Helping You Help Your Employees

June 16, 2011 3:33 pm Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

While employer health insurance premium costs have risen an average of 114 percent in 10 years, employees have taken an even larger hit, with an increase of nearly 150 percent (Kaiser/HRET Survey of Employer-sponsored Health Benefits). In an effort to help keep costs down, more employers are empowering employees to make decisions regarding their coverage. And as their role increases, employees are looking for more information. Businessolver is making this easier. Our platform can be used by employer groups to help their employees manage their healthcare.

Employees who use Businessolver’s enrollment platform, Benefitsolver, have a number of integrated tools at their fingertips to help with their choices. The Plan Estimator tool, available within the enrollment process, helps determine which plan is the best fit for their unique situation. The Plan Comparison tool allows the employee to see features of plan options side-by-side while they enroll. And the online Reference Center is a virtual library of enrollment materials, summary plan descriptions, benefit summaries, and links to carriers. Our single sign-on capability makes this easy for the employee to seamlessly float between multiple sites without having to log in more than once.

As employees become more informed about the real costs of healthcare, they’re feeling more responsible for taking care of their health. Businessolver makes that easier too. Our clients have a number of options to include on their Benefitsolver homepage, including Health News, a feature that provides health industry updates, and Mayo Clinic Health Manager.

The Mayo Clinic Health Manager is an online tool that allows its users to track all of their family’s health information in one spot and offer personalized guidance based on the information provided. The Mayo Clinic Health Manager tool can help remind users of upcoming medical appointments and also provide background information for that appointment so the patient can arrive at the doctor’s office with good questions. For example, if the user has an appointment scheduled for a child’s one-year checkup, the Mayo Clinic Health Manager will offer discussion points about developmental milestones, immunizations, etc. A middle-aged woman will be prompted to schedule annual Pap and mammogram, and will receive suggestions for topics to discuss with the physician at each visit, depending on her age, medical history, allergies, and other information she has included in her profile. Because this information is entered and maintained by the individual, it is confidential. The Mayo Clinic Health Manager includes features to update immunizations, blood levels for cholesterol and other factors as well as any major events like surgery or chronic illness.

As healthcare continues to evolve and employers empower their employees more and more, Businessolver will continue to provide sound information to employers and their employees about the options available, and help them make the right choices.

Implementation Expert to Ramp Up Businessolver Chicago Office

June 7, 2011 9:32 am Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

West Des Moines, Iowa – Businessolver recently added John Marrero to its Operations team as Director of Implementation and Client Advocacy. Marrero has been in the benefits business for 15 years, including four years at bswift in Chicago where he was Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) manager. He also has experience with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Aon Consulting and Hewitt Associates. Marrero holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Illinois.

Marrero will be an integral part of the development of Businessolver’s Chicago office. His previous experience in running implementations, plus the exposure to Businessolver’s unique implementation methods, will serve him well in the company’s exciting time of growth and expansion.

“Opening a Chicago office is a great next step for Businessolver,” Marrero says. “We are working to develop a fully operational team there.” The Chicago office is currently home to operations and sales staff.

Businessolver is relying on Marrero’s experience to help more HR administrators simplify their workflow. “We are delighted to be expanding our office in Chicago to better serve our clients,” said Jon Shanahan, President and CEO of Businessolver. “Marrero’s experience in the industry will be an asset to Businessolver and will help us continue to strategically achieve our customer acquisition and revenue growth goals.”

Marrero is impressed with the Des Moines area, which is a leader in the insurance industry. “The people and the work ethic here are very strong.” Marrero said he was somewhat surprised by the fast-paced environment at Businessolver, which is headquartered in West Des Moines. He is also impressed with the leadership and corporate culture.

“Businessolver prides itself on transparency,” Marrero says, “and that’s very evident within the Benefitsolver platform and service culture. This is truly a work hard, play hard environment.”

Businessolver is a provider of online benefits administration services and benefit administration outsourcing services. Its web-based platform automates employers’ insurance benefit administration by consolidating multiple insurance carriers into a single platform and customizing the process to meet each employer’s unique enrollment requirements. In addition to Enrollment and Eligibility services, other Businessolver service offerings include: COBRA Administration, Billing and Financial Reporting, Service Center, Benefit Advisory Services, Eligibility Verification and Fulfillment. For more information about Businessolver please go to www.businessolver.com.

Informed Employees Are Happy Employees

June 6, 2011 10:35 am Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

If your organization offers good benefits but you don’t communicate the value of those benefits to your employees, they are less likely to be satisfied. Here’s a surprising set of statistics:

A recent UNUM study shows that companies with above average benefits who did not educate effectively reported an employee satisfaction rate of 64%. Likewise, companies with above average benefits who did educate effectively communicate reported an employee satisfaction rate of 88%.

