Benefits Selling 2010 Readers Choice Awards

BenefitsSellingMag.com • November 2010 • Benefits Selling 49

Brokers vote in a few surprises in our sixth annual competition

2010Readers’

AwardsChoice

BenefitsSellingMag.com • November 2010 • Benefits Selling50

2010 Readers’ Choice Awards

WINNER Anthem Blue Cross Blue shieldAnthem continues to focus on what most politicians and many carriers seem to forget, the actual health and wellness of their subscribers. From their first dollar coverage last year for the H1N1 vaccine for all its members to its “What’s Your health Footprint” plan in 2010, Anthem is truly vested in reducing utilization through wellness education and empowerment.

“Consistency is also another Anthem mainstay. Although Anthem comprises of numerous health plans across the country, including ohio, Colorado, Georgia and Virginia (just to name a few), its dependable service, pricing, competitive benefit options and a commitment to technology have set it apart from the rest. in a marketplace dominated more and more by mega-carriers, Anthem has the ability to appear small and flexible locally while being able to play with the 800-pound gorillas nationally.”

A broker

WINNER Anthem Blue Cross Blue shield“Anthem is a highly recognized carrier. As an agent, when I place a client with them, I have the confidence their health care needs will be taken care of. they have an extraordinary provider network as well as a first-class health and wellness program.”

Audra SullivanVice presidentGranite Benefits Inc.

1)Carrier with the best group coverage

RUNNER UP ColoniAl“What i like about Colonial life is their ability to work with any size firm, large or small, it doesn’t matter. They can do the initial employee education, the subsequent enrollment, and follow up with the service and administration after the fact, all ‘under one roof.’ We have found that this collective approach leads to a seamless integration process and provides outstanding ongoing client satisfaction that’s second to none.”

Michael B. Mack, RHUVP Benefits Practice

RUNNER UP uhC“unitedhealthcare are industry leaders because they’re innovators with their health care delivery system, back-end consumer technology, and their health and wellness initiatives. i think they lead in each of these categories. that’s certainly why they have my vote.”

Robert KnaussEmployee Employer Solutions

2)Best consumer-driven products

BenefitsSellingMag.com • November 2010 • Benefits Selling 51

RUNNER UP eYemed Vision CAre“As a nurse and a single parent, i love eyemed because they’re accessible, in all the major retailers and you’re not limited to the frames collecting dust in the back of the store. And on top of all that, the premiums are actually affordable.”

Anne BuckNurseLakeview Regional Medical Center

RUNNER UP GuArdiAn“Guardian has always been at the forefront of benefits. Often the most innovative carrier for dental and a great partner for all ancillary products from life to di and vision. i also can’t say enough about the reps that Guardian provides whether in the under 16 employees market and the local reps for groups with more employees. the reps often rank as some of the best in the business that i can always rely on. Worth Benefits & Consultants will always look to Guardian as more than a carrier but a true partner in our benefits portfolio.”

Todd MillerPresidentWorth Benefits & Consultants

3)Best vision coverage

4)Best dental

WINNER VsP“in my opinion, VsP is the carrier that best understands the needs of the broker, the employer and the families they insure. i would recommend them to anyone.”

A broker

WINNER deltA dentAl“delta dental probably controls 80 percent of the market here in iowa – and up in illinois. so for me it’s about name recognition and market control.”

Dino CostanzoEMC National Life

“they’re a good company and they’ve been around for years. And they have the most recognized name in the dental business. they’re like the unitedhealthcare of dental.”

Former broker and industry consultant

BenefitsSellingMag.com • November 2010 • Benefits Selling52

2010 Readers’ Choice Awards

RUNNER UP totAl AdministrAtiVe serViCes CorP.“one of the nations’ leaders in consumer-driven health plans among third party administrators. they’re a very forward-thinking company as far as technology is concerned and they’re very user-friendly – for employers as well as brokers. And they have great communication.”

Consultant and former competitor

WINNER AmeriFlex“I’ve had a long and successful relationship with Ameriflex. I have found them to be not only a competitive and consistent administrator but also a product innovator. Many of my clients use the Ameriflex convenience card to access multiple accounts such as health and dependent care FsA, hrA, and CrA. members say it’s magic and i’d have to agree. others are catching up but Ameriflex has the experience and a stable platform.”

Paul Fetterolf, RHUBenefit consultantRSI, a division of Gallagher Benefit Services

WINNER ColoniAl“Colonial life is a great partner. their enrollment services are efficient and effective. Our clients find Colonial Life’s product portfolio comprehensive and our brokers enjoy the ‘one stop’ service and accountability for the entire process that Colonial life provides.”

Jonathan M. TrevisanSenior vice president-business strategyWillis

RUNNER UP AFlAC“Forget all kooky commercials and the marketing campaign heard ’round the world. What most people don’t realize is how connected Aflac is when it comes to actually getting in the trenches and working the actual enrollments. there’s a reason they’ve been so successful, and it’s more than just a cute mascot.”

A broker

6)Best Enrollment

5)Best TPA

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RUNNER UP Anthem Blue Cross Blue shield“most carriers i represent will tell me that they value my relationship. What sets Anthem apart from the usual lip-service is their commitment to providing me with the tools necessary to grow and retain my business. i can count on Anthem for comprehensive health care reform updates through their ‘Broker spotlight’ and frequently use their selling tools and demos from the broker section of their website when recruiting new business.”

A broker

RUNNER UP AmeriFlex“In a benefits environment where there is constant change, Ameriflex has exhibited the unique ability to evolve their products and technology while remaining consistent in their unparalleled superior service delivery. For our organization Ameriflex has become the definition of reliability – the standard quality measure by which we benchmark other third party relationships.”

Julie BartlBenefits consultantJohnson, Kendall, Johnson

7)Carrier that best works with brokers

8) The best at embracing new technology

WINNER ColoniAl“Assurex Global and our partner firms have been extremely pleased with the service and products offered through this carrier. As the landscape continues to change in the benefits arena, we see our client’s employees taking on more and more of the responsibility for the benefits they need for their personal situation. With this new shift in decision making, the employee really needs a thorough education in what they have presently available from their employer and what gaps may exist that could be filled through a supplemental coverage program.”

Michael B. Mack, RHUVP Benefits Practice

WINNER ColoniAl“What it comes down to for me is that they really are the leader when it comes to voluntary benefits. the online enrollment system they have is very competitive and the benefits counselors they have are very well versed in the market.”

An independent broker