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WBENC

Creative Benefits is a member of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council.

DID YOU KNOW

Creative Benefits provides impartial, confidential benefits administration to over 700 clients. Approximately 90,000 participants are currently served by Creative Benefits.

Our employees reflect the highest standards of integrity and ability and are committed to serving you. That’s the assurance you need when choosing an appropriate administrator for your plan.

Our goal is simple: to develop long-standing relationships with employers who are delighted with our expertise and administrative capacity. We will make sure you and your employees are pleased with our services.

About Us
CB News Briefs

April 2008

CB announces the19th anniversary celebration! We're entering our 20th year of business. CEO, Jody L. Dietel counts the last year as one of the most rewarding ever. CB staff will celebrate with dinner and an address by Senior Management regarding the State of the Company. Other activities include breakfast and lunch served during the day for all staff.

March 2008

ECFC Board of Directors Meets at Creative Benefits
March 3, 2008: The quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation will be held at the offices of Creative Benefits, Inc. on March 10 and 11, 2008. CB's CEO, Jody L. Dietel, CFCI is a member of the Board of Directors for both the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation and the wholly-owned subsidiary of ECFC, The Flexible Compensation Institute, LLC., which governs certification of practitioners in the areas of flexible compensation, transit and parking, consumer driven health, COBRA, cafeteria plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, HRAs, HSAs and HIPAA.

January 2008

January 17, 2008: Linda Campbell joins CB as Director of Client Services. Please join me in welcoming Linda S. Campbell to our team as Director of Client Services. Linda's relationship with Creative Benefits, Inc. started in her role as our key contact at one of our largest clients. She has also obtained TPA experience since leaving the client side. This experience will enable Linda to immediately impact our operations.

Linda starts on Monday, January 21 and will provide direction for CB's Client Services departments. I'm thrilled with the added dimension Linda brings to our Executive Team and the future of CB. Linda can be reached at lcampbell@creativebenefits.com or 760.509.0132.

January 17, 2008: Jody L. Dietel co-presents for an EBIA teleweb on the topic of Cafeteria Plan Election Changes

January 15, 2008: Susan Leal promoted to Director of Human Resources. In her role as Director of Human Resources, Susan will continue to help us manage our most important asset and resource, staff! Under Susan's direction, we have significantly reduced turnover, increased morale, and successfully introduced a more effective collaborative environment.

Susan has been an ad hoc member of the executive team for some time and provides critical insight and direction to the Executive Team and to the CEO/COO with respect to business operations, culture, benefits, personnel, compensation, training and other initiatives. This promotion formalizes her role on that team.

Susan holds her insurance licence, is an SPHR, and CFC. Congratulations, Susan.

November 2007

November 9, 2007: CB is recertified as a Woman-Owned Business by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

November 8, 2007: Jody L. Dietel, CFCI joins Brigid Anderson, Esq. in presenting a teleweb for the Employee Benefits institute of America entitled: Follow the Money: How to handle Cafeteria Plan Salary Reductions.

October 2007

October, 2007: CB joins the IIAS Standards Interest Group as a Founding Member. The IIAS Standards Interest Group is a group of companies involved in supporting Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) debit card transactions formed to establish a voluntary industry standard to meet IRS requirements for operating an IIAS by the mandated deadline of January 1, 2008.

The IIAS Standards Interest Group is composed of a broad range of companies, including retailers, card issuers, third party plan administrators ("TPAs"), merchant acquirers, processors, financial institutions, trade association groups, software vendors, and payment card networks.

October 21, 2007: CB Staff members participate in the Strides for Change walk supporting breast cancer awareness in honor of a staff member currently in the battle against breast cancer.

September 2007

CB attends several seminars with industry experts determining the impact of the new Cafeteria Plan regulations. Seminars include those offered by the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC), Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA) and the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Compensation (IFEBC).

CB completes annual client services survey of our clients! Client contacts were asked to rate their experience with CB in several key areas, including such objectives as:

Meeting expectations
Provides high quality and timely service on a routine basis
Provides efficient and courteous service
Follows through with commitments
Questions and concerns are answered promptly and thoroughly
Inspires the highest level of confidence in knowledge and expertise
Goes the extra mile

Our clients provided an average score (out of 5) is 4.5875! We’re proud of the results and will continue to work to improve that score even more! Clients could also provide specific feedback, a statement for our marketing materials, or request a contact to discuss something in particular. One client indicates “We have been very impressed with the accuracy, efficiency, and ease of use of their services, as well as the great customer service.” Another said “The reorganization that resulted in the team service centers was a masterful idea! Service was improved and confidence increased. Thank you!”

