Our Pricing Model
Dynamic Cost Containment Pricing
Take back control of your health plan.
No premium-based commissions. No hidden incentives. Transparent pricing and aligned strategy.
Our Pricing Philosophy
Most brokers are paid more when your health plan costs more.
That creates the wrong incentive.
Our fee is not tied to premiums, claims, or carrier spend. We don’t benefit from rising costs, inflated renewals, or passive plan management.
Instead, our pricing reflects the level of strategy and oversight required to run your health plan well, from funding structure and vendor alignment to contract management and data transparency.
What that means for you:
- No premium-based commissions
- No hidden compensation
- No incentive to tolerate inefficiency
You always know what you’re paying, what you’re getting, and why it exists.
When your health plan improves, we don’t profit from the problem and you benefit from the result.
The Five-Stage Pricing Model
Stage 1
Fully Insured / ICHRA / Cost Sharing
Monthly Fee (PEPM)
$30
What This Is
Carrier-controlled model with limited visibility. We benchmark renewals and expose waste to build readiness.
Who This Fits
Employers wanting validation and a roadmap before changing funding.
What You Get
Renewal benchmarking
Plan-design review.
Full service install and competitive market analysis.
Outcomes
Verified baseline.
Clear path to level-funded readiness.
Upgrade Path
Gain visibility (limited) into cost drivers with a carrier level funded plan.
Stage 2
Carrier
Level-Funded
Monthly Fee (PEPM)
$40
What This Is
The start of transparency – real data, limited view. You finally see where premiums go.
Who This Fits
Employers done guessing – seeking proof of what actually drives renewals and spend.
What You Get
Top drug & condition analysis. Monthly spend tracking. Shared surplus refund potential. Underwriting savings.
Outcomes
Early insight before renewal. Ledger of premium vs. claims.
Confidence to unbundle.
Upgrade Path
Transition to non-carrier level-funded – improve data & eliminate PBM markup.
Stage 3
Non-Carrier
Level-Funded
Monthly Fee (PEPM)
$45
What This Is
Full transparency without the rebuild. Step into a vetted plan-manager platform built for you.
Who This Fits
Employers wanting transparency and ROI with proven strategies already in place.
What You Get
Pre-vetted TPA | PBM | Cost Containment | Reinsurance Stack
Wholly retained surplus. Increased claim visibility.
Outcomes
Full spend visibility.
Predictable performance. Understanding of cost drivers.
Upgrade Path
Evaluate group captives to gain scale & shared protection with more control over vendors.
Stage 4
Group
Captive
Monthly Fee (PEPM)
$50
What This Is
Shared self-funding: collective buying power, reinsurance leverage, and cash-flow stability.
Who This Fits
Employers ready to self-fund with shared protection and capital efficiency.
What You Get
Underwriting profits, Captive layer of risk transfer. Scaled reinsurance. Cash flow. Real-time claim + Rx data
Outcomes
Volatility protection.
Long term stability.
Capital efficiency. Dividend earnings.
Upgrade Path
Maintain financial oversight and always review vendor stack for opportunities.
Stage 5
Self-Funded
Monthly Fee (PEPM)
$50
What This Is
Complete ownership—your plan, your data, your cash. Every vendor and dollar under your control.
Who This Fits
Employers seeking complete transparency and control over their health plan.
What You Get
Underwriting profits, Cash flow. Custom cost containment strategy. Vendor oversight.
Real-time claim + Rx data
Outcomes
Total margin control.
Data-driven stability. Ownership of contracts. Vendor accountability.
Upgrade Path
Use self-funded foundation for direct contracts & long-term plan improvements.
- PEPM = Per Employee Per Month
- Our fees are typically included in plan premiums. Ancillary lines follow carrier compensation.
- Consulting only projects or performance-based engagements will be quoted separately.
- All pricing assumes standard consulting scope of work, with additional custom services available on request.
Not sure which stage you’re in?
Most employers aren’t. A short fit call places you on the map — and shows you what the next stage would save.
About BeneSmart | Independent Health Plan and Cost Containment Consulting in St. Louis
Independent Health Plan & Cost Containment Consultant in St. Louis
Our independent benefits consultancy provides high-impact health plan cost containment and independent advisory services for mid-sized employers across St. Louis and Kansas City, extending our specialized self-funded and level-funded strategies to Springfield MO, Milwaukee, and Dallas. We represent the interests of financial decision-makers in Houston, Austin, and Tampa, delivering transparent pharmacy benefit management and reference-based pricing solutions in Orlando and Naples. By eliminating hidden carrier commissions, we ensure employers in every targeted region—from the Midwest to Florida and Texas—achieve maximum ROI on their healthcare spend.