WESTLAKE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
WESTLAKE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Letter from the President When I started WestLake Financial Group, Inc. in 1991, I was focused on a singular goal. That goal was to create real value for our clients. The word value has become nebulous in the marketplace. It’s been replaced by “shareholder value” and “lean operations”. We’ve seen unparalleled mergers and aggregation in our industry and stop to wonder – where is the service? How large of a fish are you now? Rest assured, you’ll always be a big fish in our pond. We also wanted to deliver bleeding edge solutions and programs that changed the habits of the associate and human resources professional alike - and we did. In 1999 we pioneered an internet based suite of products called BenefitsTalk™. Through the use of these web based products we have saved our partners between 20% to 40% of their combined HR administrative time. Through BenefitsTalk™, we introduced Dependent Eligibility Verification Audits, Spousal Disincentive Administration, Tobacco User Disincentive Administration, and many more programs aimed at truly reducing costs while maintaining superior quality. We were determined to change HR – and we did. Naturally, we are still developing new ideas and programs. This year we are pleased to introduce Cera Solutions™ – a suite of tablet computing applications. We envision a mobile HR department – one that is ultimately accessible, regardless of location, day or hour. Managing your human capital has become more complex, and through innovation and technology, we are putting you in the forefront of new thinking. The programs include everything from enrollment to exit interview administration. The entire life cycle of an associate’s work interest. All in your hands – all mobile and accessible – all the time. We’ve even changed the manner in which voluntary benefits are enrolled. Never again will you labor with enrollers bothering your team in the workplace. It’s all internet based at WestLake! And we surround every program we offer with a dedicated benefits call center located right in our building – we wouldn’t dream of offshoring our customer service! So, if you are suffering the lack of technology, service or laboring with the aggregation blues – I invite you to call me. Lets share ideas. Paul J. Burt President and CEO WestLake Financial Group, Inc.
Let us open new doors for you
First, a little background. We’re not new, we’ve been here over 20 years... With over 100 benefit management clients and $110 million in managed annual benefit premiums, WestLake continues to develop and deliver value-added services and unique solutions in the insurance brokerage, benefits consulting, and benefits management fields. We strive to provide a single point of contact for our clients to simplify their benefits structure. WestLake’s corporate mission is to provide leadership in employee benefits solutions and human resources technology. We deliver forward-thinking technology and redesign business processes to achieve greater efficiency. WestLake partners with clients in each and every facet of their benefits and human resources strategy - that is, Everything Benefits.
WestLake is not your ordinary insurance consultant, technology or administration provider. We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt, innovate & execute. In 1999, WestLake believed that the internet would change the delivery of employee benefits, so we introduced BenefitsTalk™
A new home awaits you
It’s time for another change...mobility
CERA™ Solutions In the time of the Romans, wax covered tablets, called “Tabulae Cera”, were used to remotely record important transactions. WestLake is continuing this tradition, using today’s technology, with our line of Cera™ Solutions, which will utilize tablet computers and portable devices to mobilize any HR department.
WestLake provides HR employee benefits programs and solutions that are on the cutting edge of mobile technology. Mobile applications are a rapidly growing sector of the global technology market. They consist of software that runs on mobile devices that performs certain tasks for the user, without the need of a standard desktop or laptop computer. In today’s technologically advanced society, applications are available on most mobile devices, such as the iPad, where access to this software is quick, easy, and efficient. WestLake is enabling a mobile HR Department that is completely accessible to all employees at any location at any time. Check the status of a claim, enroll in benefits, conduct an exit interview , check your FSA balance, ect. Imagine all of your critical HR functions being mobile - with Cera™ Solutions, we’re there!
Our solutions are feature rich...
Unlike other consulting or brokerage firms, WestLake has spent the past 20 years developing and evolving its own proprietary technology solutions. This has not only allowed us to outpace our competition, but also has kept our cost of delivery well below the market.
