“Our health insurance costs had become unaffordable. VistaNational’s expertise and negotiating experience reduced our costs to realistic levels. They gave clear options for us to consider and strategies for future planning. And we love their customer service! They help us with individual claims, billing and eligibility issues.”

Renee W., human resource manager, not-for-profit

“Vista listens to my needs, responds quickly and, most of all, someone is always available to help when I call. My previous broker merely sold insurance to me for my employees. Vista services the products they sell and tends to any needs or concerns we have as an employer.”

Steve J., president, auto dealership

“We were searching for an employee benefits provider who placed a high priority on customer service and cost containment. VistaNational met that challenge and continually responds to our evolving needs.”

Sandra M., superintendent, school district

VistaNational has a powerful vision of what the insurance business should be, and of how it should be working on your behalf. We’re able to see the whole market, including what the major carriers are doing for other employers. This helps us ensure that your benefits plans are structured properly and that you get the pricing and service you deserve from carriers. VistaNational also reinvests a portion of our revenue back into serving our clients. This enables us to offer administrative services that help you do more with less. The result? We’re ideally situated to help you and your employees get the most value out of your benefits plans. How does your current broker match up?

Broker Report Card»

Services

Benefits are an important part of an organization’s ability to recruit, retain and satisfy a diverse workforce. But which benefits are right for your unique needs? To answer this key question, Vista works with clients to develop an optimal benefits offering and strategy customized to fit their situation.

In developing the optimal offering and strategy, Vista’s consultants draw on decades of experience working with hundreds of clients to help you consider the dynamics of your industry, what your organization’s financial objectives are, what your corporate culture is, which benefits products and plans are available, and what you must offer employees to attract and retain talent.

A key component of developing an optimal benefits offering is knowing how your current plan compares in terms of offering and cost. To help clients understand how their benefits package compares to peers, industry competitors, and other companies they compete against for talent, Vista offers benchmarking analysis reports.

These reports compare your medical and pharmacy benefit plans to other company’s and help you decide whether or not to change plan designs to remain competitive. Typical benchmarks include overall benefits costs, deductible amounts, individual out-of-pocket amounts, and cost sharing levels.

When it comes to program renewal and marketing, employers need an independent, experienced advocate on their side. Vista works with hundreds of clients, giving us insight into what services and pricing carriers are offering to organizations. In addition, Vista’s consultants have significant experience and leverage with the major carriers, with most Vista employees having worked for the major insurance carriers at one time or another.

Vista uses this insight and experience to provide clients with an independent analysis of what is driving benefits costs as well as recommendations for what can be done about it, whether it is modeling the financial impact of different plan design options or evaluating alternative carriers. Then, Vista aggressively negotiates renewals and, where necessary, markets the plans on our clients’ behalf. This ensures you get the best service and price possible for your benefits offering.

For organizations that self-fund, or are large enough to consider self-funding their benefits plans, Vista provides extensive underwriting and financial analysis and projections to ensure that the plans are structured and funded properly. Our consultants meet with self-funded clients quarterly to monitor the plan’s financial performance and update projections. We also provide analysis of utilization and financial modeling of various plan design options. Vista takes the guesswork out of your self-funded plan.

Human Resource professionals are caught between the increasingly complex task of managing benefits and shrinking budgets and staff. To help take the pressure off, Vista is structured to be an extension of your benefits department. Vista provides each client with a dedicated service team — not a random person in a call center -- that’s there to take some of the pressure off. In fact, one of the things that sets Vista apart is what we call Concierge Service, where clients and their employees call us first — instead of carriers or vendors — to deal with claims, billing and other issues.

A few of the areas in which Vista provides clients with administrative support include:

  • Benefits administration technology resources
  • Best practices for internal benefits procedures and processes
  • Seminars and newsletters on benefits trends and issues
  • Carrier claims and billing issues advocacy
  • COBRA, FMLA, HSA, HRA, and FSA administration


Most employees don’t fully understand or accurately value their benefits. The result is unnecessary calls to HR and unwarranted dissatisfaction with their benefits.

Vista understands the importance of benefits education and communication and is expert in helping clients in this area. Vista’s consultants can help you develop a customized benefits communications plan. To execute that plan, we have the capability to provide in-house benefit brochures and enrollment forms as well as customizable employee benefits web portals.

