Collaboration Corner
A Message from the President
As we continue to grow and innovate at InterLutions, I am thrilled to welcome Kelly Balodis to our team as our new Client Services Manager. Kelly joins us with a wealth of experience in benefits administration, a deep passion for employee education, and a client-first mindset that aligns perfectly with our mission. In this key role, she will support our credit union clients and their employees, ensuring exceptional service and full compliance across all benefit programs.
With her strong background, insurance licensure, and ongoing pursuit of SHRM-CP certification, Kelly brings a powerful blend of knowledge, empathy, and technical skills to our CUSO. We are confident she will make an immediate and lasting impact as we continue to revolutionize how credit unions access and manage employee health plans.
Looking ahead, 2025 will be a big year for InterLutions. We are expanding our offerings to include focused support around Employee Wellness, HR Compliance, and Executive Benefit plans. One of our most exciting launches is WE-Care—a holistic Wellness and Educational solution built to help credit unions cultivate happier, healthier, and more productive teams. If you missed our recent wellness webinar, I encourage you to watch the recording and gain valuable insights on launching an effective wellness program.
Don’t miss our next webinar focused on HR compliance. We will be unveiling the results of our recent HR compliance survey and sharing actionable insights to help your credit union stay ahead of the curve.
Thank you for being part of the InterLutions community. Together, we are shaping a stronger future for credit union employees everywhere.
Jesse Kohl
President of InterLutions
Resources and Updates
Helping you support, educate, and protect your greatest asset – your people.
Is your HR team covered?
HR teams are required to deliver key compliance notices to employees annually as part of federal benefit regulations. Unfortunately, many credit unions unknowingly fall short — and the penalties can add up quickly.
So, we have to ask:
- Are you confident in your current HR compliance processes?
- Do you have the right support in place to avoid costly mistakes?
Let’s find out — together.
We are offering a free HR Compliance Checklist Tool to help your credit union assess your current standing, see how you stack up against your peers, and uncover simple ways to improve.
What Credit Unions are Saying About I-Care
See what our newest clients are saying.
“They worked very hard to find several solutions that had affordable premiums and good coverage for our employees. I appreciated the helpfulness and patience they had as we worked together to find a good solution for our employees.”
- Karyn Davis, President/CEO, UP Federal Credit Union
“Our ability to provide essential benefits is imperative and we have I-Care to thank for that. When renewal time came, I-Care went to bat for us, successfully negotiating down our plan rate. They understand credit unions.”
- Jamie Hinrichs, President/CEO, Hastings Credit Union
“When we considered our healthcare alternatives, I-Care was just the logical choice. The right pricing, service, and people made it a no-brainer.”
- David Powers, CFO, Landmark Credit Union
Need a partner who can change the trajectory of health plan spending? Join InterLutions and our I-Care community. Read the quick, seven reasons why you should partner with our CUSO.
Can't Miss Industry Events
Join InterLutions to support our partners and clients at these important upcoming events:
- Corporate Central Annual Meeting and Wisconsin Credit Union League Convention
May 7 to May 9 in Wisconsin Dells, WI | Register here - ACE 25 Presented by the Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates
June 4 to June 6 in Grand Rapids, MI | Register here
Having a blast in the Big Easy.
America’s Credit Unions (ACU) hosted their annual HR Compliance Certification School & HR & OD Council Conference in New Orleans, LA on April 27 – 30. InterLutions was proud to sponsor and attend the event, along with our partner CUNA Strategic Services. It's always fun to see our clients out and about! A special thank you goes out to Fox Communities Credit Union for your support of I-Care.
The Benefits Buzz
Industry news and articles making the rounds.
Want Better Results? Start by Prioritizing Employee Wellness
Despite record investments in wellness programs, employee morale continues to fall. Many organizations misunderstand wellness—it's not a checkbox; it’s about leadership that improves everyday workplace experiences.
Learn More
Wellness: Your Secret to Savings
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases account for 90% of healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality. Today, more than ever, we need new tools to identify and address the underlying risks and health issues, specifically ways to increase health literacy and personalized care plans to reverse the chronic disease epidemic.
Read More
Five Trends Transforming Workplace Wellbeing in 2025
In 2025, the workplace is experiencing a revolution in how wellbeing is approached. No longer confined to superficial perks, wellbeing initiatives are now rooted in a deeper understanding of employees’ holistic health, longevity, and productivity.
Read the Article
Collaboration Corner
Thank you to our valuable partners. We couldn’t do it without you!
Partner Spotlight
Thank you, Park City Credit Union in Merrill, WI!
I-Care Ambassadors
Helping small business accounts secure competitive plans.
The Challenge:
A community-based credit union was hearing a need from their local business members to find affordable health plans that attract and retain quality employees. As medical insurance costs continue to soar, it’s imperative for credit unions to help their community members with competitive options and valuable resources. A business member with 10 employees contacted the credit union asking for assistance to provide more affordable health plan options. Their insurance network was limited, their costs were increasing, and their plan designs were costing the employees higher out-of-pocket expenses every year.
The Action:
The credit union partnered with InterLutions to help the business member secure a more viable health plan with lower costs. InterLutions health plan solution, I-Care, evaluated three different insurance carriers with several plan design options and recommended a carrier that fit the exact needs of the business and its employees.
The Result:
The employer was able to save over 20% in their insurance costs while the employees enjoyed enhanced plan designs, lower copays, and extended network coverage. Here’s what the business owner had to say about the credit union delivering an I-Care Health Plan to the company and employees:
"It is of utmost importance that we make the right decisions regarding our associates' healthcare. I-Care was a great option for us."
Interested in Becoming an I-Care Ambassador?
Offer high quality and competitive employee benefits to your business members.
Become an I-Care Ambassador and provide your business members access to superior, affordable health plans.
What is the I-Care Health Plan?
The I-Care Health Plan combines collaboration, data, and technology to deliver exceptional health coverage for small businesses, independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and others with limited access to quality plans.
How can your credit union become an I-Care Ambassador?
As an Ambassador, your credit union partners with our CUSO to support families and local businesses in overcoming a critical challenge. Ambassadors gain access to:
- Marketing materials and digital content
- Easy-to-implement launch strategies
- Market updates
- Comprehensive training
Help your community thrive with I-Care.
Get to Know Your CUSO Team
Meet Kelly Balodis, Client Services Manager.
Please welcome our newest team member, Kelly Balodis. As Client Services Manager, Kelly is responsible for managing and administering employee benefit programs, supporting credit union clients and their employees, and ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements.
What excites you about InterLutions?
I’m excited to join an organization that’s transforming the employee benefits landscape through innovation, collaboration, and data-driven strategies. InterLutions' commitment to supporting credit unions and their employees in such a meaningful way really aligns with my