BAs save Lives
- 1. Thomas Cunningham not only assists retirees in finding the proper health care coverage, but forms long-lasting relationships with them as well. Every day around 10:30 a.m., Thomas Cunningham puts on his headset, takes a sip of coffee, and answers the first call of the day. It could be a returning customer or someone completely neweither way, he/she is in good hands. As a benefits advisor for Aon Hewitt's Retiree Health Exchange, Thomas helps retirees and those set to retire find a health care plan that's best for them. With over 90 Medicare providers and a wide range of plans to choose from, many retirees call in a panic. Most don't know what they're looking for, while others are worried their insurance won't cover their needs. "We try to learn about our customerswhat they want, what they're looking for," Thomas said. "Retiree health care is a whole different languagenothing is the same as what they know. All of a sudden, their benefits advisor becomes a reliable friend. Our goal is to establish that level of trust with each retiree we talk to." Often talking to each customer for at least an hour, Thomas and many other benefits advisors get to know the retirees on a personal level and continue assisting with their Medicare needs well beyond the initial call. "I had someone call me back for my birthday," Thomas said. "I would say 90 percent of the people have said to me, 'You saved my life!' I don't believe that's necessarily true, but they seem to believe it. These are people who were scared and overwhelmed one day, and then the next day they're like 'as long as I have Thomas at my back, I'm in good shape.'" Customer stories Many retirees consider their benefits advisor a friend. These are examples of how Thomas and our other benefits advisors focus on our customers to make their experience a little easier. "A retiree in Florida calls about once a month whenever she gets a new explanation of benefits (EOB). She's an older lady and by herself. We're consultants and counselors, and we treat them like our own grandparents. It's all about that connection."
- 2. April 15, 2015 Everyday heroes: Benefits advisors save lives -2- AON Avenue 息 2015 "The wife of one couple I talk to has out-of-pocket medication expenses of over $30,000. Our client that they're associated with has a plan that covers up to $100,000 for any out-of-pocket medical expenses over $5,000. It is a wonderful thing. The husband said to me, 'She's alive and with me still.'" "We did a deal this year with Kaiser Permanente, a health care provider, making it available to our customers. That same day, I received a call from a lady who has always had Kaiser but wasn't yet aware of the news. I can still remember her reaction when I shared the news. She broke down and started sobbing. She said, "Thank you, Thomas. I was so fearful. I haven't slept and you really did just save my life." If Kaiser hadn't joined our Retiree Exchange, she would have had to go to a new doctor at 75 years old, and that would have been tough." Comments: Tina Maldonado 4/16/2015 8:58 AM Go Thomas! What we do at the Aon Retiree Health Exchange is MAGIC - and you ARE a HERO. You, your fellow Advisors and all of the colleagues who coordinate behind the scenes are making real and personal impacts on the lives of people across this nation every day. The effects are lasting and not only improve the lives of the individuals you assist - but the lives of their entire family as well. Without the right insurance, just one major health incident could ruin a familys finances. Oh no, we are not selling insurance plans. We are protecting real people who have worked hard all of their lives with the hope that they could retire one day - and maybe even leave a little nest egg for their children and grandchildren. We're protecting that dream. Terry Finnegan 4/16/2015 9:23 AM Very well written article! Your stories of individual relationships and problem-solving really help explain what we do. Way to represent Thomas! Jim Harvey 4/16/2015 8:51 AM Thomas, thank you for all that you do. This is phenomenal!! Julie Fischer 4/16/2015 11:03 AM YES! These are moments that really matter to people - way to go Thomas! Dave Nicholas 4/16/2015 11:02 AM Thank you Thomas! Its stories like this that remind me how proud I am to work with such talented colleagues and a world class organization. Jen Flagg 4/16/2015 10:06 AM Great!! Everyone loves Thomas!!!! Alex Shu 4/16/2015 9:42 AM Great article, great story, way to represent us Thomas Cunningham, what we do matters to so many!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
