Associated Benefits Consulting formed a new national partnership with the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) to provide its member agents and brokers exclusive access to a new ACA Decision Support Tool.
The tool, developed by ACA Solutions LLC is a software application created for health insurance agents and brokers to aid in analyzing the effects of healthcare reform on their clients.
Agents and brokers can provide clients with a customized analysis of the ACA's impact on their business, as well as assorted scenarios and corresponding strategies. The tool is designed to guide users through the process, but also features tutorials that explain the importance of the inputs and the calculations.
The application will update as regulations change. The tool also includes an employee survey, a health care reform checklist, and cost modeling modules for exploring alternate strategies.
In other industry news:
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) launched Guardian AbsenceWorks for small and large businesses to help with disability and absence management needs.
The program is supported by Reed Group, which Guardian acquired earlier this year.
"The addition of Guardian AbsenceWorks to our disability portfolio has reinforced our position at the forefront of the employee benefits landscape. This is crucial at a time when demands on employers are increasing in an environment fraught with complex regulation, including adherence to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)," said Ray Marra, vice president, Group Products at Guardian.
Teresa Wood, chief information officer for Alliance Benefit Group – Illinois, has been elected to its board of directors.
Wood oversees the management and direction for ABG's network administration, website operations, design and implementation, education, global communications and social media. As a member of the company's board, Wood will participate in planning and decision-making that affects company development and growth. She will continue in her current role as CIO, in addition to serving on the board.
Wood has over 20 years of experience in pension administration at ABG-IL. Her past experience with the company ranges from Client Relationship Manager to Senior Vice President of Plan Services and Operations.
Jody Hunter joined 
