Help for Small Business

AHIA celebrates Small Business Week

For Immediate Release

Contact: Janita Colbert 703/770-8251, JColbert@naifa.org

April 22, 2005

FALLS CHURCH, VA - The Association of Health Insurance Advisors (AHIA), the health insurance division of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), applauds President Bush's proclamation of April 24-30 as Small Business Week. AHIA joins the Administration in recognizing small business owners and workers.

Dramatic increases in health care costs in the last decade have made the agent an increasingly important part of the health care equation. More than ever, small businesses rely on the advice of their agents regarding cost savings measures and coverage options. In observance of National Small Business Week, AHIA reminds small employers of the services available to them by professional health insurance advisors.

"No one knows better that the health insurance agent, the difficulty and expense small employers face in providing health insurance" notes AHIA President Fred R. Bean. "The agent is knowledgeable about various insurance options and new laws, such as Health Savings Accounts. Informed agents are a valuable resource to the small employer seeking to provide benefits," adds Bean.

Professional agents perform these basic services for the small employer:

Agents work with clients to evaluate their need for health insurance protection. This may involve substantial research and fact finding about the client's needs.
Agents educate by explaining the various health plans available and provide appropriate cost indexes.
Agents make specific recommendations that suit the client's objectives and budget. Often a health insurance plan is designed by the agent to fit a client's special needs.
Agents keep in touch with the client and review or update coverage on a periodic basis. They suggest changes when appropriate and counsel clients on ways to reduce cost. Often they must assist their client in reviewing the need for legal and tax compliance, recommending other professional assistance when necessary.
Agents assist with claims, answer questions and serve as ombudsmen in helping their clients deal with insurance companies.
Agents assist business owners in communicating their benefit packages to their employees, often assisting the employee in seeing how the benefits coordinate with their personal financial programs as well as those provided by government entities.

For information about AHIA, HSAs and to locate a professional agent, visit www.ahia.net

The mission of the Association of Health Insurance Advisors (AHIA) is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of our members.

AHIA members are NAIFA Federation members actively involved in the sale of group and individual health related products including disability, long-term care, critical illness, Medicare supplement insurance and work site products.

Founded in 1890 as the National Association of Life Underwriters, NAIFA's umbrella of organizations includes the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU), the Association of Health Insurance Advisors (AHIA) and GAMA International.