In addition, Vista has the experience and resources to make sure that open enrollment runs smoothly, from making sure that your carriers execute their responsibilities to helping you staff meetings.

The complexity of complying with employee benefits legislation and regulations has grown dramatically in the three decades since ERISA was passed, and so have the consequences of failing to comply. In fact, in some instances plan fiduciaries face personal liability for non compliance.

Vista’s compliance services include access to an ERISA attorney as a compliance consultant, implementation of compliance best practices, and seminars and ongoing updates on changing laws and regulations. We help you reduce your compliance anxiety.

Wellness programs can help organizations improve productivity and reduce costs by encouraging employees to engage in healthy lifestyles. But not all wellness programs work equally well. VistaNational uses its knowledge, expertise, and experience to help clients develop the right wellness programs for their unique corporate culture and needs. Often, we can structure the programs so that there is little or no cost to the employer. The result is a win-win for you and your employees.

We help clients develop proactive wellness programs that result in happier and healthier employees, fewer claims, and fewer days lost to illness or burnout from job-related stress. It’s a wellness program that everyone can feel good about. more»

Voluntary benefits continue to grow in popularity. The challenge for employers is sifting through the variety of voluntary benefits coverages offered by dozens of carriers. As one of the largest benefits brokers and consultants serving the middle market, Vista has extensive experience with voluntary benefits. Vista is a completely independent resource that helps organizations choose, design and manage the right voluntary benefits offering for their employees.

The best retirement plans are the ones that are well-designed by the employer to meet the unique needs of the company and of its employees. VistaNational works with plan sponsors to do just that. Vista’s 401k and retirement planning programs help employees prepare for the future by integrating employee and company contributions. Eligible employees can contribute a percentage of their salary on a before-tax or after-tax basis through automatic payroll deductions, receive company contributions, and benefit from their company's investment fund options.

Vista will customize a plan for companies with over $2 million in assets or more than 150 employees. For smaller plans, Vista will design a standard or simple 401k plan.

Services

VistaNational offers a wide range of retirement plan services that can be customized to fit your unique needs:
  • Design and/or customization of retirement plans
  • Creation of a diverse and balanced investment program
  • Implementation of technology to streamline plan administration
  • Assistance in creating communication and educational materials to educate employees about the program.

Contact Todd Graham or (630) 468-6500 to have VistaNational create your customized 401k plan. more»


Events & Education

Events

Spring Seminar:

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – COBRA Implications
Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 10:00AM
Location: Oak Brook Office
1415 W 22nd Street, East Tower, Suite 1000
map»


Fall Seminar:

Legal Implications of Employer-Sponsored/Mandated Wellness Initiatives and the Mental Health Parity Act
Thursday, December 03, 2009, 10:00AM
Location: Oak Brook Office
1515 W 22nd Street, West Tower Conference Room
invite»

Education

To download one of our educational articles, please register here then download any article.

Articles Available:

  • Benefits Bulletin April 2009: FAQ on COBRA Premium Reduction, Targeted Rx Education, Employee Morale After Layoffs, New I-9 Form
  • Benefits Bulletin July 2009: COBRA Premium Subsidy, Healthy Workforce Act of 2009, H1N1 Virus and Communicable Disease Policy, New Ways to Save on Benefits Costs
  • Benefits Bulletin January 2010: How Employers Can Control Health Care Costs in 2010, COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended, Core Health Care Reform Concepts
Our Team

Ernesto Aguilar
Ernesto Aguilar Broker/Consultant

Ernie is a Senior Broker/Consultant with VistaNational. Prior to Vista, Ernie was employed for 21 years in the Marketing and Group Sales divisions of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS). His primary responsibilities as a Senior Marketing Executive were to build, price and sell BCBS medical programs throughout the Chicago region. more»

Ernesto Aguilar | Broker/Consultant
Gregory W. Bonner
Gregory W. Bonner Broker/Consultant

Greg is a Senior Broker/Constultant with VistaNational. He has more than 30 years of experience in employee benefits. Greg has extensive expertise in the partially self funded market and his long-term relationships with representatives and underwriters of the major carriers are vital in his efforts to create cost-effective and innovative programs for his clients.

Gregory W. Bonner | Broker/Consultant
Kevin Brooks
Kevin Brooks Major Account Executive

Kevin brings experience on both the brokerage and carrier side to his role as a Senior Account Executive. Kevin has been an account executive at several brokerage firms. Prior to that, he worked in sales/underwriting and service capacities for Unum, MetLife and CNA beginning in 1995.

