The Affiliated Workers Association is a non-profit organization of small business owners, self-employed individuals, independent contractors and entrepreneurs from across the nation. For more than 20 years, the Affiliated Workers Association has been committed to empowering its members with the tools and benefits they need to succeed in their personal and business endeavors. Premier Health Solutions, LLC. works with the AWA to research, review and deliver industry-leading benefits and customer service excellence for its members.
The Affiliated Workers Association (AWA) was founded in 2001 to address the need for comprehensive resources to support the diverse and rapidly growing universe of self-employed individuals, entrepreneurs and small business owners across the United States. As companies aggressively cut costs, shifted their business models and shed jobs by the thousands, many American workers found themselves without employer-paid benefits. In addition, self-employed consultants, entrepreneurs, contractors and other small business workers lacked access to traditional company benefits and savings perks – or the clout to obtain them on their own.
As the association built its member base and reputation, it gained greater insight into the needs of its current and prospective members. But its leadership team recognized that it needed expert assistance to achieve several key objectives:
- Boost membership growth
- Improve member retention
- Continually add and refine member benefits
- Expand resources to help members grow their businesses
The association needed help in four critical areas: programs and tools aimed at membership growth and retention; access to competitive, valuable benefits, including insurance; and administrative transparency and strategic focus. But, rather than deal with multiple providers and piecemeal solutions, the AWA wanted a single point of contact who could seamlessly provide a comprehensive solution.
As the AWA investigated administrators in 2016, Premier Health Solutions became the clear solution. With their commitment to customer service excellence and researching industry-leading benefits, it is one of the rare administrators that offers the full spectrum of administrative and marketing services: product management and servicing, comprehensive member support, carrier and agent relations, and sophisticated marketing programs.
"From the outset, we were impressed with Premier Health Solutions as the optimal partner for our association in terms of the scope of its services and the strength of its commitment to excellent member service," says AWA Board President Neil Peterson.
As a leader in the supplemental insurance market, Premier Health Solutions already served the self-employed segment and individuals in transition. With years of experience working with associations and their specialized needs, Premier Health Solutions could seamlessly transition into the role of partner and administrator. This was very important to the association, as it wanted to provide more specialized resources to support its members' small businesses.
By partnering with Premier Health Solutions, the association continues to make progress toward its key objectives. Over the past eight years, the membership base has experienced true growth by almost 900% by investing in the key benefits recommended by Premier Health Solutions at a competitive price to retain existing members and attract new ones.
Premier Health Solutions’ knowledge and leadership in the insurance industry also allows AWA to offer their small business members the opportunity to provide insurance benefits to their employees, a critical success factor in the small business world. With flexible solutions like supplemental health insurance and life insurance, AWA members have access to benefits that typically are only available through an employer.
Members are receiving tangibly greater levels of customer service with Premier Health Solutions as the AWA's benefits administrator. For example, calls to AWA's Member Services line are answered in less than one minute, and representatives work to answer questions and resolve any issues on the first call, without rushing members. Additionally, a customer service team that act as champions for members with challenging issues has been key to maintaining member satisfaction.
With regular member surveys to poll the effectiveness and value of their membership, AWA shares with Premier Health Solutions intelligence on the new benefits that customers desire to stay on the cutting-edge of market demand. By working together as partners, AWA and Premier Health Solutions help each other to new heights of success.
The Health Depot Association is a national association of more than 25,000 self-employed professionals, entrepreneurs and independent contractors in more than 40 states and countless industries and professions. For more than 10 years, the Health Depot Association has been dedicated to providing its members with benefits and resources designed to help its members across many different life stages. As the exclusive provider of third party administration services, Premier Health Solutions, LLC. works with Health Depot to provide valuable, industry-leading benefits and dedicated customer service.