Once again, CB is named one of the fastest growing privately held companies in San Diego. A reception honoring Creative Benefits is being held at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego, sponsored by the San Diego Business Journal. This is the 5th consecutive year CB has enjoyed this honor.

Susan Leal, Manager of Human Resources achieves SHRMs award of the SPHR designation. Certification grants recognition to professionals who have met a stated level of training and work experience. The SPHR designation stands for "Senior Professional in Human Resources" and is awarded after the successful completion of a rigorous exam covering Strategic Management, Workforce Planning and Employment, Human Resource Development, Compensation and Benefits, Employee and Labor Relations, and Occupational Health, Safety and Security. Susan also holds the CFC (Certified, Flexible Compensation) designation awarded by the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation. Join us in congratulating Susan.

August 2007

Jody Dietel is participating as a member of the Board of Directors of the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation meeting on Wednesday, August 15.

The ECFC's annual Cafeteria Plan Administrators' Symposium also starts August 15 and goes until Friday, August 17. Jody is leading a session with other co-presenters on Debit Cards: An Industry's solution. In addition, she is sharing the podium to discuss ways to enhance TPA's profitability in the session, "Show me the money!" Read the presentation press release here. Jody Dietel serves on the committee chairing this event for the ECFC.

July 2007

Several CB employees and an outside broker/partner completed 25 hours of training on four Saturdays, ending July 28. This training qualifies for both CE Credit under California's Department of Insurance and also as the required education for the CFC designation offered by the Employer's Council on Flexible Compensation. Topics covered include Flexible Benefits, HIPAA, COBRA, Transit and Parking and Consumer Driven Health plans. The course was taught by Jody Dietel, CFCI.

Jody Dietel, Rock Hall and Adrian Phillips attended the Employee Benefits Institute of America's Advanced ERISA and Advanced Cafeteria Plans Conference in Seattle, Washington from July 18-20.

June 2007

Jody L. Dietel, CEO of Creative Benefits speaks on QUALIFIED TRANSPORTATION PLANS Pre-Tax Parking and Transit Pass Plans, and the New Debit Card Guidance in an EBIA Web Seminar on Thursday, June 7, 2007. The 90-minute web seminar covered qualified transportation plans, including pre-tax parking and transit plans, and the latest IRS guidance on debit card arrangements.

Ms. Dietel joined Cheryl Risley Hughes, Esq. in presenting. Ms. Hughes is a principal with Sanders, Schnabel & Brandenburg, P.C. in Washington, D.C. and is a Contributing Author of EBIA's Consumer-Driven Health Care & Fringe Benefits.

May 2007

2008 HSA limits have been released.

Annual contribution limitation. For an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan: $2,900. For an individual with family coverage under a high deductible health plan: $5,800.
High deductible health plan deductibles. For self-only coverage: Not less than $1,100 or more than $5,600 For family coverage: Not less than $2,200 or more than $11,200
IMPORTANT NOTES: Please remember that anyone participating in the Health Care FSA MAY NOT participate in the HSA because the Health Care FSA is considered impermissible coverage. Adding a HDHP is not considered a change in status event for the Health Care FSA. Employees can sign up for the HDHP but CANNOT participate in a HSA while they are covered by a Health FSA.
It's important to contact CB to understand the implications of the rules. We can assist in the transition to consumer-driven health coverage and help guide employees in understanding the options available. Also, consider adding a Limited Purpose Health FSA (one that covers vision and dental expenses) to allow even more tax-advantages.

April 2007

April 5, 2007: Creative Benefits is pleased to announce Mr. Adrian Phillips as the newest member of our Senior Management Team as the Manager, Business Development. Adrian brings several years experience in the financial services and bond investment field to his role at Creative Benefits. He will be responsible for building relationships with our business partners and following up on our new business opportunities.

April 1, 2007: CB celebrates 18 years of effective client service. The day was marked with several celebrations, including breakfast, lunch, and ice cream. CEO and founder, Jody L. Dietel reminisced, "We've come so far, so fast. The innovations and regulatory changes we have experienced have served to keep us sharp and leading the charge for TPAs in our industry. CB paid over $100 millions in FSA claims in 2006. Our services include FSA Administration, Transit/Parking Administration, HRA and HSA Administration, COBRA Administration and Premium and Eligibility Administration. CB serves clients in 38 states with employees located in all 50 states.

March 2007

March 22, 2007: CB Announces several promotions: Candy Maldonado, CFC is promoted to Supervisor of the COBRA Client Services Team. Mickey Holmes, CFCI is promoted to Supervisor of the Eligibility Client Services Team. Susanne Lloyd, CFC is promoted to Assistant Supervisor of the Client Services Team.

March 9, 2007: Jody L. Dietel, CFCI is elected to a 3 year term of the Board of Directors of the Employers' Council on Flexible Compensation.

