{
  "author": {
    "name": "Jim Blachek",
    "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
    "description": "",
    "imageLarge": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f16d6fc2845f417ea0e93a3f2b6cd37d?s=136&d=mm&r=g",
    "estimate": 51,
    "social": [],
    "articles": [
      {
        "uri": "/2022/04/28/dont-wait-plan-for-2023-now/",
        "title": "Don't wait; plan for 2023 now",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "April 28, 2022",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/04/2023AdobeStock.jpg",
          "width": "620",
          "height": "372"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "You have that time now, but you won't if you wait until the third quarter.",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2022/04/19/a-smooth-transition-is-possible-even-with-a-tight-deadline/",
        "title": "A smooth transition is possible – even with a tight deadline",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "April 19, 2022",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/02/03-bridge-arrows-gap.jpg",
          "width": "617",
          "height": "412"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "Transforming your plan at a fast pace can be done, but discussing expectations and setting a realistic timeline is crucial.",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2021/12/03/eliminating-the-middle-man-pharmacy-costs-and-your-benefits-bundle/",
        "title": "Eliminating the middle man: Pharmacy costs and your benefits bundle",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "December 03, 2021",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/06/pbm-auditing-compliance-pharmacy-shtstk.jpg",
          "width": "620",
          "height": "422"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "PBMs negotiate to create better pricing for employees and employers, but sometimes those reductions are absorbed at the source.",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2021/11/25/when-figures-lie-medical-loss-ratio-may-be-increasing-premiums/",
        "title": "When figures lie: Medical loss ratio may be increasing premiums",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "November 25, 2021",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/09/CoinsBalanceShutterstock.jpg",
          "width": "620",
          "height": "372"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "The medical loss ratio created the ability to make it look like the numbers are in your favor, but they aren't.",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2021/11/08/think-small-why-75-of-employers-should-take-this-approach/",
        "title": "Think small: Why 75% of employers should take this approach",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "November 08, 2021",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/07/closing-the-gap-business-man.jpg",
          "width": "620",
          "height": "414"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "Incremental changes are less daunting and easier to manage, allowing you to move forward confidently.",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2021/11/02/employee-benefits-product-vs-strategy/",
        "title": "Employee benefits: Product vs. strategy",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "November 02, 2021",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2021/04/strategy-sales-prospecting.jpg",
          "width": "617",
          "height": "411"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "When we're offered a benefits product that's packaged nicely we're drawn to buy it. But you need to do your due diligence.",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2021/07/23/leadership-is-about-your-people/",
        "title": "Leadership is about your people",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "July 23, 2021",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/02/Virtualteam.jpg",
          "width": "616",
          "height": "372"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "As a leader, our job is to understand how each employee works, how they feel and how we can provide the tools they need to succeed.",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2021/07/16/hidden-revenue-within-your-health-insurance-plan-a-case-of-100000/",
        "title": "Hidden revenue within your health insurance plan: A case of $100,000",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "",
        "prettyDate": "July 16, 2021",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/04/3-f-pay-452525385-616x372-TS.jpg",
          "width": "616",
          "height": "372"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [],
        "summary": "Most business owners know the importance of monitoring their investments throughout the year. But what about their health plan?",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2021/05/07/when-doing-the-right-thing-hurts-your-business-and-employees/",
        "title": "When doing the 'right thing' hurts your business and employees",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "May 07, 2021",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2021/03/choices-employees-sponsors-doors.jpg",
          "width": "617",
          "height": "411"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "The best solutions for cutting the cost of employee health care are not always the intuitive \"right\" answers.",
        "body": null
      },
      {
        "uri": "/2021/04/30/how-to-transform-your-benefits-without-losing-your-broker/",
        "title": "How to transform your benefits without losing your broker",
        "byline": "Jim Blachek",
        "kicker": "Commentary",
        "prettyDate": "April 30, 2021",
        "timeToRead": "4 minute",
        "image": {
          "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/08/Digital-Transformation-Article-202008192252.jpg",
          "width": "620",
          "height": "372"
        },
        "authors": [
          {
            "webUrl": "/author/profile/jim-blachek/",
            "name": "Jim Blachek"
          }
        ],
        "kickerNode": [
          {
            "uri": "/commentary/",
            "sectionName": "Commentary"
          }
        ],
        "summary": "Is it possible to make meaningful changes in the cost and quality of your benefits plan with your current broker in the mix? Yes.",
        "body": null
      }
    ]
  }
}