Aequum by Koehler Fitzgerald

05/28/2026

: As 401k’s become at risk of being cut, employers should evaluate where they can save money to protect employees and their benefit programs.

aequum supports their efforts by reducing health benefit costs through and medical billing advocacy, leaving more funds to protect and fund employee 401(k) matches.

05/27/2026

Employers are quietly pausing 401(k) matches, something we last saw during the 2008 recession and COVID. Could they be next up on the benefits chopping block?

Changes such as these often come in times of economic strain or uncertainty. Many will later resume their match, but not always at the same level. Since retirement funds tend to be one of the biggest lines on benefits budgets, following healthcare, employers first make cuts to 401(k) programs to avoid layoffs.

Partnering with aequum allows self-insured employers to utilize tech-driven medical billing defense and cost-containment strategies to significantly lower healthcare spending, leaving the funds needed to preserve employee retirement matches.

Find out more: https://fortune.com/2026/05/18/401k-match-paused-ttec-employers-retirement-benefits/

After TTEC paused its 401(k) match for 16,000 workers, benefits experts say more employers may follow suit to avoid layoffs.

05/21/2026

: As discussions around the Advisory Council’s proposals continue, health plan sponsors can explore how these debates affect transparency and accountability. aequum can help sponsors navigate these shifting fiduciary duties with expert compliance and advocacy support.

05/20/2026

Didn’t make it to Christine Cooper and Jack Towarnickys appearance on the Granite List Webinar series? Not to worry! You can watch the full event back here: https://community.thegranitelist.com/c/webinar-replays/if-you-re-not-at-the-rbp-table-you-re-likely-on-the-menu

Get the full scoop on Reference-Based Pricing (RBP) and hear how health plan sponsors are preparing for what's ahead while avoiding past mistakes and getting ahead of the game.

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05/18/2026

A proposal by the Advisory Council could change the obligations of plan sponsors and benefits professionals, holding them to the same legal standards as the plan administrators.

ChristineCooper and Jack Towarnicky cover this extensively in their latest piece with BenefitsPRO, explaining why this change matters and the implications it will have if put into play.

Read on to find out more on how this plan is calling for the need to prepare by strengthening vendor oversight, improving plan design and renewing a commitment to participant advocacy: https://www.benefitspro.com/2026/04/24/clinical-coverage-determination-makers-could-become-plan-fiduciaries/

That change could create new ways for plan employers to get into trouble.

05/14/2026

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The relationship between health plans and providers doesn’t have to cause friction. For better outcomes, look past the claims and understand how they can be addressed.

05/13/2026

The relationship between health plans and providers is one of the most complex and important dynamics in healthcare.

aequum takes a unique approach by helping plans and their partners better understand the provider's behaviors that drive cost, risk and friction.

In our latest blog post, we dive into the challenges of inconstant provider behavior, what drives better decisions and stronger alignment, and how aequum is adding value. Read the full blog here: https://aequumhealth.com/blog/stronger-provider-alignment-drives-better-outcomes-aequums-strategic-role-with-providers/

The relationship between health plans and providers is one of the most important and most complex dynamics in healthcare. It directly shapes cost, experience and long-term plan performance. Yet for many self-insured plans, that relationship is not actively managed. It is experienced after the fact,....

05/11/2026

Christine Cooper and Jack Towarnicky joined The Granite List Live podcast to break down the , covering what’s changed, what’s still unclear and how plan sponsors can stay strategic as they manage the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR), provider negotiations and overall plan spend.

Together, they share real-world insights, offering practical guidance for navigating the with confidence.

Listen here: https://thegranitelist.live/e/the-no-surprises-act-in-practice-strategies-for-health-plans-in-a-shifting-landscape/

The No Suprises Act (NSA) was designed to protect patients from unexpected and surprise medical bills. However, for health plans, it’s created a complex and evolving landscape of disputes, compliance requirements and rising costs. On this week's episode of The Granite List.Live, Sally is joined by...

05/07/2026

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Self-insured employers have a fiduciary responsibility to protect plan assets. Make sure you are regularly reviewing claims and overseeing vendor performance to ensure funds are spent appropriately.

05/06/2026

Insurers are making progress in standardizing how they vet requests for medical treatments and services, the latest in a series of commitments meant to reduce paperwork and make it easier for patients to access care.

Major insurers led by AHIP and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association announced on Friday that electronic data submission requirements will align for medical services commonly subjected to prior authorization, including orthopedic surgeries, CT scans and MRIs, beginning Jan 1.

Additionally, prior authorizations will be standard across commercial plans like Medicare and Medicaid, with more services being added over time.

aequum can help as these standards come into play, ready to navigate the transitions by using specialty expertise to ensure all submissions meet the new criteria, minimizing denials and accelerating patient care.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/6Zcz50YUBZV

Aligning electronic data submission requirements for prior authorizations is one prong of the insurance industry’s commitment to reform the unpopular preapprovals.

05/04/2026

In just three days, aequum’s Christine Cooper and Jack Towarnicky will take on the Granite List webinar series, and they’re ready to share their expertise in Reference-Based Pricing!

Don’t risk finding yourself with the fear of missing out (FOMO)! With more plans sponsors incorporating this strategy to strengthen their health plans, you won’t want to miss out as we step into the “Fast Follower” stage.

Register here to secure your seat at the table: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P5Ja1dN6QwCyOfnzEosbvQ