The Businessolver Advisory Summit gathered leaders across benefits administration, HR technology, and broker channels to reflect on 2025 and set priorities for 2026. The day emphasized practical wins such as AI-driven service, smarter communications, and reference-based pricing, while underscoring the importance of client experience, security, and measurable ROI.

Evolving Platforms and Strategic Acquisitions

Businessolver’s acquisition of Workterra and other targeted moves reflect a deliberate strategy: buy to accelerate capability, then invest to modernize security, compliance, and user experience. The company is focused on platform integration, strengthening compliance, and elevating enrollment experiences, and it is encouraging clients to prioritize their own security posture.

Private equity partners and in-house development both play roles in this evolution. The consensus was that acquisitions can speed progress when paired with intentional product and compliance investments.

Real Results from Reference-Based Pricing

Several employers shared early wins with reference-based pricing and HDHP designs. One organization reported projected savings of 13% after driving employee education and transparency. The key lesson is that employees must understand cost impacts and how RBP protects them from surprise bills. When employees can see the real cost differences and the protections in place, adoption and trust grow, especially when on-demand support is available.

Sofia, Businessolver’s 24/7 digital assistant, was cited as essential to keeping employees informed and preventing the feeling of abandonment that can derail new plan adoption.

Client Service and Employee Experience as Competitive Differentiators

Speakers emphasized that client service is more than transactions, it is how clients and employees feel. Businessolver’s leadership described a culture of continuous improvement, with small executive teams meeting weekly to review client health and escalate issues. The message was consistent: happy employees lead to happy clients.

Practical examples included proactive client consulting, robust back-office support for global teams, and a focus on quality checks and secure operations for offshore service centers.

Dependent Verification and Implementation Realities

Dependent verification audits remain a pain point for many clients. The summit reinforced that while audits deliver savings and compliance, they also create short-term friction. Advisors and brokers should prepare clients for the process and the temporary disruption it can cause.

On implementation, Businessolver highlighted the importance of having the right people and governance in place to reduce post-sale friction and improve adoption.

Product and Service Highlights

Sofia and the Anticipation Engine  

Businessolver is moving beyond reactive support to anticipatory engagement. Sofia already handled millions of chats with high resolution rates, and the company is layering data to create personalized nudges, everything from refill reminders during wildfire season to targeted benefits checklists after life events. The goal is to surface the right action at the right time, increasing engagement and lowering claims.

Consumer Accounts and Financial Wellness  

Recognizing low participation in consumer accounts, Businessolver introduced easier ways to invest and a managed track option for 2026. These features aim to increase employee participation and improve long-term outcomes.

Integration and Data Quality  

A universal data gateway and AI-driven data mapping are being used to speed integrations and reduce errors. New tools let teams test and fix files before sending them to carriers, cutting down the back-and-forth that slows implementations.

Compliance and Security  

Security and compliance were recurring themes. Whether supporting global payroll, managing eligibility files for offshore teams, or responding to carrier audits, Businessolver stressed the need for secure systems and rigorous quality controls.

Channel and Market Trends for 2026

Panelists identified several trends shaping the market:

• ROI Imperative: Employers expect measurable returns from benefits investments.
• AI Adoption: AI is now table stakes for service and efficiency gains.
• Integration and Ecosystem Consolidation: Clients want fewer handoffs and more seamless data flows.
• Experience Expectations: Employees expect consumer-grade experiences from benefits platforms.
• Bill Reconciliation and Accuracy: Greater scrutiny on what employers pay carriers versus what is deducted from employees.

Speakers noted the insurance industry is still early in its AI journey, and carriers must accelerate API adoption to keep pace with modern integrations.

Final Takeaways

The summit reinforced a simple but powerful idea: technology matters, but people and process matter more. Businessolver’s approach, combining targeted acquisitions, AI-driven service, and a relentless focus on client and employee experience, aims to reduce friction, improve outcomes, and deliver measurable value.

For brokers and advisors, the message was clear: help clients prepare for change, prioritize transparency and education, and lean on partners who can stabilize accounts and drive strategic improvements. The companies that win in 2026 will be those that pair smart technology with thoughtful implementation and ongoing client care.