Burnham Benefits Establishes Unique Partnership With California Trucking Association Health and Welfare Trust

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 28, 2014) - Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, one of the largest employee benefits brokerages in California and one of the few to specialize solely in strategic employee benefits consulting and brokerage services, announced its consultative partnership with California Trucking Association (CTA) Health and Welfare Trust, an independent healthcare benefits buying pool sponsored by the California Trucking Association (CTA). In this new role, Burnham Benefits will focus on supporting the agencies that sell the trust's benefits products and helping the organization's leadership to better manage the program. 

"Burnham will serve as the California Trucking Association Health and Welfare Trust's advisor as they re-launch their benefits program in the marketplace," notes Kristen Allison, owner and CEO of Burnham Benefits. "We're pleased to align with this large, well known trade association to help it increase visibility and sales while establishing a viable long-term structure to keep the trust program growing and in solid financial health."

The trucking industry has experienced historical challenges related to securing affordable coverage. With a focused effort to increase the trust's financial status and introduce this plan to more brokers, trucking organizations and individual industry professionals, Burnham and the California Trucking Association Health and Welfare Trust will work together to drive significant growth in sales. Burnham will be involved in all matters related to overall plan design and competitiveness, carrier interaction and cost negotiation, program compliance -- on federal and state levels -- and program marketplace distribution. Approximately 100 group customers currently receive benefits through the trust. This number could increase many times over during the next few years. It is estimated that there are thousands of companies in California that would qualify to participate in the program.

"The California Trucking Association Health and Welfare Trust selected Burnham Benefits as our consulting partner because of its solid reputation, exclusive focus on benefits, track record of annual growth and impressive footprint throughout California," says Lynette Brown, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the California Trucking Association Health and Welfare Trust. "Our program has great potential, and Burnham's expertise in this area will enhance our offerings -- ultimately benefiting the CTA, trucking organizations, and program selling agencies across the state."

In the coming months, Burnham Benefits employees will partner with the CTA Health and Welfare Trust's leadership to share best practices and extend support to deliver the best sales distribution services for its health benefits program. By creating a better program -- resulting in increased sales, higher retention and improved satisfaction of users and stakeholders -- the CTA Health and Welfare Trust will be positioned to experience a secure and profitable future. 

For more information about the California Trucking Association (CTA) Health and Welfare Trust or to get information on how to purchase benefits for your employees through the trust, please call Bill Thomas at (949) 252-4590.

ABOUT BURNHAM BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES: Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Burnham Benefits Insurance Services Inc. is a leading employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm in California. Kristen Allison, CEO of Burnham Benefits and a 30-year industry veteran, acquired the firm in 1995 from John Burnham Insurance Services, and has maintained 20 percent annual growth and 98 percent client retention for the past 10 years. California employers trust Burnham to provide the counsel and cutting-edge resources to meet changing market needs. Boasting in-depth industry knowledge and Fortune 500 resources, the firm prides itself on flexibility, creativity and consultative service to manage more than $1 billion in premiums for its growing list of 300 corporate clients. Working with its colleagues at Burnham Gibson Financial Group, and having the added expertise of in-house underwriters, compliance officers, communications specialists and wellness experts, Burnham Benefits provides an integrated approach to managing a client's full spectrum of employee benefits. Named Best Place to Work by the Orange County Business Journal in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the company has four offices in California: Irvine, San Rafael, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, as well as offices in Oregon and the Washington D.C. metro area. For more information, visit www.BurnhamBenefits.com.