Latest Articles & News
Houze & Associates hosts “Pay Or Play” Healthcare Reform Conference
By Stacey Weldon 04-12-2013
Houze & Associates, in partnership with MedCom, hosted a conference on March 27, 2013 at Callaway Gardens to discuss the financial impacts of the new Healthcare Reform Laws. The conference was attended by over 30 people from nine Georgia school systems. Don Miller, Houze Executive Director for Strategic Benefit Planning, …
Don Miller and Jason Weldon join Houze Team
By Bill Houze 06-04-2012
Houze & Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Don Miller and Jason Weldon to our staff. Don Miller will be joining our staff upon his retirement from the Troup County School System, where he has served as their Chief Financial Officer for the last ten years. His…Houze & Associates appear at Georgia Association of School Business Officials
11-08-2011 Bill Houze and Elke Bonin represented Houze & Associates at the Georgia Association of School Business Officials (GASBO) Conference in Augusta, Georgia. For the third consecutive year, Houze supported GASBO as a service provider to school systems and a vendor to the conference. Two attendees were drawn during lunch on…Cobb workers face changes to insurance
10-06-2011 By Geoff Folsom, courtesy of The Marietta Daily Journal MARIETTA — Cobb County's more than 4,000 employees have been showing more proof than in the past in order to make sure family members can claim health benefits. The county has also introduced surcharges for tobacco use and for people who…
Cobb County Appoints Houze & Associates as Broker of Supplemental Benefits
By Stacey Weldon 08-09-2011
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved item 21 / Human Resources on the Consent Agenda to award a five year contract (3 years with 2 year extensions) to Houze & Associates, Inc.as the sole provider of their Supplemental Benefits offerings, previously provided solely through Aflac. Houze & Associates has…Houze.org Wins Best of Show
06-16-2011 On behalf of Houze & Associates, Inc. Kelsey Advertising & Design, a local advertising firm, entered the world's largest and oldest advertising competition -- the 2010 Addy Awards -- and earned Best of Show, the top honor in media broadcast from the Chattahoochee Valley Chapter of the AAF. The coveted…
Cobb County Government
By Stacey Weldon 06-22-2010
Marietta, Georgia - The Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved a 3 year contract, with 2 additional year extensions for their Employer Paid Life and Long Term Disability Plans. The committee recommended and approved the Insurance Carrier, The Hartford, with Houze & Associates, Inc. as the patterning broker for employee…
Putnam County Schools, Eatonton, GA
By Donna Wright 06-07-2010
Houze & Associates, Inc. supports the Retirement and Recognition program for Putnam County Schools employees. Twelve former employees were recognized in a retirement ceremony for their dedication and support of the school system in Eatonton. Houze & Associates, Inc. is honored to be a partner of Putnam County Schools.
Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services
By Arthur B. Edge, III 06-04-2010
LaGrange, GA - Houze & Associates, Inc. is honored to support the future of Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services. Twin Cedars sponsors programs like Chattahoochee CASA, TRUST, Parents As Teachers, The Troup County Prevention Coalition, Circle of Care and Community Counseling.
