Category Archives: Insurance

EPIC Way2Wellness Webinar: Dr. David Chenoweth to Address Health and Productivity Management (HPM)

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 8, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Business leaders are too often faced with spiraling health costs that take a financial toll on their organization. However, these costs can be confronted through health and wellness programs that not only promote a healthier workplace, but also increase productivity. EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, today announced its Way2Wellness webinar on Health and Productivity Management (HPM) on Tuesday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. PDT.

HPM expert Dr. David Chenoweth, a wellness consultant with more than 35 years of worksite wellness, data analysis and program evaluation experience, will discuss HPM best practices for small, medium and large companies, as well as a number of successful industry tools he has developed and implemented.

"When best practices are adopted in a strategic manner, it drives programs, policies and incentives that will enhance the overall health and productivity of employees resulting in a much healthier workforce that allows an organization to have a competitive edge," said Dr. Chenoweth. "Human Capital is the best asset any organization has, and a successful company is going to nurture human capital and take it to the next level."

Speakers will include:
* Dr. David Chenoweth, Wellness Consultant
* Ayana Collins, Wellness Consultant, EPIC
* Craig Schmidt, Wellness Consultant, EPIC

To register for the webinar, click here - https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4656131949294965250 .

About David Chenoweth, Ph.D, FAWHP:

David has over 35 years of worksite wellness, data analysis, and program evaluation experience. During that time, he has performed numerous risk factor cost, break-even analysis, and benefit-cost/ROI analyses in the United States and Europe - as well as risk factor economic cost appraisals for nine states. He developed the popular Proportionate Risk Factor Cost Appraisal(TM) as well as the online Physical Inactivity Cost Calculator sponsored by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and co-developed the online County Health Tool for the Institute of Emerging Issues at North Carolina State University. Most recently, he developed the industry's premier online, interactive tool - Corpwell Rx(R) - for worksite wellness program directors, vendors, and consultants.

He has written two Effective Practice Guideline (EPG) reports on worksite wellness for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation - as well as five books on worksite wellness including the popular 3rd edition of the best selling Worksite Health Promotion and the industry's only book on worksite wellness program evaluation, Evaluating Worksite Health Promotion. He has keynoted at a worksite health promotion forum in Czechoslovakia and at the Caribbean Health Ministry in Jamaica. He is a Fellow of the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion. He developed and directed the undergraduate worksite health promotion academic program at East Carolina for 31 years and retired as Professor Emeritus in 2010. Since then, he continues an active consulting and speaking career. His graduate degrees are in Physiology & Health Science (Ball State University) and Health Education (The Ohio State University).

About Craig Schmidt, Wellness Consultant, EPIC:

As a Wellness Consultant, Craig works with a team of other like-minded wellness professionals to create a healthier working environment for the members and clients EPIC serves. He has a strong background in Health Education and Health Promotion. Craig strives to not only help our client members that have partnered with EPIC but he also works to be an example in his own daily life, with his co-workers and regular interactions with people.

Prior to joining the EPIC team, Craig worked in many roles within the worksite wellness field to help strengthen him for the position he currently holds. He has been a health coach working with individuals 1-on-1, a Program Coordinator for a wellness service provider, and a Health Educator within a carrier disease management platform.

Most recently, Craig took on an integral role in an innovative approach to combine workplace initiatives in wellness with carrier services to improve health care consumerism as a Wellness Liaison with WellPoint Inc. Craig was positioned on-site at Google Inc. to work directly with their Human Resources department and with their employees having daily in person interactions whenever needed.

Craig's endeavors in his own health and wellness help strengthen his passion to be a leader in the field of wellness and health management and become a valued asset at EPIC as we continue to grow our presence as a worksite wellness innovator.

Craig earned his Bachelors of Science in Health Education and Promotion with an emphasis on Worksite Studies at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He then continued his studies at the University of Colorado, Denver Anschutz Medical Campus where he completed his Certificate of Public Health Sciences

About Ayana Collins, Wellness Consultant, EPIC:

Ayana is a dedicated health and wellness professional with over 10 years of proven success in designing, implementing and managing wellness programs of all sizes. Ayana is a subject matter expert and is a contributor, public speaker and author on a variety of fitness, disease prevention and heath awareness topics. Topics include stress management, chronic disease management, and weight management.

Ayana advises large and small organizations on wellness program management specific to clients' needs. She provides guidance with regard to best practices for program design, implementation and evaluation. She also serves as a liaison between third-party wellness vendor and clients, and as a health and wellness resource.

Ayana holds a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA; a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology & Health Service Research from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC; as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC.

Ayana enjoys health and wellness program design, fitness management, running and golfing.

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/ .

* LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0308-epic-insurance-300dpi.jpg

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650.295.4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
408.295.4309 x104
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-way2wellness-webinar-dr-david-chenoweth-to-address-health-and-productivity-management-hpm-2016-0308-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

EPIC Further Strengthens Northern California Construction Practice with the Addition of Trish Drew

SAN FRANCISCO and CONCORD, Calif., Feb. 25, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Trish Drew has joined the firm's Northern California Construction Practice.

Drew has specialized in the risk management and insurance needs of the Construction Industry for her entire 35+ year career, both as a Risk Manager for one of the nation's largest commercial general contractors and as an Account and Client Services Executive for regional and national insurance brokers.

Drew will be based in EPIC's Concord, Calif. office and will report to Curt Perata, Regional Director, Property & Casualty.

In her new role at EPIC, Drew will be a resource to all construction-focused service teams across Northern California in specialized areas such as Owner Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIP), Contractor Controlled Insurance Programs (CCIP), project management and contract review. In addition, Drew will be a key contact for all construction business underwriters serving EPIC clients.

"We have known and respected Trish for many years," said Curt Perata. "She is a consummate professional and EPIC clients will benefit significantly from her broad experience and deep knowledge of the Construction Industry. Personally, her 'people first' client-focused values and beliefs align strongly with our own. We couldn't be happier that she has chosen to join our EPIC Northern California Construction team."

Trish Drew can be contacted at:
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
925-822-9184 - direct
trish.drew@epicbrokers.com

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0225-trish-drew-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Trish Drew joins EPIC's Northern California Construction Practice.

Media Contacts:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650-295-4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
650-422-3156
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-further-strengthens-northern-california-construction-practice-with-the-addition-of-trish-drew-2016-0225-01.shtml.

ACSIA Partners Alerts Americans to Plan for Alzheimer’s Long-Term Care Before It’s Needed

KIRKLAND, Wash., Feb. 24, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Today ACSIA Partners, a national distributor of long-term care insurance and education, recommends preemptive action against the impact of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. "Cognitive decline is a big and growing reason Americans need long-term care," says Denise Gott, CEO, "and the best time to plan for it is before symptoms arise."

"Think of it this way," she explains. "If you're worried about your house burning down, you wouldn't wait for smoke and flames before getting fire insurance or removing fire hazards."

When it comes to Alzheimer's, most Americans fail to appreciate its danger and avail themselves of sensible precautions, according to Gott. She offers these three guidelines:

1. Recognize the size of the problem. The Alzheimer's Association reports that one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and the number is expected to triple as millions of Baby Boomers enter their retirement years.

"Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal disease," says Gott. "Over time, more and more longer-living Americans may lose the ability to care for themselves. Millions will need long-term care."

And they may need it for an extended period. "Many dementia victims require LTC for seven to ten years or more," she says, "while others typically need care for about three years."

2. Determine whether insurance is the right option. Medicare does not cover many services that are needed by people living with dementia.

Medicaid does provide substantial help, but only for those lacking the financial means to help themselves. If you fall into this category, public assistance may be your best bet.

Otherwise, providing care is up to you. If you're very wealthy, you may choose to self-insure. If you're not rich but doing OK, private insurance may be your best option. "An LTC policy lets productive family members keep on with their jobs and lives," says Gott. "Nobody has to become default caregiver, a role usually filled by a wife, daughter, or other female relative."

3. If LTC insurance makes sense for you, consult with a dementia-aware advisor. LTC agents are state-certified, but there's no legal requirement they know anything about dementia. So it's up to you to pick one who does.

Such an agent can answer questions such as, "How many years of care should my policy cover?" and "What mental or physical disabilities trigger benefits?"

A dementia-aware agent can also help you explore appropriate benefit options available in a wide range of policies from multiple competing carriers.

Gott and her colleagues also support efforts to promote brain health and research to find future treatments for dementia. In January they hosted "Wiggin' Out for Alzheimer's," a gala event in Austin that raised $19,000 for the Alzheimer's Association. Individual ACSIA agents contributed $3,700; CEO Gott matched that with another $3,700; ASCIA Partners as a company contributed $8,000; and the rest came from carriers that ACSIA represents.

"We invite people everywhere to join us in supporting the Alzheimer's Association," says Gott. They may do so here: http://www.alz.org .

"Every amount, large or small, makes a difference," says Gott. "Together we can beat Alzheimer's, just as we beat other diseases once thought incurable, such as smallpox, polio, and TB."

"And in the meantime, we can make our lives better through prudent care planning and healthy lifestyles."

About ACSIA Partners:

ACSIA Partners LLC -- http://www.acsiapartners.com -- is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance agencies serving all states. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

*LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-1119-ACSIA-Partners-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners @alzassociation

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/acsia-partners-alerts-americans-to-plan-for-alzheimers-long-term-care-before-its-needed-2016-0224-02.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE ACSIA Partners LLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

EPIC’s Mark Niebuhr Honored as a 2016 Insurance Industry ‘Power Broker’

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 24, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Mark Niebuhr has been recognized as a 2016 Power Broker in the Manufacturing sector by Risk and Insurance Magazine.

A Power Broker is defined as an individual who stands out among their peers for the exceptional work they delivered to clients over the past year. The brokers awarded Power Broker recognition are judged based on their problem solving, customer service and industry knowledge.

Niebuhr's insurance career spans nearly 40 years and he has worked extensively with a wide range of clients in the wine, beer and beverage industries. Niebuhr's clients consistently point to his knowledge, positive attitude, responsiveness and advocacy.

