How the Difference Card Can Save You Big on Healthcare Costs: 7 Things I Learned from Chris Calderone

Healthcare costs are out of control. If you’re like most business leaders, you’re tired of watching premiums go up year after year with no real explanation or improvement in benefits. That’s why I invited Chris Calderone , Chief Revenue Officer of The Difference Card, to join me on the Broken Healthcare Podcast.

Chris and his team have been helping businesses cut healthcare costs while keeping employee benefits intact for decades. Their solution, built on a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP), sounds complicated but is refreshingly simple once you dig into it. Let me break it down for you.

1. What Is the Difference Card?

The Difference Card works by combining a high-deductible insurance plan with an employer-funded reimbursement account. This setup allows employers to pay less in premiums while still covering employees’ out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles and copays. Employees use a special MasterCard programmed to pay for eligible healthcare costs.

This isn’t just a cost-saving trick—it’s a way to offer employees the same rich benefits they’re used to without the hefty price tag.

2. The Key to Saving: Paying Insurers Less

Chris summed it up perfectly: The goal is to “pay the insurance carriers as little as possible.” With The Difference Card, employers buy lower-premium plans and use the savings to cover employees’ claims directly. This keeps money in the employer’s pocket instead of going to the carrier.

The less you pay the big insurance companies, the more you can invest in your people.

3. It’s Not a New Idea—But It’s Still Brilliant

The Difference Card has been around for years, built on the foundation of ERISA’s Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERPs) from the 1970s. It’s a tried-and-true strategy that more employers and brokers are now rediscovering as healthcare costs spiral out of control.

You don’t need a shiny new solution—sometimes, the classics are all you need.

4. Real Savings, Real Results

Chris shared a typical example: A company spends $1 million annually on healthcare for 100 employees. By switching to a higher-deductible plan and using The Difference Card to cover the gap, they cut premiums by 30%. After reimbursing employee claims, they’re left with $180,000 in net savings.

That’s an 18% reduction in healthcare costs without sacrificing benefits. Imagine what your company could do with those savings.

5. It’s Not Frictionless, But It’s Close

Let’s be honest: Any time you introduce something new, there’s a learning curve. Employees need to get used to carrying two cards—their insurance card and the Difference Card. But once they see how it works, they’re on board.

Educate employees upfront, and you’ll minimize hiccups. The “aha moment” comes quickly when they see it in action.

6. It’s Not for Every Employer

Chris was upfront: The Difference Card works best for employers offering rich benefit plans—think gold or platinum-level coverage. If your team is already on a high-deductible, low-cost plan, there’s not much more to cut.

If your company still has room to save, The Difference Card could be a game-changer.

7. The Future: Reducing Claims with Data

One of the most exciting things Chris shared is their new initiative, Plum. This tool helps employees find high-quality, low-cost healthcare providers by using transparent data. Better yet, it’s integrated with their app and call center for a seamless experience.

Steering employees to top providers doesn’t just save money—it improves outcomes, which is the ultimate win-win.

Chris’s insights reminded me that fixing healthcare isn’t about flashy solutions—it’s about smart strategies that make a real impact. The Difference Card proves you don’t have to choose between cost savings and employee satisfaction—you can have both.

Is the Difference Card Right for You? If you’re tired of paying more for less, maybe it’s time to look into The Difference Card. Employers and brokers alike can learn more by visiting DifferenceCard.com or reaching out to their team at 914-875-0100.

If you found this article helpful, be sure to subscribe and share this newsletter for more information on how to take back control of your healthcare.

Whether it’s managing healthcare costs, improving outcomes, or solving challenges unique to your organization, I’m here to help.

Let’s explore how we can make a difference together. Book a call with me today!

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