Our Approach

Our Approach2023-06-09T09:22:56-04:00

Get expert advice on managing your employee benefits in an ever-changing landscape

When the Employee Benefits practice at Fred C. Church was formed in the early 1980s, most companies had fairly simple benefits needs. Employers were primarily looking for access to a few key insurance products, like medical, dental, and life. Thirty years later, companies have far more diverse and complex employee benefits requirements. Businesses like yours expect to collaborate with a well-rounded employee benefits team who can assist them with administering benefits, managing plan costs, implementing program variety and flexibility, and much more. Over the past several decades, the Fred C. Church employee benefits practice group has continuously evolved to keep up with these expanding demands, so we are uniquely positioned to guide you through an increasingly intricate employee benefits landscape. As your employee benefits resource, we help you make informed decisions about the solutions that are right for your company and employees, not just in the here and now, but for the future as well.

135

Years of collective industry experience

Customer Service Focus

We wear a lot of hats, so you don’t have to.

Managing your company’s employee group benefits program is no small task. From setting up a benefits structure to making sure your plan complies with federal and state regulations, to sharing information with employees in a timely manner and keeping your budget on track, virtually every responsibility you have is critical to your business.

In addition, you are likely expected to perform regular data analysis, monitor industry trends, assess how to improve benefits practices and policies, and offer increasingly unique benefits options, all without your budget imploding. This is a lot of pressure for any size human resource team to handle. For this reason, partnering with an insurance broker who only focuses on selling insurance won’t be very helpful. Instead, you can work with the customer service-oriented team at Fred C. Church. We are committed to finding ways to make your job much easier.

A lady standing and talking to a group of business people who are sitting and looking up at her around a table filled with laptops and papers

Talk to an employee benefits specialist today.

Talk to an employee benefits specialist today.

How do you monitor the constant changes in employee benefits legislation
and stay on top of the latest developments in the insurance marketplace?

With five distinct areas of specialization, the Fred C. Church Employee Benefits practice group is specifically designed to help you fulfill these and other critical roles.

Account Consulting

All things insurance-related are run through our account consulting team. This specialty area identifies and assesses the employee programs and benefits that will be the most cost-effective, administratively feasible, and competitive for your company. In addition, our account consulting professionals manage all aspects of:

  • Employee benefits plan design and maintenance
  • Renewals
  • Claims analysis and projections
  • Financial analysis
  • Client advocacy
  • Strategic long-term planning
Compliance

Ensuring you remain compliant with employee benefits laws at both the state and federal level falls under the domain of our compliance specialists. We understand that compliance is an ongoing process that requires diligence on our end and yours. That’s why, throughout the year, our compliance team will provide you with useful resources and services, such as:

  • Compliance audits
  • Step-by-step instructions on filing requirements
  • Checklists for all key processes
  • Onsite training for timely topics
  • Monthly compliance update newsletters
  • Signature-ready 5500 and applicable Summary Annual Reports
  • Access to an ERISA attorney for guidance on potential liability issues

Education & Communication

Making sure your employees understand their insurance options, as well as other employee benefits, is the essential task of our communications and education team. These specialists create personalized tools and templates to educate each individual who works for you on the variety of benefits you offer. In addition, we provide:

  • Strategies to increase employee awareness and appreciation
  • Benefits statements to illustrate total costs
  • Personalized employee materials that detail law/regulation updates
  • Concise benefits summaries
  • Open enrollment materials
  • Cutting-edge communications programs

Technology

One of the most exciting areas of our industry is also one of the most challenging for employers. Our benefits technology specialists are here to make sure that your company is not left behind in this age of innovation. To better serve your technology needs, our internal team collaborates with a leading technology organization to offer you:

  • Online benefit administration systems
  • ACA management and reporting software
  • Monthly ACA requirements tracking
  • Annual 1095 materials
  • Personalized employee portals and tailored communications
  • Detailed employee benefits data at your fingertips

Population Health & Wellness

Helping you promote and support healthy behaviors in the workplace is the primary focus of the population health and wellness team. We provide customized workplace wellness solutions based on the unique needs and interests of your company and your employee population. In addition, our health and wellness specialists may provide you with:

  • Insights on national trends and regulations
  • Wellness strategies and program design
  • Communication plans and program calendars
  • Regular reviews of employee medical claims
  • Analysis of annual employee health assessment
  • Quarterly program review meetings

Here are some of the group and voluntary employee benefits solutions
that your customized plan from Fred C. Church may include:

  • Fully Insured Programs

  • Self-Funded (Self-Insured) Programs

  • Health Savings Accounts

  • Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Health Reimbursement Arrangements

  • Short-Term Disability

  • Long-Term Disability

  • Dental Insurance

  • Vision Insurance

  • Accident Insurance

  • Critical Illness Insurance

  • Identify Theft

  • Pet Coverage

  • Pre-Paid Legal Services

  • Personal Financial Planning

  • Sabbaticals

  • Traditional/Non-Traditional Education Benefit

  • Employee Assistance Programs

  • Discount Purchase Programs

  • Fully Insured Program
  • Self-Funded (Self-Insured) Program

  • Captive Insurance Arrangement

  • Health Savings Account

  • Flexible Spending Account

  • Health Reimbursement Arrangement

  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

  • Dental Insurance

  • Vision Insurance

  • Accident Insurance

  • Critical Illness Insurance

  • Identify Theft

  • Pet Coverage

  • Pre-Paid Legal Services

  • Personal Financial Planning

  • Sabbaticals

  • Traditional/Non-Traditional Education Benefit

  • Employee Assistance Programs

  • Discount Purchase Program For Fitness Wearables

What we mean when we say,
“It’s the people.”

The team at Fred C. Church understands that it is not your company’s products or machines or even technology that serves as the backbone of your business – it’s the people. For this reason, when you choose to work with Fred C. Church as your employee benefits resource, our team is focused on helping you build an employee benefits program that shows current and prospective employees that you are fully invested in their health and their future.

We commit significant time, resources, and effort to make sure your employees understand the details of all available benefits options. Most important, as independent agents, we don’t answer to anyone but you. Our primary responsibility is to serve your specific business goals, needs, and situation. With Fred C. Church, you and your employees always come first.

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Client Success Stories

Here is how our people have helped other people achieve their goals.

5 stars

Everyone I have ever dealt with at Fred C. Church has always provided me with the best service, and that continued today.  You were helpful, kind, and so prompt with getting me what I needed, and I appreciate it so much!

Lindsay G., Dracut, MA

Thank you very much for all your help with my Dad’s car insurance needs as well as my own insurance. Awesome service!

Rich P., Tewksbury, MA

You are SO wonderful. Thank you for being the best agent. Much, much appreciated. 🙂

Lindsay H., Atkinson, NH

You are all experts in your field and you made my worries go away in minutes. I truly appreciate you and all the staff.

Ann Marie A., Lawrence, MA

You probably get tired of me saying this, but thanks again for all your help. You made the whole process go so smoothly. Again, I thank you.

Doug R., Ashland, MA

If you are looking for knowledgeable people who can walk you through the most complex insurance matter, these guys are for you! Good listeners, problem solvers, careful and comprehensive. They aren’t kidding: people do come first here. Five stars is not enough.

Sarah M., Boston, MA

Super helpful and available folks. Awesome place!

Chris R., Haverhill, MA

I have never viewed an insurance agent like a close trusted financial professional such as my accountant, lawyer or financial advisor but always felt maybe I was missing something. Now I know that I was missing out and that I have filled this gap at the same time.

David K., Acton, MA

We’re committed to doing our very best for you.