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A Commitment to a Higher Level of Service and Quality

“I strive to ensure our internal and external customers receive the highest level of service,” says Rebecca Lester, manager, training and quality assurance. Since joining USAble Life last year, Rebecca has helped do just that by creating training solutions that empower our customer care associates and operations teams to effectively meet our…

Customer Satisfaction is All in a Day’s Work

The path to customer satisfaction and loyalty is paved by treating customers with respect, kindness, and empathy. Since joining USAble Life, Darrice Edwards, customer care associate, has successfully paved that path and helped enhance USAble’s reputation for exceptional customer service. In addition to assisting our customers, Darrice makes a…

Congratulations to the inaugural Alexus Bramwell Leadership Academy graduates

USAble Life’s Alexus Bramwell Leadership Academy selects leaders who are making a difference every day in our business and invests in their growth as part of our ongoing commitment to talent development. We recognize the 36 leaders who participated in the 2023 Leadership Academy. These leaders completed workshops with Eckerd College in St.…

First Impressions Count When Onboarding New Groups

The onboarding process is the first real impression new groups have of what makes USAble Life a market leader. Our implementation service managers (ISMs) quarterback the onboarding process. One of the standouts on USAble’s ISM team is Lawrence Jackson, senior ISM. Lawrence excels at bringing together all the internal teams involved with the…

Professional Experience That Enriches Client Experience

When group administrators or brokers speak with Suzanne Wisnoski, they know they’re talking to someone who’s been in their shoes. That knowledge and understanding pay valuable dividends to both USAble Life and the groups and brokers Suzanne supports. Suzanne joined USAble last year as regional service manager for North Carolina. “I’d been in the…

Strong Relationships Plus Teamwork Equal a Successful Transition

For over a year, a cross section of USAble Life teammates has worked together to migrate LifeMap Assurance Company<sup>®</sup> groups to USAble. The transition is succeeding because all involved work together and have grown to trust and depend on each other. Good relationships with our brokers are also essential. That’s why our account…

Delivering Top-tier Support to Our Large Group Customers

As the primary point of contact for our largest life and disability group accounts, Misty Philpott, senior director, strategic account executive, is responsible for ensuring that these groups receive the highest quality of service. She’s excelled in her role because of her exceptional communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. She also…

Carrying the Torch for IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity

Successful cybersecurity programs require leadership by experienced professionals. USAble Life is lucky to have that experience in-house with Nick Tzanev. For more than 20 years, Nick has been a key player in developing USAble Life’s web and digital presence. After spending two decades helping to build the company’s web self-service platforms, Nick…

Protect to Enable: The Importance of Cybersecurity

Glancing at news headlines on any given day provides constant reminders that focusing on cybersecurity is not only important but a necessary function of every successful business. That’s a reality that USAble Life takes very seriously. “Cybersecurity is a strategic imperative for the company,” explains Nick Tzanev, senior director, IT. “If we do…

Erin Scoggins Graduates from Leadership Greater Little Rock

We’re proud to share that Erin Scoggins, senior director, human resources business Partnership, graduated from Leadership Greater Little Rock (LGLR) on May 31 as part of Class XXXVIII. Erin joins past graduates, including Jerald Martin, senior director, underwriting & implementation Services, as alumni of this great program. Erin said, “When I…

Sara Pollock Completes the 2023 Executive Leadership Academy

Sara Pollock, director, service project & process, participated in the 2023 Arkansas Business Executive Leadership Academy, which was completed on April 28. She said, "The Arkansas Business Executive Leadership Academy is a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with local leaders on how to leverage strengths and lead with purpose." Arkansas…

Manager, Claims: Quarterbacking Customer Claims

A claims manager is like the quarterback on a football team. They’re responsible for ensuring that claims are processed quickly and accurately. For 18 years, Mary Sanford has helped effectively move the claims efficiency ball down the field for USAble Life. Mary’s had a hand in several high-profile process improvements just within the last year.…

Stepping Up to Stem the Overflow

Each year, after the snow melts, residents of Salt Lake City, Utah, are mindful of the potential for flooding, especially when a rapid melt overwhelms the city’s streams and creeks. This year’s record-breaking snowmelt led Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson to declare a state of emergency on April 13. When Utah’s Division of Emergency Management…

Sponsoring for the Future

They say that children are the future. What better way to make a meaningful difference than inspiring and preparing young people for success? That’s what Junior Achievement of Arkansas does. To help support those efforts, USAble Life was a sponsor of the 2023 Legacy Award Luncheon on May 25, and several members of our Employee Resource Groups…