Kevin Brooks | Major Account Executive
Caleen Dee
Caleen Dee Broker/Consultant

Caleen is a Senior Broker/Consultant with VistaNational. Caleen has worked in the insurance industry for more than 15 years, and has experience in all aspects of health and welfare benefits. Caleen has resided in the Arizona area for decades, giving her extensive knowledge of the marketplace. more»

Caleen Dee | Broker/Consultant
Laura Engelthaler
Laura Engelthaler Account Executive

Laura brings more than 10 years of experience in employee benefits on the brokerage side to her role as an Account Executive.  Prior to joining VistaNational, Laura worked as a senior marketing executive with a national MGA for Assurant.

Laura Engelthaler | Account Executive
Todd Graham
Todd Graham Broker/Consultant

Todd is a Senior Broker/Consultant. Prior to VistaNational, Todd was employed for more than six years in the Marketing and Group Sales divisions of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS).  His primary responsibilities as a senior marketing consultant were to build, price and sell BCBS employee programs throughout the Chicago region. Todd came to BCBS after seven years with Prudential as a Senior Marketing Executive. Todd also worked for Fort Dearborn. In all, Todd has 22 years of sales and consulting experience in the public sector.

Todd Graham | Broker/Consultant
Larry Herman
Larry Herman Business Development Representative

As a business development representative, Larry is a key member of VistaNational’s inside sales and outreach team. Larry has been in the industry since 1998 and has previous experience as a life and health broker for many carriers.

Larry Herman | Business Development Representative
Kahlil Hogan
Kahlil Hogan Principal and Director of Account Management

Kahlil is a Senior Account Executive, Director of Account Management, and a Principal of the firm. In addition to his account management duties, he is responsible for maintaining the high quality of Vista’s benefits practice, including strategic benefits planning, financial analysis, renewal negotiations, and carrier performance. Kahlil worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for seven years before joining VistaNational. more»

Kahlil Hogan | Principal and Director of Account Management
Nisha Iype
Nisha Iype Human Resources and Accounting Manager

Nisha is responsible for Human Resources and Accounting for VistaNational. Prior to joining the firm, Nisha held various positions in higher education and public accounting.

Nisha Iype | Human Resources and Accounting Manager
Aaron Lebovitz
Aaron Lebovitz Marketing Executive

Aaron is a Marketing Executive with VistaNational. A former human resources consultant who is a licensed life and health broker, Aaron brings broad experience and expertise in employee benefits to Vista.

Aaron Lebovitz | Marketing Executive
Lisa Marotta
Lisa Marotta Human Resources and Marketing Assistant

Prior to joining Vista’s Human Resources and Accounting Department, Lisa worked for an advertising agency. She also has several years experience as a dental assistant.

Lisa Marotta | Human Resources and Marketing Assistant
Joe Martorelli
Joe Martorelli Business Development Representative

Joe brings decades of experience to his duties in inside sales and outreach. While with a manufacturing company for more than 25 years, he held positions as manager of inside sales and customer service, vice president of personnel and labor relations, vice president of sales and marketing, and division president. Joe also holds licenses in Life, Accident, Health, Series 6, 63, 65 and 7.

Joe Martorelli | Business Development Representative
Dennis McSweeney
Dennis McSweeney Vice President of Business Development

Dennis leads Vista’s Business Development Department. Dennis has extensive experience in all areas of business development. Prior to joining Vista, he was a top sales producer at one of the nation’s largest employee benefits consulting and brokerage firms. Before that, he was a consultant, specializing in corporate branding and marketing for organizations in a variety of industries.

Dennis McSweeney | Vice President of Business Development
Richard Mathews
Richard Mathews Senior Principal

Rich is a Senior Broker/Consultant and a Senior Principal of the firm. Prior to VistaNational, Rich was employed for nearly 10 years in the Marketing and Group Sales division of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS).  His responsibilities as a senior marketing executive were to build, price and sell BCBS medical programs throughout the Chicago area. In all, he has 25 years of sales and consulting on public sector and public education accounts.

Richard Mathews | Senior Principal
Alicia Mellish
Alicia Mellish Account Executive

As an Account Executive, Alicia is responsible for marketing to carriers and assisting clients with the day-to-day service and administrative issues associated with managing benefits plans. Before joining VistaNational, Alicia worked for four years in the insurance industry as an account specialist on the brokerage side. Prior to that, she was a program director for a marketing firm.

