9191 Folsom Blvd. Suite 1 Sacramento, CA 95826 Tel. 916.366.6100 Fax
916.366.5619 CA Lic#0D25361
Health Benefit News
• Join Our Team!
Current job openings at GBS Sacramento:
- Client Services:
Client Consultant: Exempt FT position requires superior client service skills and experience.
Full-time: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5pm
Salary: Base DOE + Retention Bonus
Requirements: 4 year degree; Extensive industry experience preferred.
Client Coordinator: This entry level, non-exempt FT position requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with superior data-entry abilities.
Full-time: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5pm
Salary: $25-$35,000/yr DOE
Requirements: HS graduate; Experience in a similar industry a plus.
The Wall Street Journal recently published a list of seven questions a prospective client
should ask before hiring the services of a benefits broker.
Vinny Catalano answers those questions on behalf of Benefit Insurance Services:
1. Where do you think the employee benefits market is heading?
In lots of directions with no clear winner at this time. Will there be federally mandated universal care? State mandated universal care? Employer mandates? Or none of the above? Will high deductible health plans be the norm coupled to Health Savings Accounts? Lots of questions, but we are in a position to help you navigate these issues. Our staff sit on many carrier broker advisory councils including United HealthCare, Health Net, Western Health Advantage, and Kaiser. We are active members in the National Association of Health Underwriters, so we are up to date on legislative trends. And finally, through our affiliation in United Benefit Advisors, we keep our finger on the pulse of 150 member firms around the nation that face these same issues daily.
2. Independent or Captive Agent?
We are an independent agent that represents every carrier offering coverage in California.
3. What is your core business?
We are client advocates in the complicated world of health, life, disability, dental, vision and other ancillary products. Our key strength lies in the deep relationships we have with insurance carriers. These relationships allow us to solve client problems rapidly. We work tirelessly to find our clients the best value for their benefit dollars irrespective of our compensation. We have trusted partner relationships to which we refer business in the property/casualty and retirement planning/investments areas.
4. How do you handle renewals?
Approximately 90 days prior to the client renewal date, we contact the client for an updated employee census (unless an online enrollment system is in place, which eliminates this step). Once we receive the renewal from the carrier (anywhere from 45-60 days out), we develop a comprehensive proposal showing the clients current plan as compared to every plan available on the market. We also review the clients current coverage and our services to see where the client can derive additional value.
5. Would I have a dedicated account manager?
Each broker has a primary client advocate assigned to their account. In addition there are secondary and tertiary support people whom are cross trained that are available to assist a client or their employees. Our office has a "can-do" professional attitude where the client comes first.
6. Have you ever been disciplined by a regulator?
No.
7. What services can I expect?
Benefit Insurance Services offers an array of client services including handling carrier issues, COBRA administration, comprehensive annual renewal process, same business day call backs, employer websites, human resources information, and many others.
To ask your own question email Vinny here.
Vinny Catalano answers those questions on behalf of Benefit Insurance Services:
1. Where do you think the employee benefits market is heading?
In lots of directions with no clear winner at this time. Will there be federally mandated universal care? State mandated universal care? Employer mandates? Or none of the above? Will high deductible health plans be the norm coupled to Health Savings Accounts? Lots of questions, but we are in a position to help you navigate these issues. Our staff sit on many carrier broker advisory councils including United HealthCare, Health Net, Western Health Advantage, and Kaiser. We are active members in the National Association of Health Underwriters, so we are up to date on legislative trends. And finally, through our affiliation in United Benefit Advisors, we keep our finger on the pulse of 150 member firms around the nation that face these same issues daily.
2. Independent or Captive Agent?
We are an independent agent that represents every carrier offering coverage in California.
3. What is your core business?
We are client advocates in the complicated world of health, life, disability, dental, vision and other ancillary products. Our key strength lies in the deep relationships we have with insurance carriers. These relationships allow us to solve client problems rapidly. We work tirelessly to find our clients the best value for their benefit dollars irrespective of our compensation. We have trusted partner relationships to which we refer business in the property/casualty and retirement planning/investments areas.
4. How do you handle renewals?
Approximately 90 days prior to the client renewal date, we contact the client for an updated employee census (unless an online enrollment system is in place, which eliminates this step). Once we receive the renewal from the carrier (anywhere from 45-60 days out), we develop a comprehensive proposal showing the clients current plan as compared to every plan available on the market. We also review the clients current coverage and our services to see where the client can derive additional value.
5. Would I have a dedicated account manager?
Each broker has a primary client advocate assigned to their account. In addition there are secondary and tertiary support people whom are cross trained that are available to assist a client or their employees. Our office has a "can-do" professional attitude where the client comes first.
6. Have you ever been disciplined by a regulator?
No.
7. What services can I expect?
Benefit Insurance Services offers an array of client services including handling carrier issues, COBRA administration, comprehensive annual renewal process, same business day call backs, employer websites, human resources information, and many others.
To ask your own question email Vinny here.
