PRESS RELEASE

Available for Interview: Jerry Calistri	Contact: Susan Guzo: 570-825-2288
	sguzo@swiftkennedy.com

 

         Swift Kennedy Helps Companies Cope During Coronavirus Crisis

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak has caused tremendous problems for business owners, but Jerry Calistri, president and CEO of the insurance brokerage firm Swift Kennedy & Associates, wants companies to know that SKA stands ready to assist them with insurance issues that arise during this crisis.

“We are committed to doing everything possible to ease our clients’ burdens during this difficult period, because we understand how critical it may be for their very survival,” said Calistri. 

Updates and Compliance

Since the situation is evolving so quickly, Swift Kennedy is keeping clients informed about the latest developments regarding group health insurance requirements, carrier decisions, human resources, and other matters.

The firm also helps companies comply with government regulations, such as those imposed by the Affordable Care Act and the Employee Retirement Security Act, by providing benefit notices, Wrap summary plan descriptions, and other mandated documents.

Digital Benefit Administration

Because of both health concerns and state government requirements, many businesses are now telling employees to work from home.  That is why Swift Kennedy is recommending that businesses replace their paper-based benefit systems with a digital platform. 

Digital benefit administration allows a company’s HR staff to process enrollments and terminations online, and it also provides tax forms, invoices, and payroll integration.  In addition, these platforms let employees access their benefit information remotely 24/7. 

“If there was ever a time to use a digital benefit platform, this is it,” said Calistri.

COBRA Administration

Swift Kennedy has long helped companies manage their workforce with COBRA administration, which may be more important than ever with more possible layoffs on the horizon.  This service includes providing HIPAA certificates, required letters, billing of continuation premiums, and employer reporting, and it results in considerable savings over administering COBRA in-house.

Other Services

The firm also provides insurance claim resolution and other day-to-day service for clients’ HR staff and employees, as well as benefits education of new hires and a comprehensive online library of HR information about benefits, healthcare reform, recruitment and hiring, terminations, state employment laws, and other issues.

“Our goal is to help our clients minimize the damage from this crisis and weather this storm as well as possible,” said Calistri.

Swift Kennedy & Associates is an insurance brokerage firm that specializes in group employee benefits, as well as individual and senior insurance products.  The firm helps businesses find affordable employee benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and alternative funding options.  This full-service agency offers all health insurance carriers in Pennsylvania and has offices in Williamsport, State College, DuBois, Wilkes-Barre, and Virginia Beach.

Jerry Calistri is President and Chief Executive Officer of Swift Kennedy & Associates.  He has over 20 years of experience in the employee benefits industry, including working at the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund in Harrisburg and at Geisinger Health Plan as Regional Sales & Operations Manager for the Western Region.  Calistri is a Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist who has conducted educational and consulting services for employers, local chambers, and the small business development councils on healthcare reform. He is an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and past president of the Mid Penn chapter, as well as a PAC Board Member for Health Agents for America.