USAble Life Continues to Support OneJax Institute

USAble Life continued our nearly 20-year support of OneJax Institute by being a sponsor of the Humanitarian Dinner on May 4 in Jacksonville, Fla. This annual event is a long-standing Jacksonville tradition. It’s an evening where business, civic, and faith leaders and friends come together to celebrate individuals who have demonstrated remarkable…

USAble Life’s Arkansas Dental Team Donates Time at Free Dental Clinic

At USAble Life, our mission is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, especially those in our communities. We understand that donating time through volunteer activities is one way to make good on our mission, so we proudly offer a Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program. When it comes to making a difference, our employees don’t just talk…

Supper and Soul Sponsorship

At USAble Life, we value education and how helping students afford education goes a long way in making a meaningful difference in our communities. We are proud to be one of the many sponsors of the 2023 Supper and Soul presented by Arkansas Baptist College on April 20. Supper and Soul is an annual fundraiser benefiting student scholarships at…

Alexus Bramwell Leadership Academy Keeps on Inspiring

In the fall of 2022, USAble Life launched the recently renamed Alexus Bramwell Leadership Academy, which includes Leaders on Deck and Tomorrow’s Leaders programs. The program is designed to prepare high-potential leaders for growth and leadership and has levels of development from leads to vice presidents. Through the academy, we continue to honor…

Behind the Scenes with BELIEF

For the past two years, we have been able to connect with colleagues and participate in fulfilling philanthropic and fun activities in recognition of Black History Month. Much of the credit for coordinating these events and educating us about the contributions Black Americans have made throughout history belongs to BELIEF, the Employee Resource…

Meet Chris Hinesley, director, customer care

Providing exceptional customer care is an essential factor that drives the good fortune of every successful company. USAble Life’s director of customer care is responsible for ensuring that our company makes a meaningful difference at every touchpoint. That role is now very capably filled by Chris Hinesley. When Chris joined USAble Life in…

MLK Day of Service - Making a Difference

At USAble Life, we believe in the power of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. In honor of MLK Day of Service, USAble Life’s BELIEF — Black Employees Leading in Inclusion, Excellence, and Financial Empowerment — Employee Resource Group challenged USAble Life teammates to join in a day of service. They embraced the call to…

Little Things We Do Can Have a Big Impact

As we celebrate Life Insurance Awareness Month, the importance of proactively securing the protection this coverage provides is reinforced by our experiences with our customers. And often, the little things we do have the greatest impact and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our customers. That was certainly the case not too long ago…

A Time to Rise — THRIVE!

Recently, Florida Combined Life and USAble Life sponsored THRIVE! — benefitting the Women’s Center of Jacksonville (WCJ). The WCJ is a community-based resource center dedicated to improving the lives of women through advocacy, support, and education. As the only certified rape crisis center for Duval, Nassau, and Baker…

From Customer to Teammate: Kay Mitchell’s Story

When a customer is so impressed with your product or service that they want to work for your company, you know you’re doing something right. Just ask Kay Mitchell. She had such a great experience with a USAble Life customer care representative that she was inspired to work for the company. When Kay joined USAble Life as Florida’s regional service…

Achieving an Inclusive, Accessible Customer Experience

John F. Kennedy once said that a rising tide lifts all boats. When it comes to customer service, digital accessibility is the rising tide. Assistive technology makes it easier for people with disabilities to learn about our products and use these important benefits in their time of need. Digital accessibility is a vital but often overlooked aspect…

Jerald Martin — Leadership Greater Little Rock Graduate

We would like to recognize Jerald Martin, senior director, underwriting and implementation services, for recently graduating from Leadership Greater Little Rock (LGLR), Class XXXVI. Jerald said, “I was honored and humbled to join the LGLR program. It is a very competitive program, and I am grateful for the support of my manager and the leadership…

Jessie Smith — Advocating for Those with Disabilities

Jessie Smith, client service manager, is no stranger to volunteering and working with others to help better the community, having volunteered for the Junior League of Little Rock. She brings that drive to USAble Life’s Inclusion Council. She says, "Being a member of the Inclusion Council is important to me because I feel a strong need to represent…

USAble Life Receives Diversity Recognition

Arkansas Money & Politics recently recognized USAble Life for embracing diversity and moving the needle forward to create a more inclusive workplace culture. It’s a recognition of which we are deeply proud. We believe in making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and know that we are only as strong as our diverse and dedicated…

USAble Life – A Best Place to Work

Thanks to our unique work culture and our amazing employees, USAble Life has received two awards from Arkansas Business. We were named a Best Place to Work in Arkansas for the sixth time. For two years in a row, we have been a winner as one of the top five large companies to work for in Arkansas. At USAble Life, we’re not only committed to making…