BenefitsTalk™ Technology Complete benefits outsourcing is accomplished using WestLake’s BenefitsTalk™ online technology. BenefitsTalk™ compliments your HRIS/payroll system by integrating functions not available with these software solutions. Combined with the Benefits Resource Center, BenefitsTalk™ serves as a single point of contact for all benefit related needs. Key services include: - Dedicated, entirely customized web-based employee self service technology - Access to the Benefit Resource Center - Open Enrollment and ongoing enrollment administration including employment status changes and family status changes - Integrated cost containment programs (dependent eligibility verification, spousal disincentive, tobacco user disincentive, wellness, etc.) - On-line voluntary benefits enrollment - Complete payroll and carrier eligibility administration including error report handling - Eligibility determination and benefit calculations for all plan types - Direct billing, collection, and communication for inactive employees and retirees - Human Resource policy coordination and information delivery - Personalized communication and plan materials
Employee Benefits Consulting The core of any successful organization is its employees. WestLake will consult with you to ensure your plan design is aligned with the goals of your organization. Our Benefit Plan Consultants analyze your programs and work closely with you to effectively manage your benefits on a day to day basis. WestLake’s primary focus in benefits consulting is to ensure cost containment, a competitive offering and regulatory compliance. Services included in WestLake’s Employee Benefits Consulting are: - Complimentary enrollment administration using BenefitsTalk™ technology - Access to the Benefit Resource Center - Monthly experience reporting and analysis - Quarterly customized reporting delivered onsite with review of the plan cost history, projected/budgeted figures, normative comparisons and recommendations based on trends - Regulatory compliance review and recommendation (PPACA, ARRA, ERISA, HIPAA, Section 125 etc.) - Complete carrier and vendor management - Annual plan cost review with recommendations on COBRA equivalent rates and employee co-share splits
WESTLAKE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Bene-Fit™ Analysis Understanding the challenges you are facing with cost control in your health plan. The Bene-Fit™ analysis includes a complete review of your plan’s design, structure, eligibility, and administration process. Bene-Fit™ benchmarks your results against other health plans in your industry, offering suggestions on how to maximize your benefits without compromising a competitive offering.
Third Party Administration With over 3 million covered lives, WestLake’s experience as a Third Party Administration (TPA) allows us to utilize strong network relationships to optimize our effectiveness as liaison between partner and provider. Our Fully Automated Claims Transaction System (FACTS) provides an integrated and automated workflow cycle. Whether proving your utilization review or procuring reinsurance, we take pride in our expeditious processing of every claim. Additional features of WestLake’s TPA services include: - Complimentary enrollment administration using BenefitsTalk™ technology - Online resources including claims and accumulator status for all plan participants and HR staff - Access to the Benefit Resource Center - Reinsurance evaluation, marketing, recommendation and procurement - Quarterly customized reporting delivered onsite with review of the plan cost history, projected/budgeted figures, normative comparisons and recommendations based on trends - Guaranteed claims processing timeliness and accuracy - Regulatory compliance review and recommendation
COBRA WestLake takes the trepidation out of COBRA administration. While many “full-service” providers claim to manage all areas of your former employee population, failure to adhere to the compliance regulations can expose you to varying levels of risk. WestLake’s COBRA administration services include: - Adhere to and administer periodic changes to Regulations (ie ARRA) - Access to the Benefit Resource Center - Generate all appropriate COBRA notifications - Process COBRA enrollments and elections - Complete premium tracking and handling - Provide insurance conversion assistance to COBRA participants - Communicate eligibility to carriers - Integration of a customized website with on-line reporting access
Benefit Resource Center Maximizing service, while maintaining quality and control, is the idea of the WestLake Benefit Resource Center. The Benefit Resource Center is made available to employees as the initial contact for benefit or HR related matters. All calls into the Benefit Resource Center are tracked and made available (in summary or actual conversation) to the HR department in order to keep you in control. - Serves employees as an extension of the Human Resources Department - Dedicated toll free phone line and fax line for each client - Featuring digital call recording of all inbound and outbound calls - Available from 7AM to 11PM CST Monday through Friday and 9AM to 1PM CST on Saturday during Open Enrollment - Available from 7AM to 7PM CST Monday through Friday outside of Open Enrollment - Integrated WITS™ System to track and report on all calls
