In this episode, Tom Quigley breaks down one of the most misunderstood acronyms in healthcare — the HSA (Health Savings Account) — and explains why it may be the single smartest way for individuals and certain business owners to fund healthcare in 2026 and beyond.
Most people think HSAs are confusing, restrictive, or not worth the effort. Tom flips that narrative completely, walking listeners through what an HSA actually is, how it works, who should use it, who shouldn’t, and why it’s one of the most tax-advantaged tools the government has ever created.
This is an educational episode — but make no mistake — it’s also strategic. If you don’t understand HSAs, you’re likely overpaying for healthcare and missing major tax advantages.
Tom starts at square one:
An HSA is a personal health savings account
It can only be used if you have a qualified high-deductible health plan
Money goes in pre-tax
Money comes out tax-free for eligible medical expenses
The account is owned by the individual
Funds roll over every year
The account can earn interest or investment returns
If funds are used later for non-medical purposes, they’re taxed — effectively turning the HSA into an IRA-like account in retirement.
Setting up an HSA is surprisingly simple:
Open an account online (ex: HSA Bank or similar providers)
Receive a debit card
Use the card for eligible medical expenses
Contributions can be made:
All at once
Gradually throughout the year
Tom:
“You can literally do it in two minutes.”
Tom draws a critical distinction here:
Individuals:
HSAs make a lot of sense.
Employers funding HSAs:
Usually a mistake.
Why?
Once employers put money into an employee’s HSA, the money is gone forever
Employers lose all control
This is why ClaimLinx prefers Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERPs) for employers
Tom:
“Once the money goes into the HSA, it’s their money. No control. No clawback.”
Approximate 2026 limits discussed:
Single: ~$4,400
Family: ~$8,750
Catch-up (age 55+): +$1,000
(Exact limits can be confirmed by searching “2026 HSA contribution limits.”)
HSAs only work with high-deductible health plans, which means:
No copays
No coverage until deductible is met (except preventive care)
Everything applies toward the deductible
Tom explains:
“Copays don’t exist in these plans — and that’s actually the advantage.”
HSAs are designed to replace copays, not supplement them.
A major misconception cleared up:
HSA funds can be used to pay deductibles
You just can’t “double dip”
You use HSA money to cover expenses before insurance kicks in
Even better:
If you don’t have money in the HSA yet, you can deposit funds before paying the bill and still get the tax advantage
Tom shares how savvy users treat HSAs:
Max out contributions every year
Pay medical expenses out of pocket
Save receipts
Let the HSA grow
Withdraw tax-free later in retirement
There is no time limit on reimbursement.
Tom:
“You could pull out $20,000 tax-free ten years later if you saved the receipts.”
Tom clarifies confusion with FSAs (Flexible Spending Accounts):
FSAs = “use it or lose it”
HSAs = your money forever
If you were thinking you needed to predict expenses precisely — that’s an FSA mindset, not an HSA one.
Tom strongly recommends HSAs for:
Owners of:
S-Corps
LLCs
Anyone with 2%+ ownership
People not eligible for Section 125 plans
Individuals comfortable with higher deductibles
People focused on tax efficiency
HSAs are also a great option for employees who understand them — alongside a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan.
Tom explains why copays persist:
They condition people psychologically
They increase premiums
They increase agent commissions
They make insurance more expensive overall
Tom:
“Copays make zero sense — they exist to raise premiums.”
HSA dollars can be used for many non-traditional medical expenses, as long as they’re eligible under IRS Publication 502.
Examples:
In this end-of-year episode, Tom Quigley delivers a blunt post-mortem on what many Americans feared — and hoped wouldn’t happen.
The enhanced ACA subsidies have officially sunset, and the fallout is immediate and brutal. Premiums that were once manageable have exploded overnight, forcing families, couples, and small business owners into impossible choices:
pay unaffordable premiums, go uninsured, or gamble with their financial future.
Tom doesn’t just react — he explains why this happened, who benefits from the chaos, and why the system is failing exactly as designed. This episode connects the dots between uneducated consumers, corrupt incentives, and a healthcare structure that punishes logic while rewarding greed.
🔍 Key Topics & Insights
1. The Enhanced Subsidies Are Gone — and the Damage Is Real
Tom confirms what many listeners are now experiencing firsthand:
Enhanced subsidies are fully sunset
Premiums jumped immediately
Some people chose to drop insurance entirely — even catastrophic coverage
Tom:
“They’re saying, ‘Why would I waste money on it?’ And that’s terrifying.”
2. Real Numbers: From $200 to $2,800 a Month
Tom shares a shocking real-world example:
Couple paying ~$200/month
New premium: $2,800/month
That’s not inflation — that’s a de facto tax increase of over $24,000 per year.
Neil:
“That’s a 3,000–4,000% increase.”
Tom:
“Unreal — and totally avoidable.”
3. Why People Are Going Uninsured
With costs this high, some individuals are:
Skipping insurance altogether
Rolling the dice for a year
Waiting for Medicare eligibility
Using only virtual care and DPC
Tom is clear:
“That’s not smart — but it’s understandable.”
Without catastrophic coverage, one event can mean:
Bankruptcy
Lifetime payment plans
Financial ruin
4. Medicare vs. the Rest of the System
Tom draws a sharp contrast:
Traditional Medicare remains the best insurance in the world
Yes, Part B and supplements increase — but nothing like ACA plans
Medicare Advantage may fluctuate, but Medicare itself is stable
For everyone else?
“They’re paying more for health insurance than a mortgage.”
5. Direct Primary Care: The One Thing That Still Makes Sense
Tom reinforces what he’s said all year:
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a no-brainer
Flat monthly fee
Unlimited visits
Massively discounted labs and diagnostics
Longer doctor visits
Real preventive care
Tom’s own example:
“I had $2,000 worth of labs done for $100.”
One or two lab visits alone often cover the entire annual DPC cost.
6. Will Enhanced Subsidies Ever Come Back?
Tom is pessimistic — but practical.
He outlines the only two logical paths forward:
Option 1: Government Fully Involved
$50,000 deductible for every American
Government buys reinsurance
Savings fund the system
Catastrophic protection guaranteed
Option 2: Private Market + High-Risk Pool
Allow medical underwriting again
Government funds high-risk individuals
Insurance companies cover healthy pools
Costs drop dramatically
Either option:
Saves trillions
Restores logic
Requires political courage
7. Who’s Really Blocking Reform
Tom pulls no punches:
Corrupt Departments of Insurance collecting premium tax
Commission-based agents protecting income
Hospitals inflating costs unchecked
Pharma posturing while avoiding real reform
Lobbyists controlling policy
Tom:
“It’s a big dupe — and the American public doesn’t know enough to fight back.”
8. The Education Crisis Nobody Wants to Talk About
Tom identifies the core issue:
Americans understand mortgages and car loans
They do not understand health insurance
No education in:
Grade school
High school
College
Result:
“People pay more for healthcare than housing — and don’t question it.”
9. The ACA Isn’t the Villain — Ignorance Is
Tom makes a critical distinction:
What the ACA did right:
No preexisting exclusions
No lifetime limits
Preventive care
What went wrong:
No flexibility
This is the episode title that makes employers uncomfortable — and for good reason.
In this candid, forward-looking conversation, Tom Quigley explains why 2026 is the year many employers stop asking “how do we renew?” and start asking “why are we doing this at all?” Traditional health insurance has reached a financial breaking point, and companies are being forced to choose between paying carriers or paying employees.
