Resources
Benefits broker resources: templates and guides.
Download free workbooks, use calculators, and inspect fictional source packets with actual product exports before starting a trial.
Documented workflow examples
Inspect the source, the result and the review work.
These fictional examples include a recorded ChatGPT workflow, a written Claude example, a medical comparison and a dental workbook. Inspect the actual output and limitations before applying the workflow to your own case.
Check assistant eligibility and setup for Claude, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. The examples below do not demonstrate a completed Copilot workflow.
October 29, 2026 · fictional inputs
Assistant analysis to a proposal PDF
The recorded workflow transfers 15 plans from ChatGPT into a Planlined case, then opens the proposal book and exports a 14-page PDF in Planlined. The renewal materials are fictional.
Review and scope: Check rates, enrollment, plan roles and delivery warnings before client delivery. This recording demonstrates ChatGPT; it does not demonstrate Claude or Microsoft Copilot or establish an accuracy or time-saving benchmark.
November 4, 2026 · fictional inputs
Claude case to a reviewed proposal PDF
Claude created a two-plan case from a fictional PDF. Eight saved monthly rates and the enrollment matched the source; Planlined then generated the actual seven-page proposal PDF.
Review and scope: An automated browser assistant checked the case and added a source-review note. The saved coinsurance qualifier and per-plan dates were incomplete; a manual AD edit did not persist. See the original output and review limits. This example does not demonstrate Copilot or establish an accuracy benchmark.
October 20, 2026 · fictional inputs
Carrier PDF to a checked medical comparison
A fictional medical PDF import returned two plans and eight monthly rates. The rates matched the source check, and the reviewed comparison was exported as a proposal PDF.
Review and scope: Plan roles and contributions were set manually. A benefit qualifier and plan-name suffixes were omitted, and source-location verification remains unresolved. The linked PDF has presentation-only cleanup documented in the check record. The example does not establish accuracy across carrier formats.
October 22, 2026 · fictional inputs
Dental workbook to Excel financials
A fictional current/renewal dental comparison was saved, reopened and exported. All eight checked monthly financial rows matched the actual Excel export.
Review and scope: Rates and enrollment were entered manually after import missed them. Benefit-field and workbook limitations are documented in the linked example; this is a financial-output check, not proof of complete automatic extraction.
Featured Resources
Start with the guides teams use every renewal season
These deep dives walk through the exact workflows agencies use to automate comparisons, build proposals, and present results that clients immediately trust.
Workflow tour: Carrier documents to client delivery
Follow the complete Planlined workflow: verify carrier-file data, compare a strategy, and create the client-facing materials from the same case.
- Bring PDFs, SBCs, and spreadsheets into one case
- Review uncertain fields beside their source document
- Use Scenario Manager before you adopt a recommendation
Template Pack: Free Benefit Comparison Template Suite
Downloadable Excel + PDF templates that match how brokers present plan comparisons, contribution scenarios, and summary notes.
- Three ready-to-use Excel workbooks with formulas
- Client-facing PDF template for executive summaries
- Instructions for swapping in your agency branding
Source-verified document intake
See how Planlined organizes carrier files and lets your team review parsed benefit data next to the source material.
- Prepare PDFs, rate sheets, SBCs, and spreadsheets for intake
- Review fields and their supporting source material together
- Handle carrier-specific formats without rebuilding the case
Browse by topic
All resources
Guides, templates and tools.
- Invoice Reconciliation Excel Template Template · Excel workbookBlank full-month premium review, a fictional worked example and a correction follow-up log. Direct XLSX download.
- AI Benefits PDF Comparison Guide · 8 min readA documented same-file extraction check, with dated Planlined workflow evidence and explicit limits.
- Verified Dental Renewal Comparison Worked example · 6 min readSee a completed dental renewal comparison, checked employer and employee costs, saved settings and an actual Excel financial export.
- The Connected Benefit Proposal Workflow Guide · 6 min readFrom carrier files to client delivery in one case: source review, Scenario Manager, and the materials that go out.
- Free Benefit Comparison Template Template · 5 min readDownload blank Excel and PDF templates, inspect a completed four-tier example, then compare it with an actual saved-case proposal.
- Employee Benefits Booklet Template Template · 7 min readThe page-by-page structure for an open enrollment booklet, plus print specifications and distribution timing.
- Automatically Analyze PDF and Excel Benefit Files Guide · 12 min readLearn how AI extracts benefit data from PDFs and Excel with verification workflows that reduce manual re-entry.
- Free Side by Side Comparison Tool Tool · 8 min readCreate professional side-by-side health insurance comparisons. Compare benefits across multiple carriers instantly and free.
- Employee Payroll Deduction Calculator Calculator · 7 min readCalculate employee payroll deductions for health insurance. Show per-paycheck costs based on pay frequency and contributions.
- Benefit Proposal Template: What to Include Template · 12 min readThe seven sections every benefit proposal needs, with a free PDF template, a worked example and a pre-send checklist.
- ACA Affordability Calculator Calculator · 10 min readCalculate ACA affordability for 2026. Free calculator determines if health plans meet the 9.96% safe harbor threshold.
- Benefits RFP Template Template · 15 min readFree benefits RFP template to request quotes from carriers efficiently. Includes pre-built questionnaire for all benefit types.
- SBC Comparison Tool Tool · 8 min readBring SBC documents into one reviewable case and compare confirmed plan details side by side.
- Group health insurance comparison spreadsheet Template · 6 min readDownload a completed four-tier workbook or a blank copy, with plan fields, rates by tier, paycheck costs, and the formulas behind them.
- Employee benefit guide generator Tool · 6 min readTurn the approved comparison into a branded employee guide with enrollment steps.
