The Higginbotham Difference
Lead with Values and Value Leads.
Section 01. About Higginbotham
Section 02. Why Higginbotham
Section 03. Compliance
Section 04. Communications
Section 05. Rx Solutions
Section 06. Strategic Planning
Section 07. Higg Re
Section 08. Captive Product Suite
Section 09. HR Services
Section 10. Population Health Management (PHM)
Section 11. Retirement Plan Services
Section 12. Executive Life and Compensation
Our reputation as an insurance brokerage leader began in 1948. Today, Higginbotham is one of the leading independent brokerage firms in the nation and the largest in Texas.
We offer a multifaceted suite of brokerage services for almost every insurance product on the market, enabling us to confidently meet your unique requirements. As an employee-owned company, we have a vested interest in providing you with superior service by leveraging thought leadership, direct underwriter access, and deep market knowledge—delivering solutions tailored to be exceptionally headache- and hassle-free. And with our highly sought-after and innovative proprietary Day Two Services®, we make day-to-day administration seamless.
Our outstanding industry rankings reflect our premier status across the U.S., and our long-standing commitment to excellence has earned us numerous accolades. We are recognized as the #1 five-star brokerage by Insurance Business America, among the top 20 brokers in the country by Business Insurance, and ranked 14th in P&C Services by the Insurance Journal, which also awarded us Best Agency to Work For. Additionally, we celebrate the induction of our Chairman/CEO, Rusty Reid, into the Insurance Hall of Fame, a testament to his contributions to the field and society at large.
With a 97% client retention rate and a diverse portfolio serving over 44,000 organizations, Higginbotham is the trusted choice for communities and partners alike—experience the Higginbotham Difference and discover the exceptional service that sets us apart. It all begins with you.
As of July 2024
Offices In
Single-Source Provider
Offices Across the Country
Team Members
Guided By Our Values, We Are:
Family to our employees
Retaining over half as employee-owners
Accountable to our clients
Supporting you after the sale from Day 2 to Day 365
Teammates to our carriers
Enjoying long-standing, deep-market relationships with industry leaders
Generous to our communities
Donating over $14 million to 1,800+ nonprofits and charities since 2014
“Being there day in and day out is what has led to our longevity and what has earned us the trust of our customers, our team, and our community partners.”
Rusty Reid, Chairman and CEO
Our values drive us. And our neighborhoods inspire us.
That’s why we make it our mission to be generous to our communities.
At Higginbotham, we’re committed to investing in the communities we serve. Upholding our core value of generosity, we believe in enriching the communities that offer our company and our clients the opportunity to not only do business, but to grow business.
Higginbotham actively supports various charitable and nonprofit initiatives, echoing the diverse interests and passions of our communities. Our team members are empowered to make a tangible difference by donating to and volunteering with community organizations that support the causes they’re passionate about.
Born from the idea that our generous teammates can make a difference, we can move mountains together. For over a decade, our Higginbotham Community Fund has engaged our employees in philanthropy, giving them a way to make a greater impact together. This fund provides grants and donations to local Texas nonprofits and causes held near and dear.
$14M Donated
(figures as of November 2024)
10+ Years
Higginbotham Helpers encourages every employee to contribute time and leadership to volunteerism. We coordinate volunteer efforts with community partners along with initiating internal outreach projects. Our teammates have volunteered countless hours through community service projects, mentorship programs, and more.
2,739 Grants
(figures as of March 2025)
Higginbotham’s single-source service model provides you with a significant value proposition that differentiates our firm.
In addition to traditional health insurance and benefit plan services, you can get Day Two Services® from in-house specialists because our work doesn’t stop after we place your coverage on Day One.
A Mid-Year Review of Bill Clark Pest Control, Inc. corporate benefits package will explore:
Large claims reports
Plan coverage issues from the prior period
Benefit plan design trends regarding costs control and benefit incentives with Bill Clark’s provider relationships
Recurring customer service issues arising with vendors from the prior period
As part of the Annual Renewal Process, a customized timetable will guide a successful Open Enrollment. Enhanced with consistent industry benchmarking, recommended solutions will be presented alongside 12-month claims data analysis, specific to high dollar claims and usage trends. Medical, dental, vision, life and disability, flex, and COBRA plan renewal negotiations will also be supported.
