Category Archives: Press Release

HealthMarkets Announces Bill Engvall to serve as Spokesperson

HealthMarkets Announces Celebrity Author, Actor and Comedian Bill Engvall to serve as Brand Ambassador and Spokesperson

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. (“HealthMarkets”) announced today that Bill Engvall has been named national celebrity spokesperson for HealthMarkets this fall. Engvall will collaborate with HealthMarkets on various marketing and public relations activities including national TV commercials as well as print, digital, and social media campaigns.

“While trying to get the right health insurance coverage is no laughing matter, we see our partnership with Bill as a way to help make this time of year less stressful for consumers,” says Michael Z. Stahl, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We know that many people find shopping for insurance confusing and stressful. Bill provides a warm southern welcome that helps put people at ease.”

Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum selling artist and one of the top comedians in the country, Engvall is best known for being part of the enormously successful Blue Collar Comedy tour and concert films. He is known for his clean-cut humor and common man approach.

“The funny thing about health insurance is you don’t think about how much you need it, until you need it,” said Engvall. “That’s why I’ve partnered with HealthMarkets. They guarantee you won’t find a lower price anywhere for the plans they offer. And, they can find you a plan that lets you keep your doctors. I know that’s important for me.”

The campaign featuring Engvall will introduce consumers to HealthMarkets as their one-stop resource for health, Medicare, dental, vision, and final expense life insurance. Engvall will also help launch the company’s new tagline of ’your insurance marketplace’ to properly recognize the wide array of health and related insurance options HealthMarkets provides to its customers.

“We are excited to join forces with Bill to help educate consumers on the value that HealthMarkets provides as their personal insurance marketplace,” continued Stahl. “Whether it’s meeting face-to-face with one of our 3,000 local, licensed insurance agents, over the phone, or online, we stand by our core values of providing Convenience, Choice, and Counsel to our customers to help them find insurance protection to fit their needs and budget.”

HealthMarkets new campaign featuring Engvall will kick off on October 1, 2018, for the start of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. Click here to watch the spot.

About HealthMarkets Insurance Agency

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Inc., is authorized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and represents more than 200 branded insurance companies. HealthMarkets offers consumers a “one-stop” shopping experience for health insurance, combining around-the-clock phone and online assistance with the personal approach of more than 3,000 licensed, local career agents nationwide. It is a leading private health insurance marketplace offering multi-channel flexibility for individuals, families and small businesses. For more information, please visit HealthMarkets.com.

About Bill Engvall

Bill Engvall is a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and one of the top comedians in the country. Bill was a contestant on season 17 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and as a fan favorite, he made it to the finals. He previously starred in, and executive produced, the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show. Bill was part of the enormously successful Blue Collar Comedy concert films, which sold over nine million units and received a Grammy nomination. He also starred on the WB’s hit sketch comedy show Blue Collar TV and in several solo specials for Comedy Central. In 2012 he reunited with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on the Them Idiots Whirled Tour, which aired as a special on CMT.

Bill’s first album, Here’s Your Sign, is certified platinum and held the #1 position on the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 straight weeks. His second album, Dorkfish, also debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Comedy Chart, as did his subsequent comedy albums. Bill has written several books, including his 2007 autobiography Bill Engvall – Just A Guy.

Cautionary Statement Related to Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements regarding HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and its affiliates. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions. These statements are based on management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, and actual results may vary materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us.

MEDIA CONTACT

Michael Z. Stahl
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
HealthMarkets, Inc.

(817) 255-3100
Mike.Stahl@HealthMarkets.com

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Scott Terrell, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at HealthMarkets, Inc

HealthMarkets’ Scott Terrell Receives ORBIE Award

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. (“HealthMarkets”) announced today that its own Scott Terrell, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at HealthMarkets, Inc. has received the Corporate CIO of the Year ORBIE Award as a part of its 2018 CIO of the Year® ORBIE® Awards.

The CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards is the premier technology executive recognition program in the United States. Since inception in 1998, more than 125 CIO of the Year winners have received the prestigious ORBIE Award. The Award honors chief information officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership and winners are selected by an independent peer review process, led by prior ORBIE recipients.

