Lauren Efferding

Lauren Efferding serves as a principal and senior benefits consultant within the Milliman Employee Benefits Consulting (EBC) Practice. She possesses extensive expertise in advising employers, their advisors, and vendors on the design, budgeting, funding, and implementation of employee benefit plans encompassing medical, dental, vision, stop-loss, and various ancillary coverages. Additionally, she is involved in retiree medical plans, Taft-Hartley, and other union plans. Lauren's experience spans multiple industries, including healthcare systems, manufacturing, retail, nonprofit, oil and gas, and government entities. She is esteemed for her deep expertise in financial strategy and tailored solutions, establishing her as a trusted advisor. Her comprehensive skillsets include the following:

• Financial forecasting: Lauren conducts financial and premium/ rate projections and claims reserve estimates through ongoing monitoring and evaluation of plan performance.
• Pricing and risk assessment: Lauren leverages statistical analysis and data modeling to forecast risk trends and provide actionable insights for pricing strategies.
• Marketing carriers/vendors and contracting: Lauren facilitates contract, carrier, and vendor negotiations, including managing RFPs, to ensure that contracts are equitable, comprehensive, and of the highest caliber. Additionally, she evaluates network and provider contracts, performance guarantees, and other contract elements to ensure optimization, adequacy, and positive financial outcomes.
• Compliance: Lauren maintains plan compliance by staying informed of evolving regulations and laws.