With self-funding, the employer assumes direct responsibility for financing the company's health care benefits plan. The employer funds the group's claim expenses, up to determined amounts. If the actual expenses are less, the group keeps the savings. If the employer plan expenses exceed these amounts, the employer has Stop Loss protection.

• Aggregate Stop Loss Insurance - protects against high claims incurred by the group as a whole.
• Specific Stop Loss Insurance - protects against high claims incurred by an individual group member.

	Self-Funded Claims Process 1) Employer deposit the funds needed for expected claims into a special bank account for the Plan. 2) The administrator pays employee health claims on the Plan's behalf from this account. 3) Stop Loss insurance reimburses the Plan for excess covered claims. 4) At year end, the surplus is the Plan's to withdraw or use to fund future claims.

Just like traditional health insurance, you have your choice of benefit plans - including tax-advantaged Health Savings Account (HSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plans. Self-funding appears transparent to your employees.Your maximum cost is guaranteed for the year, subject only to changes in enrollment.

Like before, the employer will pay a single, monthly bill. This includes the cost of Stop Loss coverage, the benefit administration fee, and one-twelfth of the Plan's annual claim funding cost. Claims will vary by month, but your bill won't change - because we advance the funds as needed. (The advance is later repaid from your Plan's account when funds are available.)

Claims are processed by a third party administrator, selected by Assurant Health for its expertise. The administrator processes claims, provides customer service, and manages your Plan accounting.