Standard Enhances Small-Firm Insurance Products

November 2, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Standard Insurance Company has released The Standard Select suite of insurance products, featuring enhancements to its Group Life, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD) and SST Group Dental plans.

A Standard news release said the insurance offerings were aimed at small firms with as few as two employees.

According to the announcement, upgrades to The Standard Select Group Life insurance include an accelerated benefit repatriation benefit and travel assistance program. Offered in conjunction with Group Life insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage is enriched with an air bag and seat belt benefit and family benefits package featuring higher education, career adjustment and child care benefits.

Guarantee issue, which eliminates the need for evidence of insurability, is available to all LTD and STD groups regardless of size, and LTD is further enhanced with a reasonable accommodation expense benefit and return-to-work incentives which provide valuable financial support to employees in their efforts to return to work, according to the news release.

SST Group Dental insurance offers three plan designs, all with access to a nationwide preferred provider organization network, the option for Dependents Dental coverage and administration of COBRA continuation coverage at no cost.

In addition to flexible plan design choices that accommodate the diverse needs of small businesses, contributory plans, available with Group Life, Dental and STD policies, are an option for businesses that want to share the cost of coverage with employees, Standard said.

In addition to a dedicated small business customer service team, The Standard offers plan administration with its Web-based AdminEASE plan administration tools that allow small businesses to manage their insurance plans online, the company said. On the Internet, employers can view:

  • recent billing statements
  • update employee profiles
  • access group policies and certificates
  • obtain secure claims payment information
  • downloaded reports and track, monitor and evaluate claim trends and expenses.

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