2012 Media Coverage & News

Jan 23, 2012 - Four Coverage Strategies to Consider as Insurance Reforms Kick In

It's tough to shop for insurance in this rapidly changing landscape. Here are a few expert tips as you navigate the twists and turns.

Source: Crain's Chicago Business

2011 Media Coverage & News

Dec 29, 2011 - Tom DeMichael Joins The Horton Group as Director of Property & Casualty Operations
The Horton Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom DeMichael to Director of Property & Casualty Operations.

Tom has more than 18 years of experience in the insurance industry. During his career, Tom has held several operations positions with Marsh, Willis and AON. While at Marsh, Tom was the General Operations Manager for U.S. Policy Operations, where he designed and managed a unit that was responsible for quality assurance and policy checking for the entire country. While Tom was at Willis, he was the International Practice Manager where he managed a department that was responsible for reverse flow business. Tom also has experience as a Casualty Placement team leader and several years as a Casualty Marketing Specialist.
Source: Assurex Global

Dec 13, 2011 - School Officials Hire Consultant to Vet the District's Health Care Options
National health insurance consultant The Horton Group was awarded a two-year contract to help the district navigate the market
Source: The Patch

Dec 05, 2011 - Upping Your Game
Just as accountants do more than fill out tax forms and attorneys have responsibilities other than contract reviews, insurance agents have a greater depth of expertise available to clients beyond selling insurance. To become a trusted advisor, many agents and brokers are shifting focus to the broader need for risk control and management, and helping clients make better informed long-term business decisions
Source: American Agent & Broker Magazine

Dec 01, 2011 - Market Trends-Shaping Health Care Strategy

As most employers conclude their January 2012 employee benefit open enrollments they might want to start laying the foundation for the next year, especially if collective bargaining contracts are up for discussion. Typically three year commitments, these contracts will take groups right into the middle of the impacts of Health Care Reform provisions of 2014 and closer to the looming penalites of the Cadillac excise tax in 2018.

Source: Illinois City County Management Association (ILCMA) Newsletter

Nov 21, 2011 - Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois
As seen on Chicago area cable channels!
Source: Airing through February 2012 Chicago Area Cable Channels

Nov 20, 2011 - Medical stop-loss insurers warming up to wellness
Ken Olson, division president of The Horton Group Inc., a middle-market insurance broker based in Orland Park, Ill., said he often has been able to persuade stop-loss underwriters to shave up to 5% off of a specific stop-loss premium “if I can tell a good story that demonstrates the impact of wellness and disease management on a particular employer's claims experience.”
Source: Business Insurance

Nov 11, 2011 - Horton Helps Feed the Community
The Horton Group helps feed families in need. Over $10,000 was raised by our associates in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Source:

Nov 02, 2011 - Orland Fire District picks employee health insurer
An insurance firm with offices in Orland Park will get $3.5 million for one year to be the employee health insurer for the Orland Fire Protection District.

The district board approved the deal with The Horton Group at Tuesday’s special meeting.
Source: Southtown-Suntimes

Oct 30, 2011 - Self-funded health plans under attack in New Jersey
The process is similar to an employer seeking a quote from a health insurer, said Ken Olson, division president of The Horton Group Inc., a broker based in Orland Park, Ill. “If an employer wants to shop their group health insurance, they fill out the medical questions application and then a rate comes back from the competing carrier,” he said. “Why is that different than shopping for stop-loss coverage?”
Source: Business Insurance

Oct 28, 2011 - Horton Group Named One of the Area's Healthiest Employers

Launched by the Business Journal to recognize southeastern Wisconsin employers who go above and beyond when it comes to promoting the health and wellness of their workers, The Horton Group was named as one of the area's Healthiest Employers.

Horton scored a 56.8 on the Healthiest Employer Index and was honored at an awards luncheon along with being featured in the October 28, 2011 edition of The Business Journal serving the Greater Milwaukee Area.