Client Trinchero Family Estates (also known as Sutter Home Winery) took some serious hits during the Napa earthquake in late 2014, with substantial damage to wine in storage, including barrels and racking equipment. Niebuhr leveraged his industry expertise and his strong relationship with the insurance carrier to make a successful case for including the racks in the claim, recovering a substantially higher sum for the client.

"That was a good million-dollar plus swing in our favor," said Anthony Torres, the winery's principal, vice chairman and director. "Mark did a great job."

Said John Hahn, EPIC co-founder and CEO, "Mark truly embodies our core values of people first, innovation and responsibility. These beliefs, and all here who embrace them, are the reason EPIC has achieved such great success in a relatively short period of time. We are honored to have Mark and EPIC recognized by our clients and by Risk and Insurance Magazine, and we applaud and celebrate his achievement."

Mark Niebuhr can be reached at:
mark.niebuhr@epicbrokers.com
916-576-1513

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions across California and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/ .

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0224-Mark-Niebuhr-300dpi.jpg

*PHOTO caption: EPIC's Mark Niebuhr.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650-295-4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
650-422-3156
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epics-mark-niebuhr-honored-as-a-2016-insurance-industry-power-broker-2016-0224-01.shtml.

Renee Crow Joins EPIC as Vice President, Hospitality Practice Leader in the West

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 27, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Renee Crow has joined the firm as Vice President and West Region Hospitality Practice Leader.

Crow has focused on and specialized in the risk management and insurance needs of hotels, restaurants and others in the hospitality industry since 2004, first as an Account Executive for insurance broker Arthur J Gallagher and then for the past 8 1/2 years as the Vice President, Risk Management at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

As EPIC's Hospitality Practice Leader, Crow will be responsible for further developing an innovative, unified approach to serving hospitality clients across the West Region and nationally. This will include strategy development and leadership, establishing risk management best practices, developing new leading-edge products and services, building client-focused service and specialty resource teams, integrating and leveraging both local and national people and resources, and managing and strengthening relationships with all underwriters and specialty markets serving the Hospitality sector and developing new business.

Crow will be based in EPIC's San Francisco headquarters and will report to Marianne Schleicher, Chief Operating Officer of the Bay Area Region.

Across her career, Crow has been consistently recognized as a top risk management professional, most recently as a "2015 Risk All Star" by Risk & Insurance Magazine. http://www.riskandinsurance.com/playing-the-part/.

During her time at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Crow was able to reduce the organization's total cost of risk by roughly 40 percent, while Kimpton grew from 24 to more than 60 properties.

Professionally, Crow has earned both the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations.

"We are pleased to have Renee join EPIC and look forward to the added benefits she will deliver to our Hospitality Industry clients," said John Hahn, EPIC CEO. "Renee's unique experience in both the insurance brokerage business and in hotel risk management gives our clients a perspective they will not get from any other broker resource. We've known and admired Renee for many years, and we're excited that she has chosen to join the EPIC team."

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0127-Renee-Crow-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: Renee Crow Joins EPIC.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650-295-4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
650-422-3156
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/renee-crow-joins-epic-as-vice-president-hospitality-practice-leader-in-the-west-2016-0127-01.shtml.

Clarence Bates Joins EPIC as Principal, Employee Benefits in Irvine, California

SAN FRANCISCO and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 21, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Clarence Bates has joined the firm as a Principal in the Employee Benefits Practice.

Bates brings more than 17 years of dedication to delivering employee benefits management strategies for mid-sized and large companies. His strategic initiatives include designing, implementing, and communicating benefits programs that results in cost savings far below comparable trend. His success is based upon strong project management and organization skills, coupled with a keen attention to detail and the ability to effectively communicate to people of all levels. All of these skills will be highly beneficial to EPIC and the clients who work with Clarence and his team of benefits professionals.

Prior to joining EPIC, Clarence was a Vice President at USI Insurance for 11 years and an Account Executive at Dodge, Warren & Peters for 6 years. He spent 4 years in the United States Marine Corps. Clarence holds a Group Benefits Disability Specialist (GBDS) designation.

"We couldn't be happier to have Clarence join our team of professionals at EPIC and know that he will bring strong value to our clients," said Jim Gillette, Managing Principal of the Southern California region. "The addition of Clarence will add another strong intellectual mind to our Employee Benefits practice and team of consultants."

Clarence Bates can be reached at:
(949) 417-9181
clarence.bates[at]epicbrokers.com

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions across California and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0121-clarence-bates-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Clarence Bates Joins EPIC.

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/clarence-bates-joins-epic-as-principal-employee-benefits-in-irvine-california-2016-0121-01.shtml.

Austin ‘Wiggin’ Out’ Event Raises Awareness and Dollars to Help Fight Alzheimer’s Disease

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 20, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Wearing smiles and purple wigs, a gathering of normally serious professionals mingled festively in "Wiggin' Out," a fundraising event held at Maggie Mae's in Austin, Texas, Saturday evening, January 16. "We achieved two objectives," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners, hosts of the event. "First, we raised some money to help fight Alzheimer's. And second, we raised awareness of the growing need for long-term care as the disease progresses."

The event raised $19,000, which will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association. The contributions were from participating insurance companies as well as ACSIA Partners, company agents, and the CEO.

The mind-robbing disease is a growing threat. Together with other forms of dementia, Alzheimer's afflicts one in nine American's age 65 and older; and one in three age 85 and older. At present it can't be prevented, cured, or even slowed, the association reports. So casualties could swell in the years ahead. From 2000 to 2013, death attributed to Alzheimer's increased 71 percent.

"At ACSIA Partners we're glad to support the vital work of finding a cure for Alzheimer's," says Gott. "We're also glad to make a difference for families right now. We can't do anything about the disease itself, other than donate, but we can help families plan for associated long-term care services, which can be substantial."

"As Alzheimer's progresses, people may forget to eat, or have trouble bathing or toileting," Gott explains. "Someone will have to help them, either a family member or paid professional. Planning for this can really help, personally as well as financially."

"Wiggin' Out" was attended by Hollywood actors, 150-plus company agents, and assorted guests. The event was part of a three-day ACSIA Partners conference that included keynotes by the co-producers of "It Snows All the Time" (a feature film about Alzheimer's), and breakout sessions on long-term care planning.

Co-producers Brett Cullen and Erich Hover also play lead roles in the film. Cullen is best known for starring roles in "Apollo 13," "The Dark Knight Rises," "42" and "The Guilt Trip" with Barbra Streisand. Hover had his first movie break acting alongside Brad Pitt and Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Moneyball." His experience with Alzheimer's in his family motivated him to co-create "It Snows All the Time."

Pictures and videos from the event are available at https://www.acsiapartners.com/wiggin-out-for-alzheimers/.

About ACSIA Partners LLC:

ACSIA Partners LLC -- https://www.acsiapartners.com/ -- is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance agencies serving all states. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0120-gott-wiggin-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: ACSIA Partners CEO Denise Gott with actors Brett Cullen, left, and Erich Hover, right.

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners #Alzheimers @alzassociation

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/austin-wiggin-out-event-raises-awareness-and-dollars-to-help-fight-alzheimers-disease-2016-0120-02.shtml.

Carlton Pilger Joins EPIC as Director of Employee Benefits Compliance

ATLANTA and SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 19, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Carlton "Carl" Pilger has joined the firm as Director of Employee Benefits Compliance.

Pilger has advised and represented businesses for more than 20 years as an ERISA attorney. During his career he has focused exclusively on ERISA compliance, including representing his clients in DOL and IRS audits. As EPIC's Director of Employee Benefits Compliance he will continue to consult with and advise clients on ERISA and ACA compliance. Pilger will be based in Duluth, Georgia and report to John Gaffney, EPIC's Director, National Benefits Operations.

Prior to joining EPIC, Pilger served as Vice President, Legal Counsel with Digital Insurance where he spearheaded ERISA and ACA compliance initiatives. Previously, he held positions with three prominent Atlanta law firms including; Taylor English Duma, LLP, Miller & Martin, PLLC and Fisher & Phillips, LLP.

Pilger is a well-known subject matter expert in the Affordable Care Act and has traveled the country speaking to numerous industry groups regarding the law's complexities.

Pilger earned a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism and a Juris Doctorate degree from Northwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Georgia Bar Association.

"We are pleased to have Carl join EPIC and look forward to the added benefits he will deliver to our clients with regard to ERISA and ACA compliance," said John Hahn, EPIC CEO. "His addition further expands and strengthens our EPIC Employer Services Platform, which provides comprehensive, specialized employee benefits services to our larger clients."

Carl Pilger can be reached at:
Phone: (678) 245-0240
carl.pilger[at]epicbrokers.com

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0119-Carl-Pilger-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Carlton Pilger Joins EPIC.

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/carlton-pilger-joins-epic-as-director-of-employee-benefits-compliance-2016-0119-01.shtml.

EPIC adds Southeast Region Risk Consultant Ken Glanton

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 13, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Ken Glanton has joined the firm's Birmingham-based National Energy Construction Practice as a Risk Consultant. Glanton joins a rapidly growing team of risk management and insurance professionals serving larger, complex construction and energy companies across the country.

Glanton brings nearly 10 years of successful sales, business development and consulting experience to EPIC. Across the first three years of his career while at Integrated Medical Systems, Glanton ranked #6 among 82 sales people nationally. He was later responsible for launching a 5-state southeast territory for EquipSystems, LLC, where he issued nearly a million dollars in new service contracts in the first year of this assignment.

Glanton comes to EPIC from commercial insurance broker Assured Neace Lukens in Nashville, Tennessee, where he provided consultative services in the development, implementation and oversight of strategic risk management programs for large and mid-sized companies.

EPIC Birmingham's managing principal Crawford McInnis noted, "Ken is a respected business development and consulting professional with proven sales success and experience utilizing innovative consultative strategies. Adding Ken to our team further broadens the scope of expertise and service we provide to our clients."

