This is the core of what Black Ink does. Our advisory process begins by asking our clients a few key questions:

• “Why do you offer benefits in the first place?”
• “What real cost-containment ideas have you implemented in the past 10 years?”
• “Have you done anything to increase employee access to care?”
• “Do you fully understand your current contract framework?”

We then build a comprehensive risk management model that shows several options with pros and cons to each, allowing an employer to gain the most complete perspective of the choices that they have. Each option presented is underscored by a multiyear strategy that is decided before plan options are even brought to the table.

Once a strategy has been selected, we then fire on all cylinders to implement the plan that has been decided upon by the organization. We schedule employee enrollment meetings and prepare a marketing and engagement strategy well in advance of the benefit renewal date to allow for timely processing of changes and answer all employee questions and concerns.

Once the initial implementation is complete for a given plan year, we then meet on a set schedule with our clients to review reporting, feedback, and identify cost-containment opportunities that arise during the year. All the while, our advocacy team is reaching out to and engaging with new employees to guide them through the enrollment process and educate them on the cost-savings initiatives offered by the organization.