COVID-19 and its Impact on Life Insurance

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact individuals, businesses, and the overall economy. The economic and social challenges have been disruptive for most of the world and across most industries, including the life insurance industry. Companies have been challenged to find new ways to conduct business and care for their employees, and individuals…

Carlos Retamoza — Seeing the Value in Learning About Each Other

Carlos Retamoza, membership specialist II, has participated in many organizations focused on diversity and inclusion over the years and is now excited to be a part of USAble Life’s Inclusion Council. He says, "Being part of the Inclusion Council is an opportunity to make all of us more visible to one another — as individuals and as a company —…

Ed Murphy Tapped to Serve on Strategic Advisory Council of Santa Fe Group

Earlier this year, LSV joined the Santa Fe Group, the pre-eminent dental think tank in the U.S. The group has been instrumental in raising awareness and moving the needle on critical issues related to oral health, including oral cancer, dental education, children’s oral health, medical-dental integration, and…

Shane Loftis — Looking to Help Others Find Their Voice

Shane Loftis, director, group and member services, defines diversity and inclusion as "allowing people to be who they are without fear or judgment, celebrating the unique qualities of our differences, and helping people find the power in their voices." If there was one thing he could teach others about diversity and inclusion, he says it would be…

Darlene Cunningham — Looking for Inclusion for All

Darlene Cunningham, actuarial reporting analyst II, has been with USAble Life for nearly eight years, and she’s extremely passionate about the positive impact the company has had on her life. Darlene believes that while stress in a workplace is a given, feeling isolated should never be one of those stressors. Darlene is excited to be a part of…

Vatsana Ferrell — Being Part of a Conversation

Vatsana Ferrell, Customer Care Training Center Specialist, says that if there was one thing in the world she could change, it would be "the mindset of automatic stereotypes where people judge someone before they know them. I would want people to be open-minded and allow themselves the opportunity to meet and learn about a person for who they are,…

Jason Young — Finding Common Ground to Connect

Jason Young, Territory Sales Manager, has been with USAble Life for nearly six years and brings the experience of working with people from wide and diverse backgrounds as well as having grown up in Hawaii. Jason says, "Growing up in Hawaii, I did not feel like a minority, but I realized that things were different when I transferred to Minnesota and…

Phu Huynh — Turning Good to Great

Phu Huynh, program manager, information technology, is passionate about moving teams and organizations forward. Phu enjoys being able to build deep and meaningful relationships while working towards common goals. He does so through humor and seeing each person’s innate strengths. As a member of the inaugural Inclusion Council, he hopes to take…

Life & Specialty Ventures and Cambia Health Solutions announce new strategic collaboration to benefit ancillary and dental customers and members

Little Rock, AR, and Portland, OR - Life & Specialty Ventures and Cambia Health Solutions announce a strategic collaboration designed to improve the medical-dental care and financial wellbeing of the people and families navigating care. Under the deal, pending regulatory approval, Cambia’s LifeMap ancillary insurance business will become part…

Lawrence Jackson — Encouraging Listening to Break Down Barriers

Lawrence Jackson, implementation services manager, has been with USAble life for more than five and a half years and is one of many members of USAble Life’s inaugural Inclusion Council. He says, "Being on the Inclusion Council means I have a tangible way of helping to develop and champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I get to take what…

Nick Tzanev – Celebrating Our Differences

For Nick Tzanev, senior director of information technology operations, information security, and web, diversity and inclusion mean acknowledging and appreciating our differences. He said, "We aren’t all the same." He likens our differences to ingredients in a salad bowl where each ingredient works together. Nick said, "We are each unique and…

Lattice Miller – Hoping to Influence Continued Progress

Lattice Miller, product analyst II, product development, said that if there was one thing she could teach others about diversity and inclusion, it would be, "Challenge your perception of reality and understand that the way you experience life and your interactions are not the same as other people’s experiences." As a member of USAble Life’s…

Dowayne Peterson – Reminding us that Diversity Makes us Unique

Dowayne Peterson, Business Systems Manager, information technology, is passionate about diversity and inclusion. He said, “It’s an absolute honor to be on the inaugural Inclusion Council where we’re making sure that everyone in the company feels included, and we’re continuing to make USAble Life a more diverse and inclusive company." Dowayne feels…

Tiffany Jones – Inspired by Others to be an Agent of Change

Tiffany Jones, business systems analyst II, has been with USAble life for almost 12 years and is humbled to be a part of the inaugural inclusion council. Tiffany said, “Diversity is the beautiful complexities that make us all different from one another. Inclusion is choosing to create a sense of belonging and acceptance and allows for connection…

