Trust, AI, and Opportunity in a Shifting Market

Our HCAA Recap: Trust, AI, and Opportunity in a Shifting Market

Coming back from this year’s HCAA TPA Summit, we’re once again taking away a valuable convergence of thought leadership, trend forecasting, and collaborative problem-solving for those of us in the self-funded and TPA space. This year’s conversations and sessions underlined some familiar challenges, but they also inspired new ideas and reinvigorated strategies for delivering long-term value. From AI to new opportunities, read on for our top takeaways.

Partnership Over Promises

The overarching tone at this year’s conference mirrored what we’ve increasingly seen in the marketplace, which is a desire for true partnership over fleeting transactions. Brokers and TPAs aren’t interested in playing renewal roulette. Instead, they’re looking for partners who show up consistently, bringing along competitive pricing, transparent strategies, and a willingness to evolve with the market.

Whether you’re looking at formal sessions or casual hallway conversations, one thing became clear: vendors that “buy” the business with a low quote, only to spike the rate right back up at renewal, are losing ground. Trust and collaboration are non-negotiable—something obvious to see in how eager attendees were to explore how we can work together to deliver stability and value in a turbulent market.

Promise, Pressure, and AI

Artificial intelligence dominated discussions again this year, and for good reason. AI vendors continue to enter the self-funded arena at a rapid pace, each promising smarter, faster, more cost-efficient solutions. While some attendees were interested in the potential of AI to streamline operations or provide decision-making insights, others remained cautious. Can algorithms really understand the nuance of underwriting or customer service in such a complex industry?

The answer is still under debate, but the reality is that AI isn’t going away. The challenge lies in discerning which solutions genuinely solve problems, and which are more hype than help.

As AI continues to advance, RMTS is staying attuned to the innovations shaping our industry while also remaining grounded in the value of human expertise. From what we’ve seen, we still maintain that tech should enhance relationships, not replace them.

Fatigue, Uncertainty, and a Need for Clarity

Another major theme this year is the political climate. Sessions took the time to examine how shifts in Washington could impact our industry. Much of the conversation focused on the unknowns, such as how Supreme Court decisions or administrative changes might alter the regulatory landscape. The uncertainty, combined with years of unmet promises from vendors, is leading to deep fatigue among stakeholders.

For a while now, everyone’s felt the increasing need for something to change in healthcare. But where to begin, and whom to trust, remain open questions. Across the board, people are craving clear communication, consistent performance, and vendor relationships that prioritize long-term outcomes over quick wins.

Putting Partnership First

Our takeaway from HCAA as a company? What we’ve learned only reinforces the direction RMTS has been heading. Our quoting creativity, experienced underwriting, and focus on sustainable pricing enable us to provide you with a rare predictability. By working with A+ rated carriers, we’re committed to the kind of transparency that builds confidence.

We’re not chasing business for the short term. We’re here to create and support successful, enduring partnerships. And as the industry continues to evolve, we’ll keep showing up with the same goals our partners have: to retain, grow, and build something that lasts.