Every business leader likely knows that health care isn't working for their bottom line or their workforce. And in the unlikely event that don't already know it, they likely realize that it's going to stop working – and possibly soon. Using health care benefits as an affordable way to differentiate and gain the labor advantages needed to thrive and prosper are a thing of the past for many – especially companies with under 100 employees.

Brokers also know this and the days of the status quo are numbered. Fully insured plans are not going to continue working, especially not with premiums and out-of-pockets as high as they are today. However, if you're close to retirement, or your clients are all big corporations or government entities with deep pockets, you might not be seeing these trends quite yet.

What about the rest of us? How can we think differently and strategically to stay relevant when prices are rising and employee participation is challenged? How can we help our clients' employees afford to participate? If we bring something new to the table this next renewal season, maybe the renewal process won't take as many hours and renewal will be more certain. There's a reasonable argument that there isn't much to lose, so the decision to change is becoming more obvious.