Platform Methodology
Every score, benchmark, vendor profile, and AI-generated analysis on this platform follows a documented methodology. This page explains exactly how each system works, what data it uses, and where its limitations lie.
Assessment system
Three levels of benefits analysis
Start with the Checkup, receive an Employer Benefits Scorecard, build your ongoing Benefits IQ Score, then request the 126-Point Benefits Benchmark when you are ready for a deeper review.
Benefits IQ Checkup™
Quick screening — no data required
Time
5 minutes
Scope
6 screening areas
What's covered
- Cost & Renewal
- Plan Structure
- Pharmacy Strategy
- Data & Vendors
- Compliance
- Employee Experience
Outcome: Employer Benefits Scorecard
No claims data needed
Benefits IQ Score™
Ongoing score — built from your tool results
Time
Builds over time
Scope
12 performance domains
What's covered
- All 6 Checkup screening areas, plus:
- Vendor contract quality
- Data & analytics access
- Population health management
- Fiduciary governance
- Benefits communication
- Cost containment strategy
Outcome: Live dashboard score
Tool results aggregate automatically
126-Point Benefits Benchmark
Deep-dive — Corry reviews your plan personally
Time
126 evaluation points
Scope
All plan dimensions
What's covered
- Cohort-matched cost benchmarks
- Named source citations (9 surveys)
- Contract red-flag review
- Pharmacy spend analysis
- Specific vendor recommendations
- Corry Hull reviews personally
Outcome: Written findings + recommendations
Claims data welcome (not required)
The Checkup produces your Scorecard. Your Scorecard and tool results inform your ongoing Score, while the 126-Point Benchmark provides the most detailed review. You can start at any level.
Foundation — The EmployerBenefitsIQ Evaluation Framework™
One framework. Every tool. Every vendor.
Every score, vendor profile, and AI recommendation on this platform traces back to the same 10 evaluation dimensions. This is what makes EBIQ recommendations explainable — not arbitrary AI output, but a documented framework applied consistently.
Each dimension includes a definition, vendor question, employer question, and red flags.
1 of 4 — Scoring
Benefits IQ Score™
A composite 0–100 score across 12 performance domains, calculated from tool results and employer profile data. Scores are progressive — partial data produces valid but flagged estimates.
How the score is calculated
- Each of the 12 performance domains receives a 0–100 sub-score based on tool results.
- Sub-scores are multiplied by their domain weight and summed to produce the composite.
- A confidence percentage (0–100%) reflects how much data backs each domain.
- Domains with no data default to 0 with a confidence of 0% — they do not inflate the score.
- The overall confidence is the weighted average of all domain confidences.
- Scores update automatically each time a tool is completed.
Score bands
Needs Attention (0–49)
Significant gaps requiring immediate action
Fair (50–69)
Foundational elements in place; key improvements needed
Good (70–84)
Strong performance with targeted optimization opportunities
Excellent (85–100)
Best-in-class — maintain and benchmark continuously
12 performance domains and weights
These 12 domains are the actual scoring units of the Benefits IQ Score™. For navigation and tool grouping, the platform organizes tools under 6 strategic pillars — but the score is always calculated from the 12 domains below. The Benefits IQ Checkup™ (Level 1) uses 6 screening areas as a simplified starting point; those screening areas map into these 12 domains as you complete additional tools.
Important limitation
2 of 4 — Benchmarking
Benchmark Methodology
EBIQ benchmarks take three distinct forms depending on whether public data exists. Each form is clearly labeled on every benchmark page.
Statistical benchmarks
Percentile data drawn from nationally recognized surveys. Sources include KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey, Mercer National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, SHRM Benefits Survey, and Milliman Medical Index. Data is refreshed annually when new survey editions are published.
Examples:
- Premium contribution %
- Deductible levels
- OOP maximums
- Employer cost per employee
Maturity frameworks
For areas where no public benchmark exists, EBIQ uses a 1–5 maturity scale based on industry best practices, Health Rosetta principles, and Corry Hull's 19+ years of employer benefits consulting (since 2007). These are clearly labeled "EBIQ Best Practice" — not external survey data.
Examples:
- PBM contract transparency
- Stop-loss structure quality
- TPA accountability
- Care navigation sophistication
Regulatory guardrails
Statutory limits set by the IRS, CMS, DOL, and HHS. These are not benchmarks in the traditional sense — they are legal thresholds. Sources include IRS Revenue Procedures, CMS NBPP Final Rules, and DOL guidance. Values are updated each plan year.