This episode is not about ditching responsibility — it’s about rebuilding healthcare around logic, math, and control, using tools like Direct Primary Care, catastrophic-only coverage, and Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans to regain sustainability.
Tom lays out exactly who this approach is for, who it is NOT for, and why fear-based messaging from commission-driven agents is keeping businesses stuck.
Tom doesn’t dance around it:
Health insurance costs are destroying margins
Company valuations are declining
Employees want raises, but benefits eat payroll
Employers are forced into impossible choices:
No wage increases
Higher employee contributions
Or “go buy your own coverage”
Tom:
“They’re throwing their hands up and saying: good luck.”
Tom explains why Direct Primary Care is gaining traction:
Monthly flat fee paid directly to the doctor
Unlimited visits
Deeply discounted labs and tests
Longer appointments (30 minutes, not 7)
Focus on prevention, not billing codes
Doctors love it because:
No insurance paperwork
No carrier interference
Employees love it because:
Better care
Faster access
Lower real costs
ClaimLinx doesn’t sell DPC — but enables it:
Employers use a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)
Monthly DPC fees reimbursed tax-free
Employees keep access without payroll penalties
Tom:
“It’s not insurance. It’s doctors saying, ‘Pay us directly — it’s cheaper for everyone.’”
Tom is clear — this is not about going uninsured:
Catastrophic coverage protects against:
Hospitalizations
Surgeries
Major events
Without it, bankruptcy is a real risk
The strategy:
Use DPC for everyday care
Use catastrophic insurance for true risk
Reduce claims by improving prevention
Tom:
“You still need catastrophic coverage. That’s non-negotiable.”
The secret isn’t cutting care — it’s cutting waste:
Buy the lowest-cost catastrophic plan
Stop paying carriers for:
Office visits
Drug copays
Urgent care
Employers design benefits themselves using MERPs
Result:
Lower employer spend
Better employee experience
Predictable costs
Tom addresses the fear tactics head-on:
“It’s illegal” → False (IRS publishes eligible expense lists)
“It’s unethical” → Opinion, not law
“There’s gray area” → Only if agents don’t understand the rules
Tom:
“Your attorney isn’t practicing law without a license — but some agents sure act like it.”
This is where Tom draws a hard line:
❌ Companies on the brink of bankruptcy
❌ Businesses that cannot meet plan obligations
❌ Employers unwilling to manage compliance
Why?
MERPs are regulated by:
Department of Labor
IRS
Tom:
“If you’re barely staying afloat, don’t promise benefits you can’t honor.”
Tom doesn’t say carriers are useless — just misused:
They’re good at:
Large claims
Network discounts
They’re terrible at:
Everyday care
Cost control
The future:
Carriers = catastrophic protection
Employers = benefit designers
2026 is the tipping point for employer health insurance
Direct Primary Care restores real doctor–patient relationships
Catastrophic-only coverage is essential — not optional
Employers can save 30–60% by redesigning benefits logically
Fear, not law, keeps companies stuck
This strategy is powerful — but not for unstable businesses
“It’s either pay the carrier or pay your employees. You can’t do both anymore.” — Tom Quigley
“Direct Primary Care is doctors opting out of a broken system.” — Tom Quigley
“You’re still using carriers — just for what they’re actually good at.” — Tom Quigley
“This isn’t healthcare without responsibility. It’s healthcare with logic.” — Tom Quigley
👉 Visit: https://www.ClaimLinx.com
As 2026 approaches fast, Tom Quigley lays it out plainly:
traditional employer health plans are officially broken — and pretending otherwise is no longer an option.
In this episode, Tom explains why 2026 has become the breaking point for employers, what finally snapped inside the legacy health insurance model, and why the smartest companies are resetting their entire benefits strategy before renewal instead of waiting to be ambushed by 30–40% increases.
This conversation is about logic over fear, math over emotion, and why employers who don’t change now are guaranteed to lose.
Tom gets straight to it:
Routine 20–40% annual increases
Employers absorbing costs they never planned for
Employees paying more while benefits get worse
Deductibles rising, coverage shrinking
Tom’s blunt assessment:
“They’re not set up to win. They’re set up to lose every time.”
The breaking point isn’t just cost — it’s sustainability.
Tom calls out the real blocker to change:
Employers rely on commission-based insurance agents
Agents protect their revenue stream
Options that lower premiums = lower commissions
So those options never get shown
Tom:
“They’re being shown traditional solutions that make zero sense — because the salespeople are afraid.”
Employers are finally questioning:
Sky-high deductibles
$10,000 out-of-pocket maximums
“Benefits” that don’t feel like benefits
Why were these kept so long?
Fear of change
Lack of education
Blind trust in carriers and agents
Tom:
“What do you expect? These are desperate people selling desperate products.”
Tom explains why many employers are moving in the wrong direction:
ICHRAs are being pushed aggressively
One-size-fits-all design
Poor fit for most workforces
Far inferior to properly structured Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans
Tom’s verdict:
“It makes zero sense compared to what we do.”
Tom identifies the critical failure:
Employers did not take advantage of the Affordable Care Act correctly
They stayed locked into traditional group health
Insurance companies (for-profit) guided decisions
Employers followed — and now they’re paying for it
Tom:
“When you keep going down the wrong road, you don’t end up anywhere better.”
Instead of reacting, smart companies are:
Looking at the entire financial picture
Letting math guide decisions
Designing benefits proactively
Balancing employee experience with employer sustainability
Tom:
“They’re solving the puzzle logically — not emotionally.”
Tom contrasts old vs. new:
Legacy Plan
$5,000–$6,000 deductibles
$10,000 out-of-pocket exposure
High payroll deductions
Low employee satisfaction
Modern ClaimLinx Plan
Zero deductible mindset
Copay-driven experience
Lower payroll impact
Better employee engagement
Employer costs cut dramatically
Tom:
“How is a $10,000 out-of-pocket a benefit for working at a company?”
Tom explains the core ClaimLinx approach:
Employees get simple, predictable copays
Employers buy lower-cost backend coverage
Same major carriers — half the cost
Logic replaces fear
Tom:
“That’s the funniest part — it’s the same carriers. Just done right.”
Tom closes with a hard truth:
Healthcare decisions are emotional
Fear drives bad buying behavior
Employers stop thinking logically
That’s when they get exploited
Tom:
“Common people’s problem is they let emotion override logic.”
2026 is the breaking point for traditional health plans
Commission-based sales models keep employers stuck
High deductibles are not benefits
ICHRAs are often a step backward
Smart employers redesign before renewal
ClaimLinx replaces fear with math and logic
“They’re not set up to win. They’re set up to lose every time.” — Tom Quigley
“Commission salespeople don’t want to be carved out — so they don’t show better options.” — Tom Quigley
“How is a $10,000 out-of-pocket a benefit for working at a company?” — Tom Quigley
“Logic fixes healthcare. Emotion destroys it.” — Tom Quigley
👉 Visit: https://www.ClaimLinx.com
📞 Schedule a Call: Redesign your 2026 health plan before renewal hits
This episode pulls back the curtain on what actually makes ClaimLinx work—not just the strategy, but the people.
For the first time, listeners meet Chelsea and Emily, two of the field service managers who travel across the country educating employers and employees on how to use the ClaimLinx solution in real life. This conversation makes one thing crystal clear:
ClaimLinx isn’t just a cost-saving model — it’s an advocacy system.
Tom explains why service is the backbone of the company, while Chelsea and Emily walk through what happens after a business signs on: the calls, the questions, the pharmacy issues, the doctor confusion, the claims problems — and how ClaimLinx solves what traditional insurance never does.
