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NEW TOOL HELPS EMPLOYEES SELECT A HEALTH PLAN
Plan Evaluator Allows Employees to Compare Out-of-Pocket Costs and Save Money

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, June 30, 2008/PRNewswire/ – United Benefit Advisors (UBA), one of the nation’s largest benefit advisory organizations, has introduced a new web-based tool that will allow employees of mid-market employers to compare out-of-pocket costs across their employer-sponsored health plans to select the plan that is most cost-effective for them. This new tool is not tied to any carrier and does not require the employee’s actual claims data in order to estimate out-of-pocket expenses.

Called the UBA Plan Evaluator, this tool allows employees to enter basic information about their family make up and their general health, to see a comparison of likely out-of-pocket costs across available health plans. The tool uses the Milliman database of health care claims data to estimate average yearly claims - tailored to where the employee lives – based on the age, family makeup and health of the employee. With that data, employees can see how much they can expect to spend, on average, in a given year for premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses. The tool also takes into account any employer or medical savings account contributions, so that employees can see an estimation of the true bottom line costs for each plan.

“With health care costs rising and plan offerings becoming more complicated, our members were asking for a tool like the Plan Evaluator,” said Bill Stafford, UBA’s vice president of member services. “Our members’ clients need this tool to help employees compare the options available to them and make more informed decisions. Particularly with the rise of consumer-driven health plans, which typically have a lower monthly premium but make employees responsible for out-of-pocket costs associated with many common health procedures, it can be difficult to determine which plan is really the lowest-cost option. This tool allows employees to become better consumers.”

In fact, the 2008 UBA Employer Opinion Survey, which queried 1,664 employers about a variety of health insurance issues, found that two out of three employers felt very or somewhat confident that they could improve employee involvement in their own health care decisions over the next year. Nearly three out of four employers either would like a claim analysis tool like the Plan Evaluator, or wanted to learn more about such a tool. Not surprisingly, the survey also found that 87 percent of employers believe that more health care costs will be shifted to employees over the next five years, making a tool like the Plan Evaluator even more critical.

“Previously, information like this was only available to very large employers, who could access their own claims data and estimate costs for employees,” said Stafford. “With our new Plan Evaluator, each UBA member firm can provide that information to small and midsize employers for the first time.”

UBA has member firms in virtually every major U.S. market. To locate one and learn more about the UBA Plan Evaluator, visit www.benefits.com.

ABOUT UNITED BENEFIT ADVISORS

United Benefit Advisors, one of the nation’s largest employee benefit advisory organizations, has more than 1,900 experienced benefits professionals in more than 165 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. An alliance of nearly 140 of the nation’s premier independent benefit advisory firms, UBA members are able to help employers and their employees respond efficiently and effectively to the challenges of an ever-changing employee benefit marketplace. UBA members provide employee benefits consulting, brokerage services, and best-in-class products to more than 36,000 private corporations and public employers across the U.S. and internationally. As trusted advisors, UBA members help their clients manage nearly $16 billion annually in employee benefit expenditures on behalf of nearly 4.5 million employees and their families. In addition to the Employer Opinion Survey, UBA also conducts the annual UBA Health Plan Survey, the most comprehensive benchmarking survey of health plan design and cost currently administered. For more information, visit www.benefits.com.

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SURVEY: EMPLOYERS HAVE HIGH CONFIDENCE THEY CAN CONTROL HEALTH CARE COSTS WITH PROPER TOOLS

– Nearly 75 percent have or want to have a wellness program with a health risk assessment; fewer than 25 percent want taxpayer-funded universal health care –

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, April 22, 2008/PRNewswire/ – United Benefit Advisors, LLC (UBA), one of the nation’s leading employee benefits advisory organizations, today announced key findings from its 2008 UBA Employer Opinion Survey, which delineates employers’ specific health care strategies, health benefits philosophy and opinion, health plan management, and Consumer Driven Health Care.

The release of the 2008 UBA Employer Opinion Survey contains representative responses from employers by both region and employer size. Of the 1,664 employers polled, 72.5% have or want to have a wellness program that utilizes a health risk assessment; and 59.2% have or desire to implement a chronic disease management program. The survey also found that employers with 200 or more employees were 54% more likely to describe themselves as “leading edge” or “fairly quick” to adopt wellness programs. Firms with more than 1,000 employees produced results that indicated they were two-and-a-half times as likely to describe themselves as “leading edge” or “fairly quick” concerning disease management program adoption.

