Company News

Four years of financial strength: why Curative's A- (Excellent) AM Best rating matters for employers and brokers

Read Time

5 Minutes

Written by

Team Curative

Published

Mar 3, 2026

When choosing a health plan partner, employers and brokers want confidence. They want stability, reliability, and a partner that can deliver consistent care while managing costs effectively.

Curative holds an A- (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating from AM Best, reaffirmed for four consecutive years — an independent, third-party validation of financial stability and disciplined operations. For employers and brokers evaluating health plan partners, this rating is more than a credential. It is the foundation that supports reliable care, consistent service, and sustainable long-term partnerships.

What is AM Best — and why it matters

AM Best is an independent credit rating agency specializing in the insurance industry. Founded in 1899, it is widely recognized as the leading authority on insurer financial strength. AM Best evaluates insurers based on:

Balance sheet strength
Operating performance
Risk management
Ability to meet ongoing policyholder obligations

An A- (Excellent) rating indicates that an insurer has an excellent ability to pay claims and maintain financial stability — a benchmark brokers regularly reference during RFP evaluations and that CFOs rely on to assess carrier risk.

In short, the AM Best rating provides an objective, external measure of insurer strength that cuts through marketing claims and plan design complexity.

Why four consecutive years matter

A rating reflects financial strength at a single point in time. Four consecutive affirmations demonstrate something more important: consistency.

Healthcare markets are complex. Medical costs fluctuate. Regulatory requirements evolve. A multi-year A- (Excellent) affirmation signals that Curative's financial discipline is sustained — not temporary or circumstantial.

Multi-year affirmation reflects:

Sustained operational discipline — capital management, underwriting rigor, and cost controls built for the long term
Consistent risk management — the ability to navigate medical cost volatility and market changes
Structural stability — not just performing well in a single year, but building systems designed to sustain long-term obligations

This consistency matters when employers are designing multi-year benefits strategies and when brokers are guiding clients through competitive evaluations where carrier stability is a first-line criterion.

What financial strength means for employers

According to the KFF 2024 Employer Health Benefits Survey, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family coverage now exceeds $23,000 — making carrier stability a critical factor in protecting that investment. Beyond cost, employees rely on coverage in moments that matter. A carrier with proven, repeated financial strength provides:

Reliable claims payments

Strong reserves and disciplined operations help ensure employees receive care without disruptions, providers are paid promptly, and employers face fewer surprises.

Confidence in risk management

Capital strength supports the ability to navigate medical cost volatility and market changes — so employers aren't caught off guard by carrier instability.

Support for long-term planning

Benefits strategies can be designed across multiple years, finance teams can forecast costs with confidence, and member experience remains consistent. SHRM research consistently identifies financial stability as a top criterion in carrier selection for HR and benefits leaders.

Reduced carrier risk

Independent, third-party validation provides reassurance during procurement and renewal cycles — giving CFOs and benefits leaders an objective basis for decisions.

How brokers benefit from Curative's financial strength

Brokers and consultants balance cost, innovation, and risk when recommending carriers. Curative's four-year A- affirmation strengthens those recommendations in several practical ways:

Strengthened RFP positioning — Multi-year validation demonstrates reliability beyond price or plan design, meeting one of the first criteria reviewed in formal evaluations
Clearer CFO conversations — Finance stakeholders trust long-term financial data backed by a respected third party, making broker recommendations easier to defend
Reduced risk in recommendations — Carrier stability ensures employer clients receive consistent support and care over time
Enhanced long-term client strategy — A financially strong carrier supports planning and sustained member engagement across renewal cycles

Financial strength is often table stakes in formal evaluations. Curative meets that standard — and has done so four years running. Brokers looking to learn more can explore Curative's broker resources.

Member impact: stability behind the care

Behind every claim payment is infrastructure, capital, and operational discipline. Financial strength ensures those systems remain reliable year after year, which enables Curative to deliver:

Consistent preventive-first care — including $0 cost-sharing plan options tied to completion of the Baseline Visit in the first 120 days of plan start
Ongoing Care Navigator support — proactive relationships that help members use their benefits effectively
Early outreach and intervention — connecting members to care before conditions escalate
Sustained investment in pharmacy, preventive screenings, and care coordination programs

A financially strong carrier can continue investing in these programs — not just launch them. Multi-year affirmation is what makes that continuity possible.

How Curative sustains financial strength

Curative's A- (Excellent) rating is the result of an intentional approach to both financial discipline and member outcomes. The two are closely linked:

Preventive-first care design encourages early engagement, reducing long-term costs
Member engagement strategies help stabilize medical cost trends over time
Responsible underwriting and capital management ensure the company can meet obligations even in complex markets
Operational efficiency supports sustainable growth without sacrificing service quality

Financial performance and member experience are aligned at Curative — each supports the other.

Choosing a financially strong partner

Employers and brokers should evaluate multi-year financial strength alongside network access, cost structure, and member experience. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recommends reviewing financial strength ratings as part of any carrier evaluation — and a four-year affirmation goes well beyond the minimum standard. A carrier with four consecutive A- (Excellent) ratings offers:

Independent, third-party validation of stability
Confidence in claims-paying ability
Assurance for both employers and the employees who depend on coverage
Reduced carrier risk in procurement and renewal

Stability is foundational. When employers select a health plan partner, they are choosing who their workforce will rely on. Financial strength provides the confidence that coverage will perform — not just at signing, but year after year. Explore Curative's health plans to see how financial strength translates into real benefits for your organization.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean that Curative's rating was affirmed four years in a row? It demonstrates consistent financial strength, stability, and disciplined operations over time — not just in a single year. Multi-year affirmation is a higher bar than a one-time rating.

Why does multi-year financial strength matter for employers? It supports predictable claims payments, long-term benefits planning, and confidence that the carrier can withstand market changes and medical cost volatility.

How does this affect members? Members benefit from continuous care, preventive-first coverage, $0 cost-sharing options, and early outreach programs designed to help them stay on top of their health.

Can brokers use this in conversations with clients? Yes. Multi-year affirmation strengthens RFP positioning, provides credibility with finance teams, and reduces risk in carrier recommendations.

Does financial strength impact plan quality? Financial strength ensures operational stability and reliability. Plan quality is shaped by clinical design and member experience. Both together create a strong, sustainable health plan.