This episode is all about education, advocacy, and real human support in a healthcare system that is anything but human.
Chelsea and Emily explain their role clearly:
They are field service managers, not call-center reps
They travel across the U.S. (primarily east of the Mississippi)
They train:
Employers
HR teams
Employees
They explain how to use the ClaimLinx system, not just what it is
Chelsea sums it up:
“Insurance isn’t easy. It’s always changing. We’re the experts so our clients don’t have to be.”
One of the biggest problems ClaimLinx solves is fear and confusion.
Employees often think:
“This sounds too good to be true.”
“There’s no way we save this much and still have good benefits.”
Chelsea explains:
Education removes fear
Understanding builds confidence
Confidence leads to adoption
And once employees use the system:
“They say, ‘You guys are top tier.’”
Emily draws a sharp contrast between ClaimLinx and traditional insurance:
No phone trees
No automated systems
No endless transfers
No unanswered voicemails
Instead:
You call → you get a real person
If you leave a voicemail → you get a call back
If there’s an issue → someone owns it
Emily:
“We pride ourselves on that personalized approach. It’s not just a mission statement — it’s how we work.”
Chelsea breaks down the most common service calls:
Doctors saying: “We don’t accept that insurance.”
Pharmacies rejecting prescriptions
Confusion over secondary cards
Life events:
Marriage
New baby
New hires
Terminations
Key difference:
👉 ClaimLinx steps in and talks directly to doctors, pharmacies, and offices to fix billing and processing issues.
They don’t say “call this number.”
They make the call.
Chelsea explains the resolution process:
Every call is logged and tracked
Full visibility into:
Plan design
Dependents
Claims history
Prior interactions
Errors are often caught immediately
The team is already planning next steps while listening
Chelsea:
“We’re usually ten steps ahead while we’re on the call.”
Emily highlights something critical:
People don’t just want answers — they want to be heard.
Even when there’s no immediate answer, ClaimLinx communicates
Simple updates build trust:
“I don’t have the answer yet, but I’m working on it.”
That alone separates ClaimLinx from nearly every insurance experience people have ever had.
Tom makes it clear:
ClaimLinx without service doesn’t work
Employees already don’t understand their current insurance
Employers worry employees won’t understand the new solution
Chelsea and Emily are the bridge:
“They’re the conduit from our solution to the employees.”
More interaction = fewer bad decisions.
Tom reinforces the core identity of ClaimLinx:
“We’re not an insurance company. We’re advocates.”
That means:
Helping employees access manufacturer drug rebates
Negotiating claims
Pushing back on outrageous hospital bills
Teaching people they don’t have to blindly pay everything
Tom shares a real example:
$1,500 ER bill for an hour visit and saline
His response: “I’m not paying that.”
Chelsea previously worked for Humana, and the contrast was stark:
At a carrier:
“No, you can’t.”
“It’s denied.”
“Go somewhere else.”
No one-call resolution
At ClaimLinx:
Real problem-solving
Real escalation
Real outcomes
With just 21 days left on the clock, Tom Quigley dives headfirst into the reality many Americans are now waking up to: enhanced ACA subsidies are gone, the income cliff is back, and 2026 is shaping up to be a brutal year for anyone relying on the Affordable Care Act.
In this raw, unscripted conversation, Tom and Neil break down what’s actually happening (and what isn’t), why people are shocked by 300–400% premium increases, and why millions of Americans are suddenly forced to choose between overpriced insurance or rolling the dice uninsured.
Tom doesn’t sugarcoat it. This episode is about risk, reality, and consequences—and why the government’s failure to act now will ripple through the economy, healthcare system, and middle class in 2026.
Tom clarifies the biggest misunderstanding:
Subsidies were not eliminated
Enhanced subsidies were
The old income cliff is back
Example:
Household threshold: $81,000
Income at $81,000.01
👉 Entire subsidy must be repaid
Tom:
“There are no layers anymore. It’s a cliff.”
This puts enormous pressure on:
Self-employed individuals
Commission-based earners
Families with bonuses or fluctuating income
Tom shares a real client story:
Couple paying ~$670/month
New premium: $2,800/month
The options?
Keep income artificially under the threshold
Pay nearly $34,000 a year for coverage
Or… go uninsured and gamble
One client’s decision:
“I’ll take my chances at 64. I’ll gamble for a year.”
Tom makes it clear:
Insurance exists to transfer risk
Without catastrophic coverage:
Bankruptcy
Lifetime payment plans
Financial ruin
While virtual care and third-party services can help, they are not a replacement for catastrophic protection.
Tom:
“Being uninsured is a quick way to go bankrupt.”
Tom reiterates his long-standing position:
Buy catastrophic coverage
Use:
HSAs
Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans
Pay out-of-pocket tax-free
Stop paying for “kitchen sink” coverage you don’t need
The problem?
Most people have never been educated on how insurance actually works.
Neil asks the big question: How much damage does this do in 2026?
Tom’s answer:
It absolutely hurts the economy
Healthcare inflation eats disposable income
Middle-class spending slows
Hospitals take on unpaid care
Employers face more pressure
Tom:
“They need to extend the subsidies for two years and actually fix the system.”
Tom tears apart proposals to simply fund HSAs or give people cash:
People already don’t understand deductibles
They won’t spend it on healthcare
They’ll spend it on:
Christmas
Cars
Living expenses
Tom:
“Trusting people with money for something they’ve never been educated on is laughable.”
Tom makes an important distinction:
What the ACA got right:
No pre-existing condition exclusions
No lifetime limits
What broke the system:
Forced coverage of all 10 essential benefits
No ability to carve out unnecessary coverage
Exploding premiums due to overregulation
Tom:
“Why is a 57-year-old man paying for maternity coverage?”
Tom pulls no punches:
Group health agents are commission-driven
They actively fight solutions that reduce premiums
National insurance associations lobby to protect commissions
Employers listen to them—and lose millions
Example:
“A company in St. Louis is throwing away a million dollars because their agent told them our solution was wrong.”
Tom predicts:
Democrats benefit politically if subsidies expire
Upper-middle-class voters feel the pain first
Republicans in tight races are exposed
Another government shutdown is likely in January
But by then?
“The train has already left the station.”
There is no healthcare crisis.
There is:
An education crisis
A lobbying crisis
A political courage crisis
Tom:
“I’ve been saying for 25 years the system doesn’t work. Now people are finally listening.”
Enhanced subsidies are gone — the income cliff is real
Premium shocks of 300–400% are happening now
Going uninsured is a dangerous but increasingly common choice
In this episode, Tom Quigley of ClaimLinx delivers a wake-up call to employers still buying health insurance with outdated strategies. If your company is stuck in the 1990s mindset—high premiums, minimal customization, and cookie-cutter plans—then you're bleeding cash. Tom explains how modern 2026 health plan design leverages Section 105 tax law, medical expense reimbursement plans (MERPs), and a fully customized approach to cut costs while improving employee benefits.
He breaks down what today’s smartest employers are doing instead—and why relying on commission-based brokers is one of the costliest mistakes businesses continue to make.
🧠 Most businesses still buy health insurance like it’s 1998—despite decades of regulatory and technology shifts.
📉 You can save 30–60% by buying the lowest-cost group option and using MERPs to fill in the gaps.
🤯 Brokers are incentivized to keep your premiums high because they earn a percentage of what you pay.
🧾 Section 105 allows you to self-fund benefits tax-free and offer better plans to employees without overpaying insurers.
