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Promotional graphic from Borislow Insurance featuring Crystal Cirolo, Compliance Manager. Text reads “A Hurdle to Overcome or a Strategic Advantage? Reframing Compliance for Employers.” Crystal is shown smiling in a circular photo on the right with a green background.

Reframing Compliance as Regulatory Alignment: A Strategic Advantage for Employers in 2025 and Beyond

When most people hear the word compliance, it often triggers thoughts of burdensome rules, endless paperwork, and last-minute scrambling to avoid penalties. I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that way, either. But hear me out: what if we looked at it differently? What if, instead of thinking of compliance as a box to check or a hurdle to jump, we reframed it as regulatory alignment—a proactive, strategic approach that can actually drive your business forward?

That’s how I think about compliance. Not just as something you do to “stay legal,” but as a foundational part of your benefit strategy and company culture. It’s about how you align your plan and your processes with regulatory guidelines from the very beginning, not as an afterthought. It might not remove all the stress of those burdensome rules, but it certainly helps put you in a proactive mindset to make compliance count.

Compliance Isn’t Just About Following the Rules. It’s About Strategic Alignment.

When I think of compliance, I think of it more as regulatory alignment. When you’re developing your overall plan strategy for your company, it’s really about asking yourself: How am I going to align with the regulations, rather than simply being in compliance with them?

The answer (or answers) to that question present a number of strategic opportunities. You can be 100% compliant by following the rules conservatively, but you can also take some calculated risks depending on your company’s goals and risk tolerance. It’s all about protecting your bottom line, being attractive to employees, and retaining your talent.

Thinking about compliance as part of your benefit strategy from the start makes the entire process smoother and more efficient. Instead of building your plan first and then scrambling to fix compliance issues later, you bake regulatory alignment into the foundation of your decisions. This approach makes the development and operation of your benefits streamlined, strategic, and sets you up for greater chances of success.

Compliance’s Role in Recruitment, Retention, and Culture

Regulatory alignment goes beyond a legal requirement. While that’s undeniably an important part of it, regulatory alignment also reflects your company values. When you build a competitive benefits strategy aligned with regulations, it builds trust and morale in turn. It signals transparency and shows that you genuinely want to provide the best for your employees.

And keep in mind the growing need for benefits regulatory literacy, understanding how plans like HSAs work within regulatory rules, who can contribute, and when funds can be used. When employers know this, they can better educate their workforce so everyone maximizes their benefits.

Changing the Conversation

Compliance can be a scary word, and that’s understandable. Just hearing it can make many people want to head for the hills. But when you think of it as regulatory alignment, it sounds a lot nicer, doesn’t it?

My advice to business leaders is simple: Think about compliance first, not last. Instead of “Oh, this is something I have to do,” flip the script. See it as a helpful guide, a set of guardrails that help you make smart decisions from the beginning. This mindset doesn’t just make your job easier; it also supports your company’s overall strategy and values.

At Borislow Insurance, we’re passionate about helping employers reframe compliance as a positive, strategic driver, not just a box to check. When regulatory alignment is baked into your benefit strategy, it’s not just about avoiding penalties. It’s about empowering your business and your people to succeed.

Revolutionizing Weight Management: The Role of GLP-1 Medications in Employer Health Plans

William Bennett

From market shortages to side jokes about celebrities, GLP-1 medications are enjoying a lengthy time in the spotlight. And for good reason—the use of GLP-1s has increased twofold over the past decade alone¹, with one in eight adults reporting they have taken a GLP-1 according to recent tracking polls². Additional studies have observed a 132.6% increase in the use of GLP-1s simply between 2022 and 2023².

But beside their increasing popularity, it stands to question—are GLP-1s worth it? Should you be looking into including these weight management medications in your health plan, or pass over them as another fad?

We’d recommend against the latter. Just as it’s difficult to ignore the popularity of GLP-1s, it’s also difficult to ignore the potential benefits of using them. From employee health to organizational productivity to healthcare costs, GLP-1 medications have the potential to revolutionize weight management and dramatically impact an organization.

The Impact on Health

GLP-1s are primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, making them a necessary medication for some. Beyond that, they can also provide a solution for those struggling with weight issues, aiding in glucose control, weight loss, and helping reduce the risk of comorbidities such as heart disease. GLP-1s can also improve metabolic health, which can then lead to reduced stress and better overall health. Even aiding in weight loss alone makes GLP-1s a powerful health tool, as it safeguards from obesity-related health issues such as joint problems and sleep apnea. The health benefits alone can make GLP-1s a valuable complement in an employer’s health plan—factor in improved employee energy levels and fewer sick days, and they become even more valuable.

