With the disappearance of the lifetime maximum and multi-million-dollar claims becoming more common, stop loss is no longer a commodity. Mark Lawrence and Greg Wilden of HM Insurance Group walk through the forces reshaping the market, from rising loss ratios and more conservative underwriting to shifting terms and conditions, and what they anticipate through the January 2027 business cycle.
The conversation digs into what is actually pushing claims higher. Beyond broad increases across categories, the two point to sharp jumps in cancer and neonatal claims, the arrival of novel and expensive therapies, and evolving hospital billing practices that add to the frequency they are seeing.
Just as important is what employers and brokers can do about it. Lawrence and Wilden emphasize a relationship-focused approach built on honest communication, good data, and a tenured sales team, along with the traits that matter most when choosing a carrier. Press play for a candid look at the state of the stop-loss market and the thinking behind finding a true partner for coverage.