About Us
Since 1999, SIG, an employee benefits firm, has been dedicated to partnering with our clients and providing exceptional customer service. The inspirational basis for our operating business principles is: “If you take care of Baltimore, Baltimore will take care of you.” This philosophy has instilled itself in our culture and practice of all employees. SIG has years of industry experience, which has given us an edge over the competition in the vast wealth of knowledge and resources we have gathered. Our employees are passionate about helping and forming long-lasting relationships with others, and when you partner with us, we become a true extension of your company.
In 2017, SIG and 23 other like- minded, entrepreneurial firms came together to form Alera Group. Since then, Alera Group has grown to become the 11th largest independent insurance and financial services firm in the nation with over 4,000 employees, 180 firms, and thousands of clients across the country.
In 2023, we officially began embracing the Alera Group brand. What remains consistent is holding our clients at the core of our business; we focus on bringing personalized solutions, expanding our capabilities, and deepening our resources nationally.
Mission
We go the extra mile to help navigate the healthcare system and marketplace for our clients in order to advise them on the creation of comprehensive benefits plans that align with their core values to maximize their investment while controlling their costs. Our team-oriented approach allows us to become an extension of our clients’ HR departments. Through our vast knowledge and resource base, we keep our clients educated and well informed with the ever-changing healthcare regulations and marketplace.
Core Values
In order to create the organizational culture we desire, we embrace and embody the following core values:
- Partnership
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Passion
- Collaboration
- Excellence
Meet Our Team
People you can count on. People you can trust.
Stacy H. Barrow, ESQ.
Compliance
Stacy Barrow is a Partner at Marathas Barrow Weatherhead Lent LLP. Stacy is one of the nation’s leading experts on the Affordable Care Act. He uses a practical, business-focused approach to counsel his clients on all matters related to employee benefit plans. Stacy has extensive technical knowledge and experience designing and implementing health and welfare plans that meet the numerous and intricate requirements of applicable federal and state law. It is fair to say that few, if any, advisors have more practical and hands on experience assisting clients with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
Stacy has worked—and continues to work with—hundreds of clients nationally on all aspects of Affordable Care Act compliance. National providers of reporting and tracking tools seek out Stacy’s assistance to ensure that their products comply with the Affordable Care Act. Stacy is a sought after speaker on all aspects of the Affordable Care Act and employee benefit programs in general. He has published numerous articles and has been widely quoted on issues arising under the Affordable Care Act. He is widely recognized by clients, opposing counsel and national law firm ranking organizations as among the best in the field.
Caitlin Beale
Benefits Technology Analyst
Caitlin joined the firm in 2015 and is a Benefits Technology Analyst. She provides ongoing support on many levels as it pertains to client service and administration for our small and large, multisite groups. Caitlin offers a strong understanding of the Employee Navigator system. She works on Employee Navigator projects including client demos and site building. She also supports the account teams by regularly conducting renewal audits, as well as rate audits. Cait earned her Life and Health license in 2017.
Annie Block
Senior Benefits Consultant
Annie is responsible for providing analytic expertise using data science methods to identify actionable insights that help business leaders reduce health costs and improve outcomes. Annie creates, analyzes and manages reports using various methods to measure and evaluate current and future benefit design initiatives, client-specific plan performance, and population health management strategies.
Annie Block has almost two decades of experience in the Health Benefits field. She has worked with SIG providing strategic consultation with a focus on HR metrics and data analytics. She participates in the National Data Analytics Peer Group for the Benefit Advisors Network and annually updates their benchmarking reporting. Annie managed the benefits and workers compensation of a large Cleveland company, was a large group underwriter for Kaiser Permanente and has additional consulting experience specific to unions and national organizations.
Annie holds her Group Benefits Associate certification through IFEBP, she is a Certified PPACA Professional and has her Ohio Life, Accident & Health license.
Annie has a Bachelor of Psychology degree from Case Western University and a Master of Business Administration from Bowling Green State University.