"The Birmingham team strengthens EPIC's national platform serving contractors, energy companies and oil and gas distribution contractors," said Derek Thomas, EPIC Chief Strategy Officer and co-leader of EPIC's Specialty Practices and Program Group. "We look forward to developing additional strategic initiatives with Ken as we further build out EPIC's consulting services platform in Birmingham and across the country."

Glanton earned both a Bachelor's degree in History and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Ken Glanton can be reached at:
EPIC
205-581-3345 direct
615-955-0389 cell
ken.glanton[at]epicbrokers.com

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions across California and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0113-Ken-Glanton-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Ken Glanton.

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-adds-southeast-region-risk-consultant-ken-glanton-2016-0113-01.shtml.

Ascende, Inc., a Leading Human Capital and Employee Benefits Consulting Firm, Joins EPIC

HOUSTON, Texas and SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 7, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Ascende, Inc. (Ascende), a premier human capital and employee benefits consulting firm, and EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that they have joined forces.

Founded in 1995, Houston, Texas-based Ascende is one of the largest independent employee benefits consulting firms in the country, providing solutions in a variety of human capital related fields, including health and welfare, benefit plan administration, retirement, investment advisory, pharmacy management, wellness, communications, global benefit solutions, mergers and acquisitions consulting and human resources consulting services.

EPIC, founded in 2007, is one of the 20 largest U.S. retail insurance brokers, with a belief in and reputation for service excellence, innovation, community service, collaboration and having fun - all in the interest of being a "people first" (clients and team members) organization.

"Ascende has been delivering strategic guidance and service around benefit programs and HR needs to our clients for over 21 years, and we believe the decision to join EPIC will help us deliver an expansive new set of capabilities to our clients and additional value, with the same commitment to service delivery that Ascende has been a hallmark of our firm. We expect that our clients will immediately benefit from EPIC's broader resources including risk management, property & casualty insurance, workers' compensation, management and executive liability, and private client services," says Ascende Chief Executive Officer Jim Watt. "We are thrilled to join a unique and successful company like EPIC."

As part of EPIC, the firm will now operate as Ascende, Inc. - an EPIC Company. Jim Watt will assume additional responsibility as EPIC's President, Southwest Region, and the Ascende leadership team will continue to play vital roles within the larger EPIC organization.

Said EPIC CEO John Hahn, "We found a strong cultural partner in Ascende, in an important and highly desirable region, where we have wanted to be a partner in the community and see strong opportunities for growth. EPIC has been investing heavily in our employee benefits consulting capabilities across the country and Ascende, with the leadership of Jim Watt and his team in the Southwest, will add significant value to our clients and create further opportunities for all of our employees' long term growth and career success."

EPIC President Peter Garvey added, "In addition to the integration and expansion of our respective benefits platforms, Ascende provides a platform in the Southwest to extend our risk management, property casualty insurance, program solutions and private client services to companies across the region and nationally. We could not be happier to have the entire Ascende team join the EPIC family."

The addition of Ascende significantly expands EPIC's employee benefit capabilities nationally, adding nearly 100 top professionals and a strong client base in the Southwest to EPIC's existing team of more than 200 employee benefits professionals across the country.

About Ascende - an EPIC Company:

One of the largest independent employee benefits only consulting firms in the country, Houston-based Ascende specializes in health and welfare consulting, benefit plan administration, retirement and investment advisory, wellness, communications, global benefit solutions, mergers and acquisitions consulting and human resources consulting services.

Ascende also offers services unique to the employee benefits industry through the Ascendent(R) Pharmacy Coalition, a purchasing cooperative that reduces pharmaceutical costs to employers.

For additional information, please visit http://www.ascende.com/ .

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions across California and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/ .

*LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0106-EPIC-ascende-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/ascende-inc-a-leading-human-capital-and-employee-benefits-consulting-firm-joins-epic-2016-0107-01.shtml.

EPIC Golf Insurance Services Named ‘Excellence in Achievement’ Award Winner by The BoardRoom Magazine

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Dec. 14, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that it has been named a 2015 "Excellence in Achievement" award winner by The BoardRoom magazine as the "Insurance Provider of the Year."

"It is a tremendous honor to be the only insurance and risk management services provider recognized in this way by BoardRoom magazine," said Gary Sigel, program director of EPIC Golf Insurance Services. "Our entire Golf Insurance Services team is singularly focused on the needs of those we serve, and being honored among the leaders of the private club industry validates our commitment to provide the highest level of service and protection to our clients."

EPIC Golf Insurance Services, a sector of the firm's Sports & Entertainment Group, provides golf-specific coverage, expertise and comprehensive club insurance solutions including exclusive Property/Casualty and Workers Compensation Insurance programs.

BoardRoom magazine's "Excellence in Achievement" awards are the only private club industry awards that recognize the clubs' business partners. BoardRoom magazine's industry peers review and select these outstanding suppliers and consultants, which represent all aspects of course and club operations. Winners are selected based on overall excellence in their respective fields, and their achievements, innovation, vision for future growth and continued impact on private club operations.

"We have seen an increasing amount of innovation and dedication from recipients of BoardRoom Awards, to the benefit of private clubs," said John Fornaro, publisher of BoardRoom magazine. "Each award winner is clearly a leader in their industry and we congratulate each and every one of them."

About The BoardRoom magazine:

BoardRoom magazine is designed for board of directors, owners, general managers and department heads of private golf, city, yacht, tennis and country clubs. The magazine is distributed through paid subscriptions to clubs, organizations and businesses throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $12 million to and estimated run rate of $200 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firm The Carlyle Group. To learn more, visit http://epicbrokers.com/.

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-golf-insurance-services-named-excellence-in-achievement-award-winner-by-the-boardroom-magazine-2015-1214-01.shtml.

EPIC Again Named Among Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance Magazine

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 24, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that it has been ranked #5 among the 2015 "Best Places to Work in Insurance" in the medium employer category (250-999 U.S. employees) by Business Insurance Magazine and Best Companies Group.

Best Places to Work in Insurance is an annual feature presented by Business Insurance that recognizes the agents, brokers, insurance companies and other providers demonstrating the highest levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. This is the sixth time EPIC has been so honored by its employees for the organization's commitment to attracting, developing and retaining great talent through a combination of culture, benefits and other programs that employees appreciate and value.

"We believe that our EPIC community is strengthened through putting people first - both our employees and our clients," said John Hahn, CEO of EPIC. "We are very pleased to again receive this recognition from our people, as it continues to validate the strength of our culture and the importance of our shared EPICness."

EPIC believes that employees who are respected, challenged, valued and trusted perform at a higher level with belief, passion and loyalty. The company's innovative culture focuses on 10 core beliefs centered on people first, respect, responsibility, adaptability, community, alignment, confidence, innovation, humility and fun.

EPIC employees are involved in and support a number of charities and community service organizations, including the Susan G. Komen Foundation, American Heart Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Alzheimer's Association and numerous local community events across the country. EPIC currently has more than 700 team members operating from 28 office locations in 11 states.

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $12 million to an estimated run rate of $200 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firm The Carlyle Group.

To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

* LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-0721-epic_300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-again-named-among-best-places-to-work-in-insurance-by-business-insurance-magazine-2015-1124-01.shtml.

This Thanksgiving, Talk Turkey About Alzheimer’s and Long-Term Care

KIRKLAND, Wash., Nov. 19, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month, and it's also National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. "Both topics warrant attention this Thanksgiving," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners, a leading long-term care insurance agency. "The risk of Alzheimer's looms large, and the risk of needing long-term care looms even larger."

These two dangers affect millions of families more personally than other topics (like politics, terrorism, and sports) that are likely to grace the Thanksgiving table.

Gott points to disquieting facts:
* Nearly 70 percent of Americans 65 and older need LTC at some point, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

* One in nine people age 65 and older (11 percent) fall victim to Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The proportion increases to about one in three (32 percent) for people age 85 and older.

* Alzheimer's has become a leading cause of needing long-term care. About one in four LTC claims are attributed to Alzheimer's, according to the Society of Actuaries. Other claims are attributed to physical issues ranging from chronic illnesses to injuries and disabilities.

"These things need to be addressed," says Gott. "And what better time than Thanksgiving, when everyone's together and free to talk?"

After Thanksgiving and the December holidays, ACSIA Partners will showcase a trailer of the motion picture, "It Snows all The Time," at their annual meeting. The feature film is completed and has been submitted to the Sundance Film Festival. It stars Brett Cullen and Lesley Ann Warren and is produced by Erich Hover, whose father, played by Cullen, came down with Alzheimer's and is the basis of the movie.

Cullen is known for appearances in "Apollo 13," "Ghost Rider," "The Dark Knight Rises," many other films, and popular TV series including "The West Wing."

Hover's first movie break came acting alongside Brad Pitt and Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Moneyball." His experience with Alzheimer's in his family allowed him to immerse in the lead role of Jesse in his movie, "It Snows All the Time."

Hover was motivated to create the film after his father started showing symptoms of dementia/Alzheimer's at age 58. Progressing since then, the disease has drastically affected his memory and his behavior, and he will need long-term care soon.

Hover and Cullen will deliver a joint keynote speech at an ACSIA Partners conference in Austin, Texas, on January 16, 2016.

"The Hover family is like many other families celebrating Thanksgiving this month," says Gott. "By sharing their story on film, they humanize the Alzheimer's issue and the need for care that usually comes with it. They help millions take heart and take action."

About ACSIA Partners LLC:

ACSIA Partners is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies with hundreds of agents serving all states. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

More information: http://www.acsiapartners.com/.

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-1118-hoverfam-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: The Hover family, subject of the movie "It Snows All the Time."

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/this-thanksgiving-talk-turkey-about-alzheimer-s-and-long-term-care-2015-1119-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE ACSIA Partners LLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

EPIC’s Dana Liedel honored among the 2015 ‘Most Influential Women in Benefits Advising’

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 28, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Dana Liedel, Managing Principal of EPIC's Employer Services Platform, has been recognized among "The Most Influential Women in Benefits Advising" by Employee Benefits Advisor Magazine.

