Background
Block + Tackle is a marketing agency who's mission is to fix the constant miscommunication between marketing and data teams. They had been piecing together benefits from a broker, a medical carrier, a separate HSA vendor, and two more providers for dental and vision, none of which talked to each other. Since the team is diverse in age, lifestyle, and health needs, a one-size group plan meant constant trade-offs. No one ever felt fully satisfied with their coverage.
Approach
Block + Tackle moved to Thatch and replaced the broker, the medical carrier, the HSA vendor, and the separate dental and vision providers with one platform. They set a configurable contribution model instead of one blended group rate, letting budgets flex across employee groups. Payroll integration automated onboarding and cut out manual data entry. Employees got plan selection tools that let them compare price, network, deductible, and coverage extras before choosing. Leftover funds could go toward services like therapy, nutrition, or fitness through the Thatch Marketplace.
Outcome
Costs are now predictable, since Block + Tackle sets one fixed monthly budget instead of absorbing yearly group rate increases. The disconnected logins and manual handoffs are gone, along with the errors they used to cause. Leftover dollars go toward things like therapy, nutrition, or fitness instead of sitting unused. The switch was a big shift. Even so, the team says their systems are cleaner now, with benefits that finally match the culture they've built.
💬 “Employees are noticeably more confident in their choices. Some go lean with low-cost plans; others prioritize family coverage or specific specialists. It finally feels like healthcare is working for them, not against them.” — Michele Grant, Founder, Block + Tackle