“The tide has clearly turned in that the majority of employers believe in the long-term value and positive impact that comprehensive wellness and disease management programs provide,” said William Stafford, Vice President, Member Services for UBA. “Keeping the healthy employees healthy while stabilizing and/or improving the health of employees with chronic conditions will dramatically improve everyone’s health and quality of life.”

Other clear trends emerged related to employers’ perspective on what the government’s role should be in improving the health care landscape. Just 26% of employers want the government to develop a taxpayer-funded universal health care system. Without regard to employee size or geographic region, more than 75% of employers surveyed felt the government should require hospitals and doctors to:

	Publicly disclose pricing
	Require insurers to publicly disclose actual discounted prices paid to providers
	Mandate health care provider quality reporting

“This survey illustrates that employers have a high level of confidence in their ability to control health care costs and that their employees can make informed choices if given the additional tools necessary to do so,” Stafford said. “In the current environment, the absence of readily available price and quality data coupled with an expectation of both employers and employees to make sound health care decisions is like asking someone to navigate turbulent waters while blindfolded and without the ability to steer." 

Notable results in other categories include:

	60% of employers felt health plans/insurers and the government are ultimately responsible for controlling the cost of health care
	Just 1% felt the government should have a say in deciding which doctor or hospital patients should use or how to manage chronic conditions
	8.4% of employers felt doctors and hospitals should be responsible for controlling costs

Asked to project ahead five years:

	86.8% of employers surveyed believed more health care costs will shift to their employees — down 5% from the 2006 survey
	51.0% felt that Consumer Driven Health Plans would be the dominant plan type — down from 52.9% in 2006
	47.4% felt both they and their employees will have the price and quality data necessary to make good health care spending decisions
	More than 98% were confident they would provide health care benefits to their employees one year from now

“Overall, the survey results show that employers take their role as the primary source for health care coverage in America quite seriously,” Stafford said. “Employers have made it quite clear that they cannot take sole responsibility for health care costs; they need to partner with employees, physicians, hospitals and the government to find a solution to the health care crisis we are all experiencing."
 

ABOUT THE 2008 UBA EMPLOYER OPINION SURVEY

The 2008 UBA Employer Opinion Survey and the 2007 UBA Employer Survey (which addressed personal health management/wellness, employee communications and scope of benefits) serve as companion pieces to the 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey. Released this past August, the 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey is the largest health plan benchmarking survey in the nation. Results from the 2008 UBA Health Plan Survey will be released in August 2008.

ABOUT UNITED BENEFIT ADVISORS

United Benefit Advisors, one of the nation’s largest employee benefit advisory organizations, has more than 1,900 experienced benefits professionals in more than 165 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. An alliance of 140 of the nation’s premier independent benefit advisory firms, UBA members are better positioned to help employers and their employees respond more efficiently and effectively to the challenges of an ever-changing employee benefit marketplace. Visit UBA online at www.benefits.com to locate your local UBA Member Firm.

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SURVEY: MASSACHUSETTS EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES PAYING MOST FOR HEALTH CARE PLANS

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, January 31, 2008/PRNewswire/ -- Presidential candidates, federal and state politicians, the health care industry and voters will all be watching closely over the next year to gauge the success – or failure – of major health care reform efforts, especially in states like Massachusetts.

In place since 2005 and unique in the nation, the Massachusetts health care model requires nearly every resident to buy health insurance. The plan is certain to garner more attention this spring as penalties for companies and employees who have not yet signed up go into effect in April.

Massachusetts employers are continuing to spend more a year than other U.S. states for health insurance on a per employee basis. While the plan is being scrutinized as a potential model upon which to build a universal health care solution in the U.S. and appeals to many residents because of its comprehensiveness and relatively low cost, according to United Benefit Advisors, one of the nation’s leading independent employee benefits advisory organizations, employers are struggling to pay for the high health care plan costs.

“The Massachusetts model is the closest concept to a national health care plan that we have today and some presidential candidates in various ways have historically touted that model as the foundation of their health care solutions,” said William Stafford, vice president of member services at UBA. “Plans offered by employers in Massachusetts are in reality costing a fortune. During this time when presidential candidates are debating best practices to solve the nation’s health care crisis, Americans must carefully contemplate what is being proposed and weigh their decisions extremely carefully.”

UBA has released results of its latest national benchmarking survey, the 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey, a far-reaching industry analysis of employer health care plan design and cost. UBA collected plan data from thousands of the nation’s employers of all sizes with an emphasis on the small- to mid-sized employers, who represent the majority of the nation’s 3 million-plus employers. The survey’s primary purpose is to provide an accurate, relevant health plan benchmarks that employers can use to help them make critical benefits decisions.

