Everyone talks about stability like it's some mystical force that appears once you reach a certain size or age. But real stability – the kind that delivers negative trend lines and consistent surpluses – isn't about size. It's about making the right decisions, consistently, even when they're hard.

Since 2010, we've maintained a -3.2% stop-loss trend. That's not an accident or a marketing gimmick. It's the result of deliberately choosing the harder path when easier options were available. While others chase growth at any cost, we've stayed focused on what actually drives long-term stability: proper member selection, risk alignment, and transparent operations.

Let's break down what real stability looks like in practice.

First, it's about having the courage to say "no." We turn down far more groups than we accept. Why? Because we know that one wrong fit can destabilize an entire program. When someone tells you they'll take any group with a pulse, they're telling you they care more about growth than stability. We've seen programs implode because they prioritized short-term growth over long-term sustainability.

Second, stability comes from proper risk alignment. That's why we tie benchmark specific deductibles to actual claim performance. It's not popular – some groups initially push back when they learn they can't draft through premium slipstreaming. But it's necessary. Using premium from good performers to subsidize poor performers isn't stability – it's like a pyramid scheme with a healthcare wrapper.

Third, stability requires aligned incentives. That's why we return 100% of the captive layer surplus to members pro-rata. We don't skim 5% off the top like some programs. We don't use surplus to hide problems or subsidize poor performers. When members know they'll get back every dollar of surplus they earn, they make better decisions.

Fourth, real stability demands independence. Our revenue isn't tied to specific carriers. We don't play favorites. We don't have hidden relationships that compromise our judgment. When we recommend a solution, it's because it's right for the member, not because it's right for our carrier relationships.

But here's what makes this approach truly different: We're not just maintaining stability – we're improving performance. While the broader market faces double-digit trend increases, our members experience negative trends. They're not just holding steady, they're getting better results year after year.

Consider the organ transplant risk. There's a 58% chance a 200-life group will face a transplant claim within five years. That's why our program provides organ transplant coverage optionality.

Our fee-only, PEPM compensation model reinforces this stability. We only gain when our members prosper, not when their stop-loss premium increases. This alignment of interests creates a foundation for sustainable improvement, not just temporary stability.

The results speak for themselves. While others talk about stability, we deliver it – consistently, verifiably, and transparently. Our members don't hope for good results, they put in the cost containment work to get results. They don't worry about sudden premium spikes or hidden subsidies. They know exactly where they stand and why.

Building long-term stability requires making the right decisions, consistently, even when easier options are available. It means saying "no" to growth opportunities that could compromise the program. It means maintaining transparency even when opacity might be more convenient.

But that's the difference between hoping for stability and performance, and actually achieving it.