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EP 534 ICHRAs = Choice And Control - With Chad Schneider, Thatch

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Manage episode 514890092 series 2176618
Content provided by David Saltzman. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by David Saltzman or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Healthcare costs keep climbing while employees want plans that actually fit their doctors, budgets, and lives. We tackle that tension head-on with Chad Schneider, head of broker channel at Thatch, and unpack how ICHRAs—individual coverage HRAs—let employers lock in predictable budgets while giving every employee real choice on the individual market.
We start by demystifying ICHRAs and why 2024 became the breakout year: broader carrier participation, stronger individual risk pools, and better technology. Chad breaks down the biggest barriers leaders worry about—change management, compliance, billing across multiple carriers and states—and shares how infrastructure-first platforms handle the messy “money movement” behind the scenes. From clean decision support that feels like booking travel to licensed, state-specific experts for complex cases, we show how employees can navigate dozens of plans with clarity and confidence.
Then we get tactical. You’ll hear how to design contribution strategies that create equity across age and geography, using dynamic benchmarks instead of blunt flat-dollar allowances. We explore the 11 ICHRA classes for smart carve-outs, the role of voluntary and high-impact perks, and how newer carriers are pushing legacy players to improve networks and benefits. On data, we explain what you can measure without claims visibility—engagement, satisfaction, enrollment completion—and how emerging APIs make application tracking and digital ID cards standard rather than speculative.
Looking ahead three to five years, Chad forecasts tighter integrations, more transparent pricing, and perks once reserved for large groups becoming available to small employers. The result is a practical blueprint: cap volatility, expand choice, and elevate the broker’s role from renewal jockey to program architect. If you’re ready to rethink the benefits playbook and give your team plans that fit their lives, this conversation lays out the steps and the pitfalls to avoid.
Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more leaders discover smarter benefits strategies.

This episode is sponsored by Benepower, the platform of choice for a modern benefits experience. Benepower is an AI-powered benefits platform offering access to top products and services, enabling consultants and employers to create customized plans, optimize usage, and measure effectiveness. www.benepower.com

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Framing The Core Question (00:00:00)

2. Meet Chad And Define ICHRAs (00:00:32)

3. Why ICHRAs Are Booming Now (00:02:00)

4. Education Gaps In The Market (00:04:33)

5. Implementation Challenges And Fintech (00:04:52)

6. Decision Support And Employee UX (00:08:30)

7. Misconceptions Brokers Carry (00:11:42)

8. Strategy: Design And Contributions (00:15:31)

9. Data, Metrics, And Carrier Tech (00:18:36)

10. The Next Three To Five Years (00:21:06)

11. Where To Learn More And Closing (00:23:15)

534 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 514890092 series 2176618
Content provided by David Saltzman. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by David Saltzman or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Healthcare costs keep climbing while employees want plans that actually fit their doctors, budgets, and lives. We tackle that tension head-on with Chad Schneider, head of broker channel at Thatch, and unpack how ICHRAs—individual coverage HRAs—let employers lock in predictable budgets while giving every employee real choice on the individual market.
We start by demystifying ICHRAs and why 2024 became the breakout year: broader carrier participation, stronger individual risk pools, and better technology. Chad breaks down the biggest barriers leaders worry about—change management, compliance, billing across multiple carriers and states—and shares how infrastructure-first platforms handle the messy “money movement” behind the scenes. From clean decision support that feels like booking travel to licensed, state-specific experts for complex cases, we show how employees can navigate dozens of plans with clarity and confidence.
Then we get tactical. You’ll hear how to design contribution strategies that create equity across age and geography, using dynamic benchmarks instead of blunt flat-dollar allowances. We explore the 11 ICHRA classes for smart carve-outs, the role of voluntary and high-impact perks, and how newer carriers are pushing legacy players to improve networks and benefits. On data, we explain what you can measure without claims visibility—engagement, satisfaction, enrollment completion—and how emerging APIs make application tracking and digital ID cards standard rather than speculative.
Looking ahead three to five years, Chad forecasts tighter integrations, more transparent pricing, and perks once reserved for large groups becoming available to small employers. The result is a practical blueprint: cap volatility, expand choice, and elevate the broker’s role from renewal jockey to program architect. If you’re ready to rethink the benefits playbook and give your team plans that fit their lives, this conversation lays out the steps and the pitfalls to avoid.
Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more leaders discover smarter benefits strategies.

This episode is sponsored by Benepower, the platform of choice for a modern benefits experience. Benepower is an AI-powered benefits platform offering access to top products and services, enabling consultants and employers to create customized plans, optimize usage, and measure effectiveness. www.benepower.com

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Framing The Core Question (00:00:00)

2. Meet Chad And Define ICHRAs (00:00:32)

3. Why ICHRAs Are Booming Now (00:02:00)

4. Education Gaps In The Market (00:04:33)

5. Implementation Challenges And Fintech (00:04:52)

6. Decision Support And Employee UX (00:08:30)

7. Misconceptions Brokers Carry (00:11:42)

8. Strategy: Design And Contributions (00:15:31)

9. Data, Metrics, And Carrier Tech (00:18:36)

10. The Next Three To Five Years (00:21:06)

11. Where To Learn More And Closing (00:23:15)

534 episodes

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