The 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey consists of 11,723 employers throughout the nation who combined extend health benefits to nearly 4.5 million employees and family members.

“Our survey is the nation’s largest comprehensive benchmark survey of health plan design and costs,” Stafford said. “The survey reveals critical statistics about hundreds of health plan factors, including enrollment specifics, plan design and cost and employee premium cost-sharing options, including consumer-driven health plans. Results also yield important statistics about prescription drug plans, retirement benefits and flexible spending accounts.”

Nationwide, based on 16,485 health plans included in the 2007 survey, the average annual total cost per employee, which includes both employer and employee contributions, was $6,881.

According to UBA’s survey, the five states that had the highest average total annual cost per employee in 2007 were (2006 survey results are included for comparison):

According to the 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey, the five states that had the lowest average annual total cost per employee were (2006 survey results are included for comparison): 

Copies of UBA’s 2007 Health Plan Survey are available through local UBA-member firms. To find local UBA-member firms, visit www.benefits.com.

In the spring, UBA plans to release its 2008 Employer Opinion Survey, a companion survey to the Health Plan survey which delineates employers’ specific health care strategies, cost-containment efforts, opinions and future expectations regarding their health plans.

ABOUT UNITED BENEFIT ADVISORS

United Benefit Advisors is one of the nation’s largest employee benefit advisory organizations with more than 1,900 experienced benefits professionals located in more than 165 offices throughout the United States and Canada. As an alliance of the nation’s premier independent benefit advisory firms, UBA members are better positioned to help employers and their employees respond more efficiently and effectively to the challenges of an ever-changing employee benefit marketplace. Visit UBA online at www.benefits.com.

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UBA Member Firms ‘Walk the Talk’ as Advocates for Quality in the Workplace, Receive Nationwide Recognition 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, October 24, 2007/PRNewswire/ -- Members of United Benefit Advisors, an alliance of the nation’s premier independent benefit advisory firms, are raising a lot of eyebrows through their efforts to make a real difference in their employees’ and clients’ lives. 

Most recently, UBA Member Firm Cowden Associates, Pittsburgh, PA, was selected as one of the 15 Top Small Workplaces nationwide by The Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces. They were also named among the 50 Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania 2007 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. 

Other UBA Members recognized across the U.S. include: The Rippinger Financial Group, selected among the top 30 Best Places to Work in Illinois by the Harrisburgh, PA-based Best Companies Group; Dale Alexander, Alexander and Company, Woodstock, GA, named 2007 Employee Benefit Advisor of the year by Employee Benefit Adviser magazine; Rob Nielsen, Mesirow Financial, Bannockburn, IL, featured as the cover story and lead article on leadership and accountability in Employee Benefit Adviser magazine; and the Pacific Coast Business Times ranked Beneflex Insurance Services second among the top 50 Fastest Growing Companies in the Santa Barbara Tri County area, achieving a 540% revenue growth over the last three years (2004-2006).

To further demonstrate their devotion to improving employee health and quality of life, UBA Members are delivering a competitive wellness program to a previously underserved market through a newly formed relationship with Matria Healthcare. In addition to enrolling a high percentage of their clients in the middle-market benefit segment, UBA Members have also signed up many of their own employees. 

“This continuous stream of recognition and focus on improved benefit programs represents UBA’s strong commitment to not only our clients but also to our employees,” says Chris John, UBA CEO. “UBA was founded on the principles of high ethical standards, shared wisdom, and a passion for objectively helping each other – not just at work, but in our personal lives as well.”

For employers, UBA also sets the industry standard in benchmarking healthcare benefits by conducting the nation’s largest and most comprehensive survey of health plan design and plan costs. “The survey results are especially valuable in evaluating current employer plans and knowledgeably making future adjustments while keeping their benefits both competitive and cost effective,” says Bill Stafford, UBA’s Vice President, Member Services. “This information will be even more critical in the future as employee acquisition and retention become increasingly competitive.” 

The 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey comprises responses from 16,485 health plans sponsored by 11,723 employers nationwide who employ nearly 1.9 million people (approximately 4.5 million total lives).

About United Benefit Advisors (UBA)
UBA, (http://benefits.com) is one of the nation’s largest employee benefits advisory organizations with over 1,900 experiences benefits professionals located in more than 165 offices across North America. As an alliance of the nation’s premier independent benefit advisory firms, UBA members are better positioned to help employers and employees respond more efficiently and effectively to the challenges of an ever-changing employee benefits marketplace.