Terrell received this honor based upon his leadership and management effectiveness, the business value he creates through technology innovation, his engagement within the industry and more.

“Scott is a strategic and collaborative leader whose innovative thinking and strong ability to deliver complex technology projects have fundamentally changed how we interact with our customers and agents,” said Ken Fasola, President and Chief Executive Officer at HealthMarkets.

Under Terrell’s direction, HealthMarkets’ technology enhancements are a key component to providing consumers with a fast and easy online quote and enrollment process on HealthMarkets.com as well as providing our agents with innovative tools that allow them to better support their customers and manage their business.

“Receiving this award is a great honor for me, but it is also a great testament to the work of my team,” said Terrell. “At HealthMarkets, we work hard to anticipate the needs of our agents by providing them with state-of-the-art and mobile-friendly technology that helps make the process of choosing insurance more approachable for their customers,” Terrell said.

About HealthMarkets Insurance Agency

HealthMarkets, Inc. is a holding company focused on serving the insurance needs of individuals, families, and small business through its subsidiary insurance and distribution companies. Our subsidiary insurance companies include The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company®, HealthMarkets Insurance Company®, and Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of TennesseeSM. The distribution subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Inc., HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is a licensed agency in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and offers a portfolio of life, health, supplemental, long-term care and senior products from national and regional carriers. The administrative offices of HealthMarkets, Inc. and its subsidiary companies are located in North Richland Hills, Texas. For more information, visit HealthMarketsInc.com.

Cautionary Statement Related to Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements regarding HealthMarkets, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions. These statements are based on management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, and actual results may vary materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us.

MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Z. Stahl
HealthMarkets, Inc.
(817) 255-5200
Mike.Stahl@HealthMarkets.com

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HealthMarkets Acquires TeamUP Insurance Services

Continues to expand its offerings for brokers serving the Senior Market

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. (“HealthMarkets”) announced today that it has acquired TeamUP Insurance Services, Inc. (“TeamUP”), a Southern California based Medicare focused distribution organization. The acquisition of TeamUp follows HealthMarkets’ January 2016 acquisition of Excelsior Insurance Brokerage, Inc. (“Excelsior”), a nationwide group health and senior market insurance general agency. With the acquisition, TeamUP principals Michael Blea and Scott McMillan will join the Excelsior leadership team to focus on Excelsior’s continued expansion in the Senior Market.

“We believe the addition of TeamUp will enhance the growth of Excelsior’s Medicare focused distribution channel and provide us with a unique skill set to build partnerships with provider organizations in the senior market,” said Patrick O’Toole, Executive Vice President and Chief Agency Officer of HealthMarkets.

Michael Blea, joins the Excelsior team as the Vice President of National Provider Marketing and California Senior Market Sales. Scott McMilan, will serve as Director of National Provider Marketing and California Senior Product Sales.

“We are excited to build on Excelsior’s growing business as we continue to enhance our portfolio, supplemental product capabilities and technology; all of which we believe are tremendously valuable to our brokers,” said O’Toole.

About HealthMarkets Insurance Agency

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Inc., is authorized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and represents more than 200 branded insurance companies. HealthMarkets offers consumers a “one-stop” shopping experience for health insurance, combining around-the-clock phone and online assistance with the personal approach of more than 3,000 licensed, local career agents nationwide. It is a leading private health insurance marketplace offering multi-channel flexibility for individuals, families and small businesses. For more information, please visit HealthMarkets.com.

About Excelsior Benefits, LLC

Excelsior Insurance Brokerage, Inc. is authorized to transact business as an insurance agency in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and does business as Excelsior Benefits Insurance Services, Inc. in California (CA LIC #0G78200) and New York. Excelsior Insurance Brokerage, Inc. is a multi-line brokerage offering solutions for independent brokers in the group and senior markets. Excelsior’s proven business model of group and senior market sales, individualized service and renewal support, together with its tenured sales team, carrier relationships and product expertise, have allowed Excelsior to build a compelling portfolio for brokers and their clients.

Cautionary Statement Related to Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements regarding HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and its affiliates. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions. These statements are based on management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, and actual results may vary materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us.

