SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
Brought to you by
What is your Health Care Coverage Strategy?
Health care coverage is a big expense for small businesses - find out how to lower costs long-term instead of every 12 months.
Brought To You By JewelersHealthCare
Health care is probably one the most expensive line items on your balance sheet. For decades now, small businesses have been conditioned to look at health insurance in 12-month intervals, instead of with a long-term strategical lens. What if there was a way to look at health insurance as a vehicle to sustainably lower long term operational costs?
Most employers have a strategy for growth, a strategy for sales, a strategy for their workers comp/business insurance and everything in-between, but not health insurance. Large companies have the resources and infrastructure on their side to help control health care costs. They also have carriers and brokers at-the-ready offering them preferential treatment, all while small businesses question if they can even afford to offer health insurance.
As a small business, it's understandable that you have not had the time or the resources to dedicate to establishing and adhering to a strategy to lower your health care costs. Luckily, you now have the tools and the expertise to do so! The question isn’t how do I pay the lowest amount over the next 12 months, but what do I do to consistently lower my long-term costs in the coming years.
One way to start lowering health care coverage cost is by looking at plan options like level funding. Level funding is an out-of-the-box risk financing vehicle that is a steppingstone between fully insured and self-insured options. Level funded plans typically include three main components: administrative costs, individual/aggregate stop loss coverage, and claims. (We know this sounds confusing; we promise to explain.)
Level-funded plans give small businesses the freedom and autonomy of self-insurance with the financial protection of a fully insured plan. The company funds their small claims to the carrier monthly at their maximum liability. If the insured exceeds that maximum, then the carrier steps in and covers the payments. This is known as your ‘stop loss’.
At year end, the carrier does an audit of the insured’s incurred small claims vs the amount that was funded throughout the year to see if there is a surplus or deficit. If there is a surplus the employer can receive some of the unused claim funds back! A team of proactive experts, a bundle of supplemental tools and employee educational content throughout the year can help you adhere to your strategy and see potential return of claim funds.
Level funded plans deliver several benefits for small employers: cost savings, plan design flexibility, less red tape bureaucracy, lower health insurance taxes (employer facing) and access to claims data. How can this help me realize the strategy I need?
Claims are basically the holy grail to determine whether your insurance carrier is profiting off your employees or whether you are costing them money. This is why most carriers refuse to share this information if you are a small business. When you have access to your claims, it makes creating a health care coverage strategy simple.
Level funded plans offer flexibility that is unmatched by its fully insured counterparts. There are less restrictions on what an employer can do with a level funded plan, offering you flexibility with plan designs. By having more freedom with a level funded option, you are more likely to have plan continuity year-to-year which would not restrict access to care for your employees. Furthermore, by funding your claims in small increments (without paying the fully insured overhead of an insurance carrier), you get increased flexibility with improved cash flows throughout the year. If those things weren’t enough, level funded plans also allow employers to lower their state health insurance taxes!
If you are a small business and are tired of the cookie-cutter overpriced fully insured options, level funding could fit your needs. At JewelersHealthCare, you have exclusive access to learn more about your health care coverage options and speak with a licensed consultant to see if level funding could help you build the right health care coverage strategy.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
