New insurance specialist is a phone call away

It’s a fact of modern life: insurance is complex, and with more options comes more confusion. Add to that the fact that health insurance rates continue to climb, and it’s no wonder that many businesspeople feel anxious about group insurance benefits.

Enter Linda Cook, who has joined MRA’s staff specifically to help members with their questions and decisions regarding group insurance. She handles sales for health, dental, disability and life insurance plan options—anything other than workers’ compensation (where our expert is Judy Shafer).

“Because insurance has become so complicated, MRA management felt an insurance specialist could assist members in making informed decisions regarding their health and life insurance policies,” said Jean Sarasin, MRA’s senior vice president.

“Linda’s insurance background and her solid communication and negotiation skills provide an extra benefit for members.”

Members should continue to contact Customer Service for more routine benefits issues, such as claims, plan maintenance, adding new employees, obtaining new i.d. cards or billing questions.

Cook, a native of Lansing, started in late September. She is settling well into her task of helping MRA members better understand their choices and counseling them in making the best decisions for their specific situations. She sees herself as a guide through the maze of benefit plan options that business owners face.
“I can sort out the confusion and assist people in obtaining the best plan for their circumstances, so that they aren’t paying for services they are not using,” said Cook.

Cook is also the liaison between the member and the insurance companies. By fostering relationships with those companies, she has a small amount of “wiggle room” regarding underwriting and getting plans issued.

“I don’t subscribe to the attitude of ‘there’s nothing we can do about that.’ Of course there’s something,” she said.

“While there are certain non-negotiable restrictions, I can combine my knowledge of the product with a knowledge of the member business to find the best coverage at the best rate,” Cook explained.

The more I know about the member’s situation and preferences, the better I can see the options and solutions that can meet that member’s needs,” she added.

For example, when a member considers offering dental benefits to a group of 10 or more, the door opens for more options. Cook can work directly with Delta Dental to negotiate rates and coverage.

She is also excited about a new option that might suit members who want more control over their health care dollar: the Health Savings Account (HSA). While “it’s not for everyone,” Cook believes it’s an option some members will want to investigate, and she will be ready to assist members learn about and explore it.

Cook has been in insurance for 20 years. She has worked in all types of environments on all types of insurance and even owned a small insurance business for about seven years, so she understands the small business owner’s perspective.

Marga Coughlin, co-owner of American Diamond Importers in St. Clair, considers her time talking with Cook “very well spent.” Coughlin was not satisfied with the health insurance rates she was paying, and the quotes from an independent broker were not much better.

After working with Cook, Coughlin decided to switch from the Blue Cross Community plan to the Blue Care Network plan.
“It went very well. Linda was knowledgeable, helpful and more effective in getting us an affordable health care group plan,” said Coughlin.

Cook can be reached at 800.366.3699 ext. 218 or.lcook@retailers.com.