🔥 Employers should stop handing off benefits decisions to HR—this is a finance-level strategic decision that affects EBITDA.
🕒 There’s still time to implement smarter 2026 benefits before December 31st, but most companies wait too long.
“We’re not solving world peace—we’re solving a health insurance crisis that doesn’t actually exist. You’re just being ripped off.”
— Tom Quigley
“If you're working harder and making less, it’s because your business is paying 1998 prices in a 2026 market.”
— Tom Quigley
Small and mid-sized business owners
CFOs and controllers
HR directors ready to rethink open enrollment
Entrepreneurs tired of skyrocketing healthcare costs
Self-employed individuals shopping for better options
Visit ClaimLinx.com to schedule a strategy call with Tom and his team.
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💥 Key Takeaways:💡 Notable Quotes:👥 Who This Episode Is For:📞 Ready to Modernize Your Health Plan?🎧 Available On:
In this urgent episode, Tom Quigley of ClaimLinx breaks down the confusion and panic surrounding the sunsetting of enhanced ACA subsidies at the end of 2025. Many individuals and small business owners are seeing massive spikes in healthcare premiums—but much of the fear is based on misinformation.
Tom clarifies what’s actually happening, who’s impacted, and why the enhanced subsidies were so critical for middle and upper-middle-class Americans. He also dives into the politics behind the delay in action, and how smarter plan design using Section 105 and Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERPs) can offer financial relief—even if the subsidies expire.
✅ Enhanced ACA subsidies were introduced during COVID and extended via the Inflation Reduction Act through 2025.
❗ They’re set to expire on December 31, 2025, unless Congress intervenes.
🔍 The sunset of these subsidies mostly affects the middle and upper-middle class, not lower-income earners.
💰 Families could see their premiums jump from $200 to over $1,800–$5,500 per month in some states like New York.
🔧 Traditional brokers are pushing ICHRAs (Individual Coverage HRAs), but Tom explains why MERPs are more flexible, tax-advantaged, and cost-effective.
📉 Insurance brokers and carriers don’t want consumers to understand how this system works—because it threatens their commissions.
⚠️ The threat of a government shutdown in January 2026 looms if Congress fails to act.
“People are paying more for health insurance than their mortgage—and they’re being told that’s normal.” – Tom Quigley
“The insurance industry thrives on your confusion. The more you don’t know, the more they make.” – Tom Quigley
Small business owners struggling with rising healthcare premiums
Self-employed professionals facing premium shock
HR teams and CFOs evaluating 2026 benefit plans
Anyone confused about ACA subsidies and what's next
Visit ClaimLinx.com
Schedule a strategy call with Tom and his team to find out how to lower costs, even without subsidies.
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💥 Key Takeaways:📢 Notable Quotes:👥 Who Should Listen:📞 Take Action:🎧 Listen On:
Health insurance costs are rising fast—and small businesses are feeling the heat. In this episode, Tom Quigley explains how smarter plan design can slash health insurance costs by 30–60% while improving employee benefits.
Tom outlines why traditional insurance plans are loaded with unnecessary costs, how pharmaceutical rebates are being hidden, and why most employers are unknowingly overpaying by tens of thousands each year.
The truth? You're paying for features your employees barely use—and getting crushed by deductibles and rate hikes in return.
Why traditional insurance carriers overcharge for basic coverage like copays and office visits
How to restructure your plan using a high-deductible option + a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)
What hidden cost drivers (like PBM rebates) are doing to your premiums
Why “lowering costs” by raising deductibles hurts your employees
The real math behind how ClaimLinx saves companies thousands per employee
Simple first steps every small business owner can take today to stop the bleeding
Tom shares how companies using the ClaimLinx method have saved tens of thousands—even hundreds of thousands—per year by simply purchasing their insurance differently.
“You think you're lucky with a 6% rate hike? Try raising your prices 6% and see how your customers react.” – Tom Quigley
Visit ClaimLinx.com
Schedule a free consultation with Tom and his team today.
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💡 Key Topics Covered:🔧 Real-World Results:🧠 Smart Quote:📞 Want to Save 30–60% on Health Insurance?🎧 Available On:
In this powerful episode, Tom Quigley breaks down the real role of a benefits consultant—and why small businesses can’t afford to rely on traditional health insurance brokers anymore.
Tom outlines how most brokers are incentivized by insurance carriers, not employers, and how this creates a massive blind spot for business owners trying to contain healthcare costs. He explains the difference between selling a product and building a cost-saving strategy.
If your premiums keep rising and your employees keep getting hit with higher deductibles and less coverage, it’s time to rethink who’s advising you.
What a true benefits consultant does (hint: not just pushing a spreadsheet)
The conflict of interest in traditional broker models
How ClaimLinx finds grants, rebates, and hidden savings for employees with major medical conditions
Why your business is likely bleeding money on health insurance without realizing it
Examples of businesses saving 30–60% annually using smarter plan designs
The power of a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) for covering gaps cost-effectively
Why owner involvement is critical—and why relying on HR alone is a mistake
“Convincing people they’re being ripped off is easy. Convincing them to change? That’s the hard part.” – Tom Quigley
Visit ClaimLinx.com
Schedule a call with Tom and his team today.
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💡 Key Topics Covered:🔥 Quote of the Episode:📞 Ready to Cut Costs?👂 Listen Now On:
In this packed episode, Tom Quigley invites Amber Krauza of CEHAS to help tackle one of the biggest questions hanging over the country right now: “What the hell are people supposed to do when health insurance jumps 40%, 50%, even 60% overnight?”
The entire marketplace is in upheaval — open enrollment is a disaster, premiums are skyrocketing, networks are shrinking, and millions of people suddenly can’t afford coverage. Tom and Amber break down real alternatives for both individuals and employers, especially people who are healthy, priced out of the ACA marketplace, and sick of fighting with insurance companies and corrupt state departments of insurance.
Amber brings solutions for 40 out of 50 states, while Tom exposes why the system is collapsing — and why employers absolutely must pivot or face financial ruin in 2026.
This episode blends hard truth, practical solutions, and Tom’s classic “tell it straight” commentary — plus a few jokes about monkeys, Chicago, Wheaton, and why no one under 30 wants to leave their house anymore.
ACA premiums in many areas have risen 40–60%.
In some states, networks have collapsed to the point where there’s only one hospital available.
Brokers who ignored Amber 6 months ago are now calling her back begging for solutions.
Amber breaks down three types of plans for individuals and employer groups:
Available in 40 states
Nationwide access
5–6 strong network choices including:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Aetna
Cigna
FirstHealth/PHCS
HealthSmart
Rates barely moved this year — one plan increased only 3.5%, compared to the marketplace’s 40–50%.
Similar to “major medical lite”
Lower premiums
For employers who still want solid coverage but cannot afford traditional plans.
Designed to avoid employer mandate penalties
A workable option for:
Restaurants
Hospitality
Retail
High-turnover industries
Ensures employees have basic coverage to keep them compliant.
For healthy people willing to roll the dice
10 doctor visits per year
$1M annual / $5M lifetime max
Telemedicine included
Great for:
Gap months
New hires
People waiting for Medicare
People priced out of ACA
Amber explains pre-existing condition rules:
Only major conditions in the last 5 years trigger a decline.
Type 2 diabetes? Accepted.
High blood pressure? Accepted.
CPAP use? Accepted.
Pregnant? Still accepted if enrolled before diagnosis.
No SSN required — ITIN / Tax ID is fine.
Huge advantage: “Applications submitted by the 18th start the 1st of the next month.”
