McGriff benefits advisors drove multi-year cost reductions for clients across 8 markets with Garner
Since 2021, McGriff advisors have used Garner's data-driven solution to steer employees to the best doctors in their existing network, driving down plan costs for employers while improving affordability for members. This partnership has grown to serve 27 mutual clients, 12 of whom went live in 2025, across diverse markets including Tennessee, North Carolina, Atlanta, Alabama, Texas, Kentucky, Minnesota, and more.
CASE STUDY 1 ᐧ SELF-FUNDED ᐧ REAL ESTATE
Real estate investment firm reverses growing medical trend
A 300-life, self-funded real estate investment firm implemented Garner hoping to reduce their increasing medical trend. They offered employees a $2,000 Garner incentive on their $3,500 deductible plan. The Garner program saw strong engagement in the first year, with over 80% of employees signing up for Garner and 77% of them visiting a Garner recommended Top Provider. This led to a 93% out-of-pocket savings for members visiting Garner's Top Providers, a -11% capped paid claims reduction against projections. This trend reduction continued in the second year with capped paid claims coming in -8.4% under projections.
The results
-11%
Capped paid claims reduction, Year 1 (net of Garner’s fees)
-8.4%
Capped paid claims reduction, Year 2 (net of Garner’s fees)
61%
Of members visited a Garner-recommended Top Provider
CASE STUDY 2 ᐧ FULLY INSURED ᐧ BCBS OF TENNESSEE ᐧ HOSPITALITY
Hospitality firm experiences large claims reduction in its first year
A fully insured firm on BCBS of Tennessee came to their McGriff advisor to reduce rising claims and plan costs while offering employees richer benefits and greater affordability. They began by offering a $5,000 Garner incentive on one of their HDHPs. In the first year, the plan with Garner saw -17% capped paid claims reduction, net of Garner's fees, and by the second year saw -60% lower capped paid claims compared with the non-Garner plan, which saw a +55.4% growth in capped paid claims. Members visiting Garner's recommended Top Providers saw 99% out-of-pocket savings and 84% of them used Garner to find a doctor, driving a 96% satisfaction rate with Garner.
The results
-17%
Capped paid claims reduction, Year 1 (net of Garner’s fees)
-60%
Lower capped paid claims vs. non-Garner plan in Year 2 (which saw +55.4% growth)
84%
Of members used Garner to find a doctor
CASE STUDY 3 ᐧ SELF-FUNDED ᐧ APPAREL MANUFACTURING
Apparel company improves affordability while reducing costs
A 250-life, self-funded apparel manufacturing company who'd been in business since 1927 was seeing rising medical claims and needed a solution that would engage their 90%+ hard-to-reach workforce. They implemented Garner and offered employees a $2,000 Garner incentive for visiting Garner's recommended Top Providers. Within just three months, 70% of their employees signed up for Garner and 88% of those employees used Garner to find a doctor. This led to a -12% plan savings net of Garner fees, and a 90% reduction in out-of-pocket expenses for employees when utilizing Garner. 95% of employees who used Garner reported high levels of satisfaction with the program.
The results
-12%
Plan savings (net of Garner’s fees)
90%
Lower out-of-pocket costs when utilizing Garner
88%
Of enrolled employees used Garner to find a doctor