Companies with above fair to average benefits that did not communicate well had an employee satisfaction rate of 13% and companies with below average benefits with an excellent or very good benefits education strategy had had an employee satisfaction rate of 45%.

As benefit plan offerings become more complex, communication becomes more important. Especially when you consider benefits are one of the major differentiators determining the war on talent. The best communication plans combine one-on-one, web-based printed communication.

Delivering One-to-one Messages

“Communication is huge, and employers don’t have time. You want someone you trust to do it,” said Jen Daniel, Director of Benefit Advisory Services at Businessolver.

“Let us do your communication for you,” Daniel emphasizes to Businessolver clients. “This frees up HR staff time for functions that are more critical to your business.” Businessolver offers a variety of tools and services to help employers communicate about their benefit offerings.

Businessolver clients can have access to client-dedicated service representatives who are Life and Health licensed and also trained specifically to the client’s needs. Service Center reps also receive quarterly product training and industry updates. Additionally, Businessolver’s Benefit Advisory Services reps can educate employees about voluntary products via phone or live chat, offering employers an alternative to some of the high-pressure sales tactics sometimes experienced with face-to-face enrollments.

Web Interactions During Enrollment

Many of Businessolver’s educational tools are offered directly to the employee through the single source enrollment platform, Benefitsolver. The system’s communication tools are highlighted by a drag-and-drop Layout Manager that allows employers the ability to create a fully configured enrollment web page that can deliver messages and tools specific to each eligibility group. Tools including video special promotional callouts, RSS news feeds, surveys, personal health management tool, and an interactive enrollment counselor can put to use using the Layout Manager.

This system also includes decision support tools that includes Plan Comparison that allows employees to see many of the plan features side-by-side while they are in the enrollment process, and a Cost Estimator tool that allows the employee to estimate their usage of the various plan options and determine which plan is the best fit for their situation. Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), plan overviews, network directory links, and any other documents or links employers may want to make available to employees to help educate them can be uploaded to a virtual library called the Reference Center. Benefitsolver also features a library of approximately 25 different java-based insurance and financial calculators that can be added to the employee’s home page or specific election page.

Employees can utilize each of these tools while they make their elections. This makes the online enrollment experience especially powerful for employers who want to differentiate to attract and retain top talent.

Getting a Handle on Printed Communication

While web-based and face-to-face communications do a good job of addressing questions head-on during the actual enrollment process, there is still considerable value in printed communication to help inform employees before and after their annual elections or changes.

Businessolver delivers a boutique approach to handling printed communication, addressing the specific needs of each employer. For instance, an employer may want to create an open enrollment package that includes the basics, including plan summaries and more, while others may want to include a flyer that notifies employees how to enroll, plan summaries, vacation schedule, a letter from an executive and more. In addition, a confirmation statement after enrollment may be as simple as listing an employees’ elections, but may also list a summary of the election, contribution amounts of the employee and employer, and more.

Businessolver’s internal fulfillment department can accommodate any standard or special fulfillment needs that employers may have. Fulfillment documents are automatically produced from the Benefitsolver platform, and include confirmation statements, annual notices, new hire packets and other necessary tools that help keep employees informed and happy.

There are many advantages to having satisfied employees, but presenteeism is one that many leaders don’t think about. Presenteeism is defined as lost productivity that occurs when employees are at work but perform below par due to any kind of illness. “Being stressed because they’re worried about their benefits, and whether something is covered, and thinking they can’t afford to go to the doctor, is a form of presenteeism,” Daniel said. When talent is what makes you better than the competition and benefits are your biggest differentiator, you can’t afford to ignore dynamic benefit communication tools.

Businessolver Helps Dream Come True

May 25, 2011 1:12 pm Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

Chicago, Illinois – Hundreds gathered at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois’ 2011 Wish Ball to help fulfill the dreams of courageous children. Businessolver, a West Des Moines, Iowa-based benefits administration technology firm, was proud to help bring hope, strength and joy back into the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions by providing them a magical wish experience through a Gold sponsorship.

“We have supported the Wish Ball the past few years because the kids this event supports live many of our values each day – determination, enthusiasm and happiness,” said Businessolver President & CEO Jon Shanahan. “We consider ourselves lucky to be able to support such a great organization.”

The event coincides with Businessolver expanding its office in Chicago. The new office is home to sales and operations personnel. “We have several key partners and clients in Chicago, and it just made sense to expand our offices here,” said Shanahan.

The 2011 Wish Ball was held on May 21 at the University of Illinois Forum. Businessolver, other sponsors and special guests helped raise additional funds through live and silent auctions.