Source: The Business Journal

Oct 03, 2011 - Horton Group Recognized as an American Heart Association Start! Fit-Friendly Company
Orland Park/Waukesha, October 3rd – THE HORTON GROUP has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association’s Start! movement for helping employees eat better and move more.
Source: American Heart Association

Oct 02, 2011 - Safe workplace successes can lead to well workplace
Safety measures can be adapted to wellness efforts.
Source: Business Insurance

Sep 29, 2011 - Horton Group Hosts Multi-Chamber Fiesta
The Horton Group in Orland Park recently hosted a multi-chamber Business After Hours event.
Source: Trib Local - Orland Park

Sep 28, 2011 - Emanual Wants City Workers to Be Big Losers

Based in Orland Park, the Horton Group designs benefit programs for companies and uses its wellness program, in place for eight years, as a showcase. Horton's program includes a monthly wellness e-newsletter, regular health seminars and events to promote physical activity. Last week, employees took time out for an afternoon kickball game and health food cookout.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Sep 18, 2011 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Can Help Mid-Size Firms Cut Costs
Carving out the pharmacy benefit from the medical portion of a health plan provides valuable cost-control data for midsize employers, regardless of whether they are interested in self-insuring, consultants say.
Source: Business Insurance

Sep 12, 2011 - Daily Herald Business Ledger - The List of Insurance Brokers
The Horton Group ranks #1 on the Daily Herald Business Ledger's List of Insurance Brokers - September 12, 2011.
Source: The Daily Herald Business Ledger

Sep 12, 2011 - Horton Honors Local Heros through Annual Day of Service
The Horton Group honors local heros during 3rd Annual 911 Day of Service recognition.
Source:

Sep 07, 2011 - Group captives help firms tackle health benefits funding issues

Self-funded employers that use a group captive for primary stop-loss coverage also can avoid “lasering,” a practice in which insurers set higher attachment points for certain plan members with costly pre-existing conditions.

Source: Business Insurance

Aug 23, 2011 - City cuts costs on employee health care

Officials said providing health insurance coverage for city employees could be made more cost-effective by measures detailed at a special session of Beloit City Council Monday night.

Source: Beloit Daily News

Jul 19, 2011 - Mequon-Thiensville switches health, dental plans

Mequon - School officials in the Mequon-Thiensville district have approved new health and dental insurance carriers for the foreseeable future in a move touted by administrators as a cost-savings measure.

The district commissioned The Horton Group, a firm specializing in employee benefit analysis, to examine providers and recommend the best options in both categories. Rae Ann Beaudry, executive vice president of Horton's benefit solutions division, said the changes were being implemented two months into the district's budget cycle because of actions in Madison.

Source: Mequon Now

Jul 19, 2011 - Nicolet Takes First Steps to Go Out For Bid on Health Insurance

Glendale - The Nicolet School District will request its health experience report from the WEA Trust as it prepares to go to market for health and dental insurance bids. WEA Trust currently provides health and dental insurance for the district through the end of the year.

The report is the first step of a timeline outlined Monday afternoon by Rae Anne Beaudry of The Horton Group.

Source: Glendale Now

Jul 18, 2011 - 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business
The 40th annual Directory of Agents & Brokers was published in conjunction with the July 18, 2011, issue of Business Insurance. The July 18 issue contains rankings of the largest Agents & Brokers. The Horton Group is ranked #46.
Source: Business Insurance

Jul 01, 2011 - Finding Business in an Untapped D.I. Market
In today's uncertain economy more married women have found themselves thrust into the role of breadwinner as their husbands encouter job loss or drop-off in pay. Moreover, many of these working women are highly compensated decision makers.
Source: Employee Benefit Adviser

Jun 23, 2011 - The Horton Group hosts open house with Aflac: Aflac stock car makes an appearance in Orland
The Horton Group, an insurance broker with its headquarters in Orland Park, hosted an open house Tuesday, June 21, to showcase their facility, discuss their services and promote one of their voluntary benefits carriers, Aflac
Source: The Orland Park Prairie

Jun 06, 2011 - Horton Client Receives "Healthiest Companies Award"
Flexco recently received the "One of America's Healthiest Companies" Award from Fred Garfield at The Horton Group.
Source: Twitter

Jun 06, 2011 - Nice surprise for Flossmoor — lower medical insurance cost

The price tag for health care for Flossmoor village employees will be lower next year, but rising costs are again on the way, finance director Scott Bordui told the village board Monday night.

But the village should not get used to lower medical insurance expenses because pressure on employer health care plans will rise as health care reform takes effect, said Mike Wojcik, senior vice president the Horton Group, Flossmoor’s insurance broker.

Source: Southtown

May 30, 2011 - Smaller Firms Try Self-Funding Benefits
Annual premium hikes push some companies to seek alternatives

Once reserved primarily for large employers, self-funding benefits is gaining popularity among small and midsize firms that have become frustrated by years of premium hikes in the insured market that have increased costs by double digits.