Christina Trimble, a Positive Change-maker

Diversity is nothing new to Christina Trimble, senior director, marketing & business development – life, disability, and supplemental. She grew up in a bi-racial family and attended a high school with 25 different nationalities and varying socioeconomic classes. It was also where she served as a peer-to-peer conflict mediator primarily focused on…

Stephanie Dvoroznak — A Champion for Equality and Inclusion

For Stephanie Dvoroznak, Dental4Health® program director, being on the inaugural inclusion council means having the opportunity to influence a cause she is passionate about — advocating for the promotion and betterment of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Stephanie says, "People come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. While these attributes may be…

Michael George – Promoting the Acceptance of Diversity

Michael George, business systems analyst II, has been a USAble Life team member for five and half years and is excited to be on the inaugural Inclusion Council, which he sees as a milestone for both himself and the company. Michael believes that the creation of the inclusion council is "part of a fundamental shift and acknowledgment that diversity…

Lauren Gordon – Active Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion

Lauren Gordon, business systems analyst II – system improvement, has been with USAble Life for two years. As a member of the inaugural Inclusion Council, she feels that being part of the council means “using your voice to positively impact the company’s future.” Lauren takes inspiration to promote positive change from Ida B. Wells, a prominent…

Bramwell – Helping to Usher in Positive Change

Lex Bramwell, director of claims, has been a familiar face at USAble Life for two years and is a member of the inaugural inclusion council. And for Lex, being a member of the council means having a unique and important opportunity to usher in change. He said, “I want to play a part in the evolution of this organization.” Lex has a long history of…

Meet Octavia Fuller, USAble Life’s Inclusion Council Co-chair

This past fall Jim Casey announced the launch of our inaugural Inclusion Council. Over the next few months, we will spotlight each council member, introducing you to their reasons why they have a passion for diversity and inclusion. Recently, we spent some time with council co-chair Octavia Fuller and learned why recognizing Black History Month is…

USAble Life Inaugural Inclusion Council is Announced

USAble Life has announced its inaugural Inclusion Council. The council work will focus on advancing an inclusive and welcoming culture. The Inclusion Council Leadership team includes council chair Jim Casey, president and CEO, co-chair, Octavia Fuller, product director, and Special Diversity Advisor to the CEO, Erin Scoggins, director of human…

Giving Back to Local Communities

The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in the loss of more than 20 million jobs. Many who are newly unemployed are at risk of food insecurity (the lack of consistent access to food). With news reports showing long lines and food outages at food banks across the country, we at USAble Life are doing our part to make sure our neighbors have enough to eat.…

USAble Life Donates to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for Tornado

We’re doing our part to help bring much-need relief to those affected by the devastating tornadoes that struck Nashville and other parts of Middle Tennessee on Tuesday, March 3. USAble Life donated to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Emergency Response Fund. The foundation is supporting the impacted communities and nonprofits that are…

Why We are the Best: Virtual Doesn’t Mean Disconnected

Phyllis Gamble – virtual employee “Working as a virtual employee for USAble Life has afforded me the opportunity to be part of a team, work in a position that is both challenging and rewarding, all while maintaining a life-work balance. With the multitude of communication tools in place, I can be part of cross-functional projects and never…

Why We are the Best: USAble Life Employees Supported Through Life Work Balance

When USAble Life employees, Justin and Brittany Smith, welcomed their first child, Oliver, they had the full support of the company and their coworkers. Brittany says, “We were thrilled to be welcoming our new baby boy into the world, so we were thankful for USAble Life’s generous paid time off (PTO) policy that offered us the flexibility we…

Why We are the Best: Jerald Martin is Making a Meaningful Difference

Jerald Martin, senior director, Underwriting says, "USAble Life’s volunteer time off policy allows me to give back to the community. In addition to taking advantage of this policy to volunteer locally, I also support children and families in need in other countries. Currently, I sponsor children in Columbia, Ghana, Haiti, Tanzania, and Togo, and an…

USAble Life Tennessee Sales Team Shows Gratitude to School Superintendents

As an expression of gratitude to our customers, the USAble Life Tennessee sales team hosted Tennessee school superintendents at a Titans National Football League (NFL) game in Nashville, Tenn., on November 24. For both current and prospective customers, this event was an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about USAble Life products in an…

Inside USAble Life Teams

In a new series of articles, Inside USAble Life Teams, we introduce you to some of the key people at the company, shedding light on how their work adds value to our Blue Partner plans. In this issue, we feature veteran product leader, Mike Moroney, who has recently taken on a broader leadership role, and Tom Davenport, who has returned to…