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-- About Reden & Anders:
Reden & Anders, Ltd., an Ingenix company, is a national actuarial, clinical, and management consulting firm specializing in financial and business decision support for the health care industry. We partner with a wide range of clients, including health care payers, providers, employers, and pharmaceutical companies, to go beyond the numbers and deliver insight.

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During the meeting UBA announced new Strategic Partnerships with third-party administrators: Benesight, CoreSource, Group & Pension Administrators (GPA), and Professional Benefit Administrators (PBA). These partnerships will enhance UBA Members' ability to provide their clients with a suite of claims administration and related benefit services. UBA also announced a Preferred Vendor Alliance with Health Advocate, a specialty company dedicated to helping employees and their families navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.

"The sharing of marketing best practices and the use of UBA technology will be invaluable, as will the new strategic partner and preferred vendor relationships", said Russ Blakely, UBA Charter Member & President of Russ Blakely & Associates. "I continue to be amazed by UBA and what this organization has meant to my business in just two short years."

Joining approximately 290 participants at its Chicago meeting were representatives from: AIG/General American, benefitsCONNECT(SM), Benesight, Benefits Technology Group, Colonial Supplemental Insurance, CoreSource, Destiny Health, ERC Healthcare, Express Scripts, Genworth Financial (formerly
GE Financial), Guardian Life, Fisher & Phillips LLP, Group & Pension Administrators, Health Advocate, Ingenix, Professional Benefit Administrators, Reden & Anders, Sun Life Financial, Systemed, and Symetra Financial.

Membership in UBA is limited to 150 of the nation's top independent employee benefit firms. To date, 108 firms have met UBA's financial and professional credentialing membership requirements. UBA now ranks as one of the nation's five largest independent employee benefits organizations with annual employee benefit revenues exceeding $240 million.

Welcomed as UBA's newest member firms were:
-- Beacon Enterprises, Inc., Orlando FL
-- Benefit Consulting Services, Inc., Jackson TN
-- Employee Benefit Design, LLC, Springfield MO
-- Gary Johnson & Associates, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
-- Holden Insurance Agency, Superior, WI
-- R. W. Garrett Agency, Inc., Lincoln IL
-- Roberts and Dennis Insurance Group, Greensboro NC
-- the bagnall company, Chandler, AZ
-- The Wladis Companies, Inc., Syracuse NY

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“We are exited to be part of UBA and are very impressed by the organization’s vision and accomplishments”, said Steve Matushak, President of Holden Insurance Agency. “Joining UBA provides our firm the opportunity to work with other top independent firms throughout the country to provide cutting-edge products and services for our clients.”

Membership in UBA is limited to 150 of the nation’s top independent employee benefit firms. UBA’s roster is comprised of firms who have committed to abide by the most thorough code of ethics in the employee benefits industry.

"UBA was founded on the premise that the collective wisdom, expertise, and unique strengths of the top independent benefits firms could be cooperatively shared to create truly best-in-class solutions for our clients", said David LoCascio, UBA CEO & Co-founder. “Our culture of mutual trust, sharing, and support has allowed us to jointly develop and provide the best possible services for our clients, while simultaneously enhancing the independence of our Member firms, which is the cornerstone of their creativity and success.”

Since its official launch nearly two years ago, UBA has grown to become the nation’s largest privately-held employee benefits advisory organization with over 1,300 experienced benefits professionals located in more than 120 offices across the country.

UBA Members provide employee benefits consulting, brokerage services, and best-in-class products to nearly 24,000 private corporations and public employers. As trusted advisors, they help their clients manage over $10 billion annually in Employee Benefit expenditures on behalf of more than 1.6 million employees and their families.

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"What UBA is, and what it represents for our firm, is the most significant, comprehensive, and differentiated platform that I have seen in my career, period," said Rob Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Dann Insurance. "UBA provides us access to the best entrepreneurial and professional minds with the tools, resources, and support to really make a difference for our clients."
UBA also unveiled BenefitsPassport(SM), an online "gateway to employee benefits," which will serve as an entry point for the group's employer/employee-based technology tools such as the Employee Benefit Center(SM), an employee communication tool, HRinsider(SM), a customized HR news & information portal, and benefitsCONNECT(SM), an online enrollment system. UBA also announced a new version of its Wisdom Network(SM), a private Intranet site for its member firms.

Joining approximately 275 participants at its Chicago meeting were representatives from: benefitsCONNECT(SM), Benefits Technology Group, ERC Healthcare, Express Scripts, GE Financial Employer Services Group, Lumenos, Moss Adams Advisory Services, SAFECO Risk Management Services, Sun Life Financial Services, Systemed, and The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.

