DAN HORTON

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, businesses grapple with unprecedented challenges. Skyrocketing costs and the relentless pressure to balance budgets force organizations to rethink their strategies for providing high-quality benefits without financially burdening their employees. At the heart of this dilemma is the crucial need for enhanced employee satisfaction and retention. In this critical juncture, the right partnership—one that offers deep expertise and innovative solutions—is key to successfully navigating these turbulent waters.

This is where The Horton Group, a leading insurance and employee benefits industry advisor, steps in. Founded in 1971, Horton has over 50 years of experience negotiating the complex terrain of healthcare inflation and budgetary limitations, making sure that customers may keep their present providers and networks while staying within their means.

With healthcare prices on the rise, Horton focuses on creative solutions that assist businesses in controlling costs without burdening their staff. Their goal is to improve employee satisfaction with the perks provided and keep expenses under control.

“Most groups will be faced with the largest increase in rates they have ever seen and are determined not to shift more costs onto employees,” said Ken Olson, Market Leader of Horton Benefit Services in Illinois. “In fact, their goal is to increase employee satisfaction with the benefits offered during this same time.”

In an effort to address the pressing concerns of turnover, talent acquisition and productivity within organizations, Horton takes a proactive stance by focusing on physical and emotional wellbeing. Their approach begins with an in-depth interview to understand a client’s specific goals and objectives. From there, Horton meticulously identifies opportunities for growth and tailors specialized strategies that align the investment in employee benefits directly with these goals.

The process is intensive and data-driven. It involves a thorough analysis of various key factors, including pharmacy benefit management strategies, risk funding options and the distribution of costs among employees. Additionally, Horton considers generational demographics, comprehensive census and claims data and the intrinsic value of each benefit plan offered.

Moreover, Horton scrutinizes whether existing benefit plans effectively motivate members to select top-tier providers in optimal settings and if they include guidance to aid in decision-making. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure that the strategies proposed not only enhance the overall value of the benefits provided but also adhere to budgetary limits. Through this meticulous and thorough analysis, Horton crafts tailored solutions that promise sustainable improvements in workforce satisfaction and organizational productivity.

In contrast to other competitors, Horton uses data-driven analytics to create a complete narrative. To properly handle the problem areas of their clients, they identify cost areas that deviate from benchmarks and suggest tried-and-true remedies. They continuously assess new solutions that hit the market, striving to show their clients measurable returns on their investments.

The Horton Group’s prowess in handling complex benefit challenges was on full display during their recent collaboration with a client that employs over several hundred employees across the country. Faced with the expiration of rate guarantees and the need to renew all non-medical lines of coverage, the client confronted a multitude of challenges, including transitioning from paper to online enrollment, training a geographically dispersed workforce and managing employee health amid continuous operations.

Undaunted, Horton’s employee benefits team adopted an innovative strategy. They streamlined processes through carrier consolidation, tapping into new markets to enhance customer value and generate significant savings. Their strategic foresight resulted in a multiyear plan that secured three years of fixed-cost savings of more than $600,000. This strategic move ensured a smooth transition to new carriers and markedly improved working conditions, demonstrating Horton’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet complex client needs.

Horton’s success is driven by a seasoned leadership team with deep expertise across the insurance sector.  Chief Executive Officer Dan Horton brings over 15 years of experience in service, sales and operations.  Chief Financial Officer, Tricia Pucek, leverages nearly two decades of financial expertise to enhance business processes and tackle complex issues. Chief Human Resources Officer, Michelle Trueblood, with over 20 years of experience, fosters a culture of accountability and integrity and founded HerHorton, a support community for women. Chief Growth Officer, Casey Warnecke, adds 30 years of experience in sales and client service.

“Our future plans focus on continually improving our business to better support our clients,” said Dan Horton, CEO. “Unlike firms that rely heavily on acquisitions, our growth is organic. This means we are always looking ahead to identify the right solutions, partnerships and consulting strategies to drive superior outcomes for our clients. This approach helps us attract talented team members and great clients, ensuring robust support for both. Our commitment is not just for the near future, but for many years to come.”

The Horton Group was formed in 1971 as a single-location, eight-person insurance agency. Today, Horton employs more than 400 insurance professionals located in six states (Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin), with its headquarters in Orland Park, Illinois. Horton is one of the top 50 insurance agencies in the country and one of the largest privately held brokers based in the Midwest. The agency is nationally recognized for its work, ranking as one of the top property/casualty brokers in the U.S. by Insurance Journal, A Best Place to Work In Insurance by Business Insurance and a Best Practices Agency by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA). The agency recently was ranked seventh (out of 100) in Crain’s Chicago Business’s “Best Places to Work in Chicago” list and was listed as a “Top Workplace” by the Chicago Tribune.

The Horton Group exemplifies what it means to be a trusted advisor in the intricate world of employee benefits and healthcare. With a focus on customer satisfaction, creative problem-solving and strategic planning, Horton provides outstanding value and assists businesses in managing their budgets while improving employee well-being. Their reputation as a pioneer in insurance and employee benefits advice services is reinforced by their all-encompassing strategy, committed leadership and industry recognition.