Group Health Insurance News: New Company Helps Small to Mid-Size Companies Battle Rate Increases

Sept. 27, 2012 - PRLog -- DES MOINES, IA (Sept. 27, 2012)―Kick Health CEO Rick Riley knows that, when it comes to group health rates, small- and mid-size groups can often feel like sitting ducks come rate renewal time.


After all, for many companies, it’s not a question of whether their health insurance rates will increase, but rather by how much. And historically, the only way for smaller companies to take a stand was to change brokers or carriers.

That’s where Riley comes in.

Riley, a former group health insurance executive with one of the largest group health insurers in the country, is now taking expertise once reserved for only the largest employers with the biggest coffers and helping smaller companies across the country ensure fair group health rates.

50 percent of rate increases in 2013 unjustified
According to Riley, up to half of all group health rate increases are higher than warranted in his experience.

“When it comes to determining group health rates, some companies pay less than they should, and others pay more,” said Riley. “Then it all balances out for the carrier. But that means that up to 50 percent of companies are paying more than necessary for the health insurance.”

And many times, said Riley, it’s the smaller company that pays.

“Many smaller companies simply accept the rate increase because―if you don’t have an expensive consultant on retainer to fight on your behalf―the alternative is switching brokers or carriers. And that creates a lot of work when you consider reviewing plan options, communicating with employees, enrollment activities and IT interfaces.”

That’s why Riley created Kick Health.

Don’t Allow the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to Complicate the Issue
In an environment where health care reform topics confuse and complicate health insurance renewal discussions, it is even more important than before to have unbiased experts review your renewal.

“Our analysis of group health insurance rate increase amounts are based on the facts, not on speculation about what health care reform may mean in the future,” said Riley.  

Kick actuarial and underwriting executives perform free rate renewal analysis
Kick Health is a group of actuarial and underwriting executives who review rate renewal notices of small- to mid-size companies nationwide at no cost. If, after reviewing a rate notice, they feel a company’s rate increase is unjustified, they’ll help the company negotiate with the carrier for a lower rate.

If Kick Health helps a company secure a lower rate, they collect 33 percent of the first year’s savings and the company keeps the rest. If Kick Health cannot help a company secure a lower rate, the company owes nothing.

“Larger groups have always had access to this kind of consulting service, but  now it’s being made available to groups of all sizes,” said Riley.

Companies often benefit in future years as well
Riley added that, although Kick Health collects only on the first year’s savings, their clients can see benefits well into the future. “We’re happy to perform the same analysis in future years. But typically insurance companies will be careful about future rate increases.”

About Kick Health Consulting
Kick Health Consulting is a group of actuarial and underwriting executives committed to ensuring groups of all types receive fair rates for their group health coverage while maintaining current broker and carrier relationships.

The company does so through analyzing group health rate renewal notices and helping to negotiate with insurance carriers across the country, working on a contingency fee basis so there is no risk. The company’s two principals alone have more than 50 years of experience in group health insurance as senior executives.
To learn more, visit www.Kick-Health.com, call (515) 681-2355 or email info@Kick-Health.com.