PEO Tips for May 6, 2006
In this issue we have some special announcements and some tips. We also continue with the worker's comp discussion and excellent health insurance/plan tips from PEO Pros Sales Associate Pam Gass.

PEO Pros Now Offers Pet Insurance and Other Products

Through partnerships with new carriers (to us) we are now able to offer Pet Insurance through our MGA. We are also able to appoint agents to this carrier. If you are an agent and would like to carry Pet Insurance (a very rapidly growing industry) please contact us.

Networking After Hours

Reminder! A networking after hours will be held 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5:30 pm, at the Office Suites Plus. Food and beverage will be supplied by donors. Sponsored by PEO Pros and the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. All invited.

New Sales Associates
We are pleased to welcome Dara Muszynski, Chris Buxton and Mark Frost to PEO Pros as our newest Sales Associates.

John Tenney is an Author!
John Tenney has released his first book - "You're Hired!" More information on this book can be found at John Tenney.com.

Here is a book review from Annie Winterbottom, president of the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. "If you are getting ready for an interview, or find yourself in any situation where you are meeting someone for the first time, then you are looking to make a strong, good first impression. “You’re Hired! Selling Yourself Successfully” is a must read prior to making contact with any new individual, no matter what the circumstances. In an easy to read format, “You’re Hired!”, offers tips from making the most of your physical appearance to how important a sense of humor is in every situation, to the art of being a good listener. Most self-help success manuals include tips on goal setting, positive thinking and discipline, but this handy little book breaks these topics down into simple steps which are easily accomplished/ And, there are even some new tips included that most self-help books don’t incorporate such as making eyebrow contact, giving back and why it is so important not to interrupt the same people with whom you are trying to make that valuable first impression! Other topics include risk taking, a positive mental attitude, being a good listener, learning from your losses and how important it is to enjoy what you do.

“You’re Hired!” easily fits in your pocket and is crammed with valuable tips that you can use lifelong for greater success in your career, as well as in your personal life. Any individual, no matter their success, will find great benefit with the plethora of information included in this wonderful book, that will remain on your book shelf for many years to come!"

John Will Tenney, Property & Casualty Insurance Agent for PEO Pros

Last month we talked about the various discounts that are available to companies through standard Worker's Comp policies. This month, let's talk about how PEOs can help a company to be in compliance with state regulations concerning comp insurance.

The first thing to remember is that PEOs are not insurance companies. They are employers. They do not charge clients a premium for insurance. What they charge is a fee to be employees of the PEO. This is not apparent at first, because most PEOs charge differently for each comp code.

A PEO's price is usually constructed as follows:
  • Social Security Employer Match
  • Medicare Employer Match
  • State Unemployment Tax Assessment (SUTA)
  • Federal Unemployment Tax Assessment (FUTA)
  • Worker's Comp Charge
  • Additional Services Charge (if any)
  • Admin Fee
So you see, there is a comp charge that is not premium. The PEOs negotiate custom arrangements with insurance companies that will greatly affect the price of the coverage. Since they are the employer, they do not charge employees for coverage. However, as a client company of a PEO you can expect to be asked to share the cost of insuring the employees.

Hence, the PEO can charge any price they want for the Comp Charge, even in an administrative state such as Florida.

This is good for employers who have difficulties securing comp coverage, since the PEO can essentially "raise" the price to cover the additional risk.

It is also good for employers who have an excellent comp loss history, because the PEO can take on a larger share of the cost of insurance.


Pamela Gass, Sales Associate for PEO Pros

Last time we discussed enrollment periods and section 125 administration. Today we finish up this five part series with HMOs vs. PPOs. As always, if you have any questions for me, please contact me at http://PamelaGass.com or http://www.PEOPros.com and we will get you an answer ASAP.

We want to be a valuable resource for your benefit needs!

Q - Which is better an HMO or a PPO plan?

A - This was a question I got on a daily basis, but one I am not able to answer. An HMO is a very restrictive plan, in that you must elect a Primary Care Physician, you must get referrals to go see specialists, and you must stay within the network of Doctors that participate or accept your insurance plan. This option costs more out of your paycheck, but less out of your pocket because all you are responsible for is the co-pay. The PPO plan is less restrictive in that they give you the option to go out of network if you like the Doctors that are in network. If you stay in network, this option provides a higher level of coverage. There is usually a deductible that needs to be met before the plan starts paying. There may also be co-insurance that you would need to pay, if you choose to use a Doctor out of the network. Therefore, this option will cost you less out of your paycheck, but more out of your pocket. For specific details on which plans are available to you and how they differ, please consult your Benefits Administrator. They will be able to assist you in making good election choices that will benefit you and/or your family.

PEO Pros opens doors!
Scott Kidd of No Joke Biz

"I have enjoyed my association with PEO Pros. Even though I am technically not a client, the referrals generated by their large client network have enabled us to mutually benefit. It's been a pleasure working with the fine people at PEO Pros."

(If you would like to have your testimonial printed here, please contact our office.)

We'd like to thank our resource partners:

Scott Kidd with No Joke Biz

The East Orlando Chamber of Commerce

Jeff Bosworth and his staff at Sales Growth Group

Listen to us on Thursdays, Marketing 2 Win! Radio show – 11am on WORL 660 AM.

(If you read this far, you get a free book! Email me with the subject line "I read the whole thing" and I will give you a free book.)