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General

Monark 101

How MonarkHQ Works

MonarkHQ is a benefits workflow platform designed to streamline how brokers, carrier representatives, and employers collaborate—from quoting to final benefit selection.

Rather than emails, spreadsheets, and disconnected tools, MonarkHQ provides a single, secure workflow for each stage of the benefits lifecycle.

The Big Picture

At a high level, MonarkHQ follows this flow:

  1. Brokers configure coverage and request quotes
  2. Carrier reps receive RFPs and submit offers
  3. Brokers curate offers into proposals
  4. Employers review options and make selections
  5. Brokers proceed to implementation and enrollment

Each participant interacts with MonarkHQ differently, but all activity is connected within the same system.

The Three Roles in MonarkHQ

Brokers

Brokers are the primary operators of MonarkHQ. They:

  • Manage employer accounts
  • Upload census data
  • Configure coverage requirements
  • Send RFPs to carrier reps
  • Receive and compare offers
  • Build and send proposals
  • Track employer decisions

Brokers create organizations, invite team members, and control the workflow end-to-end.

Carrier Representatives

Carrier reps respond to broker requests. They:

  • Receive RFPs via secure email links
  • Review group requirements and plan designs
  • Submit carrier offers directly in MonarkHQ
  • Attach supporting documents
  • Track submitted responses and performance

Carrier reps do not manage accounts or proposals—they respond only to RFPs sent to them.

Employers (Group Representatives)

Employers review and decide on benefits. They:

  • Receive proposals via secure email links
  • Review coverage options and costs
  • Compare plans side-by-side
  • Select preferred benefits
  • Submit decisions back to their broker

Employers do not see RFPs, carrier negotiations, or competing offers.

Core Concepts

Accounts

An account represents an employer (company or group).

It contains:

  • Company information
  • Contacts
  • Proposals
  • Census data (employees and dependents)

Census Data

Census data includes employees and dependents used for:

  • Quoting
  • Rating
  • Cost calculations
  • Contribution modeling

Census data can be uploaded via spreadsheets, CSVs, or documents using AI extraction.

Coverage Types

Coverage is organized by line, such as:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life & AD&D
  • Disability
  • Voluntary benefits

Each coverage type is configured, quoted, and reviewed independently.

RFPs (Requests for Proposal)

RFPs are how brokers request pricing and plan details from carriers.

In MonarkHQ:

  • Brokers configure coverage requirements
  • Carrier reps receive RFPs via magic links
  • Reps submit structured offers directly into the system
  • Brokers track status and responses in real time

Proposals

A proposal is a curated package of selected quotes and offers prepared for an employer.

Proposals include:

  • Selected plans
  • Employer contribution modeling
  • Cost breakdowns
  • Comparisons
  • Attachments
  • Broker recommendations

Proposals are sent securely to employers for review and selection.

Magic Links & Security

MonarkHQ uses passwordless access through secure magic links.

Magic links:

  • Are sent via email
  • Authenticate users automatically
  • Expire after a set time
  • Are tied to specific recipients
  • Require no account setup for reps or employers

This ensures ease of use without sacrificing security.

Status Tracking & Visibility

Every stage of the workflow is trackable:

  • RFPs show whether carriers have viewed or responded
  • Proposals show when employers view and submit selections
  • Brokers have full visibility into progress and activity

Each role only sees what is relevant to them.

What MonarkHQ Is (and Isn’t)

MonarkHQ is:

  • A structured workflow for benefits quoting and selection
  • A collaboration layer between brokers, carriers, and employers
  • A secure alternative to spreadsheets and email chains

MonarkHQ is not:

  • An employee enrollment platform
  • A carrier underwriting system
  • A replacement for broker relationships

It complements existing systems while simplifying the front-end process.

Where to Go Next

Depending on your role, start here:

  • Brokers:

    → Creating Proposals

    → Sending RFPs

    → Building & Sending Proposals

  • Carrier Representatives:

    → Getting Started with Monark as a Carrier Rep

    → Viewing RFPs

    → Submitting Offers

  • Employers:

    → Employer Guide – Reviewing & Selecting Benefits

For common questions, see the MonarkHQ FAQ.

Why This Matters

MonarkHQ replaces fragmented workflows with:

  • Clear ownership
  • Faster turnaround
  • Better visibility
  • Fewer errors
  • A professional experience for every participant

Everything flows through one system—without forcing everyone to learn the same interface.

Verdict (mentor mode)