This leads us to our next point: the impact of GLP-1s on long-term health. Just as they do for short-term health benefits, GLP-1s hold significant potential for improving long-term health. The effects of better glucose control, supported weight loss, and improved metabolic health can lower the risk of developing serious health complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and more. Ultimately, GLP-1s not only have the potential to improve individual health outcomes, but to support sustained wellness across an entire organization.

The Impact on Rising Healthcare Costs

As we outlined, GLP-1s can lead to a number of positive impacts on employee health, both short-term and long-term. Naturally, improved health across an entire organization also has the potential to impact that organization’s healthcare costs. While GLP-1s might seem daunting due to their initial high costs, they are posed to considerably reduce rising healthcare costs in the long-term. Simply look at the cost of the health issues GLP-1s stand to resolve. In the past few years, reports have shown that diabetes alone costs the U.S. an annual $412.9 billion⁴. The costs of obesity and chronic conditions are also significant drivers of healthcare costs. By improving employee health and lowering the risk of developing other conditions, GLP-1s can help reduce hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and other expensive medical treatments.

GLP-1 medications are still a bit of a new development, so it’s natural that people are hesitant to embrace them. However, the potential benefits of introducing GLP-1s to an employee benefit plan should not be ignored. And as the industry continues to advance, it’s possible that the intimidating prices of GLP-1s will fall in turn. Until then, however, the potential for lower healthcare claims, reduced disability costs, and a decrease in long-term complications far outweighs the upfront costs of GLP-1s.

Healthier employees mean better engagement, improved health, and lowered healthcare expenses—and by investing in their employees’ health, employees are more than likely to see an overwhelmingly positive return.

Read our Memo

Full Spectrum Benefits joins Borislow

We’re excited to share that the ‘Full Spectrum Benefits’ team has joined Borislow Insurance. Bill Higgins, founder of Full Spectrum, brings a wealth of industry experience and a team that is passionate about empowering clients with top-notch benefit solutions. Their expertise and vision aligns perfectly with our own culture and goals.

The track record of client satisfaction and continued growth at Full Spectrum will strengthen our market presence and open new opportunities for success – we look forward to the potential this brings to Borislow Insurance.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Bill and Tiffany as we begin this new era together!

Read the full press release here: https://resources.borislow.com/full-spectrum-benefits

Our stance on PBM consulting and compensation

At Borislow, our priority is remaining transparent and keeping you informed. In response to the recent Johnson & Johnson class action lawsuit, Lewandowski v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., alleging that Johnson & Johnson breached its fiduciary duty under ERISA, we’re taking care to inform our clients of both our consulting approach and the manner in which Borislow is and is not compensated for its placement of PBM arrangements.

Our recent memorandum is aimed to inform and educate employer/plan sponsors, while serving as part of our efforts to comply with the broker and consultant disclosure requirements enacted as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA).

Read our Memo

Borislow Insurance Named a 2022 WWCMA WorkWell Massachusetts Awards Winner for Exemplary Worksite Health Promotion

Borislow Insurance is proud to have been named a 2022 WorkWell Massachusetts Awards program Award Winner in the small group category for exemplary worksite health promotion. The awards, powered by Healthiest Employers, recognizes Borislow Insurance’s achievements in providing best-in-class programs and supporting employees through a culture of well-being.

“Given all of the unique challenges that organizations have been facing over the last few years, our goal is to recognize those companies that are finding ways to approach well-being in a more holistic way, and meet the needs of employees and their families,” says Jenna Carter, WWCMA Board Director and Awards & Recognition Committee Co-Chair.

“With the tremendous pressure to be an employer of choice, there’s an emphasis to build well-being into the fabric of their workplace. These organizations foster an environment where employees can thrive in and are empowered through various tools, resources, and communication to be their best selves,” explains Archana Kansagra, WWCMA Board Director; Awards & Recognition Committee Co-Chair, and founder of the WorkWell MA Awards program.

WorkWell Massachusetts Awards is a corporate award program created by WWCMA, a not-for-profit member organization dedicated to the advancement of worksite wellness programs. WWCMA is partnering with Healthiest Employers, a trusted national awards program that recognizes people-first organizations taking a proactive approach to employee health.

The judging is based on each organization’s Healthiest Employers Index — a metric focused on six categories: Culture and Leadership Commitment, Foundational Components, Strategic Planning, Communications and Marketing, Programming and Interventions, and Reporting and Analytics. The questionnaire, scoring, and benchmarking were formed with the help of a national, non-biased group of representatives from the academic, medical, and wellness communities. The assessment is scored rubric style on a 1 – 100 scale, with each question totaling .25 – 3 points.

