Burnham Benefits Welcomes New Health and Wellness Solutions Expert, Crystal V. Hover

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 4, 2011) - Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, one of the largest employee benefits brokerages in Southern California and one of the few to specialize solely in strategic employee benefits consulting and brokerage services, has strengthened its commitment to health and wellness programs with the addition of Crystal Hover.

Hover's role as Wellness Practice Leader and Senior Consultant combines her experience in the corporate and public sectors with Burnham's existing resources to further the company's long-term vision of expanding wellness offerings.

"New healthcare reform measures and today's limited budgets have brought effective wellness programs to the forefront of many benefits packages as a positive cost-control measure," says Kristen Allison, President of Burnham Benefits Insurance Services and a 30-year veteran of the employee benefits industry. "Adding this level of expertise to our repertoire is something that unquestionably differentiates Burnham in the marketplace, and will help us build more effective wellness plans to enhance our customers' benefits packages."

Hover will serve as a key resource for health, wellness and productivity-related initiatives, including carrier negotiations for wellness dollars and building visibility for Burnham Benefits through white papers and speaking engagements to attract and support clients. Her role includes acting as a dedicated lead for clients who want to add or reinvigorate their wellness programs.

"Companies of all sizes are already challenged with how to effectively focus on wellness," says Hover. "Adding Healthcare Reform to the mix has created additional confusion for many employers by offering increased incentives to implement wellness programs but without sufficient clarity. Businesses want healthier employees who can reasonably be expected to drive fewer high-dollar costs but also want programs that make fiscal and cultural sense for their companies. However, we often find that employers are unsure how to start or sustain cultures and program designs that integrate and promote health and wellness. I work directly with clients to address these challenges -- walking them through each step, from creating a strategy through implementation and execution to ensure each client has an ideal solution for their needs."

With a background in implementing, managing and negotiating a complete range of fully insured and self-funded benefits for both domestic and international plans on the consultant, employer and carrier sides, Hover is well-equipped to lead Burnham Benefits' clients through the challenges involved in selecting the best available options. She was a Vice President and Senior Client Relationship Manager with Aon Hewitt Consulting's Health and Benefits Practice in Los Angeles, where she was a member of an elite team of national health and wellness experts. She has also served as Chief of Employee Benefits and Services for the County of San Bernardino, Assistant Vice President/Head of Account Management for CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits and Senior Operations Manager for Kemper National Services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA and the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation from the Wharton School of Business and was recognized in 2007 as one of Business Insurance's "Women to Watch."

Burnham Benefits' leadership in the wellness arena means clients can better navigate healthcare reform and cost control issues while simultaneously improving the benefits they offer employees. The addition of a devoted expert is just another way the firm is able to continue offering premium customer services that allow clients to manage change with confidence.

ABOUT BURNHAM BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES: Based in Irvine, Calif., Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, Inc., is one of the largest employee benefits brokerages in Southern California and one of the few to specialize solely in employee benefits. Kristen Allison, President of Burnham Benefits and a 30-year industry veteran, acquired the firm in 1995 from John Burnham Insurance Services, an Orange County mainstay for more than 50 years. Boasting the in-depth industry knowledge and Fortune 500 resources of a large firm, Burnham Benefits prides itself on retaining the flexibility, creativity and consultative service of a boutique. After steady growth of 20 percent annually for the past 10 years, the company serves more than 300 corporate clients throughout the United States and manages more than $500 million in premiums. Working with its colleagues at Burnham Gibson Financial Services, and having the added expertise of in-house underwriters, compliance officers, and communications specialists, Burnham Benefits provides an integrated approach to managing a client's full spectrum of employee benefits. Named the best small company to work for by the Orange County Business Journal in 2011, the company has three offices in California: Irvine, 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.