R.W. Garrett Agency announces nation's largest annual health plan survey         

[MARCH 13, 2006]  Leading area employee benefits firm R.W. Garrett Agency recently announced the release of an unprecedented survey initiative that will provide invaluable benchmarks for employer-sponsored health plans, based upon number of employees, industry and region. The survey is co-sponsored by United Benefit Advisors, an alliance of 137 of the nation's premier independent benefit advisory firms.

"With over 12,000 health plans included in last year's report, the UBA Health Plan Survey is unprecedented in terms of the number of companies participating," said Nancy Schaub, director of agency services. "Other surveys have often delivered data of limited use to employers due to traditionally small sample sizes, ranging from a few hundred to less than 3,000 total responses nationally. In order to provide employers with truly actionable benchmarks, we are using our national scope to generate the largest health plan design and plan cost database in the industry."

The annual UBA surveys provide the nation's employers with a single source to address their most critical benefits benchmarking needs. The resulting savings in employer time from participating in a single set of surveys, as well as the improved benchmark data and drill-down capability inherent in a much larger database, will allow employers to significantly improve their strategic intelligence in this critical area of their business.

The Web-based survey is easy to understand and there is no cost for employers to participate. All survey answers are confidential. Each respondent will also receive a complimentary electronic synopsis of key survey findings. To be included in the 2006 survey results, responses must be submitted prior to June 2.

For additional information about the survey or about R.W. Garrett Agency, call Nancy Schaub at [phone].

[News release]