Episode 1258: Health Benefits Without the 30% Annual Surprise

Your benefits plan may be getting more expensive for reasons unrelated to better care. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Chris Hamilton, Partner at Hotchkiss Insurance and a healthcare industry expert, who explains why employer health costs keep skyrocketing. He breaks down how misaligned incentives in traditional plans drive inflation and why mid-market employers often have far more control than they realize. You’ll hear practical, modern strategies such as self-funding, direct agreements, and transparency tools that can improve coverage while reducing total costs for both companies and employees. Key Takeaways: → Traditional compensation structures can incentivize higher premiums rather than better outcomes for employers and employees. → When insurers own PBMs and other components, pricing can become a circular profit engine that justifies ongoing rate hikes. → If you reduce the underlying cost of care, the premium required to fund the plan naturally drops. → The same procedure can vary dramatically in price across facilities, with no reliable correlation to quality. → Employers can contract directly with hospitals and concierge physicians to simplify access, improve care, and reduce both company and employee financial burdens. Chris Hamilton is a Partner at Hotchkiss Insurance in Texas, where he leads the employee benefits consulting practice. He specializes in managing healthcare and insurance costs to improve benefits coverage, reduce expenses, and enhance employee health outcomes. With over a decade of experience in corporate finance, Chris has advised clients across various industries, including private equity and oil & gas. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, working out, attending live music events, and spending time with family. Connect With Chris: Website: https://hotchkissinsurance.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrishamiltonbenefitsinsider LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chamilton/