(Monday, April 05, 2010) -

The American Hospital Association Expands Its Boston Mutual Endorsement to Include
Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance and Accident Insurance

Chicago (April 6) — The American Hospital Association is proud to announce two new endorsed products from Boston Mutual—Voluntary Critical Illness and Accident Insurance in addition to the currently-endorsed Worksite Voluntary Interest Sensitive Whole Life and Disability Insurance products. AHA Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of AHA, awards the AHA endorsement to organizations that help member hospitals and health care organizations achieve operational excellence.

AHA has endorsed Boston Mutual’s Interest Sensitive Whole Life and Disability Income products since 2001.  The superiority of Boston Mutual’s product portfolio and the high level of service that it has over the years provided to hospital organizations resulted in AHA’s decision to expand the exclusive AHA endorsement to include Boston Mutual’s Voluntary Critical Illness and Accident Insurance.

Boston Mutual’s Critical Illness program pays benefits to insureds for the occurrence of a variety of the most common catastrophic illnesses, including but not limited to cancer, heart attacks and strokes. One of its most attractive features allows for the provision of additional benefits for either a reoccurrence of a given condition or onset of a different covered illness. Benefits are paid in addition to any provided through health insurance.

The Boston Mutual Accident plan was developed to protect employees from the inevitably of accidents and the out of pocket costs they create.  Benefits are paid for a variety of conditions such as broken bones, burns, lacerations, Emergency Room visits and accident related hospitalizations. These payments are likewise available in addition to any health insurance benefits the insured may receive.

The American Hospital Association Board of Trustees and its 2009 Long-Range Policy Committee report, “Workforce 2015: Strategy Trumps Shortage,” found that demographic trends will drive a drastic change in the workforce with a decreasing pool of skilled employees and that hospitals will need new strategies to attract, engage, and retain these workers. Retention recommendations include working with employees to identify attractive options regarding roles, schedules, and benefits for continuing to work full or part time.

“Hospitals today are facing increasing challenges in addressing the insurance needs of their employees,” said AHA Solutions President and CEO Anthony Burke. “Higher deductibles and co-pays are becoming more common and the additional benefits provided by Boston Mutual help hospitals offer options for what some insurance plans don’t cover.”

Eighty-six percent of employers believe more health care costs will shift to their employees in five years* and this changing health care insurance environment means employers and employees are looking for increased options. Boston Mutual’s Voluntary Critical Illness and Accident Insurance provide solutions to augment traditional benefit plans for both employers and their employees. Boston Mutual is one of the last of the boutique specialist worksite carriers and provides a nimbleness that allows for closer attention and support to their customers.

“Very few insurance carriers have the experience Boston Mutual Life brings to the workplace. With over 30 years of specialization in voluntary worksite products, we've developed a wealth of expertise in working with talented insurance professionals and employers. This expertise has allowed us to become a recognized leader in the worksite industry. Our efforts embrace the full spectrum of employer groups, both in terms of size and industry and we have vast experience in the health care/hospital arena,” said Peter Tillson, Vice President, Boston Mutual. “We are honored to receive this expanded exclusive endorsement and to be associated with the American Hospital Association.”  

About the AHA
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of healthcare provider organizations and individuals committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes nearly 5,000 hospitals and healthcare systems, networks, and other providers of care, and 37,000 individuals. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for healthcare leaders and is a source of information on healthcare issues and trends. For more information, visit www.aha.org.

About AHA Solutions
AHA Solutions, Inc. is a resource to hospitals pursuing operational excellence. As an American Hospital Association (AHA) member service, AHA Solutions collaborates with hospital leaders and market consultants to conduct product due diligence and identify solutions to hospital challenges in the areas of finance, human resources, patient flow and technology. AHA Solutions provides related marketplace analytics and education to support product decision-making. As a subsidiary of the AHA, the organization convenes people with like interests for knowledge sharing centered on timely information and research. AHA Solutions is proud to reinvest its profits in the AHA mission: creating healthier communities. For more information, contact AHA Solutions at
(800) 242-4677 or visit www.aha-solutions.org.

About Boston Mutual
Founded in 1891, Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company has a proud history of solid financial performance and is dedicated to maintaining high quality products by providing innovative benefits specially designed to meet our clients' cost objectives and their employees' needs. Boston Mutual has a strong commitment to service. Its insurance products are supported by an exceptional team of sales and services representatives.  For more information visit our website, www.bostonmutual.com.

*Source: 2008 UBA Employer Opinion Survey