"I am very impressed with the United Benefits Advisors organization and our team is very excited about our relationship," said Jeff Argotsinger, GE ERC Second Vice President and Medical Expense Group Leader. "We came away from the Chicago meeting energized and committed to helping deliver the solutions UBA members demand, and we look forward to creating new opportunities, programs and services to help our common clients."

Membership in UBA is limited to 150 of the nation's top independent employee benefit firms. To date, 99 firms have met UBA's stringent financial and professional credentialing membership requirements. UBA currently ranks as one of the nation's largest employee benefits organizations, with annual employee benefit revenues exceeding $225 million.

Welcomed as UBA's newest member firms were:
-- Bryant Group Inc., St Louis, MO
-- Capital Strategies Group Inc., Birmingham, AL
-- Commonwealth Financial Group, Dillsburg, PA
-- Dann Insurance, Bannockburn, IL
-- Davidson Benefits Planning, LLC, Tualatin, OR
-- Insurance & Actuarial Consultants LLC, Shreveport, LA
-- Insurance Associates Employee Benefit Company, Lubbock, TX
-- Insurance Solutions Inc., Annapolis, MD
-- Maniaci Insurance Services, Inc., Palos Verdes, CA
-- Pappas Financial, Farmington Hills, MI
-- Peyton, Kaiser, Johnson, Merriam, LLC, Memphis, TN
-- RAM Benefits, Minnetonka, MN
-- Saginaw Bay Underwriters, Saginaw, MI
-- Selectpath Benefits & Financial, Inc., London, ON
-- The LBL Group, Los Alamitos, CA
-- Todd Associates, Cleveland, OH
-- Upshaw Insurance Agency, Amarillo, TX
-- Wall Street Capitol Benefits, Inc., Charlotte, NC
-- Xcorp, Tulsa, OK

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"Our membership in UBA allows us to combine our unique expertise with other best-in-class consulting firms across the nation to compete effectively with the other national houses," said Michael R. Johnson, CEO of Johnson & Dugan Insurance Services Corporation in San Bruno, CA. "Our firm and our clients now have the best of all worlds: national coverage, unique regional knowledge, and access to true, top-notch expertise in all fields related to employee benefits."

To further realize its vision, UBA announced a number of new strategic alliances which provide its member firms with preferred product and service delivery from some of the nation's leading insurers, a best-in-class Benefits Modeling tool, and three integrated Client Relationship Management/Commission Tracking solutions to serve the varied needs of individual UBA member firms.

Joining approximately 160 participants at its Chicago meeting were sponsors: Jefferson Pilot Financial, Employers Reinsurance Corp., United Healthcare, Colonial Supplemental, Humana, Pharmacare, and Trustmark Insurance. "It's easy to see why United Benefit Advisors has grown so quickly as an organization," said Joel Suarez, Senior Vice President, National Sales & Account Management for United Healthcare. "When so many of the nation's leading employee benefits firms work together, the customer wins."

Membership in UBA is limited to 150 of the nation's top independent employee benefit firms. Currently, 67 firms who have met stringent financial and professional credentialing requirements and who commit to abide by the most thorough code of ethics in the benefits industry comprise UBA's member
roster.

Welcomed as UBA's newest member firms were:
-- Lawson, Marino & Bertera Insurance Agency, Inc., (Springfield, MA)
-- Schwendeman Agency, Inc., (Marietta, OH)
-- John D. Becker & Associates, (Mandeville, LA)
-- First Harbor Group, LLC, (Houston, TX)
-- Johnson & Dugan Insurance Services Corporation, (San Bruno, CA)
-- Lehigh Valley Benefits Group, Inc., (Allentown, PA)
-- Managed Benefits, Inc., (Richmond, VA)
-- JRW Associates, (Raleigh, NC)
-- AMCORP Insurance & Financial Services, (San Antonio, TX)
-- Horstmann Financial and Insurance Services, (Fresno, CA)
-- CCI Benefit Solutions, (Columbus, OH)
-- Brinson Benefits, (Dallas, TX)
-- The Kane Agency, Inc., (Little Rock, AR)
-- Ferguson Employee Benefit Agency, (Greenville, SC)

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United Benefit Advisors (UBA) Launches HRinsider(SM), a Web-Based Information Service for HR Professionals - Announces Strategic Partnerships

Wednesday, July 9, 2003 as seen in: /PR Newswire/

INDIANAPOLIS and AUSTIN, Texas, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- United Benefit
Advisors (UBA) (http://unitedbenefitadvisors.com ), an alliance of the
nation's premier independent benefit advisors, launched "HRinsider(SM)", a
website designed to help human resource professionals work more efficiently
and effectively, keep current with legislative & benefit issues, better manage
their time, and focus on strategic functions.