Source: Business Insurance Journal

Mar 22, 2011 - District 289 stays informed on health care, legislative changes
New health reform laws may also have an impact on the district's budget in the near future. Guest speaker, Rick Klein, senior vice president of Horton Group, discussed the health reform law, its timelines, complications with the law and how it affects school districts.
Source: The Mendota Reporter

Mar 21, 2011 - Crain's List Chicago's Largest Commercial Insurance Brokers
Crain's Chicago Business, 3/21/11, Largest Commercial Insurance Brokers: The Horton Group, Ranked #5
Source: Crain's Chicago Business

Mar 21, 2011 - Insurance checkup: If your revenues are rebounding, so is your risk
Dramatic changes, good and bad, lead to changes in the kinds of risks businesses face and the insurance they need. Keeping up with insurance needs is a particular challenge for smaller businesses, where owners and employees are pressed for time to deal with more immediate concerns.
Source: Crains - Chicago Business

2010 Media Coverage & News

Dec 01, 2010 - Mike Wojcik Recognized at 2010 Convention Awards
Congratulations to Mike Wojcik, Sr. Vice President of The Horton Group who was recognized for his service to the IIA of IL and the Insurance Industry. This award was presented during the General Session/Opening Luncheon, October 6.
Source: Insurance Insight, IIA of IL

Sep 01, 2010 - Horton Group to use Silanis e-SignLive with IBM LotusLive to deliver privacy policy training for protecting customer data
Silanis Technology today announced that the Horton Group – a privately held insurance brokerage firm in the U.S., will use Silanis’ e-SignLive with IBM LotusLive to train employees on the company’s privacy policies for protecting customer data.
Source: PRWeb

Aug 17, 2010 - "Monsters & Money In The Morning" on CBS 2 Chicago Morning News
Ron Assise, President of Horton Personal Insurance, appeared on "Monsters & Money In The Morning" on CBS 2 Chicago Morning News on August 17th, 2010 discussing Personal Insurance...
Source: CBS 2 Chicago Morning News

Jul 26, 2010 - Mental health coverage progresses
Lifting limits on treatment hailed as workplace improvement by some experts, but employers not always enthusiastic
Source: Chicago Tribune

Jun 30, 2010 - Steven J. Topel Joins The Horton Group
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 30, 2010: We are pleased to announce Steven J. Topel has joined The Horton Group as President and Chief Sales Officer. Steve joins The Horton Group following a career as President of JMB Insurance. Prior to joining JMB, Steve spent 19 years with Mesirow Insurance Services as Sr. Managing Director.
Source: The Horton Group

Jun 22, 2010 - District may counter insurance increase with wellness effort

Rick Klein, senior vice president of The Horton Group, says the theory behind wellness is it increases the general health of employees, thereby lowering the cost of insurance premiums. Having healthier employees, the district would also gain work productivity and lower worker compensation claims.

Klein, in fact, said about 85 percent of premium costs are spent on curative, or remedy, claims, while only 3 percent of costs are spent on prevention. Klein said 87.5 percent of health claims are related to an individual’s lifestyle, such as smoking, physical inactivity and obesity.

Source: Morris Daily Herald

Jun 21, 2010 - Specialized Independence
What began with two brothers running separate, personalized agencies from their homes in the suburbs of Chicago has flourished into one of the largest privately-held firms in the Midwest.
Source: Business Insurance Journal

Jun 18, 2010 - Orland Park to Debut on the Silver Screen
The Orland Park Police Station may have already made its big screen debut, with a small role in the recently released remake of "The Nightmare on Elm Street," but several Orland Park residents and businesses will make their silver screen debut in "DINKs."
Source: Orland Park Prairie

Jun 17, 2010 - A Fun Run
Horton Group President and CEO Glenn Horton led a group of runners and walkers on a 5K run/walk through Orland Park on Thursday, May 27 to promote wellness. The group started at the Horton Group office, 10320 Orland Parkway, in the late afternoon. An array of employees and divisions were represented, and the Horton Group plans to have more runs later this summer, according to Robin Bettenhausen, the company's director of operations.
Source: Orland Park Prairie

Apr 23, 2010 - Illinois Receive Prestigious Herndon Award
Mike Wojcik, Senior Vice President of  The Horton Group and Big "I" National Health Care Task Force Member, accepts the award on behalf of IIA of Illinois.
Source: Insurance Insightes