Coweta County Board of Education
By Bill Houze 05-11-2010
Newnan, Georgia - The Coweta County Board of Education voted unanimously to re-appoint Houze & Associates Broker of Record for The Systems' employee benefits package. Houze & Associates will continue to provide active and new hire employees benefits education, online and face to face benefits enrollment, Flexible Spending Account management,…
GASPA Conference, Stone Mountain, GA
By Stacey Weldon 05-07-2010
Houze & Associates, Inc. is a Business Partner for the Georgia Association of School Personnel Administrators on the coast of Georgia. Stacey Weldon and Patricia Cromer were present as a Partner Sponsor at the Conference held at The Marriot Evergreen, Conference Center and Resort. The mission of GASPA is to…
Troup County Schools
By Allen Eady 05-05-2010
LaGrange, Georgia - Troup County Schools Retirement Reception honors the men and women who have dedicated their careers to the education of students throughout Troup County. We were able to support this cause and take part in making the event special for the extraordinary people in our community. This event…
Waiver of Premium
By Tish Thomas 04-29-2010
The Purpose of a Waiver of Premium Waiver of Premium is a common provision included in most group life insurance policies. It is intended to provide continued life insurance coverage for an employee who becomes totally disabled prior to the age specified in the contract (typically 60 years of age)…
Columbus Regional Healthcare Celebrity Classic
By Arthur B. Edge, III 04-06-2010
Sponsorship for the 16th Annual Celebrity Classic through Tennis and Golf included a unique opportunity which Houze & Associates as been a part of since the inception of The Classic. We joined other leading corporate citizens to help the Columbus Regional Medical Center Foundation surpass the charity goal for the…
How Our Counselors Prepare Before Meeting Employees Onsite
By Arthur B. Edge, III 04-01-2010
As we approach annual enrollments, the proper preparation by the enrollers is of the utmost importance. The enroller is the “ambassador†of Houze & Associates, Inc. to the client and the employee. They must demonstrate professionalism and personal interest in the employee during the face-to-face enrollment process and aid the…
Effective Communication is the Key to a Successful Benefits Package
By Donna Chaney 03-16-2010
Educating employees about their benefits can be a tough job. The challenge is to take a large volume of information, that is often complex and confusing, and present it to the employee in a format that is condensed and easy to understand. Effectively communicating with employees about their benefits must…
Hutcheson Medical Center Health Foundation Golf Classic
By Elke Bonin 03-02-2010
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia - Donation and sponsorship of a tee helped Hutcheson's healing mission. The number one cause of death is heart disease. Immediate access to the closest facility for patients suffering from a heart attack is critical for their survival. Our gift helped Hutcheson move forward to bring outstanding…
Decipher the Language of Life Insurance!
By Stacey Weldon 02-19-2010
Many employees are unaware of the difference in the life insurance plans provided and offered by their employer. We hope that you are not a part of this group. Just in case, here is an Insurance 101 review on the types of plans and the options available to valued employees:…
Houze and Associates Enrollments
By Elke Bonin 02-09-2010
As part of the enrollment team, I feel that Houze & Associates provides excellent education for the employees of various groups during open enrollments. The enrollers are educated as to the various products for each group and are very knowledgeable as to the benefits these products provide. If the employee…
Educating employees on the Importance of guaranteed or modified issue on eligible benefits
By Jolena Hendrix 01-04-2010
Often during open enrollment, employees are requesting benefit coverage for the first time. Normally, the employee must fill out an evidence of insurability form (medical questionnaire). The request must go through medical underwriting to be approved. The employee takes a risk that the coverage may not be approved due to…
GASPA Conference, St. Simons, GA
By Stacey Weldon 12-04-2009
Houze & Associates, Inc. is a Business Partner for Georgia Association of School Personnel Administrators on the coast of Georgia. They were present as a Partner Sponsor at the Conference held at The King And Prince. The conference is held two times per year to provide training for personnel, administrators…
How to defuse an irate employee
By Donna Wright 11-23-2009
Sometimes we get employees that are upset about benefits, premiums, etc. The first thing we do is LISTEN and don’t interrupt. When they are finished, speak to them with compassion and understanding. Try not to take their frustrations personally. Do not speak to them in a defensive tone. Follow through…
44th Annual GASBO Conference in Augusta, GA
By Bill Houze 11-06-2009
Bill Houze and Juila Daffin represented Houze & Associates, Inc. as Sponsors at the Georgia Association of School Business Officials conference in Augusta, Georgia. The conference is held at the Augusta Marriott Hotel, Riverfront, in Augusta, Georgia. GASBO provides programs and services to promote the highest standards of school business…
Marietta City Schools
By Heather Montney 11-04-2009
Marietta, Georgia - The Marietta City Schools Principal Luncheon was sponsored by Houze & Associates, Inc. This was a small way to show the appreciation for the partnership we have with Marietta City Schools and the valuable job the principals in the system provide to the students and other members…
Contingent Beneficiary
By Donna Wright 09-16-2009
A lot of employees do not understand what contingent beneficiary means. Most think that it is to be shared with the primary beneficiary so they don’t want to assign a contingent. We explain that a contingent beneficiary is a second beneficiary. This person is the one that, should something happen…
Customer Service Phone Etiquette
By Heather Montney 08-07-2009
Anyone answering the phone and providing customer service has at one time or another answered the phone and silently wished they were not the one that took that call. The man on the other end of the line is unhappy about a situation and you are caught in the line…