Year-round Administration of Insurance Programs and Benefits assists Bill Clark HR staff and employees for all benefit-related issues through monthly, 30-minute calls.
Purpose: to review open items, service quality and performance, enrollment status, compliance requirements, and resolution timing.
• 1 business day for “non-urgent” issues
• 4-hour response time for “urgent” issues during normal business hours
o Upon receipt of issues, through phone or email, an estimated time to resolution will be provided along with consistent updates and follow through.
Higginbotham will review plan documents, contracts, and reports for accuracy and any solutions required prior to presenting for review and/or signature.
Serve as primary liaison with carriers for problem resolution, and provide claims, usage, and eligibility reports as needed.
Judi Archer
Vice President, Business Development, Communications, and Fulfillment
Sam McMahan
Director, Financial Analytics
Jeff Wood
Vice President, Self-Funded Health Solutions
Ross Carmichael
Managing Director, Compliance and Day Two Services®
Stephanie Holbert
Director, TPA Services
Katie Callender
Director, Population Health Management
Maggie Hadden
Director, Human Resources Technology
Jenn Wordell-Todd
Director, COBRA Administration
Tammy Decker
Managing Director, HR Services
Francine Tebo
Director, Employee Engagement
• Dedicated account team with weekly touchpoints
• New partner onboarding
• Existing contract review
• Strategic plan design
• Industry benchmarking
• Financial planning and forecasting
• Assigned CDHP team
• Commuter plan, FSA, HRA, LSA administration
• Daily claims processing
• Non-discrimination testing
• Plan document services
• Dedicated toll-free service number and email
COBRA Administration
• Direct bill services - FMLA, LOA, Retirees, etc.
• Texas state continuation administration
• Designated assigned COBRA client managers
• Toll-free service line; 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST
Monday - Friday
Compliance
• Compliance consulting
• Legislative, regulatory, political updates
• Audit support
• Customized compliance dashboard and calendar
• ERISA, HIPPA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and ACA guidance
HR Services
• HR care team and outsourcing
• Employee onboarding and consulting
• Payroll and benefits administration
• HR technology support and implementation
• FMLA/LOA administration
• State-specific & company leave policies
• Escalation of compliance concerns
• System vetting and implementation
• ACA reporting vendors
• Payroll platform integration
• HRIS/HCM consulting
• Managed buying process (RFP)
• Vendor assistance and escalation
• Underwriting and renewal projections
• Monthly reporting
• Trend analysis and benchmarking
• Budget rate setting
• Plan design & contribution analysis
• Self-funded feasibility
Population Health Management
• Comprehensive program development
• Vendor coordination
• Health risk assessments and biometric screening
• Musculoskeletal and mental health
• Targeted wellness initiatives
• In-house Medical Directors and Pharmacists
• Required plan documentation
• Section 125 administration
• 5500 reporting and filing
• Executive benefits
• Voluntary benefits
• Retirement plan services Communications
• Customized communications
• Employee engagement campaigns
• Benefit guide and statements
• Open enrollment materials
• Brand and logo development
• Crisis Communications
• Custom landing pages, Flowcode, Brainsharks, and surveys
Employee Response Center
• Dedicated toll-free phone number and email address
• High-volume SMS and two-way chat
• Stewardship reports (bi-annually – more frequent If requested)
• 140 supported languages
• 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST | Monday - Friday
With our internal compliance professionals, keeping compliant, employees trained, and an up-to-date HR team up is seamless.
• Customized Compliance Dashboard
• Online employer portal with support for OSHA, COBRA, and more
• Legislative updates
• Trend reports and changes
• Regulatory compliance requirements
• Timely updates to Bill Clark
• Monthly email updates and webinars
• Continued, open communication with Blakeman & Associates
• Presentations from or with the Higginbotham team in collaboration with Bill Clark’s attorneys, accountants, and other relevant advisors
• In-house legal
• Audit support services
• Compliance reviews
• HR/legislative updates
• Compliance and interpretation for ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, etc.
