Controlling Rising Healthcare Costs: A Smarter Benefits Strategy for Business Owners

In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes Anthony Chandler of Acrisure, a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm specializing in property & casualty and employee benefits.

Anthony explains why CPAs are often the first professionals business owners turn to when healthcare costs spiral out of control—and why having the right benefits consultant in your virtual Rolodex matters. With more than 30 years of experience, Anthony shares how Acrisure takes a custom, alternative-risk approach to rebuilding health plans, helping employers control costs over a 3–5 year horizon without disrupting employees or provider networks.

This episode is especially valuable for CPAs advising business owners, CFOs, and HR leaders facing ongoing double-digit healthcare cost increases.

Healthcare is often the second-largest expense for businesses, and CPAs are frequently asked how to control rising group health costs.

Anthony explains how most plans rely on “off-the-shelf” products from major carriers, offering little differentiation or long-term cost control.

Instead of “renting” insurance year to year, Acrisure rebuilds health plans—optimizing pharmacy benefits, hospital services, and vendor selection while keeping the same provider networks.

By changing backend vendors—such as pharmacy benefit managers or stop-loss providers—companies can save hundreds of thousands of dollars without changing copays, doctors, or employee experience.

Acrisure primarily works with organizations between 100–1,000 employees, but solutions can be effective for companies as small as 25–50 employees.

Many companies already pay for concierge services and cost-saving tools within their plans—but don’t know how to use them effectively.

Anthony warns of continued healthcare cost increases and encourages employers to explore alternative, progressive benefits strategies sooner rather than later.

Anthony Chandler is a senior consultant with Acrisure, bringing more than 30 years of experience helping organizations design smarter, more efficient employee benefit programs. His work focuses on alternative risk strategies, long-term cost control, and improving outcomes for both employers and employees.