BBI Testimonials -- Our Clients Speak

We at BBI are proud of our client relationships -- we work hard to keep our clients happy, and we think they appreciate it.

So we're not shy about asking them to tell the world what it is they like about us. And so that you can get the "feel" for our clients, we're working on adding their pictures to this site.

Here, then, are some comments from our clients:

(Photo of Rick Wontka in front of a big, honking machine that makes mega parts in mini time.)

"Working with BBI let us help hold our health insurance costs level for three years in a row. Besides that, the BBI people jumped in to fill an administrative hole in our HR department -- they were more partner than provider."

January 1, 2008

"Eaton Apothecary is a Massachusetts-based retail pharmacy chain of 22 worksites and nearly three hundred employees.

Our workforce is diverse; comprised of professionals earning six figures, high school students earning a little spending money, and a lot of people in the middle. Approximately half of our workforce is full time, and slightly over one hundred employees require health insurance from the company.

Like all other employers, individuals and governments, Eaton Apothecary has struggled to provide top-notch benefits to its employees in the wake of rapidly escalating health insurance costs. As managers, we are constantly watching how every decision will impact our people and our bottom line and have found it difficult of late to strike a favorable balance.

In 2007, we faced a moderate 7.5% increase from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, our carrier of over a decade. This increase would for the first time put our projected annual health insurance spend over a million dollars – a milestone certainly not to be celebrated.

Our previous approach to cost containment was to simply allow our broker to manage the percentage increase; maybe tweak some copayments here and there to save a few dollars and keep pace with inflation. We assumed increases were inevitable and that we were doing all that we could to provide quality benefits to our employees at the lowest cost.

We were wrong.

In November 2007, we were introduced to Jim Edholm of Business Benefits Insurance Brokerage, Inc. Seven weeks later, on January 1, 2008, our employees have a better plan than ever before and the company is saving nearly $130,000 in calendar 2008!"

For the full testimonial with details about the plan switch and working with Jim Edholm, click here...

(Photo of Paul Chabot, President, and Andrea Paulo, Office Manager.)

February 4, 2008

"As you know, Boston Light Source enlisted BBI's services just prior to our insurance carriers' renewal period. We wanted an honest assessment of our current plans and suggestions on how to offer our employees the best benefits package without imposing any financial strain.

After two meetings you presented us with a portfolio of alternative plans compared to our current one. Each plan presented in a clear and consolidated manner with just the facts for us to analyze. The amount of time you saved us is undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages to using your services. Other advantages include:

• Alternative plan designs offering a wide range of choices and alternative funding approaches.
• Preventing our old carrier from raising our rates an additional 10% because our growing company exceeded the maximum number of employees allowed.
• Moving a Principal from a very expensive supplement program to a better, lower-priced plan that cut his personal cost by more than $5,700 a year.
• Moving the company to a plan that was 4% less than our renewal.
• All changes were facilitated quickly and efficiently by your team.

We consider the plan changes to be a success and you continue to be our go-to with any questions that come up. Your services are ongoing with free COBRA administration and access to an online HR database tailored to our company. You and your team are knowledgeable, accessible, and a pleasure to work with. Thank you."

"In 18 years of running a successful architectural office, I never anticipated the challenges of providing quality benefits both to myself and my employees. Even more of a challenge was how much the price of healthcare now factors into our overhead costs and ultimately our profitability.

In less than 10 years we have seen the cost of our healthcare benefits skyrocket to more than double with no end in sight. Simultaneously, in order to maintain and attract a talented staff we still need to provide a top shelf benefits package in order to complete with the larger firms.

This year, we switched our business to BBI as they provided us with a menu of options that allowed us to think "outside of the proverbial box" and design a plan that keeps a consistent level of coverage at a substantially reduced monthly premium.

Change is not always easy, and Jim and his staff were extremely helpful in addressing the concerns of both myself and my staff. I thank Jim for his interest in the success of my business."

April 5, 2007

"Our office has utilized the services of Jim Edholm and BBI Benefits, Inc. for the last several years and the results, both for our clients and for ourselves, have been outstanding. Jim brings an experienced and even hand to the increasingly hot button topic of employee benefits, particularly health insurance. It is because of his vast array of contacts that Jim is able to tap into data from all the major insurers and to compare information on an "apple to apple" basis. Like most law firms, we're challenged daily by a host of deadlines and we have insufficient time to spend on these critically important topics. Jim, as a small business owner himself, appreciates the value of his clients' time and utilizes it in a most efficient manner.

