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Health and BenefitsBusiness Enterprise • Compensation • Retirement • Actuarial Consulting Services

Specialized service offerings through the application of our expertise and proprietary tools.

Health and Benefits Cowden’s goal as an advisor is to be an extension of the team that manages a company’s health & benefits plan. Our consultative process utilizes a multi-phase, strategic approach to assist clients in developing a comprehensive approach in managing their health & benefits program. Our broad scope of expertise includes: medical and prescription drug, retiree medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits.

n Benefit Plan Management At Cowden, we believe that having a multi-year strategic approach is paramount in successfully managing and maintaining a company’s health & benefits plan. Our approach consists of short and long term strategy development, financial and risk analysis, and cost containment strategies.

Strategy DevelopmentOur staff of health and benefits professionals will work with clients to develop a comprehensive strategy that meets the objectives of their diverse business needs. We focus on the market and industry competitiveness of the current plan design and costs, plan cost drivers, and funding arrangements. Based on this analysis we will develop both short and long term strategic objectives that align with the company’s overall benefits and business objectives.

About UsCowden Associates, Inc. (Cowden) is a

consulting and actuarial firm. We have

a dedicated team of professionals

with extensive experience in

compensation, health and benefits,

retirement programs, and employee

communications. Using a total

compensation based approach,

Cowden provides a full range of

consulting services, helping clients

establish and maintain high quality

compensation and benefits programs,

as well as aligning organizations’

business strategies and objectives.

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Financial Analysis and Cost Containment StrategiesCowden will assist organizations in the total financial management of their health & benefits plans. We will analyze claim and utilization information on an ongoing

basis to assess and predict plan performance compared to the established plan budget. Our ongoing analysis will focus on the appropriateness and impact of implementing various cost containment and utilization management strategies coupled with recommended plan design modifications.This proactive approach assures that there are no surprises at the annual renewal and allows ample time for adjustments to be reviewed and considered prior to implementation.

n Renewal ManagementCowden takes a proactive approach to the renewal process by completing a pre-renewal projection and addressing any plan changes that may be appropriate. Our process focuses on potential cost containment strategies and innovative approaches including disease and utilization management, plan design modification, funding, and contribution strategies. Within this process we utilize a variety benchmarking surveys and resources, to assist in assessing the market-competitiveness of a Company’s plan offerings. Our process provides employers with the knowledge of how their plan compares to that of their peer-based industry, geographic region, and demographic make-up. The data provides the basis for justifiable plan and cost change recommendations.Upon receipt of the vendor renewal, we review the calculations for accuracy and conduct vendor negotiations on our client’s behalf. We assist in the establishment of the budget and COBRA rates, as well as the design of the contribution strategy as necessary.

n Vendor Management As part of Cowden’s consulting services, we provide ongoing vendor management for all benefit plans. We act as an extension of the client’s human resources and benefits administration team and as a liaison between the client and vendors when contentious issues arise. We also keep clients up to date regarding changes within vendor products and services and assist in the evaluation of potentially implementing new programs and offerings.

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n Communication Assistance Assisting employees in understanding the benefits being offered to them is key to ensuring their satisfaction and overall program success. Be it on paper or online, our professionals can assist with developing a communication program that begins at open enrollment and continues throughout the plan year to guarantee that a consistent, comprehensive message is being provided to employees.

n Compliance Assistance Cowden works closely with clients to provide assistance in understanding the complexities of the compliance requirements related to health & benefit plans. We focus on a myriad of topics such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ERISA, COBRA and HIPAA, as well as state based legislative changes that may impact your plan.As part of our services, we can provide our clients with required model notices, prepare and review Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs), Welfare Form 5500 Filings and Summary Annual Reports, and assist in meeting the ACA employer reporting requirements.

n Wellness ConsultingCowden believes that having a happy and healthy workforce is integral to the success of our client’s business. However, the changing rules and regulations that apply to the offering of a wellness program can be complex

and confusing. Cowden works with our clients to eliminate the confusion and to develop a program that is both comprehensive and compliant. We assist in developing a long-term wellness program based on culture, budget, utilization patterns, and desired outcomes.

I N T E G R I T Y E X P E R T I S E R E S U L T S E M P L O Y E E S C O M M U N I T Y

Four Gateway Center • 444 Liberty Avenue, Suite 605 • Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1222 • (412) 394-9330 • Toll Free (888) 889-9432w www.cowdenassociates.com | t ElliotDofCowden | l company/917086 | f /cowdenassociates

Our Vision And Mission...To be a lifelong, trusted compensation, benefits and retirement advisor to our clients earning their loyalty through listening, anticipating their needs and creating value by utilizing our expertise, responsiveness, innovation and exemplary service.

We advance the objectives of our clients by focusing our integrity and expertise to achieve superior results.

ServicesActuarial & Retirement » Defined Benefit Corporate, Government,

Non-Profit, Taft-Hartley Plans » Defined Contribution (40l(k), 403(b) and

457 Plans) » Post-Retirement (OPEB/GASB) » Nonqualified Benefits » International » Due Diligence Request for Proposals

Compensation » Base Compensation Analysis » Total Compensation Development and

Implementation » Incentive Compensation Planning and

Design » Compensation Committee and Board

Services » Executive Special Arrangements

Employee Communications » Employee Communications and

Education » Compliance Related Communications

Technology & Data Integration » Analyzing Needs and Selecting

Appropriate Technology » Integrating Data to Achieve Maximum

Results

Business Enterprise » Enterprise Risk Management » Labor Management » Merger & Acquisition Due Diligence » Reduction-in-force » Retiree Medical/Life Analysis