You don’t have to wait for open enrollment.
Tom explains why business owners can’t ignore this:
Staying with traditional insurance could bankrupt them.
MEC or MVP plans can save businesses, especially in industries with:
Small margins
High employee turnover
Low subsidy qualification
These plans allow employers to offer something instead of nothing, helping retention.
Brokers told clients “Don’t worry, I’ll get you a great deal” — now they’re eating their words.
Many are calling Amber for help because their networks disappeared or premiums doubled.
Tom:
“I could train a chimp to do what most brokers do. Press a few keys, print a spreadsheet, and call it a day.”
Amber and Tom both warn:
If people can’t afford insurance, hospitals will get crushed.
Marketplace access is shrinking.
Many states with corrupt insurance departments block competition altogether.
Solutions must come from outside the traditional industry.
Amber highlights a fascinating shift:
Younger people (20s & early 30s) avoid doctors, offices, or anything requiring in-person visits.
They love:
Telemedicine
Links
Online enrollment
Zero paperwork
Meanwhile older generations still want paper forms and face-to-face meetings.
If you’re healthy but can’t afford ACA premiums:
Amber’s plans are a strong alternative.
If you’re an employer getting crushed by 2026 renewals:
Consider MVP or MEC options to keep your business afloat.
If you’re between jobs or waiting for Medicare:
Limited medical plans can provide safe temporary coverage.
In this direct, no-filter conversation, Tom Quigley tackles the question dominating American households, employers, and policymakers right now:
Will the enhanced ACA subsidies sunset — or will politicians cave and extend them?
Tom breaks down the math, the politics, the corruption, and the sheer incompetence swirling in Washington as lawmakers try to figure out what the hell to do with a healthcare system on the brink of collapse. He doesn’t hold back, calling out both parties, the lobbyists, the insurance companies, and the total lack of understanding lawmakers have about how insurance actually works.
This episode is Tom at full force: blunt, sharp, and brutally honest — dropping insight after insight on how subsidies interact with employer insurance, why the math is being ignored, and how the entire debate is based on false assumptions about what consumers understand (spoiler: they don’t).
Politically, Democrats want subsidies extended.
Some Republicans can’t afford to vote against them or they risk losing tight races.
Tom predicts:
Maybe a one-year extension
Maybe another compromise
Definitely more confusion
The real issue: Both parties are missing the mathematical reality.
Tom explains the hidden truth:
A 25-person group paying $500,000 annually in premiums → NOT taxable
If 20 employees move to subsidies and only 5 remain on the plan → employer pays $100,000
The remaining $400,000 becomes taxable income
That taxable income more than offsets the cost of extending subsidies
Yet politicians never include this in their budget debates.
Tom:
“They have NO clue what they’re talking about when they go on TV. Not one.”
Middle-class families get crushed — especially two-income households.
One $2,000 raise could push a family over the subsidy threshold → they owe the full subsidy back.
Without subsidies, millions can’t afford premiums and hospitals get slammed with unpaid care.
Politically, Republicans know this could cost them elections.
Tom’s take:
“If I’m the Democratic candidate, I’m hiring someone like me to explain exactly how the Republicans are screwing people.”
There’s talk of giving people subsidy money directly.
Tom laughs:
“They’ll use the money for Thanksgiving or Christmas — not deductibles.”
Neil adds:
“Or put it down on a car.”
Tom says the only way cash transfers could work is with a locked medical card and someone advising them — otherwise it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Tom outlines a reality no politician will touch:
The ACA would’ve been fine if networks were left alone.
The 10 essential benefits requirement blew up premiums.
Insurance companies and hospitals have been fleecing America ever since.
Lobbyists have blocked nearly every reform that could lower costs.
Tom’s national fix would solve everything overnight:
$50,000 deductible on every American
Government reinsures everything above it
Employers allowed to self-fund below that amount
No employer mandate
Real competition underneath
Tom:
“But they don’t want solutions. They get elected by scaring everyone.”
Tom doesn’t hold back:
“Nancy Pelosi was 85 years old. What is she still doing in Congress?”
“Our forefathers wanted one or two terms and you're out — now you need a billion dollars to run.”
Businesses must prepare now — subsidies may or may not be extended, and chaos is guaranteed.
ClaimLinx can reduce exposure, lower costs, and help employers navigate either outcome.
Move employees to subsidies when appropriate — the taxable income created offsets tax burdens.
Stop trusting politicians — trust the math.
Have a 2026 strategy ready before the government announces anything.
“They don’t understand deductibles, co-insurance, or copays — and you want to hand them $6,000 and expect them to be wise consumers?” — Tom Quigley
“This isn’t health insurance. It’s a tax break with rules. Learn the rules.” — Tom Quigley
“Insurance companies, hospitals, pharmaceuticals — they’re all fleecing America.” — Tom Quigley
👉 Website: www.ClaimLinx.com
After breaking news about skyrocketing 2026 health insurance premiums, this follow-up episode dives into the solution—how ClaimLinx simplifies the chaos of employee healthcare for small and mid-sized businesses.
Host Tom Quigley pulls back the curtain on an industry designed to confuse, where most employers think “the more you pay, the better the plan.” In reality, the opposite is true. Tom explains that health benefits are a math problem—and ClaimLinx knows how to solve it every time.
By combining transparency, logic, and math-based planning, ClaimLinx helps business owners move from frustration and confusion to complete clarity—saving hundreds of thousands in premiums while giving employees better coverage.
Why Employee Healthcare Is So Confusing
The insurance industry thrives on complexity—deductibles, copays, and coinsurance are intentionally designed to confuse.
“You’ve got a $3,000 deductible, but the hospital bills you $6,000. No one understands why,” Tom says.
Agents and carriers benefit from the confusion—it keeps employers dependent on them.
The Biggest Misconception in Benefits
Most companies believe higher premiums mean better coverage.
Tom flips that on its head: “The less you pay, the better the benefits—because you can do it smarter yourself.”
By restructuring plans and leveraging tax law, ClaimLinx regularly reduces premiums by 40–70%.
The ClaimLinx Approach: Simple Math, Proven Results
“We’re under the premise that two plus two really does equal four,” Tom says.
ClaimLinx treats benefits as a math equation, not a guessing game.
Example: converting a $5,000 deductible plan into a zero-deductible, copay-based plan that saves employers money and boosts employee satisfaction.
“If you write down the numbers, I win every time,” Tom jokes.
How ClaimLinx Consulting Simplifies Everything
The process is straightforward: analyze, restructure, and educate.
ClaimLinx handles all plan setup and ongoing support, while showing employers exactly how and whythey’re saving money.
Every client receives access to a claims portal and is paired with a dedicated service rep and licensed agent for year-round support.
“If they use us as their advocate, they’ll be very happy,” Tom explains.
Proven Success in Action
On the day of recording, Tom reports four new companies signing with ClaimLinx—representing over $1.8 million in savings.
Clients find him through TV appearances, email outreach, and referrals.
“They’re starting to realize I’m not just talking about saving money—I’m proving it,” Tom says.
Media and Awareness
Neil points out that Tom’s expertise deserves a national stage: “You should be on Fox, CNN, MSNBC—everywhere.”
Tom laughs it off: “They don’t want answers. They want everyone mad at everyone.”
Neil adds: “Then we’ll take it to Newsmax—my media giant’s got you covered.”
Stop overpaying for confusion. Simpler plans = smarter savings.
Rethink “value.” Premium cost does not equal quality of care.