Selected from national nominations received over a month-long application process, Liedel is one of only 25 women to receive this recognition.

According to Elizabeth Galentine, Managing Editor of Employee Benefits Advisor, Liedel and other influential women being honored "are taking the field to unprecedented heights. Incredibly active in community and national organizations as well as in-office mentoring opportunities, these 25 women are working to ensure a successful future for all women in the industry."

When asked what motivates her most about her job, Liedel offered a quick and sure response: "Creating value and differentiation while in the constant pursuit of excellence."

Liedel added, "We had the vision and endorsement from EPIC leadership to create a truly unique, quality-focused consulting practice, and the opportunity to provide these value-added services to clients has been both exciting and extremely rewarding. The EPIC Employer Services Platform has contributed significantly to the growth and success of our Benefits Consulting Practice."

Recently recognized by Business Insurance Magazine as the nation's #1 Benefits Broker by Growth (growth in 2014 employee benefits revenue), EPIC offers a full range of health and welfare plans and supporting consultation, including group medical, group disability, group life, voluntary benefits, international benefits consulting, wellness consulting, compliance consulting, HR and benefits technology solutions, communications consulting, actuarial services, and a proprietary private exchange (EXP - The EPIC Exchange Platform).

"Dana's vision regarding the evolution of benefits consulting in a post-ACA world, change management efforts and the delivery of innovative client solutions via our Employer Services Platform, has been an important part of making EPIC the fastest growing employee benefits broker/consultant in the nation," said Derek Thomas, EPIC's Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Sponsor of the Employer Services Practice. "We are proud of what Dana has helped our team accomplish and thank Employee Benefits Advisor for recognizing her hard work, knowledge and influence in this way."

To see all of the 2015 "Most Influential Women in Benefits Advising" please visit: http://eba.benefitnews.com/gallery/eba/who-are-ebas-2015-most-influential-women-in-benefit-advising-2747348-1.html .

Dana Liedel can be reached at:
dana.liedel[at]epicbrokers.com
415-356-3939

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $12 million to an estimated run rate of $200 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital.

To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

* IMAGE (web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-1028-Dana-Liedel-72dpi.jpg

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epics-dana-liedel-honored-among-the-2015-most-influential-women-in-benefits-advising-2015-1028-01.shtml.

50-Somethings Advised to Calculate Their ‘Long-Term Care Savings Gap’

KIRKLAND, Wash., Oct. 21, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Most Americans are poorly prepared to pay for long-term care costs, but there's a two-step fix, according to ACSIA Partners, a leading long-term care insurance agency. It starts by learning if there's a gap, and how big, between your ability to pay and your likely future expenses.

For most Americans there is indeed a gap. According to a May 2015 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), 52 percent of households age 55 and older have no savings for retirement (let alone long-term care). If you're among the 48 percent with some retirement savings, you may be prepared to cover some, but not all, of your probable LTC tab.

What to do?

"Step one," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners, "is to see if you have a gap, and how big." Doing so can take less than five minutes. For a rough estimate, Gott recommends entering a few facts into a calculator provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://longtermcare.gov/savings-calculator/.

Here's a sample calculation for a 52-year old woman planning to retire in Florida, who could afford to set aside $300 (earning 4 percent interest) per month starting now. She would have a long-term care savings gap of $652,184, based on $839,263 in projected care costs in Florida, for life remaining after age 65, minus $187,079 in accumulated savings, as determined by government data and assumptions.

If the woman were married, there would likely be a similar gap for her partner.

Once you know you've got a gap, "the next step is just as simple and almost as quick," says Gott. "Ask a state-certified long-term care agent to help you explore your options." This can be done by phone or online. An in-person meeting is optional.

ACSIA Partners offers state-certified agents covering all parts of the country. To get in touch with one, just go to the company's website -- http://www.acsiapartners.com/ -- and submit an inquiry form indicating your state of residence.

About ACSIA Partners LLC:

ACSIA Partners is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies with hundreds of agents serving all states. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan. More information: http://www.acsiapartners.com/.

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-1021-Denise-Gott-LTCgap-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: ACSIA Partners CEO Denise Gott with graph of LTC gap.

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/50-somethings-advised-to-calculate-their-long-term-care-savings-gap-2015-1021-01.shtml.

EPIC Recognized as Fastest Growing Employee Benefits Broker by Business Insurance Magazine

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 14, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, has received top rankings from Business Insurance Magazine in its 2015 Broker Supplement in three categories:

* Ranked #1 in the "Top 25 Benefits Brokers By Growth." EPIC had an annual revenue increase of 132.5 percent in 2014.

* Ranked #3 in the "Fastest Growing in 2014" with a 108.4 percent rate of growth in 2014 total brokerage revenue.

* Ranked #17 among the "Largest U.S. Commercial Retail Brokers," (excluding employee benefits revenue) with 2014 commercial retail revenue of $110,586,000.

As one of the fastest growing private insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firms based in the U.S., EPIC has been on an aggressive growth trajectory. In 2014, EPIC set out a strategy for expanding its employee benefits consulting services and client support and has been executing well against its plan. Fueled by entrepreneurial innovation, shared values and a client-focused culture, EPIC's strategic growth plan is successfully driving steady expansion into new regions and markets.

"Being recognized in these important industry rankings reflects our commitment to delivering the highest level of customer service excellence and expanding our expertise to meet our customers' unique needs," said EPIC CEO, John Hahn. "We are proud of this recognition and motivated to create even more value in the markets we serve. Our customers can expect to see EPIC's expanded offerings and innovative solutions continue to grow in the future."

Industries and specialty practice areas served by EPIC include Financial Institutions; Energy Construction; Architecture, Engineering and Law Firms; Contractors; Real Estate; Healthcare; Non-profits; Transportation and Logistics; and Employee and Executive Benefits Consulting, including ACA Compliance, Benefits and HR Technology, Employee Communication, Voluntary Benefits, Wellness and the EPIC Exchange Platform (EXP).

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $12 million to an estimated run rate of $200 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's 'Best Places to Work' lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital.

To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-recognized-as-fastest-growing-employee-benefits-broker-by-business-insurance-magazine-2015-1014-01.shtml.

Harbor Compounding Pharmacy Advises About Coverage for Compounded Medications During Open Enrollment 2016

COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 12, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Many insurance plans are dropping coverage of compounded medications, but some insurance plans still do cover for these custom formulations. Harbor Compounding Pharmacy provides resources and referrals to patients to find insurance coverage for their compounded medications during open enrollment 2016.

Healthcare open enrollment is coming up from November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016, and many patients on compounded medications are wondering if their current insurance, or any insurances at all, will cover for compounded medications. In the past, most insurance plans included coverage of compounded medications. However in the past few years, insurance coverage for compounded medications has been dwindling, but there is hope. There are some existing insurance plans that still cover for some compounded medications.

Harbor Compounding Pharmacy has helped many patients try to understand insurance coverage for their compounded medications. If patients are wondering if their plan covers for compounded medications, they must inquire if the plan covers for compounded medications made from "bulk ingredients." This means the insurance plan will cover for compounded medications that are made from pure ingredients, in other words made from scratch. Harbor Compounding Pharmacy also suggests patients call their insurance agents and further inquire if they have had experience signing up patients with compounded medications and have those compounded medications successfully covered by any insurance plan.

Harbor Compounding Pharmacy is currently working with select California insurance agents with experience finding coverage for compounded medications for their patients. If patients are on compounded medications and are in need of a referral to an insurance agent, the patient can contact the pharmacy or go to the pharmacy website to find out who is available to service them. Because insurance plans vary from state to state across the country, patients must work with insurance agents who are familiar with the insurance plans within their state. Harbor Compounding Pharmacy is continuing to look for partnerships with insurance agents experienced in finding coverage for compounded medications.

Overall, insurance coverage for compounded medications may be limited, but it is not impossible to find a plan that will cover for these custom compounded formulations. Open enrollment may seem far off, not ending until January 31, 2016, but doing the research to find the right insurance plan can be a lengthy process, thus patients should start inquiring as soon as possible. Harbor Compounding Pharmacy is open to helping current and new patients connect to the right resources and to the right people to make this process easier. If patients have questions regarding if their existing insurance plan covers for compounded medications at all, they should contact the pharmacy.

More information: http://harborcompounding.com/.

Twitter: @harborrx

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/harbor-compounding-pharmacy-advises-about-coverage-for-compounded-medications-during-open-enrollment-2016-2015-1012-07.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Harbor Compounding Pharmacy :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Just Among Friends: Long-Term Care Insurance on Facebook

KIRKLAND, Wash., Sept. 23, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Long-term care insurance agents often resist reaching out to friends who could use their help. And seekers of LTC insurance information also resist reaching out to friends who may be in the business. But there's much to gain from overcoming this reluctance, according to ACSIA Partners, a leading long-term care insurance agency.

"If you're an agent, you may recoil at the idea of selling to your friends," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners. "And if you're on the buying end, you may feel you're imposing if you approach a friend in the business. But you really should connect. In our experience, agents and buyers who are friends are getting together with good results on both sides."

Social media sites -- especially Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter -- make it easy for LTC agents to reach out in low-key ways, according to Gott. "Our people avoid the hard sell," she says. "That's important. Mostly they just make clear they're in the business. And they post useful information that friends appreciate. For example, a reminder of LTC deductions available at tax time, or facts on who needs protection, or available policy types."

Agents who get lots of inquiries from friends tend to post regularly, maintaining an ongoing presence and dialog. Two examples:

Gabrielle Gelo makes regular visits to Facebook and is amply rewarded. "Facebook allows me to reach out to childhood acquaintances that I might not have maintained contact with otherwise, through the high school Facebook page. They need help with long-term care planning, and the trust is already there," she says. "For me, social media works: it costs nothing, and takes minimal time."

Kim Beckham also enjoys a solid response from social media. "Last year, about three fourths of my business was Facebook-related," she reports. "And it was mostly with friends and family and referrals from friends and family."

