Traverse Benefits

Traverse Benefits Our services extend beyond health insurance. At Traverse Benefits, relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

Since 2016, Traverse Benefits has proudly partnered with Northern Michigan businesses, employees, and families to design smarter, customized insurance and benefits strategies. As an independent agency, we combine local dedication with deep expertise—educating, advocating, and guiding our community through the complexities of today’s evolving benefits and compliance landscape. We specialize in group benefits, individual coverage, Medicare, and employer compliance support, including Form 5500 tax filings and wealth-minded benefits design. This broader approach ensures that every benefits decision not only meets today’s needs but also aligns with long-term financial health and regulatory requirements. From understanding out-of-pocket costs to filing claims, planning for upcoming medical services, or aligning benefits with IRS and DOL standards, our team delivers clear, proactive solutions that reduce overhead, protect the future, and build confidence for employers and employees alike. We’re committed to exceeding expectations, building long-term trust, and giving back to the community we proudly call home. Locally focused, client-driven, and approachable, we make benefits simpler, smarter, and truly designed for results.

Up North, winter storms don’t scare us.But open enrollment? That still catches a few employers off guard.It shouldn’t. H...
10/17/2025

Up North, winter storms don’t scare us.

But open enrollment? That still catches a few employers off guard.

It shouldn’t. Handled right, open enrollment isn’t a scramble — it’s a leadership moment.

Dive into our latest blog to learn how to turn this season into a business advantage with guidance. https://bit.ly/47cpvph

A first-of-its-kind deal with Pfizer is bringing U.S. drug prices down to match the lowest paid globally. That means low...
10/01/2025

A first-of-its-kind deal with Pfizer is bringing U.S. drug prices down to match the lowest paid globally. That means lower pharmacy costs, stronger benefit strategies, and real savings for both employers and employees. FACT SHEET:

ADVANCING MOST-FAVORED-NATION PRICING: Today, President Donald J. Trump announced the first agreement with a major pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, to

Major healthcare benefit changes are coming in 2026, and they’ll reshape how you support employees and manage costs. Fro...
09/22/2025

Major healthcare benefit changes are coming in 2026, and they’ll reshape how you support employees and manage costs. From expanded Dependent Care FSAs to new tax credits, HSA flexibility, and student loan repayment assistance—this is a shift you can’t afford to ignore.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3HUMdtB

Nonprofit hospitals are under new scrutiny: while CEO pay jumped past $1M on average by 2023, frontline wages barely bud...
08/19/2025

Nonprofit hospitals are under new scrutiny: while CEO pay jumped past $1M on average by 2023, frontline wages barely budged. A new Health Affairs study shows executive pay is outpacing worker pay — raising tough questions about fairness, community impact, and what it means to be a “nonprofit” in healthcare today.

The average wage of chief executives rose by 27.5% from 2009 to 2023, while the average pay for all hospital employees rose 9.8%, according to research in Health Affairs.

This marks the largest coordinated push to connect health data across the country under open standards.  The Trump admin...
08/02/2025

This marks the largest coordinated push to connect health data across the country under open standards.

The Trump administration’s new CMS initiative is a first-of-its-kind, large-scale public-private effort to modernize U.S. healthcare through real-time data sharing and digital health tools.

Over 60 tech companies, health systems, and insurers—including Amazon, Google, Epic, and Cleveland Clinic—have pledged to follow a voluntary federal interoperability framework.

The goal is to create a unified digital health ecosystem that gives patients easier access to their records, supports chronic care management, and streamlines clinical workflows.

YES, while it builds on past efforts like Blue Button and FHIR standards, this marks the largest coordinated push yet to connect health data across the country under open standards.

More than 60 companies, including Amazon, Google, UnitedHealth and Epic, have pledged to participate in the initiative, which the CMS said would “deliver results” early next year.

Prayers to the injuried and our responders.  Prayers to our small, yet mighty town.
07/27/2025

Prayers to the injuried and our responders. Prayers to our small, yet mighty town.

Eleven people were injured in what authorities called a “random” mass stabbing attack at Walmart Saturday afternoon in Traverse City. The suspect, a 42-year-old Michigan man, was taken into custody. As of press time late Saturday, six of the victims were in critical condition at Munson Medical C...

Big News!!  Arkansas bans PBMs from owning pharmacies!  "The law in particular will affect CVS and UnitedHealth, both of...
04/21/2025

Big News!! Arkansas bans PBMs from owning pharmacies! "The law in particular will affect CVS and UnitedHealth, both of which operate physical pharmacies in the state along with specialty and mail-order pharmacy businesses."

The law in particular will affect CVS and UnitedHealth, both of which operate physical pharmacies in the state along with specialty and mail-order pharmacy businesses.

Wonderful news for Blue Cross Blues Shield of Michigan enrollees: Group, Individual and Medicare Advantage products.  Op...
03/19/2025

Wonderful news for Blue Cross Blues Shield of Michigan enrollees: Group, Individual and Medicare Advantage products. Optum Rx is BCBSM's prescription benefit manager. Optum Rx is making it easier for Rx consumers to get their medications!

"Starting May 1, Optum Rx will eliminate reauthorizations — when drugs already being used by a patient need to be reapproved by their plan — for roughly 80 drugs. The program will cut up to 25% of all reauthorizations, or 10% of prior authorizations overall, the PBM said."

The massive pharmacy benefit manager plans to stop requiring coverage reauthorizations for roughly 80 drugs used to treat migraines, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol and more.

Employee Onboarding?Made Simple with Employee Navigator.Intelligent Insurance Solutions for Your Northern Michigan Busin...
09/23/2024

Employee Onboarding?
Made Simple with Employee Navigator.

Intelligent Insurance Solutions for Your Northern Michigan Business.

Formulary for Disaster: Prescriptions in the USASix PBMs control 96% of the prescription drug market.These vertically in...
05/02/2024

Formulary for Disaster: Prescriptions in the USA

Six PBMs control 96% of the prescription drug market.

These vertically integrated healthcare empires are projected to grow from $540.32 billion in 2023 to $809.79 billion by 2030.

Read More (Also featured in the May 2024 issue of Traverse City Business News):

Navigating today’s intricate healthcare landscape poses significant challenges for consumers seeking prescription medications. Despite legislative efforts, notably the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 which aimed for improvements, policymakers clearly missed the mark as dissatisfaction remains...

Address

Traverse City, MI
49685

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

(231) 640-0022

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