The event raised more than $1.1 million. The highest grossing single auction item this year was a $9,000 black Fender Stratocaster guitar autographed by special guest and Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan, while some auction packages fetched bids in the tens of thousands. The event was emceed by Richard Roeper, featured a special performance by Dennis Miller, and offered meet-and-greet experiences with Rosie O’Donnell and Mad Money’s Jim Cramer.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois spends more than 82 cents of each dollar on program-related expenses.

ABOUT BUSINESSOLVER

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Putting Money Where Our Mouth Is

May 24, 2011 4:38 pm Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

Businessolver prides itself on being a thought leader on employee wellness. Now it’s leading by example. The company’s fitness center, complete with showers, lockers, workout equipment and big screen TVs, opened this week, and close to half of Businessolver’s employees have signed up for classes like yoga, cardio kickboxing and bootcamp. Employee’s spouses are invited to join the fitness center too. The facility is a part of a complete facelift of Businessolver’s corporate office.

Research shows many benefits for employers when their people are healthy. Reduced absenteeism and increased productivity as well as employees who are feeling less stressed are a few good reasons to promote fitness in the workplace. But companies that promote wellness are seeing that is helps them offset skyrocketing healthcare costs.

“Adding a fitness facility was an obvious next step for our culture,” said Human Resources Manager Mimi Kelly. “We are dedicated to taking care of our employees, who in turn take care of our clients. The fitness facility allows people to get in a quick workout during their day and come back energized.”

Businessolver believes that employees should be responsible for their own health and wellness. The company also offers High Deductible Health Plans, Health Savings accounts and days off for healthy behavior.

Businessolver’s Fitness Committee has been integral in the planning and execution of a fitness area that will be used frequently by employees. Randy Bickham, a Businessolver employee who spearheaded the fitness center effort, says the equipment and classes were selected based primarily on employee input through online surveys.

“I exercise on a daily basis so it will be very nice to have a place to shower and change right here in the building,” Bickham says. “Maintaining good health means that as I get older, I’ll still be able to do things with my kids as they grow up.”

Difference in Service Delivery

May 20, 2011 7:51 am Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

West Des Moines, IA — Beth McDonald has been in her role as Participant Services Manager at Businessolver for three months, and she can already see her influence taking shape. “That shows me that Businessolver is a forward-thinking organization, and one that’s open to change,” she says.

McDonald made her move to Businessolver from Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield where she was a Flexible Benefits Claims Administration Team Leader. “I was looking for an opportunity to apply my skills but in a different setting,” she says.

Her first task as manager was to retool how the Service Center works, and enhance the center’s ability to provide the right service. And she’s been impressed with how open the Businessolver organization has been to her leadership.

“To come in February, review things and be able to see change that quickly is really revealing that this company is committed to continual improvement,” she says. “It’s a different atmosphere from my previous experience.”

“Beth brings an extensive background in leading effective teams with a proven track record for driving results and operational excellence,” says Brooke Knight, Vice President of Client Services. “She will be instrumental to the Businessolver team to continue to drive our growth plans and promote a best- in- class service center operation.”

Businessolver is dedicated to creating greater customer intimacy and service efficiency in a continued mission to delight its clients. The team of client service professionals working with McDonald strive to deliver continuous improvement in customer satisfaction. It is the department’s goal to surpass industry benchmarks.

“Taking care of our clients and their employees is our top priority,” says Rae Shanahan, Senior Vice President of Operations.

In addition to Wellmark, McDonald has also been employed by the Des Moines Register and Kohl’s. She holds a degree in fashion merchandising and business administration from Iowa State University.

ABOUT BUSINESSOLVER

Businessolver is a provider of online benefits administration services and benefit administration outsourcing services. Its web-based platform automates employers’ insurance benefit administration by consolidating multiple insurance carriers into a single platform and customizing the process to meet each employer’s unique enrollment requirements. In addition to Enrollment and Eligibility services, other Businessolver service offerings include: COBRA Administration, Billing and Financial Reporting, Call Center, Benefit Advisory Services, Eligibility Verification and Fulfillment. For more information about Businessolver please go to www.businessolver.com.

Businessolver Investing in Trusts

May 13, 2011 4:31 pm Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

West Des Moines, IA – Businessolver continues to invest in its longstanding commitment to the trusts and association arena. The West Des Moines-based benefits outsourcing company recently named Mike Meyerring Sales Executive, Trust and Association Market.

Loren Brockhouse, Vice President of North American Sales, says trusts and associations represent a large percentage of Businessolver’s book of business, “Trusts and associations have unique billing and finance needs, and Mike has four years of experience as a Client Services Director in that arena. What better person than someone who has been exposed to, and influenced, the unique complexity of the trusts and associations arena?”