Peter Chesner
Vice President
Organizations on the forefront of their industry, those that are creative, dynamic, successful and enduring all share some DNA within their cultural genome - They hold their employees in high regard. A truth these companies bear along with most every other employer is that their second largest business expense after payroll is the cost to provide an employee benefit package to their workforce. When you consider the expense to administer and communicate that benefit package it imposes even more pressure on profits.
For 30 plus years I have partnered with my clients to help them manage this portion of their human capital investment. Successful companies view this as an investment, however, it doesn’t change the requisite that it must be nurtured. New ideas need to be tested on a continuous basis. Last year’s decisions need to be measured against this year’s opportunities.
Test, improve, implement, repeat.
All organizations make a widget in some way, shape or form. For some, that is what they are in business to do. For others, it is simply a means to create the best employee experience on the planet. I thrive working with employers across this spectrum. I grow with those that are continuously testing the limits and then I supply that knowledge and creativity to those who need it the most.
Community Service
Paying it Forward is a core component at our firm. Our culture thrives on community involvement where we proudly support our clients, employees and the communities in which we live and work.
We empower our employees to “pay it forward” by fostering a sense of purpose and providing opportunities for impact in our community. One way we do this is by supporting causes and initiatives proposed by our team and providing opportunities to serve the
We empower our employees to “pay it forward” by fostering a sense of purpose and providing opportunities for impact in our community. One way we do this is by supporting causes and initiatives proposed by our team and providing opportunities to serve the wider world. We believe having a culture that encourages serving and giving is a significant contributor to life and career fulfillment, which enhances our overall wellbeing. With the help from our Culture Committee, we have the opportunity to serve our community together with multiple planned events each year.
We strive to creating lasting relationships with our clients. We are proud to support our clients and friends of the firm in their mission and their organizations that help create meaningful, lasting change in our community. Interested in us serving your
We strive to creating lasting relationships with our clients. We are proud to support our clients and friends of the firm in their mission and their organizations that help create meaningful, lasting change in our community.
Interested in us serving your non-profit or organization? Reach out and let us know! Email us here
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Meeting the Needs of an Aging Workforce
Our experts will provide tips and insights about how to incorporate Medicare, menopause benefits, retirement, communications best practices and other hot topics for older workers into your program successfully and without breaking the bank.
October 17, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
When Captive Insurance Makes Sense
In this session, our experts will talk about how captives work, the advantages and disadvantages and what you need to know to determine whether they make sense for your organization.
November 21, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Q4 Compliance Update
Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.
December 3, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Preparing for 2025: Creditable Coverage, Enrolling in Medicare and HSA Contributions
With significant changes coming in 2025 to creditable coverage determinations, employers and employees may have questions on what that means for them, whether they make the decision to enroll in Medicare Part D or continue to have coverage under their group health plan.
September 5, 2024
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Employee Benefits
Webinar: Better Benefits Administration and Lower Costs
If you don’t have expert assistance to guide you and your organization in the in using a sophisticated benefits portal, you’re wasting a lot of the money your business has invested — and probably frustrating the employees you mean to serve. Working with a brokerage that offers not only a leading-edge benefits portal but also year-round support and services enables your employees to seamlessly access, understand and navigate the portal, creating a positive benefits experience.
September 5, 2024
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Medicare Part D Creditability Determinations for Non-Calendar Year Plans
In 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) added a voluntary prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program. The benefit, known as Medicare Part D or “Part D,” is an optional program for Medicare beneficiaries to access covered prescription drugs at a lower cost. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed and set into motion changes to Part D benefits, with additional impact on employers in 2024 and 2025.
September 5, 2024
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Workers’ Compensation: Stable market with emerging challenges from mental health claims
Despite pressure from medical inflation, increases in fee schedules on medical procedures and wage inflation affecting premiums and benefits, Workers’ Compensation remains a stable and profitable line for insurers. This stability allows buyers favorable conditions, such as ample capacity and stable rates. However, a new trend is emerging: the inclusion of mental health claims as compensable workers’ compensation.
August 28, 2024
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