Alicia Mellish | Account Executive
Fran Michal
Fran Michal Client Services Specialist

Fran is a Client Service Specialist and Director of Client Advocacy for VistaNational. She manages the analysis and resolution of carrier issues such as eligibility, claims and billing for Vista clients. Fran came to VistaNational with 22 years of experience in health insurance.  She worked for 13 years at Brookfield, a third party administrator owned by Aon Corporation. During that time, she held various positions including assistant supervisor in the claims department, supervisor of client services, billing supervisor, and claims auditor/trainer. Prior to joining Vista, Fran was manager of provider relations at the Preferred Plan Inc. PPO.  more»

Fran Michal | Client Services Specialist
Krissy Novak
Krissy Novak Administration

Krissy provides administrative support to VistaNational. She is a recent graduate of DeVry University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Krissy Novak | Administration
William Novak
William Novak Principal and Managing Director

Bill is a Senior Broker/Consultant, Managing Director, and a Principal of the firm. Prior to accepting an equity position with VistaNational in 1997, Bill was employed for approximately 11 years in the Marketing and Group Sales divisions of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS).  His responsibilities as senior marketing executive were to build, price, and implement group medical programs throughout the Chicago area. He is knowledgeable about the many internal aspects of underwriting employee benefit programs, as well as the related pricing applications used by all carriers and third-party administrators.

William Novak | Principal and Managing Director
Bridgette O’Rourke
Bridgette O’Rourke Account Manager

Bridgette is an Account Manager for Vista. Before joining the firm, she attended Purdue University.

Bridgette O’Rourke | Account Manager
Louisa Sassi
Louisa Sassi Senior Account Manager

Louisa is a Senior Account Manager. Louisa worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) for seven years prior to joining VistaNational.

Louisa Sassi | Senior Account Manager
David N. Schwimmer
David N. Schwimmer President & CEO

David is the founder of VistaNational Insurance Group, and serves as a Senior Broker/Consultant, Principal, and President and CEO of the Firm. He personally manages the underwriting and rate negotiating for many of VistaNational’s groups.

Prior to founding VistaNational, David spent 10 years with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS) as a senior marketing representative. His training and experience with BCBS gives him extensive knowledge of the products and underwriting practices of insurance carriers. After leaving his position as a carrier executive, David ventured into a partnership with a brokerage firm for 10 years. He founded VistaNational in November 1996. In all, he has more than three decades of carrier and consulting experience.

David N. Schwimmer | President & CEO
Kim Tabler
Kim Tabler Supervisor of Account Services

Kim brings more than 13 years of experience in group health insurance and employee benefits to her role as an Account Manager and Supervisor of Account Services. Prior to Vista, Kim was a senior account manager with a benefits consulting firm in Richmond, Virginia. Before that, she was an Underwriter with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for five years, where she analyzed claims data.

Kim Tabler | Supervisor of Account Services
Karen Tate
Karen Tate Account Manager

Karen is an Account Manager for VistaNational. Her extensive industry experience includes working for Blue Cross Blue Shield Associations for 10 years, Humana, Inc. for 11 years and Cosmos Services (America), Inc. for almost five years.

Karen Tate | Account Manager
Brandi Thompson
Brandi Thompson Senior Account Executive

Brandi brings extensive experience on both the carrier and brokerage sides to her position as a Senior Account Executive. Prior to VistaNational, Brandi was with The Jacobson Group as a project operations manager, and with Unicare for seven years as a supervisor of claims and customer service for all Illinois small group business.

Brandi Thompson | Senior Account Executive
Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson Account Specialist

Jack is an account specialist/field executive for Vista. He previously worked at a large regional insurance brokerage in Chicago.

Jack Thompson | Account Specialist
Brian Walsh
Brian Walsh Principal and Managing Director

Brian is a Senior Broker/Consultant, Managing Director, and one of the Principals of the firm. Prior to VistaNational, Brian spent 10 years in the Marketing and Group Sales division of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS).  His responsibilities as a Senior Marketing Executive were to build, price and sell BCBS medical programs throughout the Chicago area. Brian is intimately familiar with the many internal aspects of underwriting employee benefit programs, as well as the related pricing applications used by all carriers and third-party administrators.

Brian Walsh | Principal and Managing Director