FSA Administration - Full Service Flexible Spending Account administration (Health, Dependent Care, Transportation and Parking) - Online enrollment capabilities available at no cost through BenefitsTalk™ - Ability to review enrollment information, claims activity and account balance detail online at BenefitsTalk™ (enrollment capabilities not required) - Access to the Benefit Resource Center - Online claims submission - Financial modeling tools to estimate expenses and tax savings - Flexible reimbursement options at no additional cost (debit card, direct deposit and manual check) - Guaranteed claims processing timeliness and accuracy
Electronic Paystub Access Creating efficiency through technology, meanwhile encouraging a “waste-free” (paperless) environment is on the top our agenda, as is also a goal of our clients. Eliminating the need for a paper paystub has helped many WestLake clients to achieve this goal. WestLake offers electronic access to employee paystubs through BenefitsTalk™ and enables the Benefit Resource for pay related questions. Features include: - Ability to view per pay period payroll and W2 activity online at BenefitsTalk™ 24/7 (enrollment capabilities not required) - Historical access enabled for paystubs and W2s dating back to the program inception - Access to the Benefit Resource Center
Dependent Management Administration WestLake prides ourselves on our ability to identify areas in benefits where cost control is a challenge and to create the appropriate solution to achieve results. Whether initiating a Dependent Eligibility Verification or a Spousal Disincentive program, appropriate communication and timeline are the keys to success. Such programs can offer an organization opportunities not only cost containment, but cost reduction. Communication is the key to the success and acceptance of such dependent management programs. Services include: - Full or partial dependent eligibility audit administration - Spousal disincentive administration - Complete administration handled by WestLake - Online access through BenefitsTalk™ (Employee and HR) - Ability to view documentation submitted through BenefitsTalk™ - Access to the Benefit Resource Center - Complete communication campaign developed by WestLake to ensure program success - Results oriented programs initiated by WestLake preserving HR as employee liaison
Other Available Services: - Employee Communication Management - Retiree Administration - Tobacco User Disincentive Administration - Wellness Program Coordination, Communication and Administration - Exit Interview Administration - Tuition Assistance Automation - Employee Surveys - Voluntary Benefits Enrollment
Follow us forward...
WestLake’s combined talents bring you expertise on self, traditional and alternative funding with a focus on not just controlling costs, but reducing them.
Case Study 1 Client Demographics:
- Midwest Health System - Approximately 3500 Employee Lives - Eligible population has experienced modest growth over the course of the analysis period - Medical/Rx claims data analysis includes most recent three years (WestLake client for six years)
WestLake provided services:
- Benefits Consulting/Brokerage (Medical, Rx, Dental, Life, Disability, FSA, Voluntary Benefits) - Voluntary Benefits Enrollment - BenefitsTalk™ (Enrollment, Benefit Statements, Electronic Paystubs, Employee Communications, Carrier and Payroll file transmissions) - Benefit Resource Center - COBRA Administration - Dependent Management Programs
Cost containment programs implemented during the analysis period (specifically addressing the health plan):
- Full Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit and Ongoing Administration - Spousal Disincentive Administration (moved to Spousal Exclusion for 2011) - Referral based medical plan driving domestic utilization back to the client - Health plan level modifications in response to claims experience and normative comparisons - PPO analysis and change resulting in discounts and greater access to physicians and hospitals - Appropriate reinsurance level adjustments - Adjustment of employee plan contributions in response to normative comparisons (additional adjustment is necessary; however, initial increases have taken place)
Results
2007 to 2008 - Employee enrolled population size increased by 3.6% - Medical claims cost decreased from $7,593 to 7,446 PEPA (-1.9%) - Total claims cost decreased from $9,335 to $8,853 PEPA (-5.16%) - Total plan cost decreased from $9,745 to $9,205 PEPA (-5.55%) 2008 to 2009 - Employee enrolled population size increased by 2.7% - Medical claims cost decreased from 7,446 to 6,535 PEPA (-12.2%) - Total claims cost decreased from $8,853 to $7,990 PEPA (-9.74%) - Total plan cost decreased from $9,205 to $8,339 PEPA (-9.4%) 2009 to 2010 - Employee enrolled population size increased by .3% - Medical claims cost decreased from 6,535 to $6,424 PEPA (-1.69%) - Total claims cost decreased from $7,990 to $7,847 PEPA (-1.79%) - Total plan cost decreased from $8,339 to $8,228 PEPA (-1.33%)
