Chris Ourisman felt frustrated and powerless with little information or control over what was really driving soaring health insurance premiums for his dealerships' employees.
With premiums earlier this decade rising at rates of 18 percent, 22 percent and 6 percent annually, Ourisman wanted a better option. So nearly four years ago, he made the switch to a health insurance company that provides monthly data reports on how dollars are being spent by the self-funded plan.
The change, Ourisman said, has allowed him to better manage the most important benefit he offers employees: health care.
And while the amount saved has been significant — $716,000 and counting — it wasn't the motivator for Ourisman, president of seven dealerships for Ourisman Automotive of Marlow Heights, Md.