Healthcare costs are spiraling, and most employers are headed toward a breaking point. Chris Hogan, Principal at Benefits Commerce Group, explains why the system is designed to fail, and how to start fixing it. He unpacks why consumer disconnection from costs drives prices up, why “cheaper rates” are a dead end, and how employers can save big without cutting benefits. Chris shares stories of clients who flipped the script, lessons from property and casualty risk management, and why focusing on quality doctors is the only sustainable solution.
Key Takeaways:
Consumers are disconnected from cost, which drives prices up systemwide.
Employers have focused on cheaper rates rather than improving risk quality.
High‑quality providers and better incentives can lower costs without hurting employees.
Employers don’t have to sacrifice employee benefits in order to save money.
00:00 – Intro + Guest welcome
01:15 – Chris Hogan’s background + employer‑first mission
04:30 – Why healthcare costs keep rising (consumer disconnection)
12:10 – Real story: How one nonprofit saved $3M
18:20 – Practical tips for brokers + employer playbooks
22:40 – The ROI of better providers + final takeaways