Originally formed in 1984 and incorporated as the National Association of Employee Benefits Administrators (NAEBA) in 1990, the NAEBA is a cooperative of Third Party Administrators whose joint marketing efforts were designed to create a national presence for TPAs. Even at that time, TPAs were trying to position themselves to compete successfully against the large insurance carriers. The original messaging and advertising created by the NAEBA helped educate employer groups as to the cost effective, service-oriented alternatives that self-funding and TPA benefits administration services could provide.

Today, the NAEBA has evolved with the industry as the market has come full circle - with a need to re-educate agents and prospective clients as to the value of self-funding, while highlighting new and expanded TPA services and technologies, such as predictive modeling, disease management and wellness programs.

"Pittman & Associates has relied on NAEBA for market research and innovative sales tools since its inception in the mid-80s. NAEBA's capabilities give us the opportunity, on a collaborative and economic basis, to compete with national TPAs and commercial insurance companies. NAEBA's professional staff provides outstanding support services."

Arnold Pittman, CEO
Pittman & Associates
Memphis, TN

With input from a five member board of highly experienced TPA member executives, the Association continues to help TPAs build their brands with impactful, professional materials that provide participants with a strong, competitive base message and a high degree of customization for each member company. It has also created an impressive array of multi-media materials to educate employers and plan participants.

Membership is available exclusively to independent TPAs, and participants have access to the following professional marketing tools - all of which are designed for member customization:

• Quarterly Newsletter in .pdf and print format
• Interactive Video on Self-funding in CD-ROM or Flash format
• Interactive Video on Consumer-Directed Healthcare in CD-ROM or Flash format
• Ads for members to use in local markets
• Trade Show Displays for use in local or regional shows (available on a sign-up basis)

Currently, 26 TPAs subscribe to the NAEBA program and interest is growing thanks to the Association's overlying philosophy - "Building YOUR Brand, Not Our Brand". According to Tom Barcelona, Managing Director of the Association, "New members are particularly impressed with the interactive videos on Self-Funding and CDH. They feel that these tools alone are well worth their membership fees and put them on equal footing with the big carriers."

The organization is managed by Barcelona & Company, an advertising agency based in Palos Heights, IL that has worked with members of the TPA industry for more than 25 years. For additional information on participating in this valuable TPA marketing cooperative, contact Tom Barcelona at 708/448-8077.