The S.C. Budget and Control Board’s Employee Insurance Program has named Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company as the chosen provider for state employee benefits enrollments. That means employees of state agencies will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a trained, licensed sales representative to sign up for major medical and other “core” benefits. Employees also will be able to supplement their benefits package with a universal life insurance option. The new electronic enrollment process is being phased in beginning in October for selected state agencies as well as other public sector entities that choose to participate in the state’s Employee Insurance Program, and is available at no direct cost to the state or participating entities.

Colonial has provided voluntary insurance products to state employees for nearly 40 years, but this will be the first time the South Carolina-based insurer has been involved in enrolling them in their core benefits. The company was selected through a competitive bid process based on its industry-leading abilities to conduct core electronic benefits communication and enrollment using laptop technology.

“We know from our experience in working with other state governments and public sector entities that Colonial’s expertise in benefits communication and enrollment can enhance employee benefit programs at a time when government resources are very tight,” said Julian Emerson, Colonial’s vice president for marketing and field development. “Colonial can give employees individual attention so they will better understand their benefits and be able to take maximum advantage of them. With our electronic enrollment technology, we can also help human resources staffs eliminate a lot of manual paperwork and, ultimately, expenses.”

When fully implemented, Colonial will conduct the enrollments electronically using laptop computers, sending the information back electronically to each selected agency’s human resources office to show the employees’ benefits elections and, where needed, to load their payroll automatically. As part of its service, Colonial will offer each agency a tailored communication plan with customized materials for its employees. Sales representatives will be available at flexible times to meet the needs of all employees regardless of work schedules.

“Colonial has a long-standing quality reputation for providing benefits and communication capabilities for public sector employees, and now we can fully demonstrate that expertise in our home state,” said Emerson. “State employees are our neighbors, our friends and our family members, so we appreciate being able to serve them in this way.”

The contract could eventually involve approximately 50,000 state employees and another 120,000 employees of other public sector entities. The numbers served swell to 380,000 when adding in spouses and dependents eligible for coverage.

Colonial Supplemental Insurance is the marketing brand of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. Colonial is a market leader in benefits communication, enrollment and customer service while providing supplemental insurance to employees and their families at the worksite. A subsidiary of UnumProvident Corporation, Colonial is based in Columbia, S.C. and operates in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Colonial underwrites a broad line of insurance coverages, including accident, hospital confinement indemnity, disability, life, cancer and critical illness insurance policies. Similar products, if approved, are underwritten in New York by a Colonial affiliate, The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company. “Colonial Supplemental Insurance” and “for what happens next” are registered service marks of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. The logo, separately and in combination with “Colonial Supplemental Insurance,” is a service mark of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

For more information about Colonial’s products and services or opportunities with the company, call (803) 798-7000 or visit www.coloniallife.com.