SERVICES
• Section 105(h) and Section 125 nondiscrimination testing
• Section 414 controlled group analysis
• ERISA documentation
• 5500 preparation and reporting
• COBRA administration
Higginbotham’s Compliance Dashboard and Calendar provides an at-a-glance view of annual compliance tasks, with automatic reminders – including federal and state benefits laws – sent when tasks are due or past due.
The Compliance Dashboard is customized with your plan details, serves as a repository for all compliance tasks and required plan documents, and has additional retirement plan/401(k) support.
• Full service, turnkey administration
• Custom-branded cards
• Employer/employee portal
• Customer service center
HRA Plans
• QSEHRAs
• ICHRAs
Benefit plan communications will be developed by our internal Communications department, tailoring program materials to Bill Clark’s brand.
• Customized enrollment and benefit guides, printed or digital
• Communications associated with Open Enrollment
• Email campaigns
• Employee meeting materials and presentations
• Printer flyers, mailers, and posters
• Additional materials as required
Further enhancing your benefits plan, wellness program communications will round out efforts to deliver unique incentives. Program encouragement and awareness may include:
• Promotional materials and awareness, including sign-up information
• Community resources
• Incentive and program benefits
• Reminders and education materials
The best employee benefits programs are those that ensure employees know of and understand how to use their benefits.
Companies with “ best practice” plans report that their participants receive consistent, uniform, and branded communications.
Our internal Employee Benefits Communications team is available to create strategic communications that address your specific benefit needs and inform employees before, during, and after Open Enrollment.
Quick and convenient texts send a clear, concise, and cost-effective message when you want to instantly communicate with a select audience.
High-quality video creation increases engagement and connection with your target audience and showcases your knowledge and know-how on a given topic.
These virtual seminars allow participants to hear what you have to say in a compelling, interactive real-time event that feels more like a conversation.
Get your message across with a one-time digital audio program or a series of episodes that you can download and stream –anywhere, anytime.
Executes digital technology, interactive PDFs, landing pages, websites, analytic microsites, photography, and videos.
Develops engaging print and digital tool kits, annual planning calendars, drip campaigns, SMS text messaging, landing pages, videos, Brainsharks, newsletters, onboarding booklet, and custom products for our clients' employees.
Creates custom employee benefits collateral, engagement platforms, presentations, and informational multimedia for our public sector clients.
Employees who feel cared for are....
• 1.6x more likely to feel valued
• 1.5x more likely to say they are happy
• 1.5x more likely to feel a sense of belonging at work
• 1.3x more likely to feel successful
When employees understand how their benefits work, they are…
• 50% more likely to be loyal to their employer
• 6% more likely to be engaged at work
And yet, nearly two-thirds of employees (62%) are not completely confident they know about all their employer's benefits.
• Almost half of employees (45%) do not fully understand their benefits package
*Source: 2024 MetLife EB Survey
Higginbotham's internal full-service call and communications center (ERC) is committed to supporting Bill Clark employees with the education assistance needed during Open Enrollment and throughout the year. Our team of experts handles a range of inquiries and responsibilities — from lost ID cards to complex claims — allowing your HR team to focus on other pressing priorities.
• Average call time exceeds 13 minutes
• Benefit eligibility administration and verification
• U.S.-based team located in Texas and Florida
• Certified ERC professionals
• Roles and responsibilities grid between HR and ERC
• Benefit claims assistance and resolution
• Quarterly customized call reports
• Dedicated toll-free number (group size dependent)
• 140+ languages available
• System enrollments based on access
• Bilingual enrollment meeting support
When it comes to creating best-in-class resources, we’re a trusted partner for our clients and their employees. They rely on us to create clear, concise, and accurate materials.
SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU.
Comprehensive, User-Friendly Materials:
• Logo design/identity branding
• Memos/letters/instructions
• Payroll stuffers/posters/postcards
• Benefit/recruiting summaries
• Announcements/newsletters
• Enrollment guides
• Wallet cards/envelopes
• Wellness communications
• Special mailings/fulfillment
• Promotional materials (magnets, key fobs, etc.)
• Translation
• Electronic – interactive PDFs and benefit portal branding
• Social Media – LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and blogs
• Total compensation statements
Prescription and specialty drugs are a significant cost of your medical plan.