Examples:
- HSA contribution limits
- ACA out-of-pocket maximums
- PCORI fee rates
- ACA affordability threshold
Data freshness policy
Every benchmark page displays a "Last reviewed" date. Statistical benchmarks are reviewed annually when source surveys publish new editions (typically Q3–Q4). Regulatory values are updated within 30 days of IRS or CMS publication. Maturity frameworks are reviewed annually for alignment with evolving industry standards.
The full source register — including survey names, publication years, and access URLs — is available on the Benchmark Methodology page.
Projection note
PBM Savings Calculator — specific assumptions
The PBM Savings Calculator uses the following benchmark values. Each is labeled with its source type and the named study or framework it derives from.
Calculator assumptions are reviewed annually. Last reviewed: August 2026. To report a data error, use the corrections form.
3 of 4 — Vendor Intelligence
Vendor Comparison Methodology
EBIQ profiles vendors across 8 categories using a combination of public disclosures, vendor-supplied data, and independent research. Every data point is labeled with its source type.
How vendor data is sourced
Regulatory filings, CMS disclosures, SEC filings, press releases, and published pricing. Independently verifiable.
Data submitted directly by the vendor through our update form. Accepted as-is; not independently audited.
Cross-referenced against at least two independent sources. Highest confidence level.
Data is present but could not be confirmed against a second source. Treat with caution.
Data architecture
Vendor data is stored in an Entity-Attribute-Value (EAV) schema. Each vendor category has a dedicated table of field definitions — allowing different vendors to have different data completeness without null-padding fixed columns.
The virtual care category uses a three-table EAV model: vc_vendors, vc_field_definitions, and vc_vendor_values — currently holding 20 vendors, 21 field definitions, and 420 value rows.
Vendors can submit corrections or updates at any time via the vendor update form. All submissions are reviewed before publication.
Independence policy
EBIQ does not accept payment from vendors for inclusion, ranking, or favorable treatment in comparison tools or profiles. Vendor profiles are created based on market relevance and employer demand — not commercial relationships.
The full independence and conflict-of-interest policy is available on the Independence page.
Vendor data limitation
4 of 4 — AI Analysis
AI Analysis Methodology
EBIQ uses AI in three distinct ways: rules-based scoring, AI-assisted analysis, and human-reviewed outputs. Each tool is labeled with its classification.
Deterministic scoring
Tools like the Compliance Health Check and Renewal Impact Calculator use fixed logic trees and regulatory thresholds. No AI model is involved. Outputs are reproducible and auditable. The same inputs always produce the same outputs.
Applies to:
- Compliance Health Check™
- Renewal Impact Calculator™
- Benefits ROI Calculator™
GPT-4o analysis
Contract review tools (LTD, Stop-Loss, SPD, PBM) use GPT-4o to extract, classify, and score contract provisions against a structured rubric. The model is prompted with domain-specific criteria developed by Corry Hull, REBC®, CSFS®.
Applies to:
- LTD Contract AI Review™
- Stop-Loss Contract Review™
- SPD AI Review™
- PBM Contract AI Review™
Expert-validated content
All pillar pages, benchmark data, glossary definitions, and learning modules are written and reviewed by Corry Hull, REBC®, CSFS®. AI may assist with drafting but all published content is human-reviewed before publication.
Applies to:
- Pillar pages
- Benchmark data
- Glossary terms
- Learning modules
Model and data handling
Model: GPT-4o (OpenAI) via the OpenAI API.
Prompts: Structured domain-specific rubrics developed by Corry Hull, REBC®, CSFS®. Prompts are versioned and reviewed when model versions change.
File handling: Uploaded contract documents are processed in-session and are not stored permanently. Files are deleted from server memory after analysis is complete.
PHI policy: Users are warned not to upload documents containing Protected Health Information (PHI). EBIQ is not a HIPAA Business Associate and does not accept PHI.
Rate limiting: AI tools are rate-limited per user session to prevent abuse. Limits reset on server restart (in-memory only — a known limitation).
AI Advisor: The Benefits Advisor uses streaming GPT-4o with a system prompt that enforces educational framing and prohibits specific legal or financial advice.
AI limitation — critical
Last reviewed: August 2026. Questions about this methodology? Contact Corry Hull. To report a data error, use the corrections form.