If you are still managing your company’s health insurance using a traditional "one-size-fits-all" group plan, you might as well be using a dial-up modem to run your business. The world has changed, but for many small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the way they buy health insurance is stuck in a different era.
You know the routine. Every year, you receive a renewal notice with a double-digit price increase, and you’re forced to choose between higher premiums or worse coverage for your team. It is a cycle of frustration that leaves you with a predictable budget (predictably high, that is) and leaves your employees with a plan they didn't choose and might not even like.
At Total Benefit Solutions Inc, we don't believe in accepting "no" for an answer when it comes to your company's financial health or your employees' well-being. That is why we are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Remodel Health, the leaders in modern health insurance innovation.
Through this partnership, we are bringing a revolutionary solution to our clients: the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). It is time to step out of the 90s and into a benefits strategy that actually works for you.
The Problem with the "Old Way" (And Why It’s Costing You)
Traditional group health insurance was designed for a different economy. In that model, the insurance carrier decides which doctors your employees can see and how much they will pay for a prescription. You, the employer, are stuck with a single "group" plan that tries to please everyone but often satisfies no one.
When you look at the solutions overview for business, you’ll see that we’ve spent years fighting for better options. The reality is that traditional plans are rigid. If one employee has a chronic condition and another is a healthy 22-year-old, they are forced into the same bucket. This lack of flexibility is why premiums continue to skyrocket for small business owners.
Furthermore, the administrative burden of traditional plans is immense. Between managing enrollments, handling carrier billing, and navigating the annual "open enrollment circus," it takes a massive amount of time away from running your actual business.
Meet ICHRA: The Modern Alternative
ICHRA (pronounced "ick-rah") is a federal regulation that allows employers to reimburse employees for their own individual health insurance premiums using tax-free dollars. Instead of buying a plan for the group, you give your employees a fixed monthly allowance, and they go pick the plan that fits their life.
Think of it like moving from a buffet where everyone is forced to eat the same cold pasta, to a stipend where everyone can go to the restaurant they actually prefer. Your employees get the power of choice, and you get the power of a predictable budget.
But while the concept is simple, the execution can be complex. That is where Remodel Health comes in. Their ICHRA+® platform is the "operating system" for modern benefits, turning what used to be a paperwork nightmare into a seamless, automated experience.
Why We Chose Remodel Health (And Why You’ll Love It)
We don't partner with just anyone. Our team at Total Benefit Solutions has a deeply personal story rooted in advocacy. We need tools that are as relentless as we are. Remodel Health fits that bill perfectly because they solve the two biggest hurdles of ICHRA: payroll integration and premium payments.
1. 200+ Payroll Integrations
One of the biggest headaches for HR is making sure benefits sync up with payroll. Remodel Health integrates with over 200 payroll and HRIS systems, including industry leaders like ADP, Paylocity, and UKG.
This means that when an employee joins or leaves, or when their contribution changes, the data flows automatically. You don't have to manually update spreadsheets or worry about double-entry errors. It brings a level of technical sophistication to small businesses that was previously only available to Fortune 500 companies.
2. Automated Premium Payments (AutoPay)
In the past, some HRA models required employees to pay their own premiums and then submit receipts for reimbursement. That is a terrible experience for the employee and a compliance risk for you.
Remodel Health’s AutoPay feature fixes this. Employers deposit their monthly ICHRA contributions into secure, FDIC-insured accounts. Remodel Health then pays the insurance carriers directly on behalf of the employees. With a 99% accuracy rate, it ensures that coverage never lapses and that you stay fully compliant with IRS and Department of Labor rules.
Putting the "Advocate" Back in Insurance
Technology is great, but health insurance is still about people. This is where the Total Benefit Solutions advocacy approach shines. When you switch to an ICHRA through Remodel Health, you aren't just getting software; you're getting a team of experts who fight for you.
We act as the intermediary (the middleman who actually works for you) to ensure your plan design is optimized for your specific workforce. Whether your employees are looking for individual health insurance plans or need help navigating how their ICHRA might interact with Medicare, we are there to provide the "white-glove" service you deserve.
We handle the heavy lifting of:
- Comprehensive Plan Analysis: Comparing your current group spend against potential ICHRA savings.
- Employee Onboarding: Hosting virtual or in-person sessions to explain how the new "stipend" model works.
- Compliance Support: Providing all necessary plan documents, ERISA notices, and instructions for Form 1094/1095 filings.
Is It Time to Make the Switch?
The shift toward ICHRA is accelerating. In fact, many industry experts believe this is the future of employee benefits for the American workforce. It provides the "defined contribution" model that changed retirement (moving from pensions to 401ks) and applies it to healthcare.
If you are tired of the annual renewal "shakedown," it’s time to explore a modern solution. You can finally set a budget that you can actually stick to, while giving your employees access to hundreds of plan options from carriers like UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Kaiser Permanente.
Don't let your business stay stuck in the 1990s. The technology exists to make your life easier, your costs lower, and your employees happier.
Total Benefit Solutions Inc is here to navigate these complex regulations for you. We are more than just brokers; we are your advocates in a system that often feels designed to work against you. We refuse to accept "no" as an answer, and we won't let you settle for outdated benefits.
Ready to see how much you could save?
Let’s run the numbers and see if an ICHRA is the right modern solution for your team.
Total Benefit Solutions Inc
www.totalbenefits.net
(215) 355-2121
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