Improper usage, intolerance for drugs, and buying brand drugs over less expensive equivalent drugs result in waste and excess spending. To contain overall prescription costs and provide oversight on chronic and specialty care drugs, we evaluate:
• Dispensing fees
• AWP discounts
• Ingredient costs
• Deeper rebate negotiations
• Rebate guarantees
Based on your group's prescription drug needs, we will further control costs through:
• Clinical programs
• International sourcing programs
• Patient assistance programs
Higginbotham's Rx consulting division allows us to be agnostic and objective. This team will evaluate your current pharmacy solution versus potential other pharmacy solutions.
This approach requires an Intent to Bid authorization from prospective vendors that outlines over 20 specific items that should be included in the contract. Executable contracts are then requested with each vendor’s response. Finally, our Rx specialists will match the right PBM solutions with your needs and concerns.
While we have many clients on traditional pricing arrangements, the preferred model is pass-through. We will always strive to find the “lowest net cost” solution that fits your needs and concerns, whether financial and/or member disruption. Additionally, the Rx division will look at carve-in and carve-out solutions. In many cases, a carve-out solution is recommended with a mid-market PBM if the client would like to take advantage of third-party vendor savings programs, such as International Rx, Patient Assistance Programs, and Manufacturing Coupon Programs.
• Pharmalucent program runs daily against all client claims to identify outliers in real time and address clinical programs to be implemented.
• ADC® reporting contains over 200 proprietary clinical programs, including those to address adherence, compliance, and savings.
• RxSurge Alert reviews 100% of AWP cost increases based on Medi-Span. Any significant increases are discussed with clients.
A successful employee benefits program depends upon well-defined objectives. We work closely with your Human Resources and Finance teams to understand your culture, objectives, and budget.
• Align benefits with your company’s objectives
• Get to know your employees
• Benchmarking
• Detailed review of existing contracts – administration, pharmacy, stop-loss
Evaluate Alternate Strategies
• Request for Proposal (RFP)
» Independent Third-Party Administrators (TPA)
» Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM)
» Centers of Excellence (COE)
» Reference-Based Pricing (RBP)
Product Evaluation: Day One
How far down the spectrum have you evaluated? What carriers were evaluated? What has been evaluated in the past?
Our data analytics risk engine is custom-built for your population health management needs.
• Get granular data views and analysis to understand costs, care delivery, and quality at the individual level, as a company, and compared to other companies or similar industries.
• View limitless variations of claims data.
• Get revolutionary predictive modeling and mitigate risk via evidence-based action plans.
Higg Re provides an alternative to traditional insurance companies in which the captive is established to ensure the risks of its owners.
We guide you through the details of captive insurance options, helping analyze your risks, match you with like-minded businesses, and secure the commercial coverage you need. Higg Re is transforming employee benefits standards for employers of all sizes.
• Partnerships with some of the industry's top self-funded service providers
• Access to a wide range of cost-containment strategists, clinical providers, and insurance experts
Comprehensive Alternative Risk Product Suite
• Offering traditional stop-loss, level-funded, and captive solutions
• MGU partner underwriting for tailored risk management
• Bundled Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) solutions for integrated pharmacy benefits
Strong Member Community
• Building a community of small- to mid-sized businesses
• Stabilizing health care costs and sharing in unused premiums
Partner and Vendor Flexibility
• We believe you know what’s best
• Maximum flexibility in your benefits configuration
The fastest-growing commercial insurance product since 2020.
The employer is responsible for all claim expenses up to their specific policy. This is in addition to the actual employees' coinsurance and deductibles.
The captive layer is the collective responsibility of the participating employers.
The Stop-Loss Carrier is responsible for claims above the employer and captive layer.
Stop-Loss Carrier Layer
Captive Stop-Loss Layer
Employer Retention Layer
FOCUSED is what can be achieved when you maximize employee participation in vitality and wellness, provider-benefit navigation, cost containment, Rx strategies, and numerous other programs.
ENGAGED is what we have found happens for the average employer who does not take advantage of all available programs and experiences.
PASSIVE is what happens when the group is disengaged and is reaching their specific and aggregate thresholds. This is not normal, but it could happen in the worst-case scenario.
Providing tailored and customized options for employers with up to 5,000 employees.
