Pat Arnold has a unique relationship with Sutter Health Plus. As a broker, he has been a partner since the health plan expanded coverage to the Bay Area in 2015. Over the past two years, Pat has continued his relationship with us in his current role selecting benefits for a large group employer and has also joined as a member. Pat cites convenient access to high-quality care, competitive renewal pricing, comprehensive and flexible plan solutions, and price points trending at or below industry averages as a few of the reasons he continues to select and recommend Sutter Health Plus.

Pat began his career as a broker with Filice Insurance Agency in 1999 and held the position of President and CEO of the agency’s East Bay division from 2004 to 2018. As CEO, Pat helped to drive the success of Filice’s San Jose and Moraga offices.

As one of the health plan’s most outspoken advocates, Pat recently shared his experiences working with Sutter Health Plus, particularly Account Manager, Jill Kelley.

“Since day one, Jill and the Sutter Health Plus team have consistently exceeded my expectations, providing responsive and attentive customer service,” said Pat. “Whether my clients needed assistance with coordination of care, pharmacy, complicated treatment plans, or help transitioning between provider networks, Sutter Health Plus found solutions and nailed it every time.”

Pat shared an example illustrating how Jill and the team showed diligent focus when it came to member experience. Pat was challenged to find unique care solutions for a member with a special-needs child who was entering adulthood, and it was time to transition from a pediatrician to an adult primary care physician (PCP). He remembers how impressed he was when Jill quickly identified key care-access needs, located and connected the member with a virtual-first provider, and helped set up specialized telehealth accommodations. Pat says that the member still thanks him to this day for help finding the right care.

After 20 years of building a successful employee benefits business, Pat made the leap to his current role as Director of Development at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, his high school alma mater, and longtime client at Filice. When he joined the organization, it was in a complicated place regarding their employee benefits offering. He recalled why he chose to offer Sutter Health Plus to Bellarmine employees.

“One of the more difficult challenges I’ve faced in my career was when I first started working at Bellarmine. At the time, one of Bellarmine’s plan carriers announced they were discontinuing their plan at renewal, which would force dozens of employees to select a new plan without access to their current provider network,” remembers Pat. “I knew I needed to find an affordable carrier with network stability for my employees to avoid this disruption.”

As a non-profit organization with a diverse population, finding an affordable employee health plan with access to high-quality care and flexible options was critical.

“After comparing plans from ten carriers, I chose Sutter Health Plus,” he said. “They did an amazing job seamlessly transitioning 25 Bellarmine employees to the health plan, many with complicated continuity of care concerns—it really felt like a miracle!”

Pat says Bellarmine continues renewing with Sutter Health Plus because of the positive feedback employees share about the health plan and Sutter Health network. Employees report the health plan consistently provides a first-rate member experience with a willingness to go the extra mile and offer flexible solutions to meet members’ individual health needs. In fact, Sutter Health Plus membership has tripled at Bellarmine since the health plan was first offered to employees.

“Sutter Health Plus consistently offers competitive renewal rates, flexible benefit designs, such as HSA-compatible plans, and a service model that meets the needs of our diverse population,” says Pat.

Pat and his family live in Santa Cruz and enjoy hiking, bodysurfing, and staying active. As Sutter Health Plus members, they appreciate that their family’s network PCP favors a holistic approach to healing. Pat says that when his family accesses care, they feel heard and supported.

It’s because of delighted clients like Pat that Sutter Health Plus continues to see high retention rates each year. Whether you’re a broker, employer, or member, we thank you for choosing Sutter Health Plus.