About Us
Since 1987 you may have known us as AIA, or American Insurance Administrators, or as one of our three core divisions: AIA Property & Casualty (P&C), Benefits Resource Group (BRG), or as Benefits Broker Solutions (BBS). You may have heard something about us becoming part of Alera Group in 2017. But we are all one company, and now we are aligning our name, our brand, our new look, and our new website to reflect that strong one-company story.
Work With Us
We are passionate about collaboration and growth. Enjoy working in a highly collaborative culture? Looking for an exciting environment that is constantly growing and improving? If you care about providing outstanding client service while serving local communities, then we may be looking for you.
Meet Our Team
Jo Cifarelli
Health Care and Benefits Consultant
Jo is a Consultant in the Employee Benefits division. She specializes in health benefit design and strategy for mid-market and large employer groups. Jo believes employee engagement and education in employee health benefits is key to helping employers contain costs.
With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Jo is well-equipped to evaluate, develop, and implement strategies designed to engage employees and control health care costs. She is a known advocate for her clients.
She attended Harrisburg Area Community College and holds a Resident Producer License in Accident and Health, Life and Fixed Annuities.
Lori Cook
Plan Administrator, Employee Benefits
Lori Cook joined our team in July 2013 as a Plan Administrator. She brought nearly 25 years of healthcare claims experience. Lori processes MERP™, FSA, HSA, and Debit Card Claims, assists customers with account questions, processes weekly reimbursements, and assists with Plan Renewals. Her priorities are to provide excellent customer service with a focus on accuracy and problem-solving. Lori enjoys spending time with friends and family and is also an animal lover.
Chris Cox
Senior SBU Account Manager, Property & Casualty
Chris is a Senior Small Business Account Manager, responsible for assisting the Producers and servicing Small Business Clients in the Property & Casualty division. Chris is reliable and consistent, delivering high-quality service to her customers. She listens, identifies, and responds quickly and effectively to her customers’ needs.
Chris has spent her entire professional career of 40+ years in the property & casualty insurance industry. She first started working for several large insurance carriers such as INA, CIGNA, Aetna, and Travelers in various capacities before coming to the Alera Group, Harrisburg office in 1998.
Chris is a licensed Property and Casualty Agent in Pennsylvania and has her Certified Insurance Service Representative designation.
Angel Crum
Appointment and Billing Coordinator
Angel serves as an Appointment and Billing Specialist assisting Mandy Yerkey and Diane Bendyl with appointments and commissions among other duties. She previously spent the last 27 years working as a medical assistant and became a manager in 2012.
Angel has been married to her husband Austin for 12 years and has two adult children Katie and Kamron. She enjoys spending time with my family and friends and loves warm weather.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Property and Casualty
2025 Property and Casualty Market Outlook
Join our property and casualty experts for an exclusive look at the trends and challenges shaping the insurance landscape in 2025.
January 15, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Setting Your Strategy for the New Year: Alera Group's 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook
Our experts will highlight key results from Alera Group’s "2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook" and explain how these trends can impact your benefits program this year.
January 16, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
The Value of Voluntary Benefits
In this session, our experts will showcase the value of voluntary benefits, from financial savings to improved retention to addressing the specific needs of their employees.
March 20, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
State of the Market for Employee Benefits in 2025
What are the needs and priorities of those in the workforce and the employment market? What are rival businesses offering to attract and retain the best the market has to offer? And what shifts are taking place in the market that employers should anticipate and prepare for? Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook, scheduled for release on January 16, provides answers to those essential questions.
December 19, 2024
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Property and Casualty
It’s Here! — Alera Group’s Fifth Annual 'Property and Casualty Market Outlook'
Alera Group's "2025 Property and Casualty Market Outlook" is your guide to making informed decisions regarding your business and personal insurance coverage.
December 12, 2024
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Employee Benefits
Don’t Forget About Your Gag Clause Attestations
When the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was enacted on December 27, 2020, it included a provision that prohibits group health plans and health insurance carriers from entering into certain agreements that, either directly or indirectly, restrict the release of certain information related to provider networks and de-identified encounter data, among other things. Such restrictions are commonly referred to as “gag clauses.” The CAA also requires plans and carriers to attest annually that their agreements do not include such impermissible gag clauses.
November 20, 2024
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Avoiding an Employee Lawsuit Over a Tobacco Surcharge Claim
Tobacco surcharges on health insurance premiums for employees who use tobacco products are attractive options for employers looking to keep their workforce healthy while lowering their organization’s healthcare costs. But surcharges can go too far, and many employers may be unaware of the limitations. Alera Group's new whitepaper on tobacco surcharges is designed to assist employers in complying with federal regulations.
November 19, 2024
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