Level-Funded Products
• Predictable costs with potential surplus refunds
• Easily transition into captive products
• Protection from the financial risk of high-cost claims
• Full Service MGU Partner
• Delivers a range of standard and tailor-made captive solutions
• Types: Group, Single Parent, Private Label
• Access to multiple carrier options through one RFP
• Grow your business through this exclusive, speed-to-market option
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM)
• Bundled services of a traditional PBM with innovative approaches
• Focus on drug management, cost efficiency, and improved health outcomes
Get support for your existing HR team with a variety of a la carte HR Services and solutions to help educate your employees, administer your plans, and maintain compliance. We are more than your employee benefits broker — we are an extension of your
HR team. Here’s just some of what we offer:
• Syndicate risk via HR professionals
• Custom training and coaching
• Overall guidance on performance management
• Employee issue advice and counseling
• Hiring alternatives
• Easily scaling staff
• Dedicated team support
• Qualified and non-qualified plans
• 401k, 403b, and DB plans
• Key person and buy-sell agreements
• Estate planning
• Wealth preservation and paradigm plan
• Payroll and HRIS systems and automating processing
• Access to HR and Payroll resources via multiple levels of internal support and outside vendor partnerships
• Source, screen, and interview all levels of talent (includes C-suite)
• Personality and skills assessment administration
• Compensation and benefits negotiation
• Determine efficiency and opportunities of current HR technologies and workflows
• Ensure competitiveness of HR technologies pricing
• Determine and select right HR technology
There's simply no substitute for human experience and knowledge. Enjoy unlimited, immediate access to certified, experienced advisors to help navigate your people risk management issues.
Whether you train because you have to or because it's just a really good idea, we've got you covered with a full-featured learning management system with the industry's most comprehensive unlimited training catalog.
The industry's only wizard-based handbook tool covering all 50 states, complete with policy change alerts to ensure your handbook is always up-to-date, accurate, and protecting your business as effectively as possible.
Fully integrated content combined with expert analysis or employment laws and regulations and best practice information to help you handle current issues and to better understand how to prepare for future issues.
You have enough on your plate just dealing with today's issues! Our team of attorneys and experts monitor and anticipate future challenges and prepare you through email and CE-accredited webinars.
Thousands of templates, tools, checklists, and policies to make your job easier. Resources include FLSA classification, performance management, salary benchmarking, interactive audits, job description builder, and more.
Employee Navigator is our in-house benefit admin solution:
• Create a detailed ACA Reporting guide annually to support creation and completion of 1094/1095 reporting requirements.
• Custom configured tasks within Employee Navigator specific to your onboarding, qualifying event management, and dependent verification needs.
• Provide detailed reports at close of your Open Enrollment.
• In-house experts in payroll integrations, data exchange setups, and 834 carrier feeds.
Katie Callender, MPH, ACSM-CEP Director
Population Health Management
Kelly Aguilar, CEAS, 500 ERYT, YACEP, PMA Consultant
Specialty: Ergonomics & Body Mechanics
Khai Huynh, CWP Consultant
Specialty: Non-Profits & Technology
Lindsay Ewart, MA, CWWPM
Managing Consultant
Specialty: Key Accounts
Andrea Miller, MSW, LMSW
Senior Consultant
Specialty: Mental Health
Kelley Melcher Consultant
Specialty: Worksite Strategy & Engagement
Available for You
• Programs tailored to your goals, population, and budget
• Full range of services from design and implementation to participation and compliance evaluation
• Claims review to assist with cost containment and risk mitigation
Rely on Our In-House Professionals
• Population Health Management
• Health Education
• Corporate Wellness
• Exercise and Sports Physiology
• Nutritional Sciences
• Psychology and Mental Health
• Social Work
• Public Health
• Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Health
Higginbotham’s population health management consultants focus on five proven principles:
A population health management program goes from good to great when it takes into account the overall well-being of your employees, their current risks and their work environment. A strategic and cultural analysis paired with a claims review helps identify workforce issues and needs that can be targeted with the right solutions. This assessment provides a solid foundation for program development, implementation, facilitation and evaluation.
Senior leadership support is crucial to the success of a population health management program. Employers who serve as a role model and integrate well-being into the business strategy create a culture where healthy lifestyles are valued, promoted and incentivized.