Case Study 2 Client Demographics: - Midwest Health System - Approximately 1,050 Employee Lives - Eligible population has slightly decreased over the course of the analysis period - Medical/Rx claims data analysis includes most recent three years (WestLake client for five years)
WestLake provided services:
- Benefits Consulting/Brokerage - Medical plan third party administration (Medical) - BenefitsTalk™ (Enrollment, Benefit Statements, Employee Communications, Carrier and Payroll file transmissions) - Benefit Resource Center - Working Spouse Contribution Administration - COBRA Administration - FSA Administration
Cost containment programs implemented during the analysis period (specifically addressing the health plan):
- Full Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit and Ongoing Administration - Spousal Disincentive Administration - Health plan level modifications in response to claims experience and normative comparisons - PPO analysis and change resulting in discounts and greater access to physicians and hospitals - Appropriate reinsurance level adjustments - Adjustment of employee plan contributions in response to normative comparisons
Results
2007 to 2008 - Employee enrolled population size decreased by 6.5% - Medical claims cost decreased from $8,617 to $7,955 PEPA (-7.7%) - Total claims cost decreased from $9,548 to $8,909 PEPA (-6.7%) - Total plan cost decreased from $9,870 to $9,277 PEPA (-7.1%) 2008 to 2009 - Employee enrolled population size decreased by 2.0% - Medical claims cost increased from $7,955 to $8,300 PEPA (4.3%) - Total claims cost increased from $8,909 to $9,135 PEPA (2.5%) - Total plan cost increased from $9,277 to $9,546 PEPA (2.9%) 2009 to 2010 - Employee enrolled population size decreased by 1.1% - Medical claims cost decreased from $8,300 to $7,707 PEPA (-7.1%) - Total claims cost decreased from $9,135 to $8,792 PEPA (-3.8%) - Total plan cost decreased from $9,546 to $9,224 PEPA (-3.4%)
Exceeding Expectations
What our customers say about us "Our benefits enrollment was smooth and WestLake was behind us all the way. WestLake values my business!" Michael G. Director of Employee Benefits and Compensation with a Midwest hospital system
“Our employees say they are very pleased with WestLake & said BenefitsTalk definitely makes their jobs easier. Thought you'd like to know.”” Judith C. Vice President of Human Resources with a Midwest business consortium
“One of my employees advised that she called the call center to enroll in her benefits, and someone named Debbie helped her. The employee advised that Debbie was very helpful and considerate and is to be commended. Please thank 'Debbie' for me.....She is making my job easier!” Donna R. Benefits Manager with a Southern hospital system
"Hello, my name is Susan and I am a fairly new (6 months) employee here. I decided near the end of the open enrollment deadline to explore my insurance options, considering changing from the coverage my husband’s employer offers. I called once for information and received Geoff as the rep. He was very informative and patient with all my questions. When I decided to enroll, I enrolled by phone and again received Geoff as my rep. By that time it was the last day and I was enrolling, still with some questions. Geoff was knowledgeable, cheerful, patient and efficient and I was able to get enrolled with what I needed with much less stress. I am grateful for such good customer service and was impressed with Geoff's manner and proficiency. Thank you." Susan R. Employee of an East coast hospital system
“Tom, in the Call Center at WestLake has been absolutely great. He looked for all options available to resolve my issue. My situation is a matter of life or death and Tom went above and beyond to ensure I got my medication.” G. Salinas Employee of a national logistics company
"All of us were vastly impressed with the WestLake System. As a quasi-expert at outsourced Human Resource systems, I've got to tell you that it's the best I've seen. Your work on the issues of spousal health coverage and predictive modeling is both extraordinary and totally unique. Clearly, the availability of the system will propel an almost unlimited number of employer worksite sales." Peter T. Vice President of a worksite marketing company
Let us cater to you Mission Statement To be a high-performance employee benefits consulting and administration firm, providing high-quality services for our clients, enabled by state-of-the-art technology and performed by a highly-committed team of talented professionals.
WESTLAKE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Corporate Headquarters WestLake Financial Group, Inc. 1477 Barclay Boulevard Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 Phone: 847.353.6150 Fax: 847.353.6152 E-mail sales@westlakefg.com www.westlakefg.com