According to Travis Horne, Director of Health & Wellbeing at Borislow Insurance, “The Firm has continually evolved its wellness program to where we are today. Our existing wellbeing experience gives employees the freedom to move through their individual wellness journey as they choose. Addressing our employees’ needs holistically has helped to create our existing culture of health & wellbeing.”

“We are proud to recognize these innovative employers for their outstanding wellness programs focusing on the health and well-being of their employees, especially with the challenges of a new hybrid work environment,” states Kristie Howard, WWCMA Board Chair.

Borislow Insurance will be recognized for our best practices in employee health and well-being and receive our WorkWell Massachusetts Award at a special celebration event on Tuesday, December 13 from 6 pm – 10 pm at Lord Hobo Brewing Company in Woburn, MA.

View the 2022 WorkWell Massachusetts Award Winners.

About Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts

The Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts (WWCMA) is the preeminent, independent and objective resource for well-being in the workplace. The Council offers innovative wellness best practice education, networking and training along with insightful resources for use by Massachusetts organizations and their corporate wellness teams. Visit us at wwcma.org and follow us @WorkWellMass.

About Healthiest Employers

Healthiest Employers® is a trusted awards program that recognizes people-first organizations taking a more proactive approach to employee health. Our goal is to be a resource for organizations focused on improving their employees’ health, creating a community invested in their populations’ health and wellbeing. Since 2009, Healthiest Employers® has been the leading recognition program for employer wellness.

Jeannine Chiappini Joins Borislow Insurance & Captivated Health as Director of Captivated Health Client Services

Borislow Insurance and Captivated Health are pleased to announce that Jeannine Chiappini has joined the firm as Director of Captivated Health Client Services and will start on Monday, March 28th, 2022.

Jeannine Chiappini will be joining the Captivated Health Team and will be responsible for directing Captivated Health’s Client Services. Jeannine brings deep experience to the role, with an emphasis on leading through influencing and thinking strategically.

Firm Principals Jennifer A. Borislow and Mark S. Gaunya remarked, “We are excited about adding someone with Jeannine’s breadth and depth of experience to our team. Her knowledge of building and scaling high growth teams, creating lasting relationships, establishing and implementing best practices, and validating, recommending, and implementing first-class benefits strategies will enhance the dedicated Captivated Health team’s high standards of client service.”

Jeannine’s career spans consulting and leadership roles at local and national consulting firms, directing strategy at Virgin Pulse, and working as a benefits manager at a Boston-based startup. She is a licensed insurance broker with a degree in Human Resources from Lasell University.

“If I Had Only Known” makes a difficult time easier for families and loved ones

Strategic Vision Publishing’s new offering, “If I Had Only Known” provides step-by-step instructions and worksheets to help families prepare for – and avoid – the most common missteps and challenges related to the death of a loved one.

Authors Jennifer A. Borislow, CLU, Melissa Marrama and Michaela F. Scott wrote this guidebook to provide expert advice that help readers make the best possible decisions about complex estate, probate, tax and insurance questions. Making those decisions in advance helps to keep an overwhelming and difficult time easier.

According to the authors, “We wrote this guidebook because we believe that family members should never look back with regret and disappointment after the death of a loved one and think, ‘If only they had known.’”

This book consolidates decades of insights from three experienced financial professionals who have worked with thousands of families. Advice covers a wide variety of topics from how to find and assemble a team of experts, to life insurance and personal wishes. Estate planning, wealth distribution strategies, charitable and family bequests, advanced health care directives, tax planning, and more are explained in clear, easy to understand language. Worksheets and checklists help readers to easily create advanced plans.

Stacey Hyland Joins Borislow Insurance as Director of Key Accounts

Borislow Insurance is pleased to announce that industry veteran Stacey Hyland will become the firm’s Director of Key Accounts. In that role, Stacey will work directly with key clients (over 250 lives) and will lead a team specifically geared toward servicing new and existing clients in that business segment.

Additionally, Stacey will become of member of the firm’s Extended Leadedrship Team, helping to develop strategies, techniques and talent within the agency.

With more than 25 years of industry experience, Stacey brings a diverse range of skills to the agency. Most recently, she served as Key Account Executive (Manchester, NH) at Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. In the past she has also held key roles at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Hampshire and at the Granite Group Benefits.

Agency Co-Owners Jennifer Borislow and Mark Gaunya said, “We are excited to add someone of Stacey’s caliber to our team. She has the perfect background to help us in servicing and growing this important market segment and to continue our mission of bringing innovative yet high-touch benefit solutions to our clients.”

Stacey has a keen interest in developing future leaders and helping them to optimize their personal and professional goals. In her spare time, she enjoys working in her organic garden, exercising and the occasional golf game. She also donates her time to her local animal shelter.

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