More Affordable and Accessible Health Benefits for Advantage Pools

As part of our partnership with NESPA, Advantage Pools learned about Meridio’s focus on helping businesses secure more affordable, accessible health benefit offerings.

When rising costs and shrinking carrier options left this New Jersey pool service business without reliable coverage, finding a sustainable solution became urgent. By switching to Meridio, they secured meaningful health benefits at a manageable cost while gaining consistent support. The result is real savings, greater stability, and the confidence to expand coverage to more employees.

Challenge: Carrier Coverage Shrunk, Costs Rose

Keeping a strong team together year after year while running a seasonal pool service business in New Jersey is no small task. Laurie Willard had been doing right by her team, offering health benefits through Oxford and Blue Cross Blue Shield, but small group coverage was becoming a shrinking market, and the carriers weren't shy about it. Her rates were climbing and the options narrowed. Eventually, her providers stopped servicing small groups altogether. Laurie needed a real solution, not just a cheaper band-aid.

Solution: Meridio Affordable Health Benefits

Through their affiliated industry network, the North Eastern Spa & Pool Association, (NESPA), Laurie came across Meridio. The pitch was straightforward: meaningful coverage at a cost that made sense for a small business, so she made the switch.

Results:  Savings + Real Support

The savings were real, and so was the relief. Laurie describes working with Meridio as a great experience, stating "it's nice to have a partner that delivers on their promise."

The Meridio relationship has held steady with real support and real savings. This spring, she'll be extending coverage to new staff for the first time, a sign that the experience has been positive enough to build on.

Key Takeaway: Businesses Have Options!

For small service businesses navigating a thinning carrier market and skyrocketing premiums, Meridio offers a path forward that saves businesses not just on cost, but on continuity. Laurie's story is a reminder that sometimes the best benefit you can offer a team is simply showing up with a plan.

Advantage Pools shares their experience working with Meridio

What made you start looking for something new?

Cost was the driver, but it wasn't entirely voluntary. Our previous carriers stopped servicing small groups, we had to make a move. We didn't have the luxury of waiting around.

Why Meridio?

Cost, again. But also accessibility. When you're running a seasonal business, you need benefits that work without a lot of hand-holding. Meridio was the perfect fit. They educate, enroll, and support my team year-round.

How has working with Meridio been?

Meridio itself has been great. The carrier side can get bumpy as expected— coverage challenges, claims processing—but that's not unique to Meridio. What matters is having a benefits partner that's in your corner when those moments happen, and we can count on Meridio's Customer Care team for assistance when issues arise.

What's next?

We'll be offering benefits to new staff this spring. We'll see how onboarding goes, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

Any advice for other small business owners?

Make it easy for your employees to say yes. Give them a clear, simple one-pager with details on coverage options, costs, and what it means for them before enrollment even opens. The less friction, the better the uptake.

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Ready to Explore Your Options?

If you are a business owner with a small or fast-growing team and looking for a simpler, more supportive way to offer health benefits, it may be time to see if Meridio is the right fit. Schedule a conversation with our team to learn more: https://www.getmeridio.com/talk-to-meridio-sales 

‍Current customer and need support? Connect with our team anytime at: https://www.getmeridio.com/contact-us