FAQ

Questions, answered straight.

No jargon, no hedging — just the honest answers, in plain terms.

Most of what employers ask comes down to three things: how we're paid, what it means for their coverage, and whether we're the right fit. Here's where we stand on each. If your question isn't below, it's a good reason to talk.

How We Work

The model, in plain terms.

The biggest difference isn't what we do — it's who pays us, and who we answer to. These four questions clear up the rest.

How are you different from my current broker?

A traditional broker is paid by the insurance carrier, through commissions tied to your premium — so when your premium rises, so does their pay. We're paid by you, the employer, through a flat fee agreed up front. That one change frees us to evaluate the whole market on your behalf, instead of quoting the handful of plans that pay us best.

What does “independent” really mean?

It means we have no obligations to any carrier — no quotas, no preferred-partner deals, no commissions quietly steering our advice. We're free to look at every viable way to buy coverage in Washington and recommend the one that's genuinely best for you, even if it earns us nothing extra.

Do I have to fire my current broker?

No. One of our two engagements is built precisely for this — we act as an outside second opinion, audit your plan, and hand you a written recommendation, while you keep your current broker in place. Plenty of employers start there. What you do with what we find is entirely up to you.

How do you get paid?

A flat fee, agreed up front, before any work begins — so you know the cost going in and our advice is never shaped by which carrier pays us most. For larger groups, carrier commissions can often be removed entirely; when they can't, anything paid to us is disclosed and credited toward the flat fee.

The Numbers

What it means for your cost and care.

Lower cost usually raises the same worry — what gets cut. Short answer: the networks stay, and the savings come from how the coverage is bought, not from taking benefits away.

How much do employers typically save?

On average, employers we work with see savings of 20–40%. The exact figure depends on your current plan, your size, and how it's structured today — which is precisely what we map out before we ever talk numbers.

Will my employees have to change doctors?

Usually not. In most cases your team keeps the same networks and the same doctors. That's because the savings rarely come from a different network — they come from finding a more cost-effective way to buy the network you already have.

Is this just cheaper coverage that's secretly worse?

No. We don't trade your people's care for a lower number. In Washington, the same coverage and provider network can often be purchased through several different channels at very different prices — so you can keep the same networks and frequently improve the benefits while spending less.

Getting Started

Whether we're the right fit.

We're deliberately specific about who we serve and how we start — because being the right fit matters more to us than being a fit for everyone.

Who do you work with?

Washington employers with roughly 10 to 200 employees. That's the range where independent, flat-fee advisory makes the biggest difference — large enough to have real leverage in the market, small enough to feel every dollar of waste.

What if we're outside Washington, or outside that size?

If you fall outside our state or our size range, we'd rather refer you to someone better suited than take on work we're not the right firm for. A good referral is worth more to us than a poor fit.

What industries do you work in?

We serve employers across many sectors — including manufacturing, technology, professional services, healthcare, construction, and nonprofits. The common thread isn't the industry; it's leaders who want a smarter strategy than a renewal-by-renewal scramble.

What happens on the first call?

A thirty-minute diagnostic — no quotes, no proposals, no pressure. We listen, ask a few sharp questions, and give you an honest read on where you stand. We diagnose before we prescribe, so you leave with clarity whether or not we ever work together.

How long does the whole thing take?

We work to a defined 90-day map — a clear, paced path from first conversation to recommendation, to implementation, so you always know what's happening and what comes next. No open-ended engagements, no drift.

Still Wondering?

Still have a question? Let's talk.

The best answers come from a real conversation. Book a thirty-minute call — no quotes, no proposals, no pressure — and we'll give you an honest read on exactly where you stand.

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Washington employers · 10–200 employees