Because of our great experiences with Jim, we have been quick to recommend him and his company to our clients. In every case, the outcome has been very positive. Whether our client has five or five hundred employees, Jim treats them all with the greatest of respect and brings both a positive attitude and diligence to the task.

Jim is a valued member of both the Andover and Greater Lawrence communities. As a past president of the nationally acclaimed Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, he played a critical role in both the survival and renaissance of this tremendous institution.

Advisor, community figure and friend, Jim Edholm and BBI Benefits are a terrific part of our team here at Morris, Rossi & Hayes. I am most pleased to recommend both Jim and BBI to your firm and its clients."

December 13, 2006

"Northeast Manufacturing Company has had a 10 year relationship with BBI Benefits.

During this period you have represented us in the field of medical, dental and life-short term disability insurance.

We have been extremely pleased with the level of service and the representation provided by BBI. In this world of ever increasing insurance costs, it's assuring that we have an agent like you working for us.

Looking forward to the next 10 years!"

August 4, 2006

"Aved Electronics has been working closely with BBI in the person of Jim Edhold for over 10 years. During this time Jim has been a consummate professional; knowledgeable, congenial and mindful of the particular needs of small business. He and his staff have helped Aved navigate the often stormy waters of health insurance and benefits administration, guiding us with a sure understanding of the various providers and a clear sense of our unique circumstances. Striking the right balance between cost and benefit is no easy task in today's healthcare environment. We rely on BBI to guide us through the process and they have never failed us.

But the good news is that Jim and his staff don't limit themselves to simply providing outstanding service; they also look for ways to add value to their palette of offerings. A case in point is the My Paperless Office system they offer to clients. Not content just to help keep insurance costs in line, Jim and his staff are working to make administration easier and therefore more cost efficient. One can't ask much more of any service provider.

Whatever the benefits administration challenges your company faces, BBI will provide superior service and expertise, lightening the load so you can attend to the more pressing needs of your business."

August 18, 2006

"I have worked with Business Benefit Insurance for the past 16 years. The staff is extremely professional and efficient, yet down to earth. Whenever I need anything, they are always there to help.

Recently, our organization changed health carriers. The enrollment meetings were unavoidably planned during my scheduled vacation. In my absence, BBI sent a representative to function as the human resource liaison. They stepped into my role and made themselves available to the employees. They go above and beyond what a traditional broker does. It is truly a pleasure to work with them. We are very satisfied with the many services they provide us.

I look forward to a continued successful relationship with BBI. I highly recommend their service to any organization."

September 12, 2006

"For the past six years, the team at BBI has been a strategic partner in establishing and maintaining benefit programs for our employees. Their customer service and quick response to our needs are critical to our success in obtaining competitive and cost effective benefit packages.

In addition, BBI provides our employees with complementary annual benefit statements. These statements serve as a strong tool in which we communicate the value of the benefits our company provides. You will have to look long and hard to find a more dedicated and capable group to meet your organization's needs."

May 25, 2006

"As we finish our first year of working with BBI, I just wanted to send you a note telling you what a refreshing change it has been compared to the typical broker.

First, you showed us money-saving options when we started with you. But better than that,prior to the renewal this year you contacted us, took the lead in going back out to evaluate alternatives, and also suggested alternative plan designs - which saved us money again this year. We didn't need to chase you to shop again at renewal time.. . it happened automatically.

On our non-medical coverages, not only did you save us money, you also simplified our administrative efforts by combining several coverages together to get us one bill a month instead of three. Now when we add or delete an employee, it's only one-third the work it was before you helped us out.

But probably the most interesting and useful things you send us are the periodic emails that keep us up to date on changes that might affect us such as

• Changes in the law.
• New product offerings that might be good for us.
• Potential new HR ideas we might want to implement

Not everything fits our needs at any particular time, but it's nice to know that you're keeping us aware of future options."

"JAFCO Foods, has been with Sheila Daly and Business Benefits for 2 years now. They have provided us with superior service from the beginning. Our relationship continues to grow stronger every day.

At the beginning of our relationship JAFCO was involved in an in-depth COBRA dispute involving an ex-employee. Sheila went above and beyond her job responsibilities to help us manage this important issue. JAFCO does not have an HR employee so we rely heavily on Sheila's professional experience to help us address each and every issue that we face. She is extremely knowledgeable, proactive, consistent, and always a pleasure to work with.

As a rapidly growing company it is a great feeling to know you have the right person, from the right company, to fill this important role. Sheila and BBI continue to prove to us that they can and always will provide top-notch service."

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