3 Important Reasons to Work With a Benefits Professional

I have been involved in employee benefits for over 25 years now, both on the carrier and consulting sides of the business. My takeaway after decades of experience is how critical it is for small business owners to work with a benefits professional who can provide consistent, year-round service.

Service is what clients need and should expect from their consultants. A willingness to do whatever it takes to find the best health benefit options and put those health benefits in place is paramount.

Of course, there are challenges along the way.

Carriers are slow to respond, health benefit IT systems are antiquated, and the move of most small employer groups to a December or January renewal date has made the end-of-year process exceptionally frenzied.  HR managers and small business owners should look to their health benefits professional for their expertise and service commitment.

A consultant should work to create a true partnership defined by consistent service at renewal and throughout the year. Keep one word in mind in your search for the best partner: Service.
Here are three important reasons to work with a small group health benefits professional:

1. Industry knowledge - A benefits professional has the industry knowledge to search high and low for the health insurance plan options that work best for your company. Highest quality benefits and high-quality health outcomes for the most cost-effective premiums is the goal. New and innovative options sometimes arise. A good benefits professional will educate their clients and help them decide what will work best for their business.
2. Long-term strategy - As opposed to buying a different health insurance policy year after year, a benefits professional will help you develop a strategy that meets your short-term needs AND will set a cost-effective course for the future.
3. Back office help - A quality benefits professional will do far more than sell clients an insurance plan. Benefits professionals are there to be “on-call” for questions about health benefits or to assist with adding or deleting employees off the roles throughout the year. A good benefits professional can be an incredible help in back office support of your benefits and health insurance plan.

"To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity."- Douglas Adams

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Timothy Shrout

Tim is a 25-year group benefits veteran and the sales and marketing associate director for Allied Direct, a division of Allied National.