here for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Ten Common Questions
Howard is the founder of On Call Benefits and has spent his career in employee benefits consulting, including roles at HUB International and Mercer. Before starting On Call Benefits he also spent over a decade as a small business owner, so he understands benefits from both sides of the table. When you work with On Call Benefits you work directly with Howard, not a call center or a junior account manager.
Learn more about Howard’s background on our About page.
We partner with small to mid-sized businesses and non-profit organizations, typically ranging from 2 to 100+ employees. While we have deep experience in sectors like professional services, construction, trades, healthcare, and hospitality, we can work with any industry. Whether you are looking to set up a group health plan for the very first time, trying to fix a compounding 20% annual renewal trend, or structuring unique benefits for a non-profit workforce, we tailor our strategy to match your specific goals.
For most employers there is no separate or additional cost to work with us. Our compensation is built into the premiums you already pay to the carrier and does not come out of your pocket as an additional fee.
There are a few exceptions we are always upfront about:
For smaller groups under 10 employees on fully insured plans, we charge a transparent flat fee of $500 to $1,000 depending on the scope of work involved.
If we implement Employee Navigator as your benefits administration platform, costs vary based on the size and complexity of your group and whether a carrier discount is available. We will always discuss this with you before any commitment is made.
If you would like printed benefits guides or Spanish language translations for your employees, we charge for printing and translation at our actual cost.
No surprises. No hidden fees. You will always know exactly what to expect before we begin.
Absolutely. We work with a wide range of top-rated carriers and provide clear side-by-side comparisons so you can see exactly what you are getting and what it costs. We do not push one carrier over another. Our job is to find the right fit for your group based on your workforce, your budget, and your goals.
We also go beyond just comparing premiums. We look at funding structures, network quality, pharmacy management, plan design, and long-term cost trends so you are making a decision based on the full picture, not just the monthly rate.
Very different from what most employers are used to.
We are always working on your renewal, not just at renewal time. After your plan goes into effect we check in with your carriers to make sure things are running smoothly. At 120 days out we check again to get a read on how the plan is performing and give you an early heads up. At 100 days out we formally request your renewal. Our goal is to have it in hand 90 days before your effective date, not the standard 60.
That extra 30 days means better options, less pressure, and no surprises. You should never find out about a large renewal increase with only 60 days to react. With On Call Benefits you will not.
We pride ourselves on being completely reachable. You and your employees don’t have to fight through an automated phone tree or wait days for a generic email response.
You can connect with us directly through:
Direct Call or Text: You will have Howard’s direct mobile number for urgent matters, quick questions, or immediate support.
Direct Email: Drop us a line for plan changes, document submissions, or general inquiries, and receive a response within hours, not days.
Flexible Scheduled Meetings: Need to review renewals, analyze plan options, or walk through employee onboarding? You can easily schedule a 30-minute phone call, a 30-minute video conference, or a face-to-face in-person meeting at your convenience.
You may never have an issue. But when you do have an emergency or need to reach me, I am here for you. You pay a lot of money for your insurance and you deserve a partner who shows up when you really need help. That is why my tagline is Here for You.
Call or text me directly at 480.231.9651 anytime. If you get my voicemail, I will call you back fast. For immediate help, text me directly. You will not be put on hold, transferred, or left waiting three days for a callback.
Yes, on both. Compliance is an area where small employers are most at risk because most have never been told what they are required to do.
Through my strategic partnerships, I constantly attend state-specific compliance webinars and receive weekly regulatory updates. My goal is to be a proactive compliance resource for you, covering critical areas like:
Business Protection: Keeping you up to date on FMLA, COBRA, employee handbook updates, Summary Plan Descriptions, and required federal/state notices.
Multi-State Support: If you have employees in multiple states, I make sure you always have access to the specific local laws and rules applicable to them so nothing falls through the cracks. I want to make sure you are never exposed to penalties you didn’t know were possible.
Clear Employee Education: On the education side, I believe employees who understand their benefits use them better, feel more valued, and stay longer. I provide benefits guides in plain English, help with open enrollment communication, and am available directly to your employees and their families when they have questions.
Spanish Language Support: For employers with Spanish-speaking teams, I also offer materials and support in Spanish.
Benefits are my core focus, but I understand that running a small business means managing a lot of moving parts. Over the years, I have built strong, trusted relationships with top-tier professionals across a wide range of business disciplines.
If you ever need a reliable referral, I am always happy to make a personal introduction to trusted partners in areas like:
Financial & Legal: Experienced CPAs, corporate attorneys, and business bankers.
Operations & Workplace: Reliable payroll providers, HR consultants, and commercial real estate professionals.
Personal Services: Trusted mortgage specialists and personal banking resources.
Ultimately, I want to be the partner you call when you have a business problem, not just when you have an insurance question.
Absolutely. Life and business change, and your benefits should keep up with you. Whether you are growing your team, adding employees in a new state, going through an ownership change, or an employee experiences a qualifying life event like a marriage, birth, or loss of coverage, I am here to help you navigate it quickly and correctly. I also help your employees and their families directly when their personal situations change. Nobody should have to figure out a complex benefits transition on their own. That is exactly what I am here for.
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