"Our constantly changing business environment demands that HR be more
strategic to enable companies to achieve their core objectives," said Bill
Howell, UBA's Executive Director.  "Policies & procedures, contracts,
performance management, labor relations, training & development, recruitment &
retention, strategic planning, records & payroll, compensation, and
orientation challenge HR staff, and that's where HRinsider(SM) will help."

HRinsider(SM) includes select news & information gathered by expert staff,
keeping HR professionals informed about the most important aspects of the
industry.  Legislative Guides provide up-to-date information about COBRA,
Flex/Section 125, FMLA, HIPAA, HIPAA Privacy, and USERRA.  Sections contain
FAQs, related forms and instructions, and legislative updates.  The Document
Center contains ready-to-print disease-specific brochures, benefits surveys,
and other HR and benefits communications.  The Links Library is a collection
of resource links relating to health & welfare benefits, general HR functions,
management & employment issues, wellness, general HR functions, etc.

"Our surveys of HR professionals revealed they didn't simply want another
internet information source," said Rene Michaels, VP Marketing & Technology
Services for UBA.  "They wanted quality content -- HRinsider(SM) brings
together the most relevant, important info written by the most credible
sources available, and makes it fast & easy to access."

UBA formed a strategic partnership with Fisher Phillips LLP
(http://www.laborlawyers.com ), one of the oldest and largest law firms in the
nation representing management in employment, benefits, labor, and business
immigration matters.  Fisher & Phillips developed the legislative content,
materials, and forms in HRinsider.  Content is continuously updated as changes
in legislation and regulations occur.

UBA also partnered with Schering Plough Managed Care Services
(http://www.schering-plough.com ) to provide all the health related brochures
for HRinsider(SM).  Schering Plough's "Brochureware" library supports employer
quality assurance efforts, including HEDIS, EPSDT, and other performance
measurements.  Educational content is derived from nationally recognized
sources, including the NIH, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, American
Diabetes Association, and the National Cholesterol Education Program.

HRinsider(SM) officially launched on July 1st and is exclusively available
to UBA member firms and their clients.

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INDIANAPOLIS and CHICAGO, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- United Benefit Advisors (UBA) (http://unitedbenefitadvisors.com ), an alliance of the nation's premier independent benefit advisory firms, introduced 10 new member firms, an array of new resources, and expanded strategic partnerships at its recent meeting in Chicago. Founded in July 2002, UBA has experienced phenomenal growth during its ten-month history and its annual benefits revenue already ranks it as one of the ten largest employee benefit brokerage organizations in the United States.

"I have known for a long time that creatively, independent employee benefit professionals around the country had a hands-down advantage over the conglomerate brokerage houses," said Mark J. Hanna, President of the The Hanna Agency in Walnut Creek, CA. "Now, through our UBA membership, this
creativity can be leveraged through our shared knowledge and resources to allow our firm to deliver an even better value proposition to our clients."

To further realize its vision, UBA announced a number of new strategic alliances which provide its member firms with access to the top online enrollment system, labor law advisory services for clients, online HR and compliance training, and three HIPAA Privacy solutions to serve the varied
needs of UBA member clients.

Joining approximately 150 participants at its Chicago meeting were sponsors: UnumProvident, CIGNA Group Insurance, Express Scripts, Aetna, The Hartford, KBIC, and Standard Insurance. "UBA is an embodiment of distinguished, successful individuals who represent a competitive difference in our changing world of employee benefits," said Steven P. Ruel, Vice President of Sales, CIGNA Group Insurance. "We at CIGNA Group Insurance were most appreciative to support UBA and share our thoughts."

Membership in UBA will be limited to 150 of the nation's top independent employee benefit firms. Currently, 54 member firms who have met stringent financial and professional credentialing requirements and who commit to abide by the most thorough code of ethics in the benefits industry comprise UBA's member roster.