March 7-9, 2007 Jody L. Dietel, CFCI attends and presents at the March Annual meeting of the Employers' Council on Flexible Compensation.

February 2007

Jody L. Dietel, CFCI participates in teleweb "Increasing Healthcare Payment Card Participation" with First Data Corporation, Wal-Mart, the Food Marketing Institute and Visa USA. February 20, 2007

Jody Dietel, CFCI was the featured speaker at the February meeting of the Employee Benefits Council at the Radisson Hotel, La Jolla CA.The topic of the presentation was Consumer Driven Health: Putting it all together with HSAs, HRAs and Flexible Spending Accounts.

Treasury, IRS Issue Guidance Helping Employees Transition To HSAs
February 15, 2007: The U.S. Treasury and Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance regarding how employers can rollover their health Flexible Spending Arrangements (health FSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for their employees.

The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-432, enacted December 20, 2006, allowed employers to amend their health FSAs or HRAs, with balances on September 21, 2006, for a one-time roll over to an HSAs by 2012. The guidance clarifies the requirements for making these rollovers, which must be made directly to the custodian or trustee of the HSA.
Under the guidance, a Health Care Flexible Spending Account or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) must be amended and a rollover selected by an employee before the end of the plan year. The balance amount must be transferred to the HSA by March 15 of the following year. The ability to make these transfers will facilitate the transition to an HSA-eligible health plan when employees are covered by an HRA or FSA.
In addition, the guidance provides a special transition rule for transfers for 2006. Under the transition rule, the amendment, election and transfer must take place by March 15, 2007.
<<Read the Guidance here>>

Jody L. Dietel, CFCI participates in a teleweb for the Employee Benefits Institute of America on the subject of permissible Cafeteria plan election changes.
2/8/2007: This 90 minute teleweb is one of many offered by EBIA.

Creative Benefits Completes Integration with First Data and UMB
Omaha, NEB, February 7, 2007 – Creative Benefits, Inc., a leading provider of FSA benefits and administrative services, has completed integration with First Data Healthcare Services, part of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) and UMB Healthcare Services, a division of UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: UMBF), a leader in financial services for consumer-directed healthcare products. Creative Benefits, paying more than $95 million in claims annually, has clients headquartered from coast to coast ranging from retail to manufacturing, finance to biotech, both public and private entities. <<Read the complete press release here >>

Jody L. Dietel, CFCI conducts a teleweb for the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation on the subject of Claim Adjudication and Debit Cards.
February 6, 2007: This 90 minute teleweb is a preparatory course for the ECFC's certification in Flexible Compensation, which requires 25 hours of study by a certified instructor, as well as success on an examination and three years experience in the field.

January 2007

Creative Benefits First Firm in Nation To Receive ECFC Accreditation
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2007 –
The Employers Council on Flexible Compensation announced that Creative Benefits, Inc. is the first firm in the nation to receive the ECFC Accreditation designation. The accreditation program is administered by the Alliance for Affinity Security and it recognizes the best service providers in the U.S.

Accreditation identifies service providers that have met and adhered to the high standards developed by ECFC, and helps identify those service providers with “best practices” and a strong commitment to the employee benefits community.

Creative Benefits, based in Vista, California, provides confidential administration of FSA benefits to more than 650 clients, ranging in size from 20 to 43,000 participants. Creative Benefits pays more than $95 million in claims annually. Its FSA clients are headquartered from coast to coast and range from retail to manufacturing, finance to bio-tech, both public and private entities.

“Our firm has been a proud member of ECFC for many years and we are thrilled to be the first firm in the nation to receive this designation,” said Jody Dietel, CEO and COO of Creative Benefits. “ECFC has been in the forefront of implementation and policy-making for consumer-driven health, cafeteria plans and all defined contribution plans. I consider being accredited by this firm to be a very high honor and it will demonstrate Creative Benefits’ strict adherence to professional standards to our clients.”

ECFC Accreditation defines high standards and service benchmarks for FSA providers to measure their performance. FSA service providers that have met or exceeded the standards and that are committed to maintaining excellent performance are recognized with the ECFC Accreditation. “Creative Benefits is one of the top service providers in the country and it excelled in our rigorous accreditation process,” said Lewis Freeman, president of ECFC. “Creative Benefits’ clients can be assured that they are receiving the very best practices and service.”

The Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance and expansion of private employee benefit programs on a tax-advantaged basis. The organization has two driving missions. The first is to represent and promote flexible compensation programs through effective lobbying. The second is to provide information on flexible compensation programs to member, national opinion leaders and the general public to help create a positive climate for the growth of flexible compensation.

<<download the press release here>>

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