurance Broker Leading His Clients

“What’s that ahead!” says one lemming to another, “No one told us about that.“ For the first time they see something other than the ass in front of them.

ANSWER: “Only the designated plan administrator—as named in the governing plan documents—can be subject to penalties.”

BACKGROUND: Nicole Mayor requested plan documents from both MetLife and Union Pacific’s HR department. She alleges that neither provided her with the governing policy. Mayor sued under ERISA, asserting (1) failure to provide plan documents under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(c) and (2) wrongful denial of benefits.

Will The Plan Gain Bipartisan Support?

Handing out billions of taxpayer dollars would create an incentive for individuals and employers to drop their current coverage and enroll in ObamaCare.

SOURCE: Normandy Insurance Company

Normandy Insurance is a commercial carrier & brokerage that provides
‍instant quotes, expert underwriting, and hands-on agent support.

Top Three Finalists Line Up For Interviews

The Problem: Death tax is 40 per cent. The only way I can pass the estate and art collection on is to leave it to the wife tax free. I cannot insure an older wife so the younger the better.

Providing group health insurance these days is fraught with danger. Unless a plan sponsor is perfect and walks on water, cross your fingers risk assumption is off the charts.

Brokers using our platform are earning more, spending far less time on admin, and giving their clients a much smoother experience.

Trump Readies Healthcare Plan

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that Americans can expect an announcement from the Trump administration this week on its plan to reduce healthcare costs.

While details are scarce, President Trump has indicated on several occasions that he wants to send healthcare funds “directly to you, the people” rather than insurance companies.

Trump has also said a plan should be in place by Jan. 30, with healthcare costs expected to surge in 2026 to their highest levels in 15 years. Payment of healthcare subsidies for insurance was a central point of conflict in the 40-day government shutdown.

What will the fix be this time? Will this be yet another “Fix it until it’s more broken?“

David Alderman on Linkedin:

The PBM parasites just got eviscerated. The manufacturers pulled the trigger themselves.

$260 million to bail out a failing government health plan is a bargain. Texas bailed out the failing TRS ActiveCare government health plan several times in the past few years by over one billion dollars and it’s still not working…………

By Bill Rusteberg

There are those in our industry who say ICHRAs are not the solution to rising health care costs. They are not wrong. But they miss an important point.

Eli Lilly hits $1 trillion market value, a first for a health-care company

Data Marketing challenged a Department of Labor (“DOL”) advisory opinion that finds the arrangement is not an ERISA plan and states are free to regulate it. In 2019, Data Marketing sued the DOL in the Northern District of Texas and emerged victorious.

Self-funded plan sponsors win big when Medicare pays secondary benefits first.

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We are excited to offer a unique franchise opportunity for insurance industry experts looking to elevate their careers.

“We were skeptical of change,” admitted Superintendent Brent Evans. “Nobody does no deductible and no out-of-pocket. Every other year, it felt like we were cutting benefits or asking employees to pay more. That’s not how you retain people.”

File the following article under “What Took You So Long.” A county in South Texas eliminated their deductible and co-insurance features more than a decade ago when they realized deductibles are silly and counterproductive.