Welcomed as UBA's newest member firms were:
-- Assurance Resources, Inc. (Houston, TX)
-- Cross & Associates (Cincinnati, OH)
-- Gemini Group, Inc. (Denver, CO)
-- ISU McNeil Insurance Agency, Inc. (Novato, CA)
-- Midwest Life & Health Group, LLC (Rockford, IL)
-- Rippinger Financial Group (Schaumburg, IL)
-- Swartzbaugh Farber & Associates, Inc. (Omaha, NE)
-- The Hanna Agency (Walnut Creek, CA)
-- The Shaner Agency (Merrillville, IN)
-- Vincennes Insurance, Inc. (Vincennes, IN)

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"Clients are demanding more services from their broker and the demand for this technology is real," said Chris John, UBA's Vice President & Co-Founder. "After an intensive evaluation of countless enrollment services, we are convinced that benefitsCONNECT(SM) puts our member firms in the forefront of the marketplace in enrollment and benefits administration."

Enrollment systems are gaining popularity due to their ability to educate, and the Internet is quickly becoming the primary vehicle for service delivery. Vigilant brokers are reinventing themselves and solidifying their position with clients by using the Internet and browser-based tools to help employers
better communicate details of benefit plans to their employees. In a recent study done by Benefits Technology Consulting Group, 38% of brokers said online enrollment was the number 1 service capability they would offer next year.

"Entering into this strategic partnership with UBA validates five years of hard work by the entire Comm5 team. We feel confident benefitsCONNECT(SM) has the potential to become the industry standard benefits administration software solution," says Michael G. Miller, President and CEO of Comm5. "Working with UBA and its member firms will help us achieve this goal."

About Comm5 Web Systems
Founded in 1996, the Minneapolis, MN-based Comm5 Web Systems has developed Internet-based technology solutions for over 150 companies in various industries throughout the world. With their flagship software product, benefitsCONNECT, Comm5 provides a comprehensive web-based employee benefit administration system that streamlines the management of employee benefits.

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Mr. Howell is familiar with many of UBA's member firms, having served for 19 years on the staff of the Society of Financial Service Professionals as Vice President, Member Services. More recently, he has held positions as CEO of the Insurance Education Foundation, Indianapolis, IN, and CEO of Service
One Association of REALTORS, Cherry Hill, NJ.

Mr. Howell has served on the board of directors of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of CLU & ChFC, most recently as President in 1995. He has been awarded the FLMI designation as well as completing the MSFS and MSM degrees at The American College. In addition, Mr. Howell has been active in the American Society of Association Executives. He was President of their Delaware Valley Chapter in
1999, and served as Chair of the ASAE CAE Commission in 2000. He earned the CAE designation in 1993.

"We are very pleased to have Bill leading the UBA team," said David LoCascio, United Benefit Advisors' President. "Bill brings a wealth of management experience and a great sense for the entrepreneurial culture of our member firms. We are excited about the direction Bill can provide as we
continue to grow and to add benefits and services for UBA members."

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"The Wisdom Network(TM) is a highly customized Intranet/Extranet that
allows our members to share their expertise without being inundated by emails
or phone calls," said Chris John, UBA Vice President and Co-founder. "It's a
highly secure online conduit for members to store, retrieve and share all of
their intellectual property with unprecedented ease."

This core technology, exclusively available to UBA member firms, greatly
enhances their ability to service clients by providing access to credible
information on best practices, common support initiatives, technology, and
vendor relations.

UBA also announced the addition of ten new members, now totaling
41 independent employee-benefit advisory firms in 28 states.
"We are very pleased to have been chosen," said Brian McLaughlin, CEO of
Granite Group Benefits in Manchester, NH. "Becoming a UBA member presents
our firm with opportunities we could not pursue on our own -- it increases the
level of service we can offer our clients and enhances our ability to compete
for larger accounts."

UBA's strategy is to bring together the country's leading independent
benefit advisory firms to form a powerful national entity known for its
ethics, expertise, and delivery of outstanding client services. UBA members
agree that independent employee benefit advisors have a special responsibility
to provide a neutral, trusted channel that serves the best interests of
Employers and Employees.

New UBA member firms include:
-- The Wilson Agency - Anchorage, AK
-- Benefits Unlimited - Cranston, RI
-- Absolute Resource Solutions, LLC - Flanders, NJ
-- MCM, A Meisenbach Company - Seattle, WA
-- Thompson Associates, Inc. - Louisville, KY
-- The More Financial Group - Fort Worth, TX
-- Granite Group Benefits, LLC - Manchester, NH
-- The Protector Group Insurance Agency, Inc. - Worchester, MA
-- Jordan Dynamics, Inc. - North Palm Beach, FL
-- Benefit Source, Inc. - W. Des Moines, IA

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INDIANAPOLIS and AUSTIN, Texas, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- United Benefit Advisors (UBA), the national network of independent benefit advisory firms, announced an additional 16 firms have joined UBA as charter members now bringing their total to 31.