Treat benefits like a math problem. With the right formula, your company can win every time.
Leverage expert advocacy. Let ClaimLinx handle the complexity so you can focus on running your business.
“The more you pay, the worse your benefits are. The less you pay, the better they get—if you do it right.” — Tom Quigley
“We’re under the premise that two plus two really does equal four. It’s math, not magic.” — Tom Quigley
“If you write down the numbers, I win every time. I never lose.” — Tom Quigley
“Confusion is profitable for them. Clarity is profitable for you.” — Tom Quigley
“They don’t want answers—they want outrage. I want solutions.” — Tom Quigley
👉 Website: www.ClaimLinx.com
📞 Schedule a Call: Talk to Tom Quigley and his team today to simplify your company’s health benefits and start saving immediately.
The Cutting Edge Benefits Podcast delivers straight talk, real math, and zero fluff about fixing America’s broken employee benefits system.
Simulcast weekly on The Neil Haley Show, reaching over 150 stations and 5 million listeners nationwide.
In this explosive Cutting Edge Benefits Podcast episode, Tom Quigley delivers his most powerful reality check yet on the 2026 healthcare crisis. With UnitedHealthcare and other major carriers raising premiums by 40–52%, Tom exposes how employers are being ripped off in broad daylight—and how ClaimLinx’s simple, proven system could slash costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Tom reveals an actual client example: their premiums skyrocketed from $62,000 to $95,000, yet with ClaimLinx, those same benefits could cost just $25,000—a savings of over $800,000. He calls out insurance companies, agents, and Congress alike for being part of a corrupt, profit-driven machine that’s pushing small businesses and the middle class to the brink.
This episode is classic Tom: unfiltered, data-driven, and fiercely protective of the American business owner.
The Breaking News: Out-of-Control Premium Increases
A real business example shows a 52% rate hike from UnitedHealthcare.
ClaimLinx’s solution would cut those costs by nearly 75%.
Tom: “Help me help you. I’ll save you $800,000—but you have to listen.”
Why Premiums Are Exploding
The sunset of government subsidies opened the floodgates for carriers to gouge businesses.
“These companies—United, Aetna, all of them—they’re stock companies. Their job is to increase stock value, not protect you.”
The Math No One Talks About
Tom breaks down the numbers:
Middle plan: $180,000 premium reduction potential.
Out-of-pocket lowered for employees.
Employer net savings: $150,000–$250,000 on a 25-person team.
“It’s math, not emotion. The agents don’t even understand the spreadsheets they’re selling.”
How the Current System Hurts Employees
HR departments are cornered, employees pay more for less, and agents collect bigger commissions.
“Everyone wins but you: agents get a raise, carriers please their shareholders, and states collect premium taxes.”
The ICHRA Illusion vs. the ClaimLinx Solution
Tom exposes individual coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) as a costly trap.
“Premiums and out-of-pocket hit $10,500—what a joke.
A Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan does it all better and cheaper.”
How to Survive the 2026 Crisis
Rethink insurance: buy catastrophic coverage only and self-fund benefits through tax-advantaged plans.
“Pay for direct primary care—$99/month, unlimited visits, cheaper labs—and save the rest for real emergencies.”
Stop giving away $50,000 a year to insurance companies. “Invest it in your people or your business.”
Tom’s Message to Congress
“They’re all corrupt. They live in la-la land.”
He proposes a national fix:
A $50,000 deductible for every American, funded by tax-free savings and competitive markets underneath.
“Let the free market and logic win—this system is designed for failure.”
The Middle Class Is Getting Crushed
Wages can’t keep up with inflation and healthcare inflation.
“They’re paying $4,600 a month for health insurance—that’s their mortgage, their car, and their cottage combined!”
Tom warns that small business owners who accept these hikes are dooming their future.
Stop buying insurance the traditional way. You’re financing corporate greed.
Switch to a Medical Expense Reimbursement model. It’s flexible, legal, and proven to save 50% or more.
Use Direct Primary Care to eliminate waste and give employees real healthcare access.
Contact ClaimLinx now before your 2026 renewals hit—every day you wait, you lose money.
“They’re stock companies. Their job is to make shareholders richer—not to protect you.” — Tom Quigley
“Help me help you. I’ll save you $800,000 if you just listen.” — Tom Quigley
“It’s math, not emotion. The agents can’t even read their own spreadsheets.” — Tom Quigley
“They all win—insurance agents, carriers, the state—and you lose.” — Tom Quigley
“You’re buying health insurance like you’re buying gas from a station that just doubled its price—and thanking them for it.” — Tom Quigley
👉 Website: www.ClaimLinx.com
In this special Halloween edition of the Cutting Edge Benefits Podcast, Tom Quigley and Neil Haley dissect breaking news from the healthcare industry: CVS Health’s shocking decision to exit the ACA individual marketplace in 17 states for 2026. While some may see this as an isolated corporate move, Tom argues it’s a clear reflection of a profit-obsessed system collapsing under its own weight.
With his trademark candor, Tom calls out the real motives behind CVS’s exit—profit margins and shareholder demands—not consumer care or innovation. He breaks down how the ACA individual market became an unprofitable “loss leader” for major corporations, likening CVS’s health plans to the cheap gas at a convenience store—a hook to get people in the door to buy other stuff.
Throughout the conversation, Tom and Neil use sharp analogies, humor, and blunt truth to expose the dysfunction in the current system and guide business owners on how to protect their teams from market chaos in 2026 and beyond.
Why CVS Really Exited the ACA Market
CVS Health, through Aetna, wasn’t earning enough profit to satisfy shareholders.
Tom: “They’re stock companies. If they’re not making enough for their shareholders, they’re gone—goodbye, see you next.”
Their ACA product featured limited networks and underperforming teams—“probably former failed insurance agents,” Tom jokes.
The Corporate Game: It’s All About the Store Traffic
CVS’s goal wasn’t to revolutionize health insurance—it was to get more people into the store.
Tom compares their strategy to gas stations offering cheap gas to sell snacks and drinks.
“Drugs were their loss leader,” Tom says. “They wanted you to come in for prescriptions, then leave with almonds, ice cream, and a passport photo.”
Impact on Employees and Consumers
Those with CVS/Aetna ACA plans will have to switch to other carriers in their state.
Some states, like Kentucky, have only two carriers left, making this exit more significant.
Still, Tom emphasizes: “It’s just one more carrier playing the profit game—it’s not about care, it’s about stock price.”
Deeper Instability or Business as Usual?
CVS’s move doesn’t signal a total collapse but highlights systemic instability where insurers chase higher-profit markets.
“They might make 10% profit, but they want 20%. It’s never enough,” Tom explains.
How Small Businesses Can Protect Their Teams
Tom urges business owners to change their mindset: buy catastrophic insurance only, then fund the rest of the benefits directly.
“Stop chasing headlines. You’re not buying insurance—you’re building benefits,” he says.
ClaimLinx’s approach helps businesses control their own benefits, avoiding disruptions caused by insurer shifts or government subsidies.
Lessons from the Corporate Health Shuffle
Large insurers view health coverage like CVS views snacks—it’s about upselling.
Insurance companies want you to add dental, vision, and extras that bring pure profit.
“They want impulse buyers,” Tom says. “If everyone only bought what they needed, the whole agent system would collapse.”
The November Crunch: Renewals and Subsidy Changes
With subsidies set to sunset, fearmongering headlines will explode—but Tom insists it’s just political theater.
“They’ll adjust the premiums, move a few numbers, and make it sound like the world’s ending,” he quips.
