Business Details
25 Years
experience
Trusted Healthcare Cost-Containment Solutions for Employers
The Difference Card has been a leader in healthcare cost-containment solutions since 2001. Our company specializes in innovative strategies that reduce employer healthcare costs by up to 18% without compromising benefits. With over two decades of experience, we have delivered $1.8 billion in healthcare savings to clients nationwide. Our proprietary solutions include Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERP), The Difference Guarantee for risk mitigation, and PLUM Provider Lookup Manager for cost-quality transparency.We maintain a 90% client retention rate through guaranteed savings and a dedicated client success team. Our technology-driven platform processes 99% of claims within two business days, supported by a 41-second average call wait time for member services. We serve diverse industries including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and nonprofits, with a focus on empowering employers and employees through tax-advantaged benefit plans.
Services
Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan
The Difference Guarantee
PLUM Provider Lookup
Healthy Difference Wellness
Health Savings Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts
Dependent Care Accounts
Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Lifestyle Spending Accounts
Compliance Services
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We guarantee 5-20% healthcare cost savings without benefit reductions
- Our 90% retention rate reflects proven long-term value
- 99% of claims processed within two business days
- The Difference Guarantee limits claim exposure with A-rated carrier backing
- PLUM Provider Lookup combines cost and quality data for informed care decisions
What people say
99% claims processed in two days
Saved $2,000 per employee annually
90% client retention rate
41-second average call wait time
Maintained benefits while reducing costs
Services
Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan
Our Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan allows employers to customize healthcare benefits while reducing costs. This IRS Section 105 Plan provides tax-free reimbursements for qualified medical expenses, offering more flexibility than traditional HRAs. Employers maintain control over contribution amounts while employees gain access to comprehensive coverage for doctor visits, prescriptions, and major medical expenses through our integrated payment card system.
The Difference Guarantee
The Difference Guarantee provides financial protection by capping claim liabilities for employer groups. This unique product uses 20 years of analytics to guarantee savings, transferring excess risk to an A-rated insurance carrier. Employers benefit from predictable costs while maintaining full benefit levels, with optional monthly budget solutions for non-profit organizations and budget-sensitive businesses.
PLUM Provider Lookup
PLUM Provider Lookup Manager gives members access to cost and quality data for healthcare providers. Our proprietary database identifies top-tier providers in the top 25% for both cost efficiency and patient outcomes. Members use this tool to find quality care at lower costs, with incentives available for choosing high-value providers through customized plan designs.
Healthy Difference Wellness
Our Healthy Difference Wellness Program encourages healthy behaviors through incentive-based rewards. Employers can design custom programs that reduce deductibles or copays when employees participate in wellness activities. The platform includes personal health assessments, goal tracking, educational webinars, and fitness device integration to promote long-term health improvements and lower healthcare costs.
Health Savings Accounts
Our Health Savings Accounts offer triple tax advantages for employees with high-deductible health plans. Account holders benefit from tax-free contributions, investment growth, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. Features include a branded debit card, investment options with $1,000 minimum balance, and integrated provider search tools to maximize healthcare purchasing power.
People
Joseph Donovan
Chief Executive Officer
Joseph Donovan returned to The Difference Card in 2022 as CEO, bringing extensive healthcare industry experience. He leads strategic growth initiatives while maintaining focus on innovative cost-containment solutions that have delivered $1.8 billion in client savings since 2001.
Questions
How does The Difference Card reduce healthcare costs without changing benefits?
Our Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan provides additional coverage for out-of-pocket expenses while allowing employers to maintain existing insurance networks and benefit levels.
What is The Difference Guarantee?
It's a risk-mitigation product that caps claim liabilities, transferring excess costs to an A-rated insurance carrier while guaranteeing employer savings.
How quickly are claims processed?
99% of claims submitted to The Difference Card are processed within two business days using automated substantiation technology.
Can employees access provider cost-quality information?
Yes, PLUM Provider Lookup Manager gives members visibility into both cost and quality metrics to help them make informed healthcare decisions.
What wellness incentives are available?
Employers can create customized wellness programs offering deductible reductions or copay discounts for completing health assessments and preventive care activities.
How does the program affect employee satisfaction?
Employees benefit from lower out-of-pocket costs, faster reimbursements, and wellness incentives while maintaining their choice of healthcare providers.
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