“That experience allowed me the opportunity to understand the multi-faceted approach that a centralized trust has to take to manage their overall benefit offerings,” Meyerring says. “Realistically being able to provide a viable billing and financial reporting solution to these groups is the biggest value we’re able to bring to them.”

Meyerring cites Businessolver’s unique advantage in the trusts and association world brought about by the fact that the company’s platform, Benefitsolver, was designed with one of its first clients, an association, in mind.

“We built our system around early clients, one of which was an association of grain cooperatives,” Meyerring explains. “They had so many different members and needed the billing to be able to automatically reconcile debits and credits at a location level. That’s why we developed our platform to be flexible enough to handle that level of complexity. Nobody else is as capable of truly automating the process as we are.”

Meyerring was formerly Director of Client Sales with Businessolver. Previously, he worked in the health and welfare benefits area of Principal Financial Group in Des Moines.

Meyerring is looking forward to leveraging that experience in the sales arena. “I want to help trust and associations ease their billing process. I’ve seen how our product has helped ease the administrative burden for these groups and make it a more efficient process.”

ABOUT BUSINESSOLVER

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Businessolver is About to Get Fit

May 6, 2011 3:05 pm Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

Businessolver is wrapping up work on its own on-site fitness facility in its corporate offices in West Des Moines, Iowa. The shiny new space will include cardio equipment, strength equipment, televisions, and locker rooms complete with showers.

The fitness center is part of a bigger plan to help incite employees to be responsible for their own health and wellness. When you pair a fitness facility with health care options like High Deductible Health Plans and Health Savings accounts, employees begin to take responsibility for their choices and their overall health. That sense of responsibility and accountability is engrained in the culture of Businessolver.

Businessolver’s Fitness Committee has been integral in the planning and execution of a fitness area that will be used frequently by employees. With the committees guidance, careful attention has been paid to considering classes, equipment, healthy living programs, and other outside

“The new fitness facility will help ensure the health and happiness of our team,” said Businessolver President & CEO Jon Shanahan. “Our happy and healthy team can then focus on delighting each and every client.” The facility is a part of a complete facelift of Businessolver’s corporate office.

Service Center Veteran Joins Businessolver

May 5, 2011 10:25 am Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Des Moines, Iowa – Jeremy Van Arkel joined Businessolver April 11 as Service Center Manager. He oversees COBRA and Active Service Center representatives.

“Businessolver was seeking someone with proven results in leading and developing a highly effective team, and we found that with Jeremy,” says Vice President of Client Services Brooke Knight. “Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Businessolver Service Center operations,” she continues. “He has more than ten years experience in a call center environment, in supporting and leading roles.” Van Arkel’s focus on performance, quality and customer satisfaction are crucial to Businessolver’s commitment to delighting its customers as the organization’s Service Center continues to grow.

Van Arkel was most recently a call center supervisor at ADP in West Des Moines. Prior to ADP, he was employed by CitiCards, Sears and QuikTrip. Van Arkel will be working in the Businessolver headquarters in West Des Moines.

“I’m excited to be a part of such a great group of people,” Van Arkel says. “The mission statement really says it all: ‘Grow our business. Delight our Customers.’ Delighting our customers includes internal customers, which can often be overlooked. This focus truly leads to an excellent atmosphere that empowers all associates to deliver the best possible service.”

Van Arkel has Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) from the American Payroll Association.

ABOUT BUSINESSOLVER

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Businessolver Committed to New Relationships in Northeast US

April 25, 2011 10:10 am Businessolver Banter, Businessolver Buzz

West Des Moines, Iowa – Businessolver has expanded its team in the Northeast with human resource outsourcing and benefits brokering veteran Jim Gallic to better serve the organizations in that region. Gallic will partner with brokers, consultants and employers to manage the enrollment and maintenance of benefits via Businessolver’s single-source platform – Benefitsolver – and its line of associated services.

“It’s exciting to be a part of an organization that provides top-notch technology and industry-leading service to support it,” said Gallic. In particular, Gallic believes organizations in the Northeast will be excited about Businessolver’s ability to handle complex benefits programs. “As health care costs continue to rise and plans begin to shift how we look at health care, I’m excited to offer brokers and employers new options for addressing these issues,” Gallic said. “I’m ready to help mid- and large-market organizations control costs and empower HR personnel to focus on big-picture organizational strategies.”

Businessolver is relying on Gallic’s diverse human resource outsourcing experience to help more HR administrators simplify their workflow. “Jim’s experience within a benefits brokerage and understanding of HR outsourcing technologies will help even more organizations save time and money,” said Businessolver Vice President of North American Sales, Loren Brockhouse.

Gallic has served a variety of roles related to benefits brokering and HR technology industries, including Absolute Resource Solutions and ADP, before joining Businessolver.

About Businessolver

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