Risky Benefits

Benefits Bridge - Risky Benefits Podcast S5E13

• David Holloway-Boyd • Season 5 • Episode 13

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fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Hi everyone, and thank you for listening to Risky Benefits and welcome to today's episode. Today we'll be diving into a topic that is close to the heart of many small businesses finding affordable, innovative benefit solutions when the options feel very limited. So I'm thrilled to welcome our guest today, our very own Tina Wyatt, program manager for FBM C'S Benefits Bridge. Is our dedicated small business block. So Tina, welcome to the show. Thanks for coming on.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Thank you for having me. I'm very excited and I'm excited to share what we can offer the small group, clients in the industry.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Fantastic. Well, before we get started, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

let's see. I am a mother of two. I've been working in employee benefits for 25 years. So that is a really long time. I have a medical background as well, so that kind of helps within the process of claims and such in this industry as well.

squadcaster-jebf_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Yeah, absolutely. And if you guys have not met Tina directly or gotten a chance to work with her, you're missing out because I know from experience that her clients love her. They have nothing but wonderful things to say and she is just, we're lucky to have her. So,

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Thank

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

yeah.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

consider them like family to me.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Yeah. And they can tell. And I think that's definitely appreciated. Let's start with the big picture. What is benefits bridge and why did FBMC feel like it was something that was necessary to bring on?

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

that's a great question. Benefits Bridge was created to solve a really, huge problem that we kept seeing in small business. Often they feel stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to benefits and the choices can feel very limited and the cost can be very high, and the administrative burdens obviously in a small business can be overwhelming. So we wanted to bridge that gap. Hence the name. So by creating a program that brings creative, flexible, and scalable solutions to the undeserved segment is what we were striving for, and I think we achieved it.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Yay. Always good to achieve that goal.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Yeah.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

And what an important mission. So let's talk about some of the innovations that Benefits Bridge is offering to small groups, and what are the standout options that are available?

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Awesome. Yes, absolutely. One of the most exciting options that are offered now in the small business market is the level funded plans. The plans can, are, the plans can combine the cost control of self-funded. With the predictability of a fully insured, so they drive just like a fully insured product. They're often more affordable and come with the potential for a refund if the claims are lower than expected, which is a game changer for our employer. Small employers.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Absolutely. So kind of off script, but do a lot of the groups that you work with, small employers, they might not know much about benefits or what they should be offering to their to their employees. So is that something that you and your team can come in and help educate them on level funded, fully insured, all of that? Yeah.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

we actually, we, we, first of all the combination of experience on my team is close to 40 years. Okay? So

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Mm-hmm.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

have a wealth of knowledge as well. And we always, always give our clients small group clients the education that they need to make informed decisions. Especially when it comes to the choices they have, we also think about, as you know, it's, it the costs are very astronomical in a small group. and so we try to make sure that we're bringing solutions that will not only benefit their employees, but also help the employer to offer those benefits to their employees at a cost at a low cost.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Absolutely what a win. Especially when budgets are tight. That's, I mean, I'm sure that's super helpful. What about for older populations or employees with retire, or excuse me, employers that have retirees?

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

So we offer Medicare supplement options, so we, I am an agent. For Blue Cross Blue Shield, Florida Blue, and we offer Medicare supplement options of regular supplements or Medicare Advantage, which is tailored to the geographic location of the person we consider where the business is based. We also, we actually go to our larger clients and tell them about the solutions as well, if they have any kind of. Medicare recipients that they, that is employed in their organization. It gives the employers a way to support their older team members without inflating the cost of their core benefit.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Wow, that kind of flexibility is key. I'm and I'm sure that, you know, some of those smaller groups might not otherwise be able to serve their retirees, so

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

It, it, I mean, it's a benefit to both small and large. So it, and it helps to keep the cost down for the employer and it, it gives the, that individual member a great option as

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Mm-hmm.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

the Medicare supplements go.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Absolutely. So another big concern for small businesses I can imagine is staying compliant, staying up to date with all the different compliance and regulations. How does benefits bridge help with that?

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

I'm kind of a compliance guru, or I think I am. I'm a nerd addict, to be honest with you. I'm continually look, as this industry changes, but we've integrated a compliance support directly into the program. it's a c, a reporting cover administration, or ERISA documentation we're making sure that our clients are covered and confident in, in, in our abilities to keep them compliant. Small employers often don't have an HR department, so they need a partner who understands the details and can keep them out of trouble basically.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Love it. Always, you know, always a goal to stay outta trouble.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Right.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Yeah. Anytime we can help, that's always a plus. It's not just about offering benefits, it's also about making the entire experience manageable for the employers and, easy also for the employees. So, speaking of that experience, how do small groups typically enroll their employees?

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Well, I, I mean, we certainly do what the, the small group would, wants to do, but we provide multiple enrollment platforms, options, depending on the group's needs and size, whether it's simple, mobile, friendly platform, or a more robust. HRIS system, we make sure it fits. The key is giving small employers tools that make enrollment clear, quick, and stress free.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

That's awesome. Well, you are super passionate about helping small businesses succeed and it sounds like Benefits Bridge is a great solution for that. Before we wrap up, is there anything else that you want our listeners to know?

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Yes, I would say this, you do have options, even if you're told otherwise. Benefits bridge exist because we believe small businesses deserve the same care, creativity, and customization as the big guys do, and we're here to help make that happen.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

That's awesome. Beautifully said. And actually one more, one more question. What size groups does Benefits Bridge serve? What's the population size that you guys typically.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

we do from two to 250 lives.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Okay. All the way down to two. Amazing.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

yes, everybody deserves a chance.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Love it. And is there any limitations on where geographically?

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

No, we are across the United States,

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Awesome.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

we can go anywhere you are.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

All the way to Alaska.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Yes.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Tina just got back from Alaska and was telling us before the podcast about how wonderful it.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

It was totally awesome and phenomenal, breathtaking.

fbmc-production_2_07-08-2025_134509:

Awesome. Well thank you so much Tinana and thank you for coming on. And thank you to our listeners and as always, if you have any questions or wanna know more, you can find us on our homepage@www.fbmc.com and you can find us and subscribe on any podcast app. Thank you.

tina_1_07-08-2025_134509:

Thank you.