Predictika · Group benefits plan design

An AI sales agent's small-business group benefits plan, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a group benefits plan design for a small business with 2 to 50 employees: the Standard programs or LaunchPlan, who pays, participation, the waiting period, life, dental, extended health, disability and critical illness choices. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the plan limits Manulife publishes in its small-business guide and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Manulife small-business group benefits plan designs (Standard programs and LaunchPlan, 2 to 50 employees): participation, waiting period, life, dental, extended health, short- and long-term disability, critical illness and stated life maximum. No premiums or rates are modeled. See everything this validator covers

This validator models plan designs as listed in Manulife's public guide "Group benefits for small business: a plan advisor's guide" (read October 6, 2026), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Group size and participation — the programs are listed for 2 to 50 employees; the minimum participation depends on group size, plan and who pays (100 percent for LaunchPlan, for groups of 9 or fewer and for employer-paid plans, otherwise 75 percent).
  • Life and dental — the life insurance maximum depends on group size (up to 1,000,000 dollars for up to 24 employees, 1,500,000 dollars for 25 to 50), basic, major and orthodontic dental percentages and the orthodontic maximum by group size.
  • Extended health, disability and critical illness — drug percentage, deductible and maximum; short-term disability weeks and weekly maximum; long-term disability waiting period and monthly maximum; critical illness amounts by group size.
  • LaunchPlan — listed for 2 to 9 employees with a fixed set of life, dental and extended health benefits only. Approvals — a long-term disability maximum above 10,000 dollars for 25 to 50 employees, or a short-term disability maximum above 1,500 dollars a week (the guide says "or current EI maximum"), goes to a person.

Any group benefits plan design that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: premiums and rates (Manulife publishes none for these plans), the health care spending account, other Manulife programs, underwriting, administration and any negotiated terms.

The AI sales agentBuilds the group benefits plan design from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Limits that depend on group sizeOnly with care
Participation, life, orthodontic, disability and critical illness limits all change with the number of employees, so each needs its own size bands that must be kept in step.		The limits are computed from the group size on every call and compared with the plan design.
A plan with its own fixed benefit setOnly with workarounds
LaunchPlan lists only some benefits at fixed levels, so a rep can add a disability or critical illness choice that the plan does not list.		Choosing a benefit that LaunchPlan does not list is stopped in the same pass as the other rules.
A stated figure that must match the guideOnly with care
A life maximum typed by a rep has to be compared separately with the figure for the group size.		The stated life maximum is compared with the computed one together with the other choices.
Amounts that need a person to confirmOnly with workarounds
Edge cases such as a higher long-term disability maximum for larger groups usually rely on a manual check outside the rules.		They come back as approval findings, and the quote is not released until a person approves.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the plan is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The quote has a group size of 1; the small-business programs are listed for 2 to 50 employees.
2The quote has 80 percent participation; this group needs at least 100 percent.
3The quote has a group size of 51; the small-business programs are listed for 2 to 50 employees.
4The quote has 99 percent participation; this group needs at least 100 percent.
5The quote has 74 percent participation; this group needs at least 75 percent.
6The quote has a waiting period of 13 months, which is not offered on this plan (Standard programs: nil to 12 months; LaunchPlan new hires: 3 months).
7The quote has employee life insurance of $5,000; the Standard programs offer steps of $5,000 from 10,000 up to $1,000,000 for this group.
8The quote has employee life insurance of $1,005,000; the Standard programs offer steps of $5,000 from 10,000 up to $1,000,000 for this group.
9The quote has employee life insurance of $1,500,000; the Standard programs offer steps of $5,000 from 10,000 up to $1,000,000 for this group.
10The quote has employee life insurance of $102,500; the Standard programs offer steps of $5,000 from 10,000 up to $1,000,000 for this group.
11The quote states a life insurance maximum of $500,000; the guide lists $1,000,000 for this group.
12The quote states a life insurance maximum of $1,000,000; the guide lists $1,500,000 for this group.
13The quote has basic dental at 45 percent; this plan offers 50 to 100 percent in steps of 5 (LaunchPlan: 80 percent).
14The quote has basic dental at 82 percent; this plan offers 50 to 100 percent in steps of 5 (LaunchPlan: 80 percent).
15The quote has major dental at 85 percent; this plan offers 50 to 80 percent in steps of 5 (LaunchPlan: 50 percent).
16A group size of 2 is offered basic dental only; major and orthodontic dental start at 3 employees.
17The quote has orthodontics at 60 percent; the guide lists 50 to 60 percent, and 50 percent for groups of 3 to 4.
18The quote has an orthodontic maximum of $1,001; the guide lists up to $1,000 for a group this size.
19The quote has an orthodontic maximum of $2,501; the guide lists up to $2,500 for a group this size.
20The quote has orthodontics at 65 percent; the guide lists 50 to 60 percent, and 50 percent for groups of 3 to 4.
21The quote has extended health drugs at 45 percent; this plan offers 50 to 100 percent in steps of 5 (LaunchPlan: 80 percent).
22The quote has a single drug deductible of $201; the guide lists 0 to $200 for a single person.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Four-employee shared-cost plan: A four-employee plan with shared cost, 75 percent participation and orthodontics above the listed limits

