TROY, Mich., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 500 of southeast Michigan's mid-sized employers are expected to participate in a landmark study that will compare health care benefits, other group benefits, best practices, and future cost control plans among middle market employers in S/E Michigan. McGraw Wentworth, Michigan's largest independent employee group benefit consulting and brokerage firm, in conjunction with Milliman USA, a leading independent national actuarial firm based in Seattle, Washington, have developed the Mid-Market Benefit Survey 2004. With health care costs to employers expected to rise by 14% in 2004, this survey will benchmark benefit packages among local employers and help employers control their health care costs while attracting and retaining skilled employees. The on-line survey is being conducted from now through April 30.
"This is the first study of its kind that compares employers in southeast Michigan to each other versus employers in for example, a non-automotive market," says Tom McGraw, President of McGraw Wentworth. "Organizations that participate in the study will be able to benchmark their benefit plans against others in S/E Michigan which is a first dollar coverage market. Typically, group benefit decision-making involves piecing together national data from several markets and/or relying on anecdotal intelligence on what an employer's competition is doing in benefit design. The Mid-Market Benefit Survey will give employers statistically sound data with which to decide where they can pull back on a benefit cost or make a change to be more competitive."
In addition to receiving comprehensive local data, participants will be linked with Milliman USA national survey results of mid-sized employers across the country.
The Mid-Market Benefit Survey 2004 is being offered to mid-sized employers in southeast Michigan. The survey is being conducted from now through April 30 with results to be delivered to the participants in the seminar conducted by a Milliman USA actuary in late May. There is no charge for participation. The survey will not be offered for sale. To receive the results, an organization must participate in the survey which takes 30-35 minutes to complete. All data will be confidential. For information and registration, go to http://www.mcgrawwentworth.com/ or call (248) 822-8000.
McGraw Wentworth, based in Troy, Michigan, is Michigan's leading employee group benefit consulting and brokerage firm serving mid-sized organizations.
McGraw WentworthCONTACT: Patricia McCarthy, +1-313-882-9200, for McGraw Wentworth
Web site: http://www.mcgrawwentworth.com/
