Coverage Continues
A broker change does not interrupt coverage or require a new application. The policy is a contract between your employer and the carrier.
Your plan stays in force.
The policy is a contract between your employer and the carrier. Changing the broker of record leaves it unchanged, so no new application or underwriting is involved.
Employees keep their coverage throughout.
Why Nothing Is Interrupted.
A group health policy is a contract between the employer and the carrier. The broker of record is the intermediary named on that contract for service, renewals and commissions. When the employer appoints a different broker, the carrier updates who services the account. The plan, the rates, the effective dates and the employees’ enrollment stay as they were.
That is why a broker change does not involve a new application or new underwriting. The carrier already has the group’s census, plan design and rating on file, and a broker change does not ask it to reconsider any of them. Employees keep their ID cards, networks and claims process.
What does change is who answers your questions. The new broker takes over service, renewal preparation and compliance support, and should confirm in writing which carriers and lines of coverage now show them as broker of record.
A few more questions.
Is a new application needed?
No. The existing policy stays in force, so there is no new application and no new underwriting simply because the broker changed.
Will there be a gap?
No. Coverage remains in force throughout, and employees can keep using their ID cards and the same claims process.
What should we confirm after the change?
Ask the new broker to confirm that each carrier and each line of coverage, such as medical, dental, vision, life and disability, now lists them as broker of record. It is a quick check that avoids service gaps later.
Can a carrier refuse the change?
Carriers have their own rules for forms, timing and who may sign, and an incomplete form can be sent back. A properly completed and signed letter is the normal route, and the new broker handles any follow-up.
Does anything need to change in payroll?
Usually not. Premiums are still billed by the carrier on the same schedule, so payroll deductions continue as before unless you decide to change the plan or contributions separately.
Related guides.
Broker of Record Change: Form, Timeline and What to Expect
The form, the timeline and what to expect.
Claims Keep Flowing
Claims are handled by the carrier under the same plan and rules as before.
Rates Stay the Same
Changing brokers does not by itself change premiums. Any rate change comes from the carrier at renewal.
Send us your renewal.
We’ll tell you whether it looks competitive, where we see opportunity, and the five questions we’d put to your carrier. No cost, and no obligation to move anything.
The renewal letter
Your current plan summary
Contribution split by tier
Enrolled counts by tier
Four documents — two more if your group is 50 or more. Nothing else; every extra one is a reason to postpone.
An independent employee benefits consulting firm. We look at the entire benefits program: cost, plan performance, risk and administration.
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