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Manulife group benefits plan on the Standard programs for 4 employees, with the employer and employees sharing the cost, 75 percent participation, a 3-month waiting period and employee life insurance of $50,000, basic dental at 80 percent, major dental at 60 percent, orthodontics at 60 percent, an orthodontic maximum of $2,000, extended health drugs at 80 percent, a drug deductible of $50. The plan design states a life insurance maximum of $1,000,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Participation below the minimum. The quote has 75 percent participation; this group needs at least 100 percent.
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  • Orthodontic reimbursement not offered. The quote has orthodontics at 60 percent; the guide lists 50 to 60 percent, and 50 percent for groups of 3 to 4.
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  • Orthodontic maximum above the limit. The quote has an orthodontic maximum of $2,000; the guide lists up to $1,000 for a group this size.
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2. Four-employee shared-cost plan: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Manulife group benefits plan on the Standard programs for 4 employees, with the employer and employees sharing the cost, 100 percent participation, a 3-month waiting period and employee life insurance of $50,000, basic dental at 80 percent, major dental at 60 percent, orthodontics at 50 percent, an orthodontic maximum of $1,000, extended health drugs at 80 percent, a drug deductible of $50. The plan design states a life insurance maximum of $1,000,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Plan summary. Group size 4; this group needs at least 100 percent participation and the life insurance maximum is $1,000,000.
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3. Thirty-employee plan: A thirty-employee plan with disability and critical illness above the limits

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Manulife group benefits plan on the Standard programs for 30 employees, with the employer and employees sharing the cost, 75 percent participation, a 6-month waiting period and employee life insurance of $1,200,000, basic dental at 90 percent, major dental at 70 percent, extended health drugs at 90 percent, a drug deductible of $25, short-term disability for 52 weeks, a short-term disability maximum of $1,200 a week, a long-term disability waiting period of 90 days, a long-term disability maximum of $15,000 a month, critical illness cover of $60,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Long-term disability benefit not offered. The quote has a long-term disability maximum of $15,000 a month; the guide lists 1,500 up to $12,000 for a group this size.
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  • Critical illness amount not offered. The quote has critical illness cover of $60,000; the guide lists $50,000 at most for a group this size ($10,000 flat for 2 to 4 employees).
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4. Thirty-employee plan: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Manulife group benefits plan on the Standard programs for 30 employees, with the employer and employees sharing the cost, 75 percent participation, a 6-month waiting period and employee life insurance of $1,200,000, basic dental at 90 percent, major dental at 70 percent, extended health drugs at 90 percent, a drug deductible of $25, short-term disability for 52 weeks, a short-term disability maximum of $1,200 a week, a long-term disability waiting period of 90 days, a long-term disability maximum of $11,000 a month, critical illness cover of $50,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Long-term disability amount to confirm. For 25 to 50 employees the guide lists a long-term disability maximum of $12,000, while 2 to 24 employees are listed up to $10,000; a maximum of $11,000 needs a person to confirm it with Manulife.
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  • Plan summary. Group size 30; this group needs at least 75 percent participation and the life insurance maximum is $1,500,000.
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5. Thirty-employee plan: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Manulife group benefits plan on the Standard programs for 30 employees, with the employer and employees sharing the cost, 75 percent participation, a 6-month waiting period and employee life insurance of $1,200,000, basic dental at 90 percent, major dental at 70 percent, extended health drugs at 90 percent, a drug deductible of $25, short-term disability for 52 weeks, a short-term disability maximum of $1,200 a week, a long-term disability waiting period of 90 days, a long-term disability maximum of $10,000 a month, critical illness cover of $50,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Plan summary. Group size 30; this group needs at least 75 percent participation and the life insurance maximum is $1,500,000.
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6. Twelve-employee LaunchPlan: Twelve employees on LaunchPlan with a longer waiting period, a bigger life amount and disability cover

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Manulife group benefits plan on LaunchPlan for 12 employees, with the employer paying the full cost, 100 percent participation, a 6-month waiting period and employee life insurance of $50,000, basic dental at 80 percent, major dental at 50 percent, extended health drugs at 80 percent, a drug maximum of $1,200 a year, short-term disability for 13 weeks, a short-term disability maximum of $800 a week. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • LaunchPlan group too large. LaunchPlan is listed for businesses with 2 to 9 employees; the quote has a group size of 12.
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  • Waiting period not offered. The quote has a waiting period of 6 months, which is not offered on this plan (Standard programs: nil to 12 months; LaunchPlan new hires: 3 months).
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  • LaunchPlan life amount. LaunchPlan lists employee life insurance of $25,000; the quote has $50,000.
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  • Benefit not listed for LaunchPlan. LaunchPlan lists life, dental (two levels) and extended health benefits only; disability, critical illness and orthodontics are not listed for it.
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7. Twelve-employee LaunchPlan: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Manulife group benefits plan on the Standard programs for 12 employees, with the employer paying the full cost, 100 percent participation, a 6-month waiting period and employee life insurance of $50,000, basic dental at 80 percent, major dental at 50 percent, extended health drugs at 80 percent, a drug maximum of $3,000 a year, short-term disability for 13 weeks, a short-term disability maximum of $800 a week. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Plan summary. Group size 12; this group needs at least 100 percent participation and the life insurance maximum is $1,000,000.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a group benefits plan design for a small business with 2 to 50 employees: the Standard programs or LaunchPlan, who pays, participation, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the plan limits Manulife publishes in its small-business guide and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote a Manulife group benefits plan on LaunchPlan for 12 employees, with the employer paying the full cost, 100 percent participation. It is ready to send. The rest of the request is on screen.
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  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with four findings, all in one answer. LaunchPlan is listed for businesses with 2 to 9 employees; the quote has a group size of 12. The quote has a waiting period of 6 months, which is not offered on this plan (Standard programs: nil to 12 months; LaunchPlan new hires: 3 months). LaunchPlan lists employee life insurance of $25,000; the quote has $50,000. The other one is on screen.
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  6. The validator returned four blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for limits that depend on group size, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the plan to standard programs and the drug maximum to $3,000.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. All four earlier findings are cleared.
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  13. Four problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    14.