Beckham, like Gelo, stresses the importance of keeping things low-key and friendly. For example, "On Facebook I don't use a business page," says Beckham. "I just use my personal page, because I feel I am my brand, and people are looking to me as a person, not an agent."

If you're a consumer, social media can be an especially good place to shop for LTC insurance, according to Gott. "It's fine to click on internet ads or request quotes on search engines," she says. "But if you value the personal touch, it's hard to beat social media for linking up with someone you know and trust."

ACSIA Partners LLC -- http://www.acsiapartners.com/ -- is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies with hundreds of agents serving all states. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

* IMAGE (web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0923-acsia-sept-500x375.jpg

* Image Caption: ACSIA Partners agents Kim Beckham and Gabrielle Gelo with CEO Denise Gott.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/just-among-friends-long-term-care-insurance-on-facebook-2015-0923-03.shtml.

EPIC’s Michael Nischan to Speak at the Sixth Annual Commercial Motor Vehicle Collision – How to Protect Your Company Seminar

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 23, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that its Vice President of Transportation & Logistics Risk Control Michael Nischan will present at the Sixth Annual Commercial Motor Vehicle Collision - How to Protect Your Company seminar.

The seminar is on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:35 p.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta. EPIC will co-sponsor the one-of-a-kind seminar that Nischan co-founded to educate and promote commercial motor vehicle safety.

The free, interactive program will include sessions on:
* A 90-minute interactive mock crash scene investigation with members of the Georgia State Patrol's Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) and Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD).
* The latest on-board technology: What's available and how it can help (or hurt) you.
* An interactive pre-trip inspection of a modern tractor-trailer.
* The independent medical examination (IME), a live demonstration by a Board-certified orthopedic surgeon.
* The latest issues and trends affecting the trucking industry and its insurers.
* Other sponsors include: Custard Insurance Adjusters, Inc., Ferguson Frost Moore & Young, Gallagher Sharp, Georgia Motor Trucking Association and Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP.

Click here to download the full agenda (PDF):
http://epicbrokerscom.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2015-CMV-Litigation-Seminar-Brochure.pdf .

Click here to register:
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lks4umoab&oeidk=a07eb70zvan1fe676ce .

About the Presenter, Michael Nischan, CDS, CCSP, Vice President of Transportation & Logistics Risk Control, EPIC:

Michael Nischan is responsible for the transportation risk control practice of EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, working out of the Southeast Region office in Atlanta. With more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, private industry management and consulting, he has a genuine understanding of what it takes to operate a fleet safely and profitably. He helps motor carriers achieve and exceed regulatory requirements, develops management and training programs, implements operational controls to enhance efficiency and educates all members of an organization on compliance and security measures.

Nischan is an instructor with the North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) and provides professional training courses on behalf of the Georgia Motor Trucking Association (GMTA). He is the only Certified Cargo Security Professional (CCSP) employed by an insurance or risk management firm in Georgia and is active in the battle against cargo and equipment theft. Michael is a member of numerous organizations, including the GMTA and the Southeastern Transportation Security Council (SETSC). He is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College.

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $12 million to and estimated run rate of $200 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital.

To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

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KCLI: Shareholder Issues Letter to Board of Directors, Believes Proposed ‘Go-Private’ Transaction Structured Unfairly

NEW YORK, N.Y., Sept. 10, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- On September 9, 2015, Sherow Management, LLC, an outside shareholder, sent a letter addressed to Kansas City Life Insurance Co's Board Chairman in response to the Company's proposed "Go-Private" Transaction. Sherow believes the deal is unfair to outside shareholders and should be amended. Excerpts from the letter and a link to a copy follow.

Sherow Management, LLC
Eric Smallowitz
30 Broad Street, 14th FL
New York, NY 10004
646-480-4844

September 9, 2015

Mr. Robert Philip Bixby
Chairman of the Board
Kansas City Life Insurance Co.
3520 Broadway
Kansas City, MO 64111

Dear Mr. Bixby,
I write to you on behalf of shareholders regarding Kansas City Life Co's proposed stock registration termination transaction, detailed in the proxy dated 8/4/2015. In my opinion, the proposed 'go-private' transaction is wholly unfair to minority shareholders, both those small holders being offered an inadequate price of $52.50 per share & even more so to Institutional holders including Sherow Capital Partners, LP, represented in this letter by its General Partner. The Company's proposal would affect no positive change for holders of over 30% of outstanding stock but does in fact do significant harm to those holders.

I believe the Board of Directors did not fulfill its Fiduciary duty to protect minority shareholders' interests in crafting this proposal. The Board should immediately rectify this by fulfilling its obligation to maximize value for all Shareholders by instructing its Financial Advisors to fully explore all avenues for value creation. I urge fellow shareholders to clearly reject this proposal & force the Board to represent all Shareholders evenly.

Specifically, the go-private transaction is flawed & the Board's actions inadequate in many respects. First, the savings generated are insufficient to improve returns meaningfully. Second, remaining shareholders are left with no guarantee, nor any increased likelihood that the stock price now will trade closer to Management's own determined worth. The amount of shares to be bought in this transaction is small; on the contrary, KCLI's Board suspended its open market stock buyback with the announcement and has not detailed any capital return plan post the transaction's close. In fact, the proxy details many risks to going private to remaining shareholders including further reduced liquidity & even less transparency from management.

Third, the Board's duty is to all shareholders, not controlling family interest; any shareholder vote on going private should be a vote of only minority shareholders who stand to be left with a bulletin board listed stock issue. Fourth, the Independent Committee of the Board by its own admission did not explore all avenues of value creation for Shareholders, instead remained beholden to ensuring the lack of change of control from the current majority holder.

However, this transaction does in fact change the Company's capital structure in a meaningful way as well as its business operations going forward. The Company admits as much in the many risk factors detailed in the Proxy. Last, the price of $52.50 is inadequate relative to comparable transactions the past 24 months and does not reflect an accurate market valuation.

While I do not doubt the Board & Management's dedication to KCLI, I believe the Board has a made a poorly designed proposal & should change course on its own to benefit shareholder interests. I urge you to meet the Board's responsibility & examine all avenues of value creation.

Sincerely,
Eric Smallowitz
Principal
Sherow Management, LLC

Link to Letter: http://goo.gl/9dZ4TY

About Sherow Management:
Sherow Management, LLC is a New York Registered Investment Advisory focused on the Financial Sector. Sherow's proprietary method seeks to identify appropriate investment opportunities focused mainly on Small & Mid Cap Growth Financial Companies in early stages of their growth, including Regional and Community Banks. Founded in 2011, Sherow Management LLC currently has over $24mm AUM. Eric Smallowitz, the founder and principal of Sherow, has over 16 years of experience analyzing and trading U.S. Financial Companies.

More information: http://SherowManagement.com/.

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NEWS SOURCE Sherow Management LLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

EPIC’s Daniel Houston to Speak on Insurance and Risk Management Issues for Cyber, Technology, Media and Privacy at CFO Risk Management Summit

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 26, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Cyber threats are one of the most significant risks businesses and individuals face today, says EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants. High profile breaches in the past few years have highlighted the substantial impact and significant costs associated with these attacks. And the breaches we hear about are just the tip of the iceberg, since information about an attack may not be revealed to the public if no personal data is stolen.

Becoming more informed about cyber risks is an important first step in arming yourself and your business. That's the focus of an address by EPIC's Senior Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management and Principal, Dan Houston, at the CFO Risk Management Summit in Boston on September 11.

Mr. Houston's presentation, "Cyber, Technology, Media and Privacy Risk Management and Insurance" will provide insights into how you can better protect your business from cyber, technology, media, and privacy risks; methods of attack; relevant federal and state laws; the FBI's role in cybercrime; how to protect your organization from these risks; and what to do if a data breach happens to you.

What: Presentation on "Cyber, Technology, Media and Privacy Risk Management and Insurance."

When: Friday, September 11, 2015 - 2 p.m.

Who: Daniel W. Houston, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management and Principal, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants.

Where: CFO Risk Management Summit, Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, Mass.

About the Presenter, Daniel W. Houston:

Mr. Houston is Senior Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management and Principal at EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants. Prior to joining EPIC in August 2006, he was Senior Vice President and Vice President/ Producer with Marsh, Alexander & Alexander (Aon) and Willis/HRH. He has also served as Director of Risk Management and Insurance Worldwide for Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company and NCR Corporation. While working for NCR he co-developed the first cyber insurance policy and risk management response.

Author of over 500 articles, texts and educational courses on risk management, insurance, analytics, contractual risk transfer, music, religion and law, Mr. Houston is the recipient of The Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.'s (RIMS) prestigious "Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award," and was named "2010 Insurance and Risk Management Professional of the Year." Dan was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal and CNBC for his work with the endangered panda program. He is a member of and/or serves on a number of boards, notably the Next Generation Manufacturing (NGM), Japan-America Business Council, Federal Reserve Bank, Advanced Risk Management Panel, Defense Research Institute, Eisenhower (after his great uncle Dwight D. Eisenhower) Academy and is a founding member of the International Risk Management Federation in Helsinki, Finland.

About the CFO Risk Management Summit:

The CFO Risk Management Summit held September 10 and 11 in Boston, brings together the best Senior Risk Management and Finance professionals for a thought leading summit acclaimed for its innovative insight. For more information on the CFO Risk Management Summit and to register, go to: http://theinnovationenterprise.com/summits/risk-management-summit-2015-boston .

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007 EPIC has driven revenue from $5 million to $150 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's 'Best Places to Work' lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital. To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0825-Dan-Houston-300dpi.jpg
* Photo Caption: EPIC's Daniel Houston to Speak on Insurance and Risk Management Issues.

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Twenty Eight of America’s ‘Top 100’ Long-Term Care Insurance Agents Are with a Single Agency, ACSIA Partners

KIRKLAND, Wash., Aug. 11, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- High-flying birds tend to flock together. At least that seems to be the case with long-term care specialists from ACSIA Partners, a leading long-term care insurance agency. Twenty eight of them received the "2015 Long-Term Care Sales Achievement Award" and were among the top 100 individual LTCi producers, based on premium.