Professional firms joining UBA have been searching for ways to more effectively serve their clients, maintain their firm's independence, and remain competitive in the changing employee benefit/financial services industry.

"UBA was created to provide the infrastructure to allow top, mid-sized benefits firms in the country to effectively share and leverage their knowledge and experience", said David J. LoCascio, UBA President & Co-Founder, "the implications for each individual firm and to the clients we serve are truly remarkable."

There is a "Perfect Storm" taking place in the financial services world -- Insurance and Investments Companies, Broker/Dealers, Banks and National Brokerage Agencies are using technology and The Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 in an attempt to dominate the financial services marketplace.

How do independent benefit advisory firms respond to the massive consolidation taking place in this industry while efficiently serving their clients, and maintaining their independence? UBA answers this question by providing creative financial strategies and support technologies to the nation's top independent firms.

"The response from established benefits firms who have identified UBA's value in meeting industry challenges has been extraordinary," said Chris John, UBA's VP & Co-Founder, "we foresee reaching our national goal of 150 firms earlier than anticipated."

New charter members include:

Benepro, Inc. Royal Oak, MI
Bert Reames Insurance Services Daytona Beach, FL
Cowden & Associates Pittsburgh, PA
EBS Insurance Brokers, Inc. Newton, MA
Gables Financial Group, Inc. Coral Gables, FL
Horizon Agency, Inc. Minneapolis, MN
Human Capital San Juan, PR
Independent Benefit Services Rockville, MD
McDermott & Thomas Associates Staten Island, NY
Roller Consulting Co., Inc. Conshohocken, PA
Russ Blakely & Associates Chattanooga, TN
The Benefits Solution Group Baton Rouge, LA
The Lake Group New York, NY
The Teare Group, Inc. Watchung, NJ
Tower Benefit Consultants Chesapeake, VA
TrueNorth Companies Cedar Rapids, IA

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National network of Independent Benefit Advisory Firms launches to meet the challenges of a changing employee benefits world-- introduces charter members.
June 17th, 2002 - /PRNewswire/

INDIANAPOLIS, IN and AUSTIN, TX, June 17, 2002 - /PRNewswire/ - United Benefit Advisors (UBA), the National network of Independent Benefit Advisory Firms, today announced its official launch and introduced its charter members.

Insurance companies, banks and securities firms are rushing to take market share from each other causing traditional roles in the industry to blur. Deregulation, the growing ubiquity of the web, and the vast numbers of people not being served by the current system are causing the Financial Planning and Employee Benefits industries to merge. 

"As these players become more intertwined, we see two potential casualties", said Chris John, UBA Vice-President & Co-Founder, "for Employers, independent financial advice will become more difficult to obtain, and for Independent Advisors, the ability to serve their clients could become compromised, making it difficult for independent firms to stay in business." 

A little over a year ago a group of fellow employee benefits professionals met at the Society of Financial Service Professionals Success Forum in Las Vegas to discuss the formation of a National employee benefits producer group. 

"Most of us were aware of the tremendous value that 'M Financial' and 'Assurex' provided their member firms in the corporate life insurance and property & casualty fields, said David J. LoCascio, UBA President & Co-Founder. "There was strong consensus that a similar organization dedicated exclusively to employee benefits professionals would significantly enhance our respective practices-- that's why UBA was formed."

These firms identified a number of growing challenges-- consolidation of health insurance vendors, downward pressure on compensation, complexity of integrating emerging technology tools, educational and organizational demands imposed by increasing legislative complexity, and client acquisition and retention challenges posed by the rapidly expanding benefits initiatives of national payroll companies, banks, and pension/financial services administrators.

"UBA is founded on the premise that the collective wisdom, expertise, experience and unique strengths which reside within the top independent benefits firms can meet these challenges", said LoCascio. 

Charter members include:

Acadia Benefits, Inc., Portland, ME
Benefit Management, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD
Benefit Sources & Solutions, Inc., Bound Brook, NJ
Colorado Insurance Center, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO
Flexible Corporate Plans, Inc., Birmingham, AL
Horne/Guest, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Lindberg & Ripple, Inc., Windsor, CT
LoCascio Hadden & Dennis, LLC, Indianapolis, IN
Resource Financial Group / Benefits.com, Austin, TX
Schultz Rowson / J.Smith Lanier & Co., Alpharetta, GA
The Benefit Company, Atlanta, GA
The Megro Corporation, Radnor, PA
The Quarles Group, Tulsa, OK 
The Sprotte Organization, Grand Rapids, MI
Travers O'Keefe & Associates, New York, NY