Our Process

Steele uses a consistent, repeatable service process that helps us meet our client expectations time after time. It’s a phased process that includes the following cycle.

01 • Assessment Phase

The Assessment Phase is where the team here at Steele demonstrates our services and works with your business to identify potential barriers that would obstruct an otherwise seamless integration with our systems. In this first step, we determine if the Steele solution is the right solution for you.

02 • Kickoff Phase

During the Kickoff Phase you’ll be assigned an Account Manager. Your Account Manager will quarterback your experience with Steele before, during, and after your implementation. The Kickoff Phase is about planning your experience with Steele through your next insurance renewal. Typically, we start your Kickoff at least six to twelve weeks before your enrollment, and around three to four months before your next renewal data. The Kickoff Phase includes data collection from the employer, and from your carriers.

03 • Workbook Phase

While the Kickoff Phase includes data collection, the Workbook Phase is focused on data organization. It is during the Workbook Phase that we organize the eligibility and plan rules, evaluate the data we’re getting from carriers, the data we’re getting from the employer. Steele does not proceed to the Build Phase until all parties are on the same page about the work happening over the next couple months. The Workbook Phase wraps up when Steele Account Management meets with Steele Technology, and there is an internal consensus that everything needed for a successful enrollment has been collected and organized.

04 • Build Phase

The Build Phase is where Steele brings your technology to life. If you’re an existing client of Steele, we’re updating for renewal changes. If you’re a new client, we’re building your technology from the ground up. Steele is focused on making sure that employees have a simple and easy enrollment experience, and we’re bringing to life the plan that has been outlined in the Workbook Phase.

05 • Testing Phase

The next time we build perfect materials without any feedback – it might just be the first time. That’s why testing is so important. An employer with six job classes – let’s call them Executive, Salaried, Hourly Full Time, Hourly Part Time, and Detroit Union – is going to have 20 different sets of rates just for medical, dental, and vision. Not to mention what they’re supposed to see on basic life, voluntary life, disability, critical illness, etc. There are hundreds of items that need checked before every launch. The testing phase is all about finding opportunities to enhance the site, and making changes before enrollment launches. Notably, pre-communication should be happening during the testing phase. Here’s when you send your texts, videos, fact sheets, e-mails, etc. that say “open enrollment is coming soon!”

06 • Enrollment Phase

You’ve built your plan, data has been collected and organized, a site has been built, pre-communication has went out, and the site has been tested. Open enrollment has arrived. Send more communication – texts, e-mails, meetings, etc. There is no such thing as too much communication during open enrollment. Employees are enrolling in one of five ways – they’re enrolling on-site 1×1, by the call center, self enrolling on a computer, on a tablet, or on a cell phone. As the open enrollment nears a close, the employer can send e-mails and texts reminding employees to enroll. Generally, employers that value active enrollment see over 90% of their employees go through open enrollment.

07 • Reporting Phase

Enrollment is over. Whew, that was a whirlwind! The work isn’t over yet. The good news is the enrollment data is now well organized. Employees are satisfied with your simple and easy enrollment processes. But, the enrollment data needs to get out of Steele and to you for payroll. And get to your carriers, so your diabetics can get their insulin on January 1. Steele is here to help, and does much of the work for you. We have a very high success rate working with your carriers to get eligibility loaded, and working with employers to provide deductions in a format where the employer can import it.

08 • Service Phase

The Service Phase is a favorite at Steele. We’ve launched services with a certain setup, but now we’ve been through an enrollment. First, there’s training. We help the employer understand how new hires are added, how life events get processed, and how terminations get processed. Also, how are deductions getting updated. What recurring reporting does the employer need? Additionally, where is there improvement opportunities. Maybe it’s site aesthetics, or maybe it’s adding decision support. This is also a great time to add the Communications Module if you haven’t already. How about an employee survey, and some drip campaigns through the year sharing details of your benefit plans? What happens about 8 months into the service phase? Another Kickoff!

"Steele takes customer service seriously. I love that they work with us to meet the real day-to-day needs of our business!"

Cheri Cole, Benefits/Payroll Administrator, Hancock County Government

"Steele Benefits has awesome customer service! They will work with you on a solution to help with all of your benefit services. I would recommend them for any size company that needs help with administering and managing benefits."

Daree Fry, HR Benefits, Morgan County Government

"I remember a time when everything was PAPER!! I appreciate ALL of the work, dedication and effort that Steele gives to making our lives easier.! Whenever I can say “Steele handles that for me” it truly gives me peace of mind and that is priceless!"

Demi Barton, Benefits Specialist, MSD Washington Township

"Thank you, for all your help with this. This was a major help for me that you completed it. I am so very thankful you were able to complete this for Paoli Community School Corp!"

Cindy Eubank, Deputy Treasurer, Paoli Community School Corporation

"Perfect!!!! You have saved me so much time!"

Megan Bell, Chief Financial Officer, New Castle School Corporation

"The Steele Benefits platform helps eliminate extra paperwork and makes the benefit enrollment process more efficient for employers and employees."

Susan Shockney, Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp.

"Thank you! You do not know how much of a relief this was to not have to do this filing! You all are awesome."

Dana Ochs, Payroll Officer, Jennings County Schools

"We love the system and all it can do. We love the quick response from Mike and Melissa on everything we need. I wish all of our vendors were as thorough as Steele!"

Jill Britt, Director of Human Resources, Franklin Township Community Schools