The Scottsdale Chamber Podcast

Ep. 61 Navigating the Complex World of Mid-Market Employee Benefits with Holmes Murphy (Audio)

In this episode, Mark welcomes leadership from Holmes Murphy, the largest employee-owned insurance brokerage and risk management company in the United States. Joining the show are Gerald Johnson (Senior Vice President) and Jeff Kirke (Vice President of Employee Benefits) to demystify the increasingly complex landscape of commercial insurance.

The conversation dives deep into how mid-market businesses—specifically those with 25 to 500 employees—can effectively manage the financial pressures of modern healthcare while still offering competitive packages. Gerald and Jeff share expert insights on navigating the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guidelines, leveraging individual qualified health reimbursements (ICHRA) for tax advantages, and breaking down how workforce demographics alter pricing.

Finally, the guests explore how shifting workforce demographics change what employees value most—including the surprising rise in demand for pet insurance among younger generations. Whether you are looking to protect your business assets or optimize your talent retention strategy, this episode provides actionable advice for local business owners.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

The Power of Independence: How Holmes Murphy's employee-owned structure aligns with privately held businesses.

Strategic Cost Control: How age, gender, and health variables factor into group plan pricing.

Modern Workforce Demands: What multi-generational employees are looking for in a benefits package, from traditional healthcare to lifestyle perks like pet coverage.

Connect with our guests:

Website: www.holmesmurphy.com

Scottsdale Office: 7047 E Greenway Parkway, Suite 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

This podcast is proudly brought to you from Pratt Podcasting in the heart of Scottsdale.

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