Much of the Blackwelder family’s journey was shaped by their daughter, Tess, and her courageous battle with cystic fibrosis. Through years of navigating healthcare challenges as a family, Ralph and Tracy experienced firsthand the uncertainty, emotional weight, and difficult decisions that so many families quietly carry every day.
These experiences deeply shaped the heart behind EMS and continue to influence how the company supports the employers, employees, and families it serves today.
Because healthcare is never just about coverage.
It is about people, families, and the moments that matter most.
We focus on what most strategies miss: education, behavior, and decision-making.
2% of employees drive 50% of healthcare costs—
the difference is how those situations are identified, funded, and managed.
We engage directly with employees and their families year-round, supporting complex healthcare and financial decisions
We simplify benefits and uncover better-fit options employees wouldn’t find on their own
Every interaction is designed to improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary cost
Our team brings together expertise across benefits strategy, advocacy, and organizational leadership, focused on helping people make more informed healthcare decisions with clarity and confidence.
Results over activity
We do what’s right, not what’s easy
Every situation is personal
Built through consistency and follow-through
We challenge the status quo to create better outcomes
when it matters most.
EMS delivers measurable results by proactively identifying and correcting high-cost, misaligned decisions before they impact the plan.
target ROI on program investment
reduction in total healthcare spend
in claims savings delivered in the last 12 months
of complex cases identified early for alternative resources
client retention driven by consistent outcomes
Our leadership team brings together deep expertise across benefits strategy, advocacy, and organizational leadership united by a commitment to improving how healthcare decisions are made.
Built EMS to solve the root cause of healthcare cost—better decisions at every level
Leads financial strategy focused on reducing healthcare spend and improving plan performance
Oversees Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA strategies—helping members navigate complex coverage decisions
Designs HRA strategies that optimize employer spend and improve benefit utilization
Leads high-touch advocacy supporting employees through complex healthcare and claims decisions
Leads systems that turn EMS advocacy into scalable, measurable outcomes
Connects data, process, and strategy to improve visibility, accountability, and performance
Builds the people, training, and brand foundation that drives consistency and growth
EMS strengthens broker strategy, helps employers manage risk, and ensures employees make informed decisions that reduce unnecessary cost.
We’ll review your current approach and help identify where opportunities may exist to better align decisions, support employees, and reduce unnecessary cost.