MEDIA CONTACT

Torie Wohlwend
i.d.e.a.
619-704-7572
toriec@theideabrand.com

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HealthMarkets Acquires Excelsior Benefits

Continues to expand its offerings for small and mid-sized businesses

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – HealthMarkets Insurance Agency announces it has acquired Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Excelsior Benefits, LLC, a large, nationwide group health insurance general agency. The acquisition of Excelsior follows HealthMarkets’ July 2015 acquisition of Benefitter Insurance Solutions, Inc., a technology company providing employee benefit decision support tools to small businesses and their employees.

The addition of Excelsior brings additional value to HealthMarkets’ rapidly expanding suite of products, services and technologies aimed at the increasingly underserved small and mid-sized employer market and the brokers who serve them. HealthMarkets intends to invest significant resources in growing Excelsior’s footprint and wholesaling breadth with the goal of replicating the success the company has achieved in the individual and Medicare markets.

“We believe the addition of Excelsior and Benefitter gives brokers the ability to enhance their capabilities in this important market and strengthens the platform of the more than 3,000 licensed, local HealthMarkets career agents who serve small and mid-sized businesses every day,” said Ken Fasola, President and CEO of HealthMarkets.

Tom Nicol, President of Excelsior Benefits, will continue to lead Excelsior’s team so that brokers continue to receive excellent service and added capabilities.

“HealthMarkets is uniquely positioned to build upon Excelsior’s growing business and adds both technology and supplemental product capabilities that we believe will be tremendously valuable to our brokers,” said Nicol.

Stay up to date with the latest in ACA developments and health insurance news by visiting the HealthMarkets blog, and find HealthMarkets on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Google+.

About HealthMarkets Insurance Agency

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Inc., is the d/b/a or assumed name of Insphere Insurance Solutions, Inc. Authorized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and representing more than 180 branded insurance companies, HealthMarkets offers consumers a “one-stop” shopping experience for health insurance, combining around-the-clock phone and online assistance with the personal approach of more than 3,000 licensed, local career agents nationwide. It is a leading private health insurance marketplace offering multi-channel flexibility for individuals, families and small businesses. For more information, please visit HealthMarkets.com.

About Excelsior Benefits, LLC

Excelsior Benefits, LLC offers specialized insurance and employee benefit packages intended to meet the needs of independent brokers and agents. Excelsior’s proven business model of group sales, individualized service and renewal support, together with its tenured sales team, carrier relationships and product expertise, have allowed Excelsior to build a compelling portfolio for brokers and their employer clients.

Cautionary Statement Related to Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements regarding Insphere Insurance Solutions, Inc., d/b/a HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, and its affiliates. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions. These statements are based on management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, and actual results may vary materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us.

MEDIA CONTACT
Beth Wilkinson
i.d.e.a.
619-295-8232 x119
bethw@theideabrand.com

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HealthMarkets consolidates leadership tied to significant growth and its post reform transformation

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – HealthMarkets Insurance Agency today announced several changes in its senior leadership tied to continued growth in its distribution business and a shift to supplemental products in its insurance business. Patrick O’Toole has assumed the position of executive vice president and chief agency officer; Derrick Duke has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer; and Rich Bierman is now the company’s executive vice president and general counsel.

Patrick O’Toole comes to HealthMarkets after 20 years with Humana, where he served as a vice president and segment leader. In this role, O’Toole oversaw all retail insurance product sales for Humana-MarketPoint, the nation’s largest multi-channel health insurance individual distribution system, while managing customer acquisition and retention activities across 4,000 employees and 20,000 contracted agents and partners. Humana sold more than 2.7 million policies in 2014 through channels under his leadership.

Prior to joining Humana, O’Toole spent 11 years in the U.S. Army, responsible for the personal safety of some of the country’s most senior leaders. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas.