The awards are made annually by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, the trade association for professionals dedicated to serving the nation's long-term care planning needs.

Why did ACSIA Partners win such a large share of the awards?

"It's simple," says Denise Gott, CEO. "We put our clients' needs first, and they respond by giving us their trust."

"Also," she adds, "long-term care insurance is our specialty. We know the product inside out and recommend policies from multiple high-rated carriers, not just a single source. And we focus on education and service, not selling."

The company also attracts less experienced, up-and-coming agents who bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm. "We help them grow and succeed," says Gott.

"They're the ones who will make the top-100 list in years to come," she adds. "Partly due to their own professionalism and partly due to help from our veterans, who want the whole organization to thrive."

As 77 million baby boomers approach retirement, "The demand for long-term care planning is likely to mushroom," says Gott. "To help fill the need, we'll be here with some of the top agents in the business."

About ACSIA Partners LLC:

ACSIA Partners -- http://www.acsiapartners.com/ -- is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners

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Check Out Long-Term Care Insurance Agents before Engaging with Them, ACSIA Partners Advises

KIRKLAND, Wash., July 20, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- If you're in the market for long-term care insurance, you've probably submitted some online forms. And your phone may be ringing. How should you respond? "Cautiously at first," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners, a leading long-term care insurance agency.

Why? "Before any agent can develop valid recommendations and quotes, they need a lot of personal information," she explains. "Sensitive facts about your health and finances. So you'd better know who you're dealing with." Also, she adds, "Their experience matters, so it's good to check that out too."

She suggests going online to answer three key questions.

1. Do they have a professional website? Today a site is an agent's calling card, evidence they're in business and serious about it, she asserts. "Their site provides a wealth of information," she explains. "To find it, ask them for its address, or search for it by entering their name and 'long term care insurance.'" What if they don't have a site? "That's not a good sign," says Gott. "Our agents have robust sites with their picture, location, states where they're licensed, carriers they represent, news about them, and more."

2. Can you find evidence of them beyond their site? "Search for them on Google or Bing, and on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn." Gott suggests. "Enter their name and the words, 'long term care.' Do they come up? How often? Are people recommending them or referring to them? Are they being quoted in the news or industry publications?"

3. Can you find them on specialized industry sites? Many agents have registered with one or more of the following, according to Gott:
* American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. Registered members are listed by zip code here: http://www.aaltci.org/cgi-bin/distance2agents .
* Long Term Care Guild. Registered members may be found by entering their name in "Advanced search," here: http://ltcguild.ning.com/profiles/members/ .
* National Care Planning Council. Participating agents may be found by state here: https://www.longtermcarelink.net/a7insurancequotes.htm .
* Agent Review, the new rating and matching service for insurance agents and buyers. Registered members may be found by selecting "Long Term Care" as the insurance type and entering a zip code, here: http://agentreview.net/ .

"Once you've checked an agent out," says Gott, "you can breathe easy knowing you're dealing with a pro, and get down to brass tacks."

ACSIA Partners LLC -- http://www.acsiapartners.com/ -- is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

* LOGO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-1119-ACSIA-Partners-300dpi.jpg

TWITTER: @AcsiaPartners

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ACSIA Partners Offers Election Poll on Key Issue: Incentives to Help More Americans Afford Long-Term Care Insurance

KIRKLAND, Wash., June 24, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Today ACSIA Partners LLC announces a straw poll asking Americans to say which 2016 Presidential candidate, Democratic or Republican, is more likely to back federal incentives for owning long-term care insurance.

Available at http://ltcpoll2016.strikingly.com/, the poll simply asks, "Which party's candidate is more likely to offer new tax incentives for long-term care insurance?"

Why the poll?

"It's not just to take the pulse of the public," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners. "We want to influence the candidates. When they see the poll results, they might start taking the LTC issue more seriously."

The majority of senior Americans lack long-term care insurance, Gott points out. "It's not included in the Affordable Care Act, and Medicare doesn't cover most long-term care needs. Medicaid offers broad assistance, but only for those who lack means."

"For the vast majority of Americans," Gott continues, "private insurance is the only viable LTC insurance option, but millions shrink from the cost. New tax breaks could change that. The candidates need to take a position and include it in their talking points."

Senior voters could tip the election one way or the other, Gott asserts. "There are tens of millions of them. They show up at the polls. And when you add their family members to their numbers, they make up a clear majority of eligible voters."

The straw poll will run continuously and the tally will be updated after each submission. Results to date will be immediately visible to participants, at http://ltcpoll2016.strikingly.com/.

About ACSIA Partners:

ACSIA Partners LLC - http://www.acsiapartners.com/ - is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

IMAGES:
*PHOTO (web): send2press.com/mediaboom/14-0827-denise-gott-500x375.jpg

*Photo Caption: ACSIA Partners CEO Denise Gott.

*LOGO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-1119-ACSIA-Partners-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners

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Injuries to North Shore L.I. Patients from Data Breach Investigated by Weitz and Luxenberg

NEW YORK, N.Y., June 22, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Personal records and insurance information on 18,000 North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System patients were compromised by a data breach that occurred last year in Texas but went undisclosed for many months, and now Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. is considering filing negligence, economic injury and failure-to-warn claims against Dallas-based Global Care Delivery, the law firm today announced.

The patients affected by this data breach may have legal rights to compensation from Global Care Delivery, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

For example, if leaked confidential records end up in the hands of identity thieves, Global Care Delivery could be liable for unauthorized credit purchases billed to the patients, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

Global Care Delivery would likely be ordered by a court to pay the victimized patients an amount equal to that of the unauthorized purchases, the firm explained.

There would be grounds as well for other damages and additional compensation, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

Weitz & Luxenberg said it is currently meeting with victimized North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System patients to explore their rights to recovery from Global Care Delivery.

Patients whose confidential information was compromised in this data breach may contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of their legal rights. The firm said patients may arrange for this evaluation by calling (212) 558-5786 or by submitting an online form at www.weitzlux.com.

Five Stolen Laptops Held North Shore's Data:

The data breach was discovered to have taken place sometime around Sept. 2, 2014, but victimized patients were unaware of it until after North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System was notified in May 2015, according to Long Island Newsday.

The confidential patient information was compromised when five laptop computers were stolen from the offices of Global Care Delivery, Newsday reported.

Global Care Delivery had possession of the patient data because the company was under contract to North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System for the processing and collection of insurance payments, Newsday said.

According to Newsday, the data contained in the stolen lap tops included patient names, addresses and Social Security numbers, but no credit card account information or other financial secrets.

"Even though credit card information was allegedly absent from the compromised records, the other information contained within the stolen laptops would have provided identity thieves with enough confidential and private details to perpetrate fraudulent credit transactions in the victims' names," said Robin L. Greenwald, who heads the Weitz & Luxenberg Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection litigation unit.

To access the data contained on the stolen laptops, identity thieves would first have to crack the system passwords designed to thwart prying by unauthorized eyes, Newsday reported.

However, "unless the passwords were very strong, experienced hackers would likely have little difficulty breaking them," said Weitz & Luxenberg associate attorney James Bilsborrow, also of the Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection litigation unit.

Were the passwords cracked and the laptops' contents laid bare, the hackers would find the data awaiting them to be unencrypted, meaning they would encounter no obstacle to harvesting and exploiting the information, Newsday said.

Identity Thieves May Have North Shore Patient Data:

Newsday notes that Global Care Delivery did not delay calling police to report the theft of the laptops - which remain missing - but waited until May 11, 2015, to notify North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, which in turn informed patients by mail.

Bilsborrow said that, considering the number of patients affected by the data breach, it is possible that individual victims could suffer financial harm running into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars each.

Added Greenwald, "One source of loss would be money spent on the credit-protection services victims might choose to sign up for in order to protect themselves against criminal misuse of the stolen records."

"It is very fortunate that these data-breach victims can turn to the law for help," she said. "Just because a company was careless with confidential data is no reason that the patients and their families should have to suffer."

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury and consumer protection law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, products liability, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of consumer fraud are invited to rely on Weitz & Luxenberg's more than 25 years of experience handling such cases. You can contact the firm's Client Relations department at 800-476-6070 or at clientrelations@weitzlux.com.

More information: http://www.weitzlux.com/.

Twitter: @WeitzLuxenberg

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NEWS SOURCE Weitz and Luxenberg P.C. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

EPIC expands Employee Benefits Practice with the acquisition of Executive Financial, Inc. in Southern California

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 18, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it has acquired Executive Financial, Inc., an employee benefits consulting firm specializing in executive benefits, life, and disability insurance strategies.

Founded in 1995 by Peter Lizotte, Los Angeles, Calif. based Executive Financial will considerably broaden the specialized brokerage and consulting services available to EPIC clients across the country and position the company for significant growth in the Executive Benefits segment.

"Peter and his team have built a terrific firm and practice," said Jim Gillette, EPIC Managing Principal in the Southern California Region. "Their addition is an exciting development in the continuing growth of EPIC. Our clients benefit significantly when we add top professionals with a unique and highly specialized practice who bring depth and expertise to our brokerage and consulting platforms."

Added Peter Lizotte, "As a part of EPIC, we now have access to best in class compliance, communication and wellness services, not only to support our existing clients but also to successfully compete for new business. Additionally, we are very excited about the opportunity to significantly expand our proprietary Executive Disability Income and Life insurance programs under the EPIC brand."

Since The Carlyle Group became the firm's major investment partner in December 2013, EPIC has completed nine strategic acquisitions/purchases, adding nearly 400 team members in multiple locations across the United States.

Peter Lizotte can be contacted at:
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants
Address: 4601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
Phone: (323) 965-6408
Email: plizotte[at]executivefinancial.com.

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $5 million to $160 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital.

To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-expands-employee-benefits-practice-with-acquisition-executive-financial-inc-southern-california-2015-0518-03.shtml.

EPIC Strengthens Auto Dealer Programs with the acquisition of Sorci Insurance Brokerage Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 12, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it has acquired Sorci Insurance Brokerage, Inc., a specialist in providing comprehensive Workers' Compensation Insurance services to New Car Auto Dealers in California.