His advice? “Ignore the noise. Focus on your business’s balance sheet.”
“If you’re smart, you buy catastrophic insurance and fund benefits yourself. Everyone else is just impulse-buying health care.” — Tom Quigley
“It’s all buzzwords and headlines—CNN, MSNBC, they love scaring people. I love saving them instead.” — Tom Quigley
👉 Website: www.ClaimLinx.com
📞 Schedule a Call: Talk to Tom Quigley and his team to find out how your company can cut costs and improve benefits for 2026 and beyond.
Stay ahead of healthcare disruption with the Cutting Edge Benefits Podcast, where Tom Quigley and Neil Haley deliver straight talk on how to beat the system, save money, and empower your employees.
In this Halloween edition of Cutting Edge Benefits, host Tom Quigley and co-host Neil Haley tackle the chilling reality of what 2026 holds for U.S. employers facing skyrocketing healthcare costs. With projections showing nearly a 9% rise in employee healthcare costs, Tom delivers a candid and fiery take on what’s truly driving this crisis—greed, corruption, and complacency at every level of the healthcare system.
Tom calls out the insurance carriers, pharmaceutical giants, hospital administrators, and even government agencies for perpetuating an unsustainable model that punishes small and mid-sized businesses. He argues that the traditional way of buying health insurance is broken—a “round peg in a square hole” that no longer fits the modern economic landscape.
But this episode isn’t just a rant—it’s a roadmap. Tom outlines ClaimLinx’s proven strategy to help businesses fight back, lower costs, and enhance employee benefits by leveraging tax laws and innovative plan design. Through ClaimLinx’s Simple Option Solution, employers can transform health insurance from a crippling liability into a competitive business asset.
The 2026 Health Insurance Cost Explosion
Premiums expected to rise nearly 9%, with some companies already seeing 30–40% increases.
Tom bluntly states: “It’s all about greed. It’s all about the Benjamins.”
Corruption in the System
A raw look at how profit-driven motives—from insurance carriers to big pharma—keep driving costs higher.
“Corrupt people allow corrupt things to happen,” Tom says, emphasizing the need for employers to outsmart the system.
The Myth of “Lower Rates”
Many brokers claim to secure lower rates, but they quietly strip away benefits—raising deductibles and removing copays.
Example: A supposed “6% decrease” that actually hid a 20% rate increase and a shift from a $500 to a $3,000 deductible.
Impact on Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
The rising costs threaten business survival and employee satisfaction.
Passing the burden to employees is a short-term fix that destroys morale, retention, and recruiting power.
The ClaimLinx Advantage
ClaimLinx teaches companies to buy insurance smarter and use tax laws to their advantage.
Employers can save up to 50% while offering better benefits than competitors.
Tom likens it to turning “a liability into an asset” on the company balance sheet.
Timing is Everything
November is renewal season, and HR teams are bracing for bad news.
Tom urges business owners: “Don’t be another sucker who takes the rate increase—change the game.”
Stop accepting rate hikes as inevitable—there’s always a smarter way to buy insurance.
Use tax codes strategically to reduce employer and employee costs.
Evaluate benefit designs that give employees more coverage at less cost.
Schedule a call with ClaimLinx before renewal deadlines to explore custom savings opportunities.
👉 Website: www.ClaimLinx.com
📞 Schedule a Call: Book a consultation with Tom Quigley and his team to find out how to save up to 50% on your 2026 healthcare costs.
“Corrupt people allow corrupt things to happen.” — Tom Quigley
“It’s like Christmas every day for me—I get to show people how to win the healthcare game.” — Tom Quigley
“They think they’re heroes for stripping benefits. They’re not saving you money—they’re robbing your employees.” — Tom Quigley
Catch every episode of the Cutting Edge Benefits Podcast—your insider’s guide to smarter healthcare strategies for 2026 and beyond.
Simulcast weekly on The Neil Haley Show across 150+ stations and all major podcast platforms.
💡 Key Discussion Points⚙️ Actionable Takeaways🔗 Connect with ClaimLinx🗣️ Memorable Quotes🎧 Listen & Subscribe
In this powerhouse episode, Tom Quigley breaks down how small businesses should approach buying health insurance for 2026. With inflation, subsidy uncertainty, and insurance carrier greed on the rise, most businesses are wasting tens—sometimes hundreds—of thousands of dollars every year.
Tom lays out a step-by-step framework for saving money while providing better employee benefits, and exposes the shocking truth about brokers, HR decision-makers, and even departments of insurance.
Get the Lowest-Cost Option
Ask your current carrier for the cheapest available plan with the same network—no matter the deductible.
Run the Math with ClaimLinx
Tom’s team will show you how much you’re overpaying and what you can recover by managing benefits yourself.
Design a Strategic Plan
Let employees voluntarily go on spouse plans, Medicare, TRICARE, or ACA subsidies if applicable. Structure your plan to allow this and capture more savings.
Optimize & Layer Benefits
Use a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) to improve benefits tax-free, stack group plans if needed, and add disease grants, hospital discounts, and prescription savings to reduce costs even further.
💰 “Your broker works for the insurance company—not for you.”
🚫 “Insurance agents make more money the more you spend. Of course they’re not showing you how to cut costs.”
🧮 “If I can save you $100K, why didn’t your broker already do that?”
😤 “HR and office managers shouldn’t be in charge of buying health insurance. They’re protecting their turf, not your company.”
🐒 “A chimpanzee could do what most brokers do.”
“My job is to win. I’m incentivized by what I save you. I don’t sell policies—I fix broken systems.”
“You’re not just saving money—you’re increasing your business’s valuation and EBITDA overnight.”
“Egos and laziness are costing companies millions. Do the math, and do better.”
Tom shares how he tried to help a private equity-backed company save $10 million/year—only to be dismissed by the CEO who said he was “too busy.” The same company’s agent admitted they had the best benefits at the lowest cost—all thanks to ClaimLinx.
Small to mid-sized business owners under 50 employees
CFOs and CEOs looking to reduce their 2026 healthcare spend
Any employer tired of brokers pushing rate hikes without strategy
Private equity groups managing portfolio companies' expenses
HR directors open to real solutions (not clinging to control)
Don’t throw money away on bad benefits. Get the truth.
👉 Visit ClaimLinx.com
📅 Schedule a free discovery call with Tom and his team.
#CuttingEdgeBenefits #ClaimLinx #HealthInsuranceStrategy #SmallBusinessSavings #MedicalExpensePlan #TomQuigley #BusinessHealth #EmployerBenefits #2026Planning
💡 Key Takeaways:✅ Tom’s 4-Step Process for Buying Smarter in 2026:💣 Hard Truths Tom Drops:🧠 Tom's Business Philosophy:🔥 Real Talk:📈 Who This Episode Is For:🎯 Call to Action:📲 Shareable Hashtags:
In this no-holds-barred episode, Tom Quigley takes aim at Washington’s latest political standoff—the looming expiration of health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. With the government shutdown still unresolved, Tom explains why cutting subsidies could devastate small business owners, self-employed individuals, and middle-class families across America.
As always, Tom delivers real talk with no sugar-coating. He breaks down how enhanced ACA subsidies lowered premiums to manageable levels for many working Americans—and why eliminating them would cause premiums to skyrocket 400–600%, leaving people either uninsured or broke.
⚖️ Subsidy Extensions Are on the Chopping Block: Republican lawmakers signal willingness to negotiate—but do they even understand what’s at stake?
📈 What Happens If They Expire?: Many people paying $300/month could see premiums balloon to $2,000–$3,000/month.
