Vision Statement"To provide unparalleled excellence in the service we bring to our clients, and to do so with absolute honesty, enthusiasm, humility and joy, so that our clients will regard each endeavor as a truly positive experience."
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Employer Healthcare costs may rise by nearly 10 percent in 2008, study suggests |
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The AP (6/17) reported, "Employer healthcare costs are poised to rise" 9.9 percent in 2008 -- "more than double the annual inflation rate," according to a study released Tuesday by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The study also predicts costs will rise again in 2009, by an additional 9.6 percent. For the study, PwC "surveyed more than 500 employers and health plans, with total coverage of more than 11 million people." One of the two main factors "driving the increase," the study states, is cost-shifting -- those with insurance paying more to cover the uninsured.
The study claimed expanded cost-shifting is due to "the federal government...under-funding public programs while the number of uninsured" continues to grow, according to Bloomberg (6/17, Pettypiece). The second factor said to be responsible for high healthcare costs is that hospitals are "charging greater fees to pay for facility upgrades." "'A lot of that construction has to be done to upgrade facilities, so the construction has to happen,' Vernice Davis Anthony, president and CEO of the Greater Detroit Area Health Council, said Tuesday," the Detroit Free Press (6/18, Keshavan) reports. In addition to the forecasted rise in costs, "[a] looming recession could also create more pain for payers," Modern Healthcare (6/18, Vesely) adds. But, the report points out that there are "[s]everal efforts under way [that] could help keep costs down," like "continued expansion of generic-drug use and disease-management and wellness programs." Healthcare reform could also help by reducing cost-shifting. "With medical-cost growth already exceeding the overall inflation rate, and inflation heating up in so many other sectors, healthcare providers, insurers, and employers will have to monitor medical costs carefully if we are to avoid a resurgence of the double-digit annual increases seen in the past," said David Chin, leader of the PwC Health Research Institute. CFO Magazine (6/17, Taub) noted that health insurers use medical cost trends "to estimate what it will cost to provide coverage in the coming year and to set premiums." Working with employers, insurers then "design the benefit packages that will be offered to workers." PwC pointed out that "medical cost trends are not a perfect predictor of increases in premiums because employers make changes to plan benefits and add cost-sharing features rather than increase premiums." But, "medical costs and premiums do tend to move in the same direction." |
Garland Cole - Partner
Garland Cole built the foundation for the customer-centric values that Ashley Cole Benefits is known for today. With over 25 years in benefits planning and management, Garland is equally cited for her detailed knowledge as her engaging personality. She began her career in human resources before becoming a successful agent for New York Life in 1978. Prior to opening her own benefits agency, Garland held several corporate executive marketing positions. As a National Marketing Director, she trained agents across the country on the finer points of design, implementation and communication of employee benefits. Garland is also the Endorsed Local Provider for Investments and Long Term Care for Dave Ramsey.
Numerous civic, professional and non-profit organizations benefit from Garland’s support of the community. She is an active board member with the Texas Reach Out Ministries and the Metropolitan Breakfast Club. She is also a member of the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce and serves with Champions for Life Prison Ministry, headquartered in Dallas TX.
Garland is the mother of Leigh Ashley, her business partner, and a son, Scott Shearer, who works in the healthcare industry.
Leigh Ashley - Partner
A former educator, business owner and corporate executive, Leigh Ashley brings her clients a unique range of experience, combined with personal qualities of sincerity, compassion and diligence.
Leigh founded several small companies, including a professional maid service and an IT consulting firm, after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She broadened her business expertise by working in the sales division of a multi-national computer manufacturing company and serving the international corporate membership of an IT Training Association. Her tenure as Program Manager was the bridge from Fortune 500s to her career in education.
As a dedicated teacher, Leigh inspired confidence and knowledge in her students. Today she uses the same passion for education to act as a true client advocate, marrying sensible solutions with financial protection.
Leigh loves to read, travel, and is an avid runner. With a strong spiritual and family commitment, Leigh enjoys spending time with her husband Mark and their two sons.
BJ Bludau - Account Manager Elizabeth (BJ) Bludau is the friendly voice most encounter when contacting Ashley Cole Benefits. BJ consults regularly with individuals, families and business executives from a variety of industries to help create solutions to clients’ health insurance concerns. Prior to her current position as an Account Manager, she invested nearly 20 years as an R.N. at Austin and Houston hospitals, including MD Anderson. BJ went on to utilize her health care knowledge in medical device sales and sales management from 1989 – 2004. More recently, she served as VP of Community Development for the Coastal Bend Blood Center in Corpus Christi and as a business consultant. Born in Hallettsville, Texas, she grew up as “Betty Jean” until a speedy surgeon in the Emergency Room nicknamed her “BJ”. It stuck. Now even her parents, 12 brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews call her BJ. Dedicated to her family and community, BJ has served on the boards of Austin Junior Forum, the Caswell House, the Metropolitan Breakfast Club, and as a student mentor in her church. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and music, but most of all, she enjoys people. Needless to say, BJ is a tremendous asset to our clients and this agency.
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