Apr 03, 2010 - Succeeding with public entity business: Price vs. cost
Charles Hix of Hix Insurance, Boulder, Colo., and John Hamer of The Horton Group, Waukesha, Wis., are committed public entity marketers. As retail providers of insurance to municipalities, educational institutions and other special districts, they are on the front lines of public entity sales.
Source: American Agent & Broker, BY: Mark McCrary, ARM, AIC

Mar 23, 2010 - Business owners have more questions about health care law

For most Southland small businesses, though, the new health care bill poses more questions than it answers.

"What will this bill do to reduce the cost of medical service?" asked Rick Klein, a senior vice president for The Horton Group, an insurance brokerage in Orland Park, and vice chairman of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. "What is it going to do to reduce the cost of MRI, the cost of an office visit?"

Source: Lauren Fitzpatrick, Southtown Star

Mar 15, 2010 - The Horton Group Named Blue Diamond Agency by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

The Horton Group earns top recognition as a Blue Diamond Agency from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois...

Source: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Feb 02, 2010 - All You Need Is (g)Love and Coats For Kids Foundation Donate Winter Clothing to CPS Homeless Students
More than 300 homeless and needy Chicago Public Schools students received winter clothing to help keep them warm this season thanks to a partnership donation from the All You Need Is (g)Love winter clothing drive and the Coats For Kids Foundation Chicago office.
Source: Chicago Public Schools

Jan 01, 2010 - Insurance rates remaining flat
The Horton Group insurance brokerage anticipates overall rate reductions of 1 to 5 percent, said Robert McIntyre, Waukesha branch president. Businesses’ costs for the insurance also will drop because of their reduced coverage needs in the weak economy, he said.
Source: The Business Journal

2009 Media Coverage & News

Dec 24, 2009 - The Horton Group Named a 2009 Best Practices Agency
Each year since 1993, IIABA and Reagan Consulting have studied the leading agencies and brokers in the country. We salute these firms for their participation in this year’s study and congratulate them for their outstanding performance.
Source: IIABA & Regan Consulting

Dec 22, 2009 - Agency Profile: The Horton Group
In 1971, two brothers from Orland Park, Ill., crane operators by day and insurance men by night, began a small enterprise known as The Horton Group.
Source: FCCI Cornerstone

Nov 27, 2009 - Firm finds wellness program builds healthy bottom line

Two years after implementing a workplace wellness program, Robinson Engineering reports a 10:1 return on investment.

Denise St. Pierre, organizational development manager for the South Holland-based municipal civil engineering firm, said most of the company’s 108 employees were excited about a wellness program.

Source: Katie Morell, Business Ledger

Nov 23, 2009 - Business owners worry insurance mandate could sink them
Nine employees rely on a group health insurance plan offered by B & F Fabricating in South Chicago Heights. But co-owner Frank Bednarek worries health care reform being considered by Congress could drive up costs, affecting the company's ability to offer insurance.
Source: Carole Sharwarko, The Southtown Star

Nov 19, 2009 - City Workers' Cost for Insurance Rises
Soaring city health insurance bills have prompted the Hobart City Council to pass the buck to the 210 workers on the city payroll.
Source: Karen Snelling, Post-Tribune

Nov 01, 2009 - The Company With 100% Wellness Participation

Workplace wellness programs often provide employers with positive results, such as happier employees, reduced absenteeism and a strong return on investment. As a rule, the third year of a well...
Source: Risk & Insurance

Oct 13, 2009 - The Horton Group Sponsors the Chicago Southland Manufacturing Summit at GSU
University Park, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Members of the Chicagoland business, industry, and entrepreneurship communities will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the issue and concerns...
Source: eNews Park Forest

Oct 13, 2009 - A Great Grand Opening and Golf Outing
An estimated 800 to 1,000 residents, supporters, alumni and others experienced the “new” Greenfield High School first-hand at the Grand Opening Ceremony in the new Performing Arts Center and during to
Source: Greenfield Now

Sep 11, 2009 - 911 Day of Service
Under the new law, the anniversary of 9/11 would be observed annually in ways somewhat similar to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, although it intentionally will not be a federal holiday...
Source: The Horton Group

