Employer-Built Healthcare: Controlling Costs and Transforming Care

The rising cost of healthcare continues to strain employers and employees alike. With premiums climbing at a rate outpacing inflation, many organizations are burdened with high costs and subpar outcomes. Employer-built healthcare models are emerging as a potential solution, enabling organizations to take control of their healthcare systems. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average family health insurance premium reached $23,968 in 2023, underscoring the pressing need for innovative solutions.

How can employers control costs while ensuring quality care for their workforce?

This episode of I Don’t Care delves into this challenge. Host Kevin Stevenson speaks with Carl Schuessler, Managing Principal of Mitigate Partners, about “employer-built healthcare.” The discussion explores how organizations can reclaim control over healthcare costs by addressing inefficiencies, eliminating middlemen, and focusing on patient-centric care.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Six Deficiencies in Legacy Healthcare: Schuessler outlines six critical flaws in traditional healthcare systems, including lack of transparency, embedded conflicts of interest, and the traditional PPO discount model.

• Transformative Case Studies: Mitigate Partners has saved organizations millions, including a Florida school district that cut costs by $65 million over five years while improving access to care for employees.

• Practical Tips for Employers: Schuessler emphasizes the importance of partnering with independent benefits advisors and actively managing healthcare plans to achieve better outcomes.

Carl C. Schuessler, Jr., DHP, DIA, GBDS, is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience specializing in employer-built health plans that reduce costs and improve employee benefits. As the Managing Principal of Mitigate Partners, he has developed innovative solutions like the FairCo$t Health Plan, helping clients achieve significant savings—up to $8.2 million over eight years—while enhancing benefits and ensuring cost predictability. His expertise extends across risk management, employee benefits, and financial planning, with a focus on creating customized, data-driven strategies that retain top talent and improve organizational cash flow.