Founded in 1979 by Tom Sorci, Los Gatos, Calif. based Sorci Insurance Brokerage will further broaden the specialized Workers' Compensation Insurance consulting services available to EPIC clients, particularly new car auto dealers - a long time area of expertise and focus for the firm. EPIC has been the licensed broker providing Workers' Compensation Insurance and Employee Benefits Programs to members of the California New Car Dealers Association since 2011.

"The addition of Tom and his team is an exciting development in the continuing growth of EPIC," said Curt Perata, EPIC Regional Director of Property & Casualty in Northern California. "Our clients benefit significantly when we add top professionals like the Sorci team with unique and highly specialized consulting skills and experience."

Tom Sorci added, "We are very proud of the fact that we have always adhered to the simple philosophy of doing what's in the best interest of the client, and extremely pleased that this philosophy aligns with EPIC's culture. As part of EPIC, we will have access to more resources, experienced professionals in multiple disciplines, and extensive insurance company relationships - all of which will benefit our clients."

Sorci went on to say, "The Sorci Insurance team has been together for more than twenty-five years and we are all very pleased that we will remain together as we join EPIC. Now united, the best is yet to come."

Since The Carlyle Group became the firm's major investment partner in December 2013, EPIC has completed eight strategic acquisitions/purchases, adding more than 300 team members in 14 new locations across the United States.

Tom Sorci can be contacted at:
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants
15495 Los Gatos Blvd. #7, Los Gatos, CA 95032
877-356-3399
tom.sorci[at]epicbrokers.com.

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $5 million to $160 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital. To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-0721-epic_300dpi.jpg .

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Arkansas Mutual to Join Constellation

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 8, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company announced today that it will be joining Constellation, a mutual holding company, and its family of companies. Arkansas Mutual is a provider of medical professional liability insurance for physicians, located in Little Rock; it will be the third Constellation member company, joining MMIC and UMIA. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Corey Little, Arkansas Mutual's President and CEO, said: "We're excited to join Constellation. Arkansas Mutual's policyholders will benefit from a larger, well capitalized company that has a similar physician-focused culture, and from resources such as patient safety programs, physician support programs, and health IT services. And Arkansas Mutual's established network in Arkansas will help the two companies expand more quickly in this state."

Combined, MMIC, Arkansas Mutual and UMIA insure more than 20,000 health care providers in 16 states. All three serve the entire health care spectrum: physicians, clinics, large hospitals and health systems, and outpatient and long-term care facilities.

"A partnership between Arkansas Mutual and Constellation will provide benefits for both sides," said Bill McDonough, President and CEO at Constellation. "By helping Arkansas Mutual expand, we will be able to offer more financial and risk management services in support of the health care community. Together we can create stronger systems and processes, and drive efficiencies."

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015 and is subject to customary due diligence, regulatory approvals and Arkansas Mutual policyholder approval.

The map illustrates the expanded reach of the newly combined companies (see image).

About Arkansas Mutual:

Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company provides stable, long-term professional liability insurance to enhance the strength of the health care community. We help protect the assets, financial integrity and reputation of our member policyholders. Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company is a physician owned and physician governed mutual insurance company that places its members' best interests first. Visit http://www.arkansasmutual.com/ .

About Constellation:

As a mutual holding company, Constellation offers the opportunity for policyholder-owned insurers and other organizations to band together for mutual advantage. Members and owners of Constellation can secure their future and long-term ability to serve policyholders and the medical community. Alternatively, companies may take advantage of Constellation network benefits through a contractual affiliation.

Visit http://ConstellationMutual.com/ or call 888-965-0503

*IMAGE (web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0507-constmap-500x375.jpg

TWITTER: @ArkansasMutual

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NEWS SOURCE Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Homecare-Friendly Long-Term Care Plans from ACSIA Partners Let Seniors Continue Living at Home and Save Money Too

KIRKLAND, Wash., April 27, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Many people envision long-term care insurance as a means of paying the bills when they move into a care facility. If you're one of them, "You should widen your vision," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners, an industry leader. "LTC insurance also pays for care in one's own home. But some policies do a better job of it than others." Today ACSIA Partners announces a campaign to promote Homecare-Friendly LTC plans.

Gott points out that long-term care insurance comes in many forms, not all of them ideal for home care. "There are two broad categories of policies," she says, "reimbursement policies and cash policies. With a reimbursement policy you submit bills for approval and subsequent payment, which is usually made to an institution. With a cash policy you get monthly benefit checks that you can use however you wish, giving you great freedom in hiring whatever services whenever you want."

People who prefer to "age in place" (at home) may be better off with a cash policy, according to Gott. But reimbursement policies have their advantages, and some are more friendly to home care than others. "With our approach, we guide clients to the most suitable policies from multiple leading carriers," says Gott.

Receiving care in one's own home is not only preferred by many; it can also be easier on the pocketbook, Gott points out. According to the Genworth 2015 Cost of Long-Term Care Survey, the national average cost of a private room in a nursing home is now $91,250 per year, up 4.17% from 2014. Assisted living facility costs now average $43,200 per year, up 2.86% from last year, according to the study. Serious money.

By contrast, care services provided in the home or community can be relatively modest if used judiciously. Homemaker services are now $20 per hour, up 2.63% from 2014. Home health aide services are also $20 per hour, up 1.27%. Adult day care center costs now run $69 per day, up 5.94% from 2014.

At $20 per hour, in-home care services would run $20,800 per year if utilized 4 hours per day 5 days a week. Adult day care services would run $17,940 per year if utilized 5 days a week.

With lower anticipated costs, a less expensive LTC policy might be appropriate. "Our agents serve all kinds of needs of individuals and organizations," says Gott. "If a client prefers in-home care, a Homecare-Friendly plan will be recommended."

ACSIA Partners includes a few hundred state-certified agents covering all parts of the country. To get in touch with one, just go to the company's website -- http://www.acsiapartners.com/ -- and submit an inquiry form.

ACSIA Partners LLC (in California, xACSIA Partners Insurance Agency LLC) is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

*PHOTO (web): send2press.com/mediaboom/14-0827-denise-gott-500x375.jpg

*Photo Caption: ACSIA Partners CEO Denise Gott.

*LOGO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-1119-ACSIA-Partners-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/homecare-friendly-long-term-care-plans-from-acsia-partners-let-seniors-continue-living-at-home-save-money-too-2015-0427-01.shtml.

Protector Holdings Acquires Oasis South Insurance Services

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March, 31, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Protector Holdings, a joint venture of EPIC (Edgewood Partners Insurance Center) and Dowling Capital Partners, announced today the acquisition of Oasis South Insurance Services.

With 8 locations across California's San Diego County, Oasis South specializes in providing insurance services to Hispanic consumers, writing auto, motorcycle, RV, boat, homeowners and renters insurance coverage.

"With the addition of Oasis South to our Premier Insurance Services brand portfolio, we now have more than 30 Premier locations across California and the West," said Protector Holdings CEO Paul Areida.

Premier Insurance Services, acquired by Protector Holdings in 2013, targets the growing Hispanic Community in California, providing a wide range of insurance products and services specifically tailored to the cultural preferences of Latino consumers.

Areida added, "Respectfully and effectively serving the needs of the Hispanic community has enabled Premier to more than triple its customer base since June, 2013. The addition of Oasis South and the expansion of our operations in San Diego County is an important step in realizing our vision to become the premier provider of insurance services to the Latino marketplace in California and the West."

About Protector Holdings and Premier Insurance Services:

Protector Holdings was founded in June 2013 as a partnership between EPIC (Edgewood Partners Insurance Center), a retail property, casualty and employee benefits insurance broker/consultant; insurance-focused private equity firm Dowling Capital Partners (DCP); and Premier Insurance Services.

Premier Insurance Services specializes in providing a range of insurance products and services to the Hispanic market in the Western United States. Since its formation in 2004 with a single office in Bakersfield, Calif., Premier has added locations across the state and is now one of the largest non-standard automobile brokers in California.

For more information, visit: http://protectorholdings.com/ .

*LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0204-Premier-300dpi.jpg

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/protector-holdings-acquires-oasis-south-insurance-services-2015-0331-002.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Protector Holdings :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Getting the Lowdown on Long-Term Care Insurance No Longer Laborious Thanks to Tech-Savvy Agents

KIRKLAND, Wash., March 24, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Thinking about long-term care insurance but loathe to schedule a lengthy interview in your home? You may be laboring under an outmoded assumption, that reaching out to an expert is a big deal. That's no longer the case with a new breed of tech-savvy agents. So says ACSIA Partners, an industry leader, in a consumer alert issued today.

"Ten years ago," says Denise Gott, the company's CEO, "you made an appointment with an agent who came to your home and spent a fair amount of time with you. And you might have worried about sales pressure. But times have changed."

Lengthy in-home meetings are still available, she reports, but they're less and less the norm, at least in her organization. "Now most of our agents are connected and quick. They work remotely, by phone and screen-sharing, and they stick to the facts, respecting your time."

Many people assume the old time-consuming, face-to-face practices still prevail, according to Gott, "So they spend hours browsing the internet on their own, when they could get the facts in minutes from someone who knows."

She recommends reaching out in three-steps:
(1) Rule LTC insurance in or rule it out. "Just call one of our agents or have one call you. Say you've got five minutes and want to know if the insurance is right for you. Our agents ask concise screening questions and can steer you right, and quickly."

Long-term care insurance isn't for everyone, Gott points out. Other care solution (such as annuities, critical illness insurance, or life insurance with LTC riders) may be better for your situation. "The agent will tell you frankly."

(2) Ask for competitive quotes. "If LTC insurance is indicated, our agents go to bat for you," says Gott. "They don't offer just one policy choice. They research multiple options from multiple carriers, looking for the best set of benefits at the lowest cost. Then they present the choices to you, in your home if you like, or by PC, phone, and overnight mail."