- Quick Start Guide Guide · 10 min readStart with carrier files, review the case, work a recommendation safely, and prepare client delivery.
- Document Upload Best Practices Guide · 8 min readLearn how to prepare and upload documents for maximum accuracy with our AI parser.
- Scenario Manager Feature guide · 12 min readFork a working case, compare strategies, and deliberately adopt the path you want to carry forward.
- Benefits Invoice Reconciliation Feature guide · 8 min readCompare carrier invoice enrollment and rates with census data, review mappings, and investigate discrepancies without silently guessing.
- Rate Negotiation Analysis Feature guide · 7 min readBuild the current-versus-renewal baseline, model credible alternatives, and prepare documented carrier and client discussions.
- Proposal Branding Guide Guide · 5 min readCustomize proposals with your agency branding for a professional look.
- Multi-Carrier Comparisons Tutorial · 15 min readCompare plans from multiple carriers side-by-side with advanced filtering.
- Employee Benefits Trends: the KFF 2026 Numbers Report · 20 min readThe KFF 2026 survey, published October 22: premiums, contributions, deductibles, plan mix and funding, plus the IRS limits that change for 2027.
- MLR Rebates by State and Carrier, 2024 Data · 10 min readFederal medical loss ratio rebates by state, market and carrier from the CMS public use file, with the method and free CSV downloads.
- Carrier Quoting Template Template · 8 min readFree spreadsheet for organizing carrier quotes: track submissions, normalize formats, and compare rates side-by-side.
- Stop-Loss Insurance Calculator Tool · 10 min readSize stop-loss coverage for self-funded plans and find the right specific and aggregate deductibles.
- MLR Rebate Calculator Tool · 8 min readEstimate Medical Loss Ratio rebates for your clients, and see how the 80/20 rule splits them between employer and employees.
- Rate Sheet to Spreadsheet Converter Tool · 2 minPaste a carrier rate table from an email, portal or PDF and get a spreadsheet of plans by tier. Runs in the browser, no account.
- ERISA Compliance Checklist Checklist · 12 min readForm 5500 filing requirements, SPD rules, fiduciary duties, and audit thresholds in one checklist.
- PEO Comparison Checklist Checklist · 9 min readCompare master health plans, admin fees, bundled services, and total cost of engagement across PEOs.
- Dental & Vision Plan Comparison Tool · 10 min readCompare dental and vision plans across carriers: networks, coverage levels, costs, and PPO vs DHMO trade-offs.
Templates & Calculators
Free templates and calculators for the work between renewals
Spreadsheets, calculators, and comparison tools for the recurring parts of a renewal, free to use and with no email required.
Benefit Analysis Template Pack
Excel workbooks, PDF exports, and reusable comparison tables that match how brokers scope medical, dental, vision, life, and disability.
- Side-by-side comparison tables for every coverage tier
- Contribution modeling formulas with employer vs. employee costs
- Ready-to-brand PDF proposal layout for client meetings
Calculators & Compliance Helpers
Interactive worksheets for payroll deductions, ACA affordability, and contribution strategies that keep renewals compliant.
- Per-paycheck payroll deduction projections for every frequency
- One-click ACA 2026 safe harbor validation
- Contribution guardrails for part-time and management tiers
Comparison & Proposal Tools
Use the free side-by-side and SBC worksheets to review carrier data, or explore the separate card-required trial for the proposal software.
- Generate carrier-neutral comparisons from reviewed case data
- Automate SBC field mapping without rebuilding tables
- Upgrade to branded proposals with a single click
Learning Paths
Planlined implementation blueprint
Follow the same four-step path our onboarding team uses with new agencies. Each step links to a tactical guide so you can move at your own pace.
Bring carrier files into a case
Upload the carrier packet, organize the files, and review the plan data with the original documents close at hand.
Verify the plan data before modeling
Resolve the fields that need attention, then use the case data for plan comparisons instead of retyping it into a separate workbook.
Compare strategies in Scenario Manager
Create a safe working copy to test contribution and enrollment choices, compare totals, and adopt the recommendation you want to use.
Deliver the recommendation for every audience
Create the Proposal Book, run Present Proposal in the meeting, and prepare the employee-facing Benefit Guide from the selected case.
Email support & resources
Get help even after you download the templates
Email support@planlined.com for help, or use the self-serve implementation checklists.
Email support
Email support@planlined.com for help with Planlined setup, templates, or billing.
- Ask questions about getting started
- Get help finding the right guide or template
- Contact the team about account or billing questions
Implementation checklists
Self-serve checklists and launch kits that get new team members confident in less than a week.
- Quick-start guide for new producers
- Benefits RFP template for quoting
- Launch kits for marketing and CS teams
Resource FAQs
Still wondering what you get?
Here are the most common questions brokers ask before diving into the resource library.
Are these resources actually usable or just marketing?
Every item links to a live guide, template, calculator, or tool. There are no paywalls, no PDFs that require a salesperson, and no “coming soon” placeholders.
Which resource should I start with if I am brand new to Planlined?
Start with the Quick Start Guide to learn the interface, then grab the Benefit Comparison Template to mirror your current process before moving into automation.
Do you cover compliance topics like ACA affordability?
The calculators include published 2026 and 2027 ACA thresholds, four-tier payroll deductions, manual plan comparisons and funding scenarios. They show the assumptions and arithmetic; they do not establish a compliance determination or verify carrier terms.
Can I share these guides with clients or partner agencies?
Absolutely. Everything here was written to be client-safe. Feel free to forward links, embed calculators in Loom recordings, or include templates in onboarding packets.
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