How Saffron & Sage Supports Self-Insured Medical Reimbursement Plan (SIMRP): A Smarter Approach to Employee Wellbeing
Author: Cristin D, Smith, Founder & CEO
Rising healthcare costs continue to strain employers and employees alike. Traditional group insurance plans often limit access to preventative care, personalized treatment, and integrative services that support long-term physical health and wellbeing. As companies search for more flexible, cost-effective solutions, the Self-Insured Medical Reimbursement Plan (SIMRP) is gaining attention as a powerful alternative.
A SIMRP allows employers to reimburse employees for qualified medical expenses instead of purchasing a one-size-fits-all insurance policy. When paired with a holistic health club like Saffron & Sage, SIMRP creates a structure that supports preventative care, integrative medicine, and comprehensive wellbeing—while maintaining financial control for employers.
This model represents a shift away from reactive healthcare toward proactive, data-driven physical health strategies that align with modern workforce needs.
What Is a Self-Insured Medical Reimbursement Plan (SIMRP)?
A Self-Insured Medical Reimbursement Plan is an employer-funded benefit that reimburses employees for eligible medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis. Unlike traditional insurance, SIMRP does not involve paying monthly premiums to a carrier. Instead, employers reimburse only when expenses occur, allowing greater cost predictability and flexibility.
SIMRP plans are typically structured under Internal Revenue Code Section 105. Employers define what expenses are reimbursable, set annual limits, and maintain compliance through proper plan documentation and administration.
According to the IRS Section 105 Medical Reimbursement Plans overview, these plans allow employers to reimburse qualified medical expenses while excluding those reimbursements from employee taxable income (Internal Revenue Code Section 105).
Why Traditional Healthcare Models Fall Short for Workplace Wellbeing
Conventional insurance models prioritize acute care and symptom management. Preventative services, integrative therapies, and ongoing health optimization are often excluded or only partially covered. This leaves employees managing chronic stress, metabolic issues, hormonal imbalances, and fatigue without access to care that addresses root causes.
From a workplace wellness perspective, this gap contributes to rising absenteeism, presenteeism, burnout, and long-term health claims. Employers invest in benefits but see limited returns in employee physical health outcomes.
SIMRP offers an alternative structure that allows employers to support a broader range of healthcare services—especially when aligned with a holistic healthcare provider like Saffron & Sage.
How SIMRP Works in Practice
A SIMRP functions through a defined reimbursement framework:
The employer establishes a self-insured reimbursement plan.
Eligible medical expenses are clearly outlined.
Employees pay for approved services upfront.
Employees submit claims for reimbursement.
The employer reimburses expenses tax-advantaged.
This approach gives employers control over benefit design while allowing employees freedom to choose providers and services that support their individual wellbeing needs.
According to What Is a SIMRP Plan and How Does It Work? by FPRS Corporation, SIMRP plans are commonly used to supplement or replace traditional insurance, especially for employers seeking flexibility and cost containment (What Is a SIMRP Plan and How Does It Work?).
Why SIMRP Aligns With a Holistic Health Club Model
Holistic healthcare focuses on the interconnected systems of the body—addressing physical health, stress physiology, metabolic function, hormone balance, and lifestyle factors together. This approach requires flexibility in care options, diagnostics, and therapies that are often not covered by traditional insurance.
A SIMRP allows employers to reimburse services that support integrative and preventative care when structured correctly. This makes it an ideal pairing with a membership-based holistic health club like Saffron & Sage.
Instead of fragmented care across multiple providers, employees gain access to coordinated services that support long-term wellbeing and reduce the need for reactive medical interventions.
How Saffron & Sage Supports SIMRP-Eligible Care
Saffron & Sage offers a comprehensive, integrative healthcare model that aligns with SIMRP reimbursement structures. Their services emphasize preventative care, early intervention, and personalized health strategies that improve physical health outcomes over time.
Integrative and Naturopathic Medicine
Licensed practitioners assess underlying contributors to chronic conditions such as stress, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and metabolic dysfunction. These services support long-term wellbeing and reduce downstream healthcare utilization.
Diagnostic Testing and Biomarker Analysis
Advanced lab testing evaluates biomarkers related to metabolic health, inflammation, hormone balance, and nutrient status. Measuring biomarkers allows for targeted interventions rather than guesswork, improving both efficiency and outcomes.
Stress Regulation and Therapy Services
Chronic stress is a primary driver of workplace health decline. Acupuncture, breathwork, somatic therapy, and trauma-informed care help regulate the nervous system, improve resilience, and support sustained physical health.
Nutritional and Lifestyle Support
Digestive health, nutrient absorption, and lifestyle behaviors directly influence employee wellbeing. Personalized nutrition and lifestyle guidance support energy, immune function, and metabolic balance.
These services align with a preventative healthcare philosophy that SIMRP plans are uniquely positioned to support.
The Financial Advantage for Employers
SIMRP offers financial clarity compared to traditional insurance premiums. Employers reimburse only when services are used, avoiding unused premium expenses. When paired with holistic care that reduces chronic disease progression, long-term healthcare costs can decrease.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), employers using self-insured reimbursement models report improved cost control and greater flexibility in benefit design (Self-Insured Health Plans).
Supporting Corporate Wellbeing Through Proactive Care
Corporate wellbeing initiatives often fail because they focus on surface-level solutions rather than systemic health drivers. SIMRP enables employers to invest in preventative, integrative care that addresses the root causes of burnout, fatigue, and chronic illness.
When employees have access to holistic healthcare through a structured reimbursement plan, engagement improves and long-term health risks decrease. This supports workplace wellness goals while reinforcing a culture of care.
SIMRP as a Strategic Tool for Modern Employers
As hybrid work environments and burnout rates rise, employers must rethink how benefits support real physical health outcomes. SIMRP offers a scalable solution that adapts to diverse employee needs while maintaining compliance and fiscal responsibility.
When aligned with a holistic health club like Saffron & Sage, SIMRP becomes more than a reimbursement mechanism—it becomes a strategic investment in long-term wellbeing.
Integrating SIMRP With Holistic Healthcare for Sustainable Wellbeing
A Self-Insured Medical Reimbursement Plan empowers employers to move beyond reactive healthcare models. By supporting integrative, preventative services through a structured reimbursement framework, SIMRP aligns financial strategy with meaningful health outcomes.
Saffron & Sage provides the clinical expertise, diagnostic depth, and holistic services that allow SIMRP plans to deliver measurable improvements in physical health and wellbeing. Together, they represent a modern approach to workplace healthcare—one focused on sustainability, personalization, and long-term value.
Explore SIMRP-Supported Holistic Healthcare With Saffron & Sage
Saffron & Sage partners with employers seeking flexible, preventative healthcare solutions that align with SIMRP reimbursement models. Their holistic health practitioners in San Diego offer integrative medicine, diagnostic testing, stress-regulation therapies, and personalized care designed to support long-term wellbeing.
To learn how Saffron & Sage can support your organization through SIMRP-aligned holistic healthcare, contact us at 619-933-2340 to start the conversation.