(3) Submit an application or say no thanks. Once you receive the recommendations, the ball is in your court. Ask questions, thoroughly understand each policy choice from each carrier, and then pick one. Or reject them all. "Saying no is a rational response," says Gott. "Our agents are professionals. They don't take offense. And if you're dealing remotely, saying no may be easier."

If you decide on one of the proposed policies, the agent can help you complete the application. "There's very little paperwork that you have to do personally," says Gott. "Our agents handle most of it for you. It's part of their job."

"The main point," says Gott, "is not to put off seeking help because of outmoded assumptions. You're not committing to anything. All you're doing is asking for some quick answers."

ACSIA Partners includes a few hundred state-certified agents covering all parts of the country. To get in touch with one, just go to the company's website -- http://www.acsiapartners.com/ -- and submit an inquiry form indicating your state of residence.

ACSIA Partners LLC (in California, xACSIA Partners Insurance Agency LLC) is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

On July 2, 2014, LTC Financial Partners LLC and LTC Global Marketing Inc. announced the completion of the merger of the two companies into ACSIA Partners.

*Photo Caption: ACSIA Partners CEO Denise Gott.

*LOGO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-1119-ACSIA-Partners-300dpi.jpg .

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/getting-the-lowdown-on-long-term-care-insurance-no-longer-laborious-thanks-to-tech-savvy-agents-2015-0324-001.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE ACSIA Partners :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

EPIC creates ‘Panda-monium’ in the Insurance Business

ATLANTA, Ga., March 10, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced that they have added Panda Mortality and Transit Insurance to a growing list of specialty risk management products and consulting services that the rapidly growing national firm provides.

Zoo Atlanta is a long-time client of EPIC's Dan Houston, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Last month, Houston was presented with a unique opportunity to assist the Zoo with insurance protection for some very special residents: giant pandas.

Zoo Atlanta is one of only four zoos in the U.S. housing giant pandas, which are an endangered species, and the iconic bears represent the Zoo's most significant conservation investment to date. Female Lun Lun and male Yang Yang arrived at the Zoo in 1999 on loan from China, and a total of five cubs have been born since 2006. The most recent of these are Mei Lun and Mei Huan, the only pair of giant panda twins in the U.S.

Per the Zoo's loan agreement with China, each of Lun Lun's and Yang Yang's offspring returns to China when he or she is of age. The twins' three older siblings, male Mei Lan, male Xi Lan, and female Po, now reside at China's Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Houston and Senior Account Manager Connie Draime, who design, place and manage all business insurance for the Zoo, recently added Panda Mortality Insurance to their program. This unique, manuscript coverage insures the pandas while at Zoo Atlanta as well as during their travels to China. The EPIC team also manages Transit Insurance Coverage for the giant pandas' journey to their parents' homeland.

EPIC's Panda Mortality Insurance Coverage was placed with Lloyd's of London, and both John Stoesser with IDEAL Marine and the Lloyd's of London underwriter Lorraine Mills visited the Zoo and the giant pandas during the coverage design and underwriting process.

To watch the Zoo's giant pandas on PandaCam presented by EarthCam or to read regular blog updates about the bears' daily care and milestones, visit: http://www.zooatlanta.org/pandacam/ .

Dan Houston has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, plus broad experience with animals, both professionally and personally. In the past, Houston provided risk management and insurance services for CNN owner Ted Turner and his Bison ranches. Dan and his wife Virginia also co-own and operate Houston's Horse Farm in Canton, Georgia.

About EPIC:
Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $5 million to $160 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital. To learn more, visit http://epicbrokers.com/ .

*LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-0721-epic_300dpi.jpg .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-creates-panda-monium-in-the-insurance-business-2015-0310-001.shtml.

Weitz & Luxenberg’s Anthem Data Breach Lawsuit Helps Kids, Too

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 25, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Anthem Inc. data breach class action lawsuit brought this month by Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. seeks to protect tens of millions of children - and not just adults - affected by the health insurance giant's massive loss of sensitive confidential records, the New York-based law firm today announced.

Children - whose parents are among the estimated 80 million Anthem customers victimized by the data breach - stand to lose potentially far more than the adults as a result of the mid-December 2014 computer break-in, the firm said.

"The children of Anthem policy holders may be the most vulnerable victims," said Robin L. Greenwald, who heads Weitz & Luxenberg's Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection Unit.

Time to Act Against Anthem Is Now:

Many parents erroneously assume their children are not in harm's way because of an absence of indications that the youngsters have been targets of identity theft, the law firm said.

However, Weitz & Luxenberg warned it may be years or decades before it becomes evident that an Anthem policy holder's child has been financially damaged, possibly severely.

By then it may be too late to exercise legal rights against Anthem through the mechanism of Weitz & Luxenberg's class action lawsuit, the firm indicated.

Consequently, "the time for parents to join the class action lawsuit against Anthem to hold that corporation responsible for allowing the data breach to occur and for what may happen in the future as a result is now," said Greenwald. It is critical to understand the full extent of the breach of all family members' personal information.

The firm clarified that it is unnecessary for an Anthem policy holder or beneficiary to have yet suffered financial harm from the data breach in order to participate in the class action lawsuit.

As long as someone was or is an Anthem customer, that person may be entitled to join the lawsuit as a plaintiff and exercise legal rights, the firm indicated. Past and current policy holders who are concerned about this violation of their rights are also invited to contact Weitz & Luxenberg.

Anthem Data Breach Hurts Kids Most:

According to information security experts, the Anthem data breach hackers struck gold when they burrowed into the health insurer's computer systems and extracted the confidential records of the sons and daughters of policy holders.

"That fact is, parents suffer over and above their own identity theft when their children's private information is stolen; such information is often said to be more coveted by identify thieves than the information of adults," Greenwald explained.

The reason has to do with credit histories. "A child likely has no credit history, which makes it very easy for identity thieves to create a false persona to apply for credit cards and loans," she said.

She said the task of inventing a false identity becomes easier still if the thieves have the child victim's Social Security number and medical records, all of which the Anthem data breach exposed.

But the real damage accrues when thieves simply pretend to be the victim, she said.

"Criminals can use the child's stolen information to obtain expensive medical services not covered by insurance, or to gain prescriptions for medications that they then sell on the black market, while the victim's parents could be stuck with the bill," Greenwald explained.

"It can take years for any such activity to be discovered by the victim," she said. "But seeking to hold Anthem accountable for the harm is something all victims can do right now."

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents are invited to rely on Weitz & Luxenberg's more than 25 years of experience handling such cases. You can contact the firm's Client Relations department at 800-476-6070 or at clientrelations@weitzlux.com.

More information: http://www.weitzlux.com/.

@WeitzLuxenberg

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/weitz-luxenberg-anthem-data-breach-lawsuit-helps-kids-too-2015-0225-002.shtml.

Anthem Data Breach Sparks Class Action Lawsuit, Weitz & Luxenberg Announces

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 18, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., today announced the filing of a class action lawsuit against the nation's second-largest health insurer, Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc., following disclosure earlier this month that the private information of 80 million Anthem customers was stolen in a massive online data breach.

Over a six-week span beginning in mid-December, hackers siphoned from Anthem's computers a wealth of customer personal information, including names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, employment records and income data, the law firm said.

Security experts believe devastating financial losses may loom for Anthem customers as identity thieves use the ill-gotten information to ransack checking and savings accounts, abscond with tax refunds, and apply for credit cards, mortgages and bank loans in their victims' names, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

"Already, victims of the data breach are being targeted with email phishing scams from criminals sending fake but real-looking official Anthem correspondences," said Robin L. Greenwald, who heads Weitz & Luxenberg's Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection Unit.

Details of the Anthem Data Breach Lawsuit:

Weitz & Luxenberg's class action alleges Anthem was negligent and in violation of California consumer protection laws.

"We intend to hold Anthem responsible for neglecting to do what was reasonable and prudent to safeguard its customers' personal information," said Greenwald.

The complaint asks the court for an order forcing Anthem to take all necessary steps to prevent future data breaches and for an unspecified amount of monetary compensation to make up for the financial losses members of the class suffer as a result of the data breach.

The class action was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The lawsuit names a Santa Clarita, California, mother of two as its representative plaintiff. She has been an Anthem customer for 10 years.

According to the filing, data thieves pilfered personal information on all 37 million of Anthem's current policy holders as well as the private data on some 43 million former customers - a total of 80 million consumers.

"This theft is the result of Anthem's failure to implement cyber security measures commensurate with the duties it undertook by storing vast quantities of sensitive customer data," said Greenwald.

"Every business that collects and stores sensitive information about its customers has a duty to safeguard that information and ensure it is secure and remains private," Greenwald added.

"The data collected and stored by health insurance companies are among the most highly sensitive personally identifiable information," she continued. "Health insurance companies, in turn, bear the crucial responsibility to protect this data from compromise and theft."

Anthem Data Breach Exposed Social Security Numbers:

The theft of Social Security numbers is profoundly worrisome because they may be used by identity thieves to engage in a wide range of financial transactions in the name of unsuspecting others, Greenwald explained.

Worse, unlike the process of canceling and replacing a stolen credit card, blocking the use of a stolen Social Security number by an identity thief is no simple matter, she said.

On the list of crimes that may be committed with a stolen Social Security number is tax fraud.

This possibility prompted the head of one state's tax-collection agency to recommend that Anthem customers not postpone filing their taxes for 2014, lest fraudsters beat them to it and snatch away their refunds, said Greenwald.

Anthem insurance plans are sold under various banners. They are Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Amerigroup, Caremore, Unicare, Healthlink and DeCare.

Individuals who now are or once were holders of one of these brands' policies are urged to contact Weitz & Luxenberg for information about how to participate in the class action lawsuit against Anthem.

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents are invited to rely on Weitz & Luxenberg's more than 25 years of experience handling such cases. You can contact the firm's Client Relations department at 800-476-6070 or at clientrelations@weitzlux.com.

More information: http://www.weitzluxenberg.com/.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/anthem-data-breach-sparks-class-action-lawsuit-weitz-luxenberg-announces-2015-0218-007.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Weitz and Luxenberg, P.C. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

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