A growing number of employers are adding menopause-related benefits to their health and wellness programs, recognizing both the personal and business impact of this phase of women’s health. According to a 2023 Mayo Clinic report, menopause-related symptoms are responsible for an estimated $1.8 billion in lost workdays annually in the U.S., largely due to absenteeism…
Congratulations to our 2025 Thomas G. Williams Award Recipient! Jeffrey Williams Commercial Insurance Broker Roseville, CA Each year, this prestigious award honors outstanding broker performance and is named after the visionary who founded InterWest in 1992. Shoutout to Jeffrey for his exceptional performance, leadership, and dedication! We’re proud to have such a strong…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has overhauled its Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection program, marking a major shift in how the agency identifies and prioritizes workplaces for inspection. Effective May 20, 2025, the new guidance applies to non-construction employers with 20 or more employees and significantly increases OSHA’s reliance on employer-reported injury and illness data…
Congratulations to Our Distinguished Employee Award Recipient! Diane Quackenbush Senior Account Manager, Commercial Insurance Department Chico Office Each year, InterWest recognizes employees who are identified by their co-workers as having demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their clients, workmates as well as their community. This partnership between work and giving back makes them stand out…
Congratulations to our 2025 Thomas G. Williams Award Recipient! Matt Foster Vice President, Surety Sacramento, CA Each year, this prestigious award honors outstanding broker performance and is named after the visionary who founded InterWest in 1992. Matt’s performance, leadership, and dedication are truly exceptional. We’re proud to have him on the InterWest team. …
In a major announcement, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) said that more than 50 major insurers — including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna and various regional Blue Cross Blue Shield plans — have pledged to significantly streamline the prior authorization process and improve the patient care experience. This shift could bring relief to more than 250 million…
Rapidly rising commercial building construction costs could result in your facility being underinsured if you suffer a major loss and haven’t increased your insurance policy replacement cost limits lately. Your policy has a maximum amount it will pay to rebuild your building, and that limit should reflect current construction costs. Otherwise, the policy may…
Congratulations to Our Distinguished Employee Award Recipient! Yadira Gutierrez Account Manager, Commercial Insurance Department Santa Rosa Office Each year, InterWest recognizes employees who are identified by their co-workers as having demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their clients, workmates as well as their community. This partnership between work and giving back makes them stand out…
Legislative Wrap-Up: Three Health Benefits Bills Employers Should Know About Health insurance is back on the legislative agenda in Washington, with several proposals that could reshape how employers provide coverage to their workers. Three bills gaining traction in the House aim to overhaul parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expand access to group health…
For insurance agency owners considering a sale or looking to expand through acquisition, understanding the importance of post-merger integration is essential. While closing the deal is a major milestone, the integration of systems, staff, cultures and operations will determine whether the merger or acquisition is an unbridled success or falls short of expectations. Integration is…