Benefit Advisors Named to Top 100 Best Companies To Work For in Florida

Benefit Advisors, Inc. was recently recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as one of the Best Companies To Work For In Florida. The rankings of the 2009 Best Companies will be published in the August issue of Florida Trend and on FloridaTrend.com.

The Best Companies To Work For in Florida program was created by Florida Trend and Best Companies Group and endorsed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC), the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) and the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“Our goal is to recognize companies that strive to build even better workplaces for their employees, thereby strengthening their own as well as Florida’s competitive advantage in the national and global arenas,” says Florida Trend Publisher Bruce Faulmann.

To be considered for participation, companies or government entities had to employ at least 15 workers in Florida and be at least a year old.

Companies that chose to participate in the Best Companies To Work For in Florida process underwent a two-part survey process. The first part consisted of evaluating each company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure employee satisfaction. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration, survey and analysis process and determined the final rankings. Companies were not required to pay a participation fee to go through the online assessment process.

“We’ve highlighted the practices of companies that have established themselves as great places to work — including everything from how they train their workers to how they communicate and the kind of pay and benefits they provide. This is a great opportunity for companies in Florida to learn from each other as they go about improving their own effectiveness,” says Mark Howard, executive editor.

Averaging a total satisfaction rating of 95 percent, Benefit Advisors was honored as one of the 25 companies recognized in the small-sized business (15-24 employees) category. The complete list of rankings for small, medium and large-sized companies will be outlined in the August issue of the magazine. For a complete list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Florida, go to www.FloridaTrend.com/BestCompanies.

Ray Strickland's Objectives for Health Care Reform

Last week, Benefit Advisors President/CEO Ray Strickland went to Washington to speak with legislators about health care reform.

On his agenda were the following objectives:

1. Guarantee the doctor and patient relationship
2. Reduce health insurance costs
3. Foster medical innovation
4. Guarantee everyone the right to purchase health insurance
5. Greater transparency of the quality and cost of health care

As you can see, Benefit Advisors is dedicated to help combat the health care issues our country is currently facing.

Stay tuned for frequent updates and information on health care reform as they unfold.

What are your thoughts on health care? Join the discussion...

Ocala, Fla. July 15, 2009 -- The Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce will hold a panel discussion over breakfast on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. at Marion County Building Industry Association to discuss the health care options for small businesses in today’s environment.

The speaker panel for the event will consists of Ray Strickland, President/CEO of Benefit Advisors, long term health insurance specialist, benefits advisor and active participant on the current administrations health care advisor team in Washington; Marsha McDaniel, Director of the Worksite Wellness program for Munroe Regional Medical Center, a health care solutions provider; and Ken Daley, President of Bernie Little Distributing, LLC, leading local businessman and 2007 Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors.

This exciting combination of speakers is certain to be an informative panel, covering many aspects of the health care industry and concentrating on the impact of current health care on small businesses today and into the future. The effects of cost, staying competitive, risks, opportunities and possible solutions to help the small business person remain competitive, will also be discussed.

The hot, southern style breakfast buffet begins at 7:30 a.m., with the panel discussion to immediately follow from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Marion County Building Industry Association, 1400 NE 14th Street in Ocala, Fla. The event is free for Chamber Business, Premium and Legacy Trustee Members. Other members and guests are $10.
For more information, or to RSVP to this event, please contact the Ocala/Marion County Chamber at (352) 629-8051.

ABOUT THE CHAMBER: The Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit business membership organization whose mission is to improve the business climate, economy and quality of life in Ocala and Marion County. The Chamber is located at 110 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Fla. Web site address is http://www.ocalacc.com/. Office (352) 629-8051.

MEDIA CONACTS
Jaye Baillie, President & CEO
Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce
(352) 229-2363
jaye@ocalacc.com

Elizabeth Stevens, Vice President of Membership and Strategic Development
Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce
(352) 629-8051, ext. 227 (voice)
(352) 629-7651 (fax)
Elizabeth@ocalacc.com

Mr. Strickland's Washington Agenda...

As a member of the Florida Association Of Insurance Agents, Benefit Advisors' President/CEO Ray Strickland, Jr. will be flying to Washington, D.C. this week (July 14-15) to speak with our legislative representatives about health reform.

With a comprehensive agenda, Mr. Strickland, and 52 of his fellow Florida insurance agents, plans to lobby on behalf of consumers and agents nationwide in regards to proper health care utilization and dissemination.

Key points to be discussed will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Recognizing the Need for Reform

• Bipartisan efforts to enact comprehensive health reform could not be more timely or necessary.
• Far too many Americans are uninsured, and the sky-rocketing cost of medical care has made health insurance unaffordable for many.
• Our country must take significant steps to address these problems, and health insurance agents and brokers are committed to real and substantive private market reform to provide all Americans with access to affordable health care.
• The agent and broker community stands ready to work with Congress to leverage health care resources in enrolling uninsured Americans, educating new enrollees and businesses about new available options, and helping all health insurance consumers to be smart shoppers and find the right solutions to meet their needs.

Understanding the Value of Agents & Brokers to Consumers

• Health insurance agents and brokers will be needed more than ever to serve as counselors and advocates in a reformed health care system.
• Every day, agents and brokers guide millions of consumers through the complexities of health insurance purchasing and enrollment, designing sophisticated programs individually tailored to the unique needs of each group.
• Agents and brokers serve as consumer advocates for individuals and businesses of all sizes, helping clients and employees with claims issues, service questions and compliance matters throughout the life of each policy.
• Agents and brokers are also subject to strict licensing and continuing education laws which protect consumers and ensure that we provide the highest level of advice and services.

Please stay tuned for updates from our President on his very important trip to our nation's capital...

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Resources Courtesy of UnitedHealthcare

Traveling this summer? Is the summertime heat getting to you? Read tips for traveling healthfully and beating the summer heat at UnitedHealthcare's Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Newsroom. Click on the images above to be directed to the corresponding articles.

Benefit Advisors Agent Nicole Phoenix Completes Special Training

Benefit Advisors Account Executive Nicole Phoenix returned last week after graduating from UnitedHealthcare’s Knowledge Institute, a week-long insurance course held at The Conference Center at North Pointe in Lewis Center, Ohio.

The United Advantage Knowledge Institute covers a wide array of subjects including network contracting, COBRA trends and claims management as they relate to small and large businesses throughout the country.

Phoenix said she gained intricate industry knowledge during her stay in Ohio. “I found the broad scope of industry information very interesting and educational,” she said. “Not only was it a learning experience, but also a crash course in professional development from one of the largest and most reliable names in health insurance. Being given the opportunity to attend the institute is something that will benefit my career, and my clients, for years to come.”