Blog

2017: A look back and a look ahead

By: Alex Moral, President, Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions

With the New Year just around the corner, many people are reflecting on the year past and making resolutions for the year to come. So, in that spirit, I thought I’d do the same when it comes to Trustmark and the world of voluntary benefits.

Time for change in critical illness insurance – supporting prevention can save lives

By: Dr. Howard Fixler, Medical Director, Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions

In the first article of this series, we looked at how insurers and medical practitioners are two key elements in the care continuum yet far too often aren’t in alignment; especially when it comes to critical illness. A doctor may treat a patient in a different way than how some voluntary insurance is set up to cover the patient, leaving consumers without the financial protection they thought they had, during a much-needed time. But, the gap between the medical and insurance worlds goes far beyond that. 

Time for change in critical illness insurance – creating alignment between medicine and insurance

By: Dr. Howard Fixler, Medical Director, Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions

Between 1960 and 2015, the average life expectancy of an American has increased from 69.77 years to 78.74 years. That’s nearly a 10-year increase in the past 55 years! Consider all the medical advancements across all kinds of conditions and treatments this represents. Further, consider that there are billions and billions of dollars poured into medical research annually. Clearly, the ways we treat patients and the way we view illness are constantly changing, but the question is: are insurance policies keeping up with this rapid pace of change?

A new perspective on life and long-term care insurance

By: Jodi Allen, Regional Sales Director, Mountain Region

Sadly, none of us are getting any younger. Maybe you see it in the mirror every morning, or in your parents or the incredible impact that aging can have on finances. So, if aging is inevitable, and if it poses risks to a person’s finances, why are so many underprepared, and what can they do to fix it?

Workplace stress costs $500 billion annually - here are three ways to help employees

There are plenty of ways employees can feel anxiety at work; tight deadlines, loads of work, budgeting constraints or just long hours. This, of course, doesn’t even take into account an employee’s personal life which can come with its own set of challenges. From work, to finances, to their personal lives, there is a lot that can cause stress for employees.

Trustmark gives thanks

By: Alex Moral, President, Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions

In many households around the country, family and friends will take a few minutes this Thanksgiving to give everyone at their table a chance share what they are grateful for this year. So, before you sit down and carve the turkey with your family, we want to express what we’re grateful for here at Trustmark.

Infographic: Caregiving - the challenges and the solutions

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time of year when we recognize and celebrate the efforts of family caregivers. As we appreciate those efforts, it’s also important that we take time to understand the challenges that caregiving presents. For many Americans, caregiving is much more than lending a hand here and there, it’s effectively a second full-time job in terms of the hours they put in to caregiving. 
 

Lost in translation – It’s time to change the way we talk to employees

By: Mike Dahlinger, Regional Sales Representative, Michigan Region

The following will make plenty of sense to an insurance professional: “The lower premiums of a high-deductible health come with higher out-of-pocket costs. These costs can come in the form of coinsurance or through the higher deductible, but all of this can be offset by voluntary benefits.” Our end consumer, however, is not an insurance professional. The above is an example of how we speak in the industry and, to us, it makes sense. The problem is that it doesn’t make sense to our customers; to employees buying insurance.

How hospitals and insurers can support caregiving

By: Dan Johnson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Caregiving is a huge responsibility. For one in six U.S. employees, it is essentially a second job given the time and energy required to be a caregiver for a loved one.¹ We recently took a look at how employers could support employees who are caregivers, but it’s not just employers who are trying to help; the healthcare industry and insurance carriers are on board too. Since November is National Family Caregivers Month, it’s the perfect time to show how this emphasis on supporting caregivers is paying dividends for patients, employees and their employers.

Demonstrating care throughout the customer ecosystem

By: Ann Freeman, Executive Director, Marketing, Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions

We’re all familiar with the term “the customer is always right” and many leading brands have made the customer experience the centerpiece of their mission. Yet the term is predicated on a transactional relationship; a belief that the customer knows what it is they want as well as the expected service. But, based on my experience in the insurance, benefits and financial services industries, I believe customers approach a company seeking guidance. And the way we go about offering our services is ultimately as crucial as what we ultimately offer.