20%+ Premium Hikes? Do Something Different

Why This Matters

Requested 2026 commercial premium increases are above 20% in many cases. Doing the same things won’t change the trend. This session focuses on designs, incentives, and care models that actually lower total spend.

Program

• Mercer Survey

How employers are preparing for the highest health benefit cost increase in 15 years

- What’s changing in plan design
- Levers that matter (beyond cost shifting)
- Benchmarks you can use this quarter

• New Products That Drive Better Choices

- Deductible‑free, price‑forward designs
- Up‑front prices, fewer surprises
- Align choices with lower total spend

• What Primary Care Can Do for Employers

Navigation, access, and measurable outcomes

- Right care, right time, right place
- Team‑based access that prevents downstream spend
- Referral discipline and continuity

Click here to register
 

Who Should Attend?

This summit is tailored for benefits leaders, HR executives, employers, purchaser coalitions, brokers, consultants, and policy stakeholders who want to:

• Gain a 3-step action plan to guide your 2026 renewals.
• Take home a purchaser checklist to pressure-test proposals.
• Learn key questions to ask your broker and vendors right now.

Don’t miss your chance to take action on rising healthcare costs. Join us for practical strategies employers can implement now to deliver smarter benefits, better choices, and lower costs.

Price: Free for members | $40 for non-member guests

Please note: This event begins at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served. 

Event Speakers

Christine Gomes, Senior Principal, Mercer

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Martin Kerzer, MD, Medical Director RI, Astrana Health

Bryce Martins, Regional Vice President, ParetoHealth

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Elizabeth McClaine, Vice President of Medicaid and Commercial Products, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island 

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Edward McGookin, MD, MHCDS, FAAP, Chief of Primary Care, Brown University Health - Brown Health Medical Group Primary Care

Megan McNiff, Principal, Mercer

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Robert Murillo, SimplePay Health Sales & New Business Development, Aetna

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Bill Schreiber, Account Executive, Surest

Thomas Warcup, DO, MHA, Chief Medical Officer, RI Primary Care Physicians Corp

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Support RIBGH and promote your organization, reaching professionals shaping the future of employee benefits and workplace policies. Event sponsorship opportunities include:

Event Sponsorship with a Sponsor Table ($2,000) - 1 available

• A dedicated sponsor table at the event to engage directly with participants
• Company logo featured on event emails, flyer, and opening event deck
• Opportunity to provide promotional items for attendees
• Recognition in the RIBGH newsletter the month prior to and the month following the event
• Recognition in RIBGH event social media posts
• Option to apply half of the event sponsorship fee toward upgrading to a higher RIBGH metallic membership tier or toward the first year of metallic membership for new members
• A linked message in the “What’s New” section of the RIBGH website for one month
• Access to the YouTube video of the event

Event Sponsorship ($1,000)

• Company logo featured on event emails, flyer, and opening event deck
• Recognition in the RIBGH newsletter the month prior to and the month following the event
• Recognition in RIBGH event social media posts
• Option to apply half of the event sponsorship fee toward upgrading to a higher RIBGH metallic membership tier or toward the first year of metallic membership for new members
• A linked message in the “What’s New” section of the RIBGH website for one month
• Access to the YouTube video of the event

To sign up for sponsorship, please contact us at ribgh1@gmail.com.

Questions?

Contact RIBGH at ribgh1@gmail.com.