A holistic approach to population health considers your employees’ work-life balance, existing resources, potential solutions and focuses on the specific health risk factors affecting them to create awareness. A comprehensive program may focus on many pillars of well-being, including social, mental, physical, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, environmental and financial wellness.
4.
A careful evaluation of health improvement solutions is important to keep employees informed and engaged. Resources may be provided through our Population Health Management department, the community, a medical carrier or a vendor partner to encourage employees to make more informed health care decisions, take steps toward sustainable lifestyle changes and take ownership of their individual well-being.
Setting tangible goals and analyzing aggregated data gives us powerful information to see what initiatives are working and what needs attention. Baseline measurements for success may include medical and pharmacy utilization, medical claims costs, employee engagement and participation and overall employee satisfaction.
You face a variety of concerns with regards to your retirement plan. We work with you to align corporate goals with the retirement and financial needs of your employees.
• Complying with retirement plan regulations
• Adhering to fiduciary responsibilities
• Paying reasonable fees
• Offering competitive funds options
• Preparing participants for retirement
A plan’s named fiduciary is accountable for all aspects of an organization’s retirement plan. We assist with the formal delegation of daily administrative and investment responsibilities to a retirement plan committee.
• Plan Governance
• Fiduciary Compliance
• Investment Due Diligence
• Target Date Fund Selection
• Benchmarking Recordkeeping Fees
• Benchmarking Advisor Fees
• Plan Design
Plan Governance
We alert plan sponsors of their fiduciary duty and assist in developing procedures and accountability standards that help mitigate fiduciary liability.
• Vendor Market Analysis
• Plan Benchmarking
• Vendor Management
• Merger & Acquisition Assistance
Experienced executives are hot commodities. Providing a compensation package inclusive of supplemental executive benefit plans is an effective way to retain, motivate, and recruit top talent.
Not only is the competition to attract these professionals growing, many standard employee benefit plans don't give highly compensated employees a way to save for retirement or provide life and disability insurance benefits that fit their standard of living.
Together, we will strategically enhance your offered plans, striking a balance between meeting the needs of your executives and a cost/benefit trade-off for your bottom line. With performance-based benefits, you can provide and reward the driving force behind your business. of highly compensated employes say they are very concerned about the financial effects of a loss of income in the event of a disability and/or premature death.
*Data collected in connection with MetLife's 11th Annual Study of Employee Benefits Trends 42%
Executive Life Higher incomes need larger death benefits. Supplemental life insurance provides an added layer of protection that suits employee's lifestyles.
We help you enhance your core benefits with executive life and disability, salary continuation plans, deferred compensation plans, and more.
Executive Disability Group long-term disability plans have coverage limits, leaving highly compensated executives with inadequate income protection. Supplemental disability coverage can enhance monthly benefits, as well as safeguard bonus and commission income, while also offering portability.
To further enhance your executive offerings, these additional benefits will continue to motivate your team and provide an additional sense of security.
While buy-sell contracts specify how the business will transfer if an owner dies or becomes disabled, many are not funded, leaving the surviving shareholders in a financial bind. This calls for life and disability policies designed specifically for this purpose and an experienced advisor to implement them.
Essential protection for high-net-worth individuals to protect inheritances, address estate taxes, and allocate assets as intended.
401k plans limit what highly paid executives can contribute. A DCP provides greatly increased deferral limits to select employees. These tax-advantaged savings can increase key employee’s retirement benefits without creating yearend testing problems.
Key person life insurance protects the company if an employee with specific skills, knowledge, or relationships passes. The policy proceeds can supplement lost income and cover expenses while a replacement is hired.
An effective, simple approach to enhance key employee benefits. A life insurance policy is purchased for the executive, treating the premium as a compensation bonus. The employee owns the policy and can use the cash value for retirement and protection for their family.
(BOLI) is used by banks to manage employee benefit costs and enhance overall financial performance. Purchased on select executives, it provides a tax-efficient way for banks to fund future employee benefits, such as retirement plans, while also generating a reliable return on investment.
Qualified plans (401k and pensions) limit company contributions for highly paid executives. But the company can still provide an enhanced retirement benefit to select employees. The SERP provides additional employer-provided retirement income as outlined in the agreement.