🏛️ Who’s to Blame?: Tom names names—hospital administrators, health insurance companies, agents, even state departments of insurance.
💸 Why Congress Should Support Subsidies: Cutting subsidies reduces government tax revenue in the long run. Tom explains why the math doesn’t add up.
🤔 The Bigger Problem: Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle “don’t understand health insurance.” It’s time to stop making healthcare a political weapon.
🛑 The Real Victim: The middle class—those who don’t qualify for Medicaid, but also don’t make enough to absorb $24K+/year in premiums.
🗳️ 2026 Elections Are Coming: If these subsidies disappear, expect outrage from voting Americans—especially the middle class.
✅ Why ClaimLinx Clients Are Protected: Tom designs plans so that subsidies are a bonus—not a requirement—for affordability.
“These clowns don’t understand anything about health insurance… if they did, they’d be promoting subsidies—not fighting them.” — Tom Quigley
“You’re running with thieves: the insurance companies, hospitals, agents, departments of insurance. You don’t have to be a thief—but you better think like one.” — Tom Quigley
“When rates go from $300 to $3,000, people will be screaming. And guess who votes? The middle class.” — Tom Quigley
“My job is to win. I’m incentivized based on what I save my clients. I win. We don’t lose.” — Tom Quigley
If Congress lets these subsidies expire, small businesses and entrepreneurs will take the biggest hit. But you don’t have to wait for Capitol Hill to decide your financial future. ClaimLinx has a proven, tax-advantaged approach that helps businesses save thousands—with or without subsidies.
Don't wait for Congress. Take control now.
👉 Visit ClaimLinx.com
📅 Schedule a free strategy session with Tom and his team.
#CuttingEdgeBenefits #ClaimLinx #HealthInsuranceSubsidies #ACA2026 #GovernmentShutdown #SmallBusinessHealthCare #TomQuigley #MiddleClassCrisis #HealthcareReform #HealthcareInflation
💡 Key Discussion Points:🔍 Notable Quotes:📌 What This Means for Business Owners:🎯 Call to Action:📲 Hashtags for Sharing:
In this episode of Cutting Edge Benefits, Tom Quigley welcomes longtime friend and benefits expert Aaron McDonaldfrom Medfinity Financial for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked benefits in the small business world—disability insurance.
Aaron shares how reverse discrimination in traditional group benefits plans leaves high-income earners significantly underinsured—and what business owners can do to fix it. You’ll learn how guaranteed standard issue disability planscan provide custom protection for executives and key employees, regardless of health status. Plus, they explore how these solutions perfectly complement ClaimLinx’s cost-saving healthcare model.
⚙️ What “reverse discrimination” means in disability benefits for high earners
🧩 Why most small business benefit packages are incomplete without key person disability
💼 How ClaimLinx clients are layering disability coverage into their savings strategy
🚫 Why traditional group disability coverage usually falls short
✅ What is “guaranteed issue disability insurance”—and why it’s a game changer
👩💼 How 3 high-income employees are enough to start a disability coverage plan
💡 Using benefits to increase business valuation before an exit
📈 Why adding disability + retirement protection helps retain and reward top talent
🧠 Real-life examples of business owners upgrading limited coverage to full protection—even when previously deemed uninsurable
Disability insurance is the most important benefit a business owner can have—it protects your income when you can’t work.
Most small businesses undercover their highest-paid employees, exposing them to serious financial risk.
Medfinity Financial’s partnership with Guardian allows guaranteed issue disability plans starting with as few as 3 employees—no medical questions required.
ClaimLinx and Medfinity are working hand-in-hand to provide a holistic benefits approach: healthcare savings + disability + retirement protection.
Better benefits = better retention, better recruiting, and higher business valuation.
“If you can’t work, where’s your money coming from?” — Tom Quigley
“We help protect high-income earners from reverse discrimination in traditional group disability plans.” — Aaron McDonald
“You could be completely uninsurable... and still qualify for this guaranteed coverage.” — Aaron McDonald
“Disability insurance removes the need for GoFundMe pages.” — Tom Quigley
➡️ Aaron McDonald, Medfinity Financial
📞 Phone: (248) 633-1394
🌐 Website: medfinityfinancial.com
📧 Email: AMcDonald@medfinityfinancial.com
➡️ Tom Quigley, ClaimLinx
🌐 Website: www.claimlinx.com
📅 Schedule a Consultation: Schedule a call
#CuttingEdgeBenefits #ClaimLinx #DisabilityInsurance #SmallBusinessBenefits #ExecutiveBenefits #KeyEmployeeProtection #MedfinityFinancial #ExitPlanning #BusinessValuation #EmployeeRetention #GroupInsurance #ReverseDiscrimination #TomQuigley #AaronMcDonald #TheNeilHaleyShow
🔥 Topics Covered:📌 Key Takeaways:💬 Quotes to Remember:🔗 Resources & Contact Info:📲 Hashtags for Social Media:
In this no-holds-barred episode of the Cutting Edge Benefits Podcast, Tom Quigley breaks down the hard truth about why healthcare inflation is outpacing wages and profits—and what small businesses must do in 2026 to stay alive. From corporate greed and rigged state insurance laws to hospital billing scams and bloated broker commissions, Tom doesn’t hold back.
You'll hear how ClaimLinx’s Simple Option Solution uses alternative funding models, tax laws, and smart plan design to save companies up to 50% on healthcare—without cutting employee benefits. It’s a complete mindset shift from the old, broken system—and one every CFO, CEO, and business owner needs to hear.
💣 The truth about healthcare inflation: Why costs keep rising no matter what
💊 How hospital administrators and stock-driven insurance companies are driving costs
🧾 Why maternity costs have jumped from $5,000 to over $20,000
🧠 Why HR managers should NOT be making insurance decisions
💸 How to measure your insurance costs like a profit-driving business expense
📉 The secret behind “alternative funding models” and how ClaimLinx uses them to save money
💼 How brokers are incentivized NOT to save you money—and what to do about it
📈 Using a tax-efficient strategy to reduce premiums and improve employee coverage
🧪 Why Tom calls himself the “mad scientist” of healthcare benefits (and why it works)
🔁 Why large companies are often more wasteful than small ones—and how to beat both
Stop outsourcing critical benefit decisions to HR and office managers who don’t understand the math.
Evaluate your healthcare spend the way you’d evaluate a million-dollar sale.
Ask: “If my business saved $500K on insurance, what would that mean for profit or valuation?”
Take advantage of 1954 tax code Section 105—it’s legal, powerful, and underutilized.
Don’t settle for 10–20% rate increases—fight back with data, design, and better partners.
“It’s not an HR decision—it’s a corporate profitability decision.” — Tom Quigley
“Every tax law has tax breaks—you just need to know how to use them.” — Tom Quigley
“They float a 10% rate hike like they’re doing you a favor. That’s not savings. That’s theft.” — Tom Quigley
“If you’re paying more and getting less, you’re the sucker at the poker table.” — Tom Quigley
✅ Schedule a call with Tom: www.claimlinx.com
🎧 Listen to past episodes: Cutting Edge Benefits Podcast
📊 Learn about the Simple Option Solution: How It Works
#CuttingEdgeBenefits #ClaimLinx #HealthcareInflation #2026Benefits #TomQuigley #AlternativeFunding #SmallBusinessHealthcare #InsuranceScam #HealthPlanSavings #HRvsCFO #HealthcareTransparency #StopOverpaying #EmployeeBenefits #NeilHaleyShow
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