New Websites Deliver Faster, Simpler Online Services

You spoke. We listened. Life & Specialty Ventures (LSV) is pleased to announce improved web services that will be delivered through three new mobile-friendly websites. We’ve redesigned and expanded the functionality of USAbleLife.com for a better customer experience, including: Claims tutorials and forms Simplified…

A Message From Rich Macy, Chief Operating Officer

As we enter another busy fall season, I am heartened by our outlook in the months and years ahead. USAble Life has progressed well on all our planned initiatives, and we are working on some exciting new ones, including (1) a new claims system that consolidates a few independent ones, and (2) moving our Florida group customers off a legacy…

USAble Life Contributes to NICU Care Kits at LIMRA

The 2019 Life Insurance and Market Research Association (LIMRA) Group and Worksite Conference, held Sept. 10 in Newport, RI, opened with a focus on others. Spearheaded by USAble Life’s Mike Moroney, senior director of sales enablement, the first order of business was assembling 1,000 care packages for families with premature or sick children…

USAble Life Customer Care: A Culture of Compassion

It’s 8:00 a.m. on the dot at the USAble Life headquarters in Little Rock. The company’s 17-member Customer Care team is buckled-in and ready to go. Headsets are on, the phones are lit up, and the leadership support team is monitoring activity. There’s no time for small talk for this conscientious team that assists hundreds of people who call USAble…

Q & A: Julie Marshall, Executive Vice President, Partner Management & Development

With USAble Life’s focus on selling ancillary through Blue plans, the company relies on industry veteran Julie Marshall to lead the complex partner management and development function. This accomplished strategic thinker and leader is advancing partner relations and business results further than ever for USAble Life and its partners. Julie…

A Case Study In Medical and Supplemental Claims Integration

This USAble Life customer employs some of the hardest working people in Hawaii ― hundreds of dockworkers who load and unload cargo from the many major national and international commercial ships that port in Oahu and the island of Hawaii. This company is one of the growing number of employers to add supplemental products to their overall benefits…

USAble Life Demonstrates Commitment to Data Security through SOC2 Type 2 Report

Based on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Trust Services Principles and Criteria, the SOC2 Type 2 audit is recognized as the authoritative standard for IT audits. This audit included a comprehensive examination of USAble Life’s practices, policies, and procedures in addition to tests of data security controls. “We are…

New Online Tool for Agent Appointments Coming in 2019

During 2019, the #1 ranked producer compensation software, VUE, will replace our current agent appointment process. Benefits of the new solution include: Online producer onboarding and contracting Automated appointments and renewals Prepopulated forms with agent data from the National Insurance Producer Registry Self-service account…

New Technology, Rule Changes Headline 2019 Underwriting Improvements

You spoke. We listened. In response to your feedback, we’re making some changes to underwriting rules and processes that will speed up things and make us easier to do business with in 2019. One immediate change is the removal of the occupation requirement for most Long Term Disability quotes and renewals for all states except California, District…

Paying It Forward

On any given day, USAble Life employees not only serve more than 1,000 employer groups and 1 million members around the country, but also the homeless, the hungry, and the sick through the company’s extensive volunteer and philanthropic efforts. Collectively, USAble Life employees give approximately 2,000 hours of service — 250 eight-hour days…

The Fabulous ISMs: Meet the Pros Who Ensure Quality for New USAble Life Groups

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best.” This quote by St. Jerome is displayed in the office of Lawrence Jackson, Implementation Service Manager (ISM) for USAble Life. Lawrence is one of a select few who hold the title of ISM, a key new role in place to ensure an ideal onboarding experience for new…

More Evidence Shows Need for Voluntary Life Insurance

More Americans recognize the fundamental value of life insurance, but they don’t have enough of it. LIMRA estimates that 48% of households have an average life insurance coverage gap of $200,000.1 Most households that have life insurance only have limited coverage levels under group plans. Employer-sponsored plans typically provide coverage of one…

Enrollment Tips: Six Things to Think About

During annual enrollment, USAble Life helps more than 2,400 diverse organizations and a half-million employees navigate the enrollment terrain. For some, it can be a bumpy ride. Here are some tips based on our years of experience in every facet of enrollment to help you achieve higher participation and more satisfied employees with minimal…

USAble Life’s James Austin Shares His Personal Journey and the Importance of

When James Austin was 12 years old, his grandfather died unexpectedly at the age of 60. Odell Pennington was the patriarch of the family — the “go-to guy,” said James. “I had never dealt with that kind of loss before. It was my first experience with death.” Decades later, James still remembers the stress and sadness of that time. “I remember all…