Aug 27, 2009 - Health Co-Ops
Mike Wojcik, Vice President of Horton Benefit Solutions, explains the history of Co-Ops and it turns out there are more failures of health insurance cooperatives than there are success stories.
Source: First Business - Beejal Patel

Aug 10, 2009 - Southland Hospital Execs in Accord on Critical Issues
Michael Wojcik, Chamber health care vice chairman and senior vice president of The Horton Group, moderated the discussion, featuring panelists Arnold Kimmel, CEO of Metro South Medical Center...
Source: The Business Ledger

Jul 21, 2009 - The Horton Group Named a Gold Award Winner for the 2009 Well Workplace Award Winners.
View the table of 2009 Well Workplace Award Winners.
Source: WELCO - Wellness Council of America

Jul 16, 2009 - IIA of IL Members Lobbying Hard Against Government Plan Option for Insurance Reform
“It is clear that the grassroots effort of our Health Insurance Agent & Broker Alliance is having an affect, said Mike Wojcik, Sr. Vice President of The Horton Group...
Source: Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois

Jun 26, 2009 - Executive Breakfast
Proteins are better than carbohydrates in the morning.
Source: BizTimes.com - Connie Roethel

Jun 18, 2009 - "Healthiest Companies In America" 2008 Winners
The award, based on clinical evaluations of employee participants across an index of key health indicators, was designed by Interactive Health Solutions (IHS), Arlington Heights, Ill., the leading...
Source: Interactive Health Solutions

Jun 05, 2009 - Insurers: Rich benefit plans are over in Wisconsin
Health care insurance executives and brokers say the “rich” benefit plans enjoyed for decades by Wisconsin employees are being phased out, leaving more workers looking for ways to pay for their own...
Source: Business Journal - Corrine Hess

Apr 27, 2009 - Cut-Rate? Less so
Low-price insurers like Geico are joining bigger competitors State Farm and Allstate in raising auto rates in Illinois, making savings harder to find for recession-battered consumers.
Source: Crains Business, Weekly Business Briefing - Daniel Stevens

Mar 22, 2009 - Health Plan Analysis
A review of the current state of healthcare in Wisconsin.
Source: HealthLeaders InterStudy - Ric Gross

Mar 18, 2009 - Better Health (Podcast)
How do you make sure you still have medical coverage after losing a job? Listen up!
Source: NBC Chicago Podcast - Radio interview by Dr. Sandy Goldberg with Fred Garfield, Senior Vice President, Horton Benefit Services

Mar 06, 2009 - COBRA confusion? Your questions answered. (Blog)
A lot of you have probably heard about recent changes to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA. COBRA gives workers and their...
Source: chicagopublicradio.org - Contributor Mary Gustafson with Fred Garfield, Senior Vice President, Horton Benefit Services

Mar 05, 2009 - AIG Private Client Group Announcement From AIG President
Letter from the president of AIG Private Client Group.
Source: AIG

2008 Media Coverage & News

Sep 08, 2008 - The Horton Group Featured in Assurex Global Quarterly Update Partner Profile
The Horton Group has created an impressive organization since its inception in 1971 as an 8 person insurance agency in Orland Park, Illinois, just outside...
Source: Assurex

Aug 29, 2008 - The Horton Group Receives 2008 Best of Schererville Award
The Horton Group Receives 2008 Best of Schererville Award. U.S. Local Business Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement.
Source: U.S. Local Business Association

Aug 13, 2008 - The Horton Group Named One of 2007's Healthiest Companies in America
The Horton Group has award winning health. For the 2008 calendar year, 103 award-winners nationwide have been identified based on their IHI metrics.
Source: Healthiest Companies in America

May 02, 2008 - Horton Group's Waukesha Office Forms International Practice
The Waukesha office of The Horton Group, a Chicago-based insurance, risk management and employee benefits firm, has experienced significant growth in the first quarter – and a significant part of...
Source: BizTimes.com - Eric Decker

2007 Media Coverage & News

Oct 24, 2007 - Horton Workers Shed Pounds
This time last year, the water cooler talk at Orland Park-based insurance firm Horton Group was different than it is today. With collegial bravado, employees compare notes on how much physical...
Source: Daily Southtown

Feb 28, 2007 - Employers Encourage Healthier Lifestyles
Desperate bosses to workers: Please, just walk a few blocks. Take the stairs once in a while. We will give you cash. It doesn't seem like it should be this complicated, but this is where we are...
Source: Daily Southtown