A Small Holiday Tradition, Shared Again
December 23, 2025Rising healthcare costs and limited transparency continue to put pressure on employers across Michigan. That is why Michigan Planners created the 2026 Cost Containment Series, a focused mix of webinars and in person roundtables designed to help employers move from reactive decisions to proactive, long term strategy.
This educational series is built for organizations with 50 to 500 employees and is tailored to HR leaders, CFOs, and business owners who want practical guidance, clear next steps, and real world insight into managing benefit costs more effectively. Sessions run from February through May, with additional dates planned later in the year.
Before attending, we strongly encourage watching this short video to better understand the current cost landscape and why proactive planning matters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeDOQpfaUc8
What to Expect from the Series
Each session is designed to build on the last, helping employers understand what is driving cost increases and how to respond with smarter funding, plan design, and risk management strategies. The series combines expert led education with candid discussion and peer insight, giving attendees both perspective and practical tools they can apply immediately.
Select sessions are also eligible for SHRM and HRCI recertification credits.
Upcoming 2026 Sessions (February–May)
Post-Renewal Playbook: What to Do After the Rate Shock
February 11 at 11am ET | Virtual | Register Now
This kickoff webinar launches the 2026 Cost Containment Series by breaking down the drivers behind recent renewal increases across Michigan. The session focuses on how employers can shift from reactive renewal decisions to proactive post-renewal planning and sets the foundation for the strategies explored throughout the series.
Personalizing Your Risk Assessment in 2026
February 24 at 11am ET | Virtual | Register Now
This session explores how employers can better understand their unique risk profile using claims data and workforce insights. Attendees will learn how personalized risk assessment can inform funding decisions and support more targeted cost control strategies.
Turning Smarter Strategies Into Green Savings and Golden Results
March 17 at 11am ET | Virtual | Register Now
A practical discussion focused on how intentional benefit strategies can lead to meaningful, sustainable savings. This panel style webinar highlights emerging approaches, real world considerations, and strategic thinking designed to support long term planning.
Stop the Bleed: Funding Models Designed to Reduce Costs
April 14th in Washington, MI | April 21st in Traverse City, MI | In Person Roundtable | Register Now
This two hour roundtable is designed for mid market employers exploring alternative funding models. Through guided discussion and peer conversation, attendees will walk through common funding approaches and learn what may be realistic at different stages of growth.
Please note: attendees should register for the location they plan to attend.
From Crawl to Run: Shopping vs Strategizing
May 19th in Traverse City, MI | May 21st in Washington, MI | In Person Roundtable | Register Now
This candid roundtable is built for employers ready to move beyond short term shopping and into intentional cost containment strategy. Discussion will focus on forecasting, proactive planning, and how to position organizations for sustainable savings.
Please note: attendees should register for the location they plan to attend.
Who Should Attend
This series is ideal for employers who want to:
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Gain clarity around rising benefit costs
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Explore smarter funding and plan design options
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Improve long term cost forecasting and decision making
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Learn from industry experts and peer organizations
If you have not started your renewal conversation yet, now is the time. If you are not currently working with Michigan Planners, we also offer a complimentary risk assessment to help you better understand your options:
https://www.miplanners.com/customized-benefits/
Registration details, speaker updates, and additional session dates will be shared as the series continues. We look forward to helping employers take a more confident, strategic approach to cost containment in 2026.