Derrick Duke assumes the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer after an 11-year career with HealthMarkets. Duke is a chartered financial analyst with more than 25 years of senior level experience managing insurance company investment portfolios, and also served as an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University and a guest lecturer at The University of Texas at Arlington. Duke earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Additionally, Rich Bierman was promoted to executive vice president and general counsel. Bierman has led the legal department for the past three years, previously serving as senior vice president and general counsel, and has been with HealthMarkets since 2004. Prior to HealthMarkets, Bierman was vice president, general counsel and secretary of Connecticut-based HealthMarket Inc., a pioneer in the consumer-directed health plan space, and was in private practice in New York. He holds bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

“The demand among consumers for informed counsel has only increased with the advent of health reform,” said Ken Fasola, president and CEO of HealthMarkets. “The changes we announce today strengthen a proven team and position us well to sustain our growth well into the future.”

Stay up to date with the latest in ACA developments and health insurance news by visiting the HealthMarkets blog, and find HealthMarkets on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Google+.

About HealthMarkets Insurance Agency

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Inc., is the d/b/a or assumed name of Insphere Insurance Solutions, Inc. Authorized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and representing more than 180 branded insurance companies, HealthMarkets offers consumers a “one-stop” shopping experience for health insurance, combining around-the-clock phone and online assistance with the personal approach of more than 3,000 licensed, local agents nationwide. It is a leading private health insurance marketplace offering multi-channel flexibility for individuals, families and small businesses. For more information, please visit HealthMarkets.com.

Cautionary Statement Related to Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements regarding Insphere Insurance Solutions, Inc., d/b/a HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, and its affiliates. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions. These statements are based on management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, and actual results may vary materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us.

MEDIA CONTACT
Beth Wilkinson
i.d.e.a.
619-295-8232 x119
bethw@theideabrand.com

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HealthMarkets Insurance Agency Acquires Benefitter

Technology helps make small business transition to individual insurance seamless

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – HealthMarkets Insurance Agency announces that it has acquired Benefitter Insurance Solutions, Inc., a San Francisco-based technology company providing employee benefit decision support tools to small businesses and their employees.

Small and mid-sized business owners continuously struggle with providing and maintaining employee benefits due to rising costs and an inability to provide the range of options available to America’s bigger businesses. The demand for alternatives to major medical group plans and the broader access available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have accelerated the migration from small group coverage to individual market insurance tailored to each employee. Benefitter’s proprietary technology, software and services will equip HealthMarkets and its agents to better help employers make a positive, profitable and deliberate transition to the new era of health benefits.

“We have seen – and helped – an increasing number of small businesses migrate from group to individual health insurance,” said Ken Fasola, president and CEO of HealthMarkets. “It’s a win-win for small businesses trying to stay competitive in the marketplace, and Benefitter’s technology will provide another tool to help make the process seamless for business owners and their employees.”

Benefitter co-founders Brian Poger and Richard Fiedotin will join the HealthMarkets executive management team. Poger, CEO of Benefitter, will become executive vice president of HealthMarkets’ small group business division, an integrated multi-product marketplace for small businesses and their employees. Fiedotin, COO of Benefitter, will join as executive vice president of HealthMarkets, leading customer engagement and policyholder retention strategy.

“We’re incredibly excited to combine the strength of HealthMarkets’ products, scale and distribution with our distinctive technology to help small businesses deliver more relevant, cost effective and sustainable benefits solutions,” Poger said.

Stay up to date with the latest in ACA developments and health insurance news by visiting the HealthMarkets blog, and find HealthMarkets on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Google+.

About HealthMarkets Insurance Agency
HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Inc., is the d/b/a or assumed name of Insphere Insurance Solutions, Inc. Authorized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and representing more than 180 branded insurance companies, HealthMarkets offers consumers a “one-stop” shopping experience for health insurance, combining around-the-clock phone and online assistance with the personal approach of more than 3,000 licensed, local agents nationwide. It is a leading private health insurance marketplace offering multi-channel flexibility for individuals, families and small businesses. For more information, please visit HealthMarkets.com.

Cautionary Statement Related to Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements regarding Insphere Insurance Solutions, Inc., d/b/a HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, and its affiliates. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions. These statements are based on management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, and actual results may vary materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us.

MEDIA CONTACT
Beth Wilkinson
i.d.e.a.
619-295-8232 x119
bethw@theideabrand.com

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