News07/26/2007Brunswick Offers Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage OpportunitiesBrunswick Corporation Offers Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage Opportunities Under Dealer Advantage LAKE FOREST, Ill. July 27, 2007 – Brunswick Corporation today unveiled comprehensive healthcare benefits that are now available to marine dealerships that qualify and participate in Brunswick Dealer Advantage. The benefits, aimed at eligible dealership employees and their family members, include medical, dental and vision benefits as well as dental and vision discount cards. “Healthcare coverage and dental and vision benefits are some of the biggest expenses and ‘pain points' for our dealers,” said Dustan E. McCoy, chairman and chief executive officer of Brunswick Corporation. “The opportunity to secure these benefits is another example of how Brunswick Dealer Advantage is working to support our dealers' efforts to attract and retain top talent.” Employees of dealerships achieving the gold and platinum levels in Brunswick Dealer Advantage can have access to two different approaches to health care coverage— a comprehensive healthcare program and dental and vision care discounts. For comprehensive group healthcare benefits, including medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, dealers can participate in the AdvantageCare program. With access to more than 60 PPO networks covering in excess of 90 percent of the U.S., the AdvantageCare program features customizable packages with varying deductibles, co-pays and coverage options so dealers can tailor the coverage and premiums to their business and employee needs. Dealerships with two or more employees can select a plan appropriate to their needs. Dealerships with more than 10 employees can offer up to two different plans from which employees may choose. “Compared to similar benefits and coverage offered by commercial health insurance companies, the average savings through the AdvantageCare program is estimated to be 10-15 percent,” said Dealer Benefit Services Director Rob Schuldt. “Savings will vary based on dealer demographics, location, size, and health risk factors.” The AdvantageCare program is available in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Brunswick is working to gain regulatory approval for the program in Nevada, Texas and Washington. The program will not be available in Hawaii. Enrollment for qualified dealers in the participating states is expected to begin this fall. Eligible dealers are encouraged to begin evaluating their options a minimum of 60 days in advance of the expiration of any current coverage they may have to ensure an orderly transition and continuation of coverage. More information for dealers will be available in August and September and will be posted on www.brunswickdealeradvantage.com. In addition to the healthcare program, Dealer Advantage also features a dental and vision discount program through Vital Savings by Aetna® at a nominal monthly cost. Brunswick has negotiated special rates to make the costs extremely affordable for gold and platinum level dealership employees and their families. “Because this offers straight discounts and is not an insurance program, there are no claim forms to file, no restrictions on pre-existing conditions and no deductibles,” said Schuldt. “You simply present your card to one of the more than 73,000 Aetna dental or other qualifying providers and your discount is instantaneous. Savings vary geographically and by provider, but they range from 15 to 50 percent on services like cleanings, crowns, root canals and orthodontia. That could mean more than a thousand dollars in savings for a family over the course of a single year.” Participants in the program receive discounts on eye exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses and even LASIK eye surgery via Vital Savings by Aetna providers. At no additional cost, participants also receive discounts on chiropractic services, massage therapy, acupuncture therapy, weight management through Jenny Craig® and other services through approved providers. The discount program is immediately available to eligible dealers. “Our dealers have been requesting affordable healthcare coverage with increasing frequency as a method of retaining top talent and stabilizing operating expenses,” said Brunswick Dealer Advantage Director Betsy Lazzara. “We are pleased to be able to deliver to our dealers a choice of solutions which we believe will appeal to the majority of our eligible gold and platinum dealers.” Brunswick Dealer Advantage features three levels of participation – silver, gold and platinum – each based on the amount of the dealership's retail business with Brunswick boats and/or engines. The deeper the partnership with Brunswick, the higher the dealership's level of eligibility and the more benefits they can access through Dealer Advantage. All U.S.-based marine dealerships that are in good standing and carry a Brunswick-owned boat line or Mercury Marine engines are eligible at the baseline silver level. There is no cost to participate, and dealers may opt to participate in all or some of the benefits depending on their unique business needs. Other Dealer Advantage benefits include customized retirement strategies, including 401(k) plans and succession planning; real estate advisory services; discounted rates on office supplies, computers and equipment, credit card processing, Internet advertising, payroll services, Web site design, wireless phone service, small package freight and more. To improve the retail customer experience, dealerships can take advantage of competitive retail financing, extended warranties and insurance offerings in-house. Dealers can learn more about Brunswick Dealer Advantage by visiting its dedicated Web site at www.brunswickdealeradvantage.com or by calling 1-877 GO-ADVTG (462-3884).
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