- 3. April 15, 2015 Everyday heroes: Benefits advisors save lives -3- AON Avenue 息 2015 Charles Hetzel 4/16/2015 9:44 AM This is a fantastic story. Thank you for all you do Thomas! Michelle Villa 4/16/2015 8:50 AM Sales Director of 4OP Thomas thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences! We are proud to have you and all of our Advisors make a difference in the lives of our retirees! Cynthia Powell 4/16/2015 8:30 AM Benefits Advisors like Thomas are the heart and soul of Aon Retiree Health Exchange. Keep up the good work Thomas! Andy Palmer 4/16/2015 8:16 AM I am very glad to see that the work we do at ARHE is getting recognized. Bravo Zulu Thomas. Grace Diaz 4/16/2015 8:01 AM So proud of my teammate, way to go Thomas!! Sandy Miller 4/15/2015 9:17 PM This is what I call "Client Promise" -- Results: Distinctive service every day!! Sharon Zeilstra 4/15/2015 4:53 PM You are awesome, always! Congratulations on this profile - it reflects the real you! Janine Lieske 4/15/2015 4:22 PM Awesome Thomas - you always put a smile on my face when I see you in the break room! Mike Lannon 4/15/2015 4:22 PM Very Proud ot Thomas, way to go Don Hower 4/15/2015 4:12 PM Nice profile. Speaks well of all of us advisors working with retiree's. Great job. Nancy Rot 4/15/2015 3:32 PM Thomas, thank you for representing all of the BAs so well! Sonya Walker 4/15/2015 3:32 PM I enjoyed reading this article. Kudos to Thomas and all the BA's who make "going that extra mile" the normal thing to do!!! Kathy Blackman 4/15/2015 2:46 PM Thank you Thomas for making the personal connection. I hear often from the Benefit Advisors around me, what an impact they make on the Retirees they talk to every day. Keep up the great work and glad you are on the team. Peg Currie 4/15/2015 2:36 PM Great article, Thomas, you rock Dave Nicholas 4/16/2015 11:02 AM Thank you Thomas! Its stories like this that remind me how proud I am to work with such talented colleagues and a world class organization. Eric Mischke 4/15/2015 3:20 PM Kudos Thomas !! Great article. Marty Litwin 4/15/2015 3:25 PM Great article Thomas, keep up the great work!
- 4. April 15, 2015 Everyday heroes: Benefits advisors save lives -4- AON Avenue 息 2015 Sonya Walker 4/15/2015 3:32 PM I enjoyed reading this article. Kudos to Thomas and all the BA's who make "going that extra mile" the normal thing to do!!! Joe Marchioretto 4/16/2015 11:50 AM Thomas I've known you for well over a decade, and your m.o./philosophy continues to evolve, but always with a mission of helping others. Way to go... Ester Roberts 4/16/2015 12:05 PM Way to go Thomas. It is wonderful to know that there are people who care so much. Coleen Connelly 4/16/2015 12:27 PM Thomas, Great article! You said it so eloquently; I echo your sentiments. It is a wonderful thing to be able to help people and we have a unique opportunity every day to do it. Erika Estrada 4/16/2015 4:24 PM Such a great article that expresses all too well the impact you can have on our clients! It's great to know these clients are receiving the service, attention and advice that not only addresses their questions, but also builds trusting relationships. Thomas Cunningham 4/15/2015 4:21 PM This is a very nice story... it is about all of us. We all have experienced these kind of stories. I'm proud to be part of a great team. It's a tough job and only succeeds with teamwork! Samra Aziz 4/17/2015 10:48 AM This is so true ... I can so relate to this, retirees I have talked to say "oh Samra tonight I will have a good night sleep" or you have put my mind at ease and so forth ... I have never felt so humbled and gratified in any other job I've had in the past ... we are not brokers we are life savers, confidants, best friends and their advisors Holly Kaplan 4/17/2015 9:53 AM Tom, you've made me very proud! Thank you for highlighting what we do! David Castro 4/17/2015 10:48 AM
- 5. April 15, 2015 Everyday heroes: Benefits advisors save lives -5- AON Avenue 息 2015 Good Stuff Thomas. Thank you for representing us and showing the organization, the importance of what we do on a daily basis. Keep on saving lives. Ricci Bunce 4/17/2015 11:28 AM Thomas, thank you for being such an exemplary example of ARHE Benefit Advisor! Derek Lindberg 4/17/2015 1:15 PM Good job, I like to read these types of stories knowing our retirees are satisfied by expressing their gratification Sheryll Muhammad 4/17/2015 2:48 PM Great story! Thanks for sharing. Our retirees do consider us friends, and will always continue to reach out to us, whether trivial or traumatic. We will always be their point of contact and thei confidant. Sergeline Mirtyl 4/17/2015 2:24 PM Great job! What doesnt mean much to us, means the world to others; great story. Joanna Ragland 4/17/2015 1:42 PM Great story! I also love my job as a Benefits Advisor and value my trusted relationships with the retirees I assist. Kudos to Thomas, and best wishes to all of my colleagues who strive for excellence and truly care about helping people. Thomas Cunningham 4/17/2015 9:28 AM I've heard so many thank yous from Colleagues inside and outside the retiree exchange. I thought of: "If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path." -Buddha... this is what we do on a daily basis, for our retirees and for each other. (Go Hawks) Go Bulls Lois Clark 4/17/2015 9:32 AM Very Cool Thomas! And well stated! Linda Carallis 4/17/2015 9:40 AM Wonderful article. Proud of you and all our Collegues.