As organizations continue to compete for talent and strengthen their overall benefits strategies, voluntary benefits have become an essential component of modern workforce planning. Employers increasingly rely on brokers to deliver flexible, cost effective solutions that enhance employee value without extending their benefits budget. In this environment, the administrative partner behind the scenes becomes just as important as the products offered.

Planned Administrators, Inc. (PAI) provides brokers with a reliable, streamlined model for voluntary benefits administration—one that reduces complexity, improves client outcomes, and strengthens the broker–client relationship. Through a comprehensive portfolio, proven administrative processes, and dedicated service teams, PAI empowers brokers to meet the diverse needs of today’s workforce with confidence.

Product Suite

Accident Insurance

Fixed benefit amount  that help employees manage unexpected medical expenses resulting from injuries, including emergency visits, diagnostic testing, and follow up care.

Critical Illness Coverage

Lump sum payments for major diagnoses such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke—offering financial security during difficult health events.

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Fixed payments to help cover costs associated with hospital admissions, inpatient stays, and related services that may not be  fully covered by traditional medical plans.

Life Insurance (Term and Whole)

Flexible life insurance options are designed to support long term financial protection for employees and their families.

Short Term Disability

Income replacement solutions that help employees maintain financial stability during temporary medical leave.
Dental and Vision Plans
Affordable supplemental plans that promote preventive care and long term health.

Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) and MEC+ Plans

Affordable Compliance Solutions for Employers

As employer needs to evolve, brokers are increasingly asked to provide solutions that balance affordability, compliance, and meaningful coverage. PAI supports these goals with MEC and MEC+ plans—structured,  benefit solutions that appeal to employers across a broad range of industries, particularly those with variable hour, part time, seasonal, and high turnover populations.

MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage)

MEC plans offer employers an ACA compliant way to provide preventive only coverage that satisfies the employer mandate’s requirement to offer qualifying health benefits. These plans are particularly effective for employers who need:

• A cost controlled approach to ACA compliance
• Coverage for large or variable hour workforces
• A way to provide meaningful preventive services without the cost of major medical

Typical MEC offerings include 100% coverage for ACA-mandated preventive services, including immunizations, screenings, annual wellness visits, and age appropriate preventive testing.

For brokers, MEC plans offer a highly competitive entry point for employers who need coverage options but are not able to implement or maintain a traditional medical plan for all eligible employees.

MEC+ (Enhanced Minimum Essential Coverage)

MEC+ plans build upon the foundation of standard MEC programs by adding first dollar or limited medical benefits—providing employees with access to more day to day healthcare resources without the cost associated with major medical coverage.

These enhancements often include:

• Office visit benefits
• Urgent care visits
• Basic lab work and X rays
• Prescription drug coverage

MEC+ plans are especially valuable for employers that want to give their workforce a more robust benefits experience without incurring the expenses associated with fully insured or self funded medical plans.

How MEC and MEC+ Strengthen the Broker Value Proposition

For brokers, offering MEC and MEC+ through PAI provides several strategic advantages:

• ACA Compliance Support – Helps employers manage risk and avoid costly penalties under the employer mandate.
• Expanded Benefits Strategy – Ideal for employers with hourly or variable schedules where major medical participation may be low.
• Increased Employee Engagement – Employees gain access to everyday healthcare and preventive services, improving satisfaction and retention.
• Seamless Integration with Voluntary Benefits – MEC and MEC+ pair naturally with other voluntary products—creating a cohesive, multi layered benefits offering that expands protection while managing cost.
• Simple Administration – PAI manages eligibility, billing, and data exchange so brokers and employers can focus on their business.

MEC and MEC+ plans allow brokers to meet employers where they are—providing compliance, affordability, and practical coverage that strengthens the overall benefits package.

Fixed Indemnity Plans

Predictable, First Dollar Benefits That Complement Core Coverage

Employers—especially those with variable hour or cost sensitive workforces—often need a way to provide immediate access to routine care without the premium cost of major medical. Fixed indemnity plans fill this gap by paying a set, predefined dollar amount for covered services (e.g., office visits, labs, urgent care) regardless of the provider’s billed charges. These plans are designed to be straightforward, budget friendly, and easy for employees to understand and use.

Important compliance clarification for brokers: Fixed indemnity plans are not major medical coverage and do not satisfy the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate on their own. They are typically offered alongside MEC or MEC+ (and/or major medical) to enhance day to day access and employee satisfaction. They are generally considered excepted benefits when structured appropriately.

Administrative Support Designed to Simplify Broker and Employer Workloads

PAI’s approach to administration focuses on reducing friction for brokers and delivering dependable service to employers. Experienced account managers oversee every group from onboarding to ongoing service, ensuring consistency, responsiveness, and operational accuracy.

Billing Accuracy and Consolidation

PAI’s billing processes are structured to reduce reconciliation issues, improve clarity, and create a predictable, reliable experience for employers.

Eligibility Coordination and Data Exchange

Our team works closely with groups and their eligibility vendors  to maintain accurate eligibility files, ensure timely premium distribution to carriers, and support streamlined claims experiences.

Why Brokers Choose PAI

PAI is built to support brokers—not compete with them. Our model strengthens broker relationships with clients through:

• A wide range of voluntary benefits and MEC/MEC+ solutions
• Administrative processes that minimize employer workload
• Strong carrier partnerships
• Flexible plan design that adapts to employer needs
• A consistent and service oriented experience for employees
  With PAI, brokers gain a partner capable of delivering both product diversity and operational excellence.

Partnering for a Stronger Benefits Strategy

To learn more about how PAI can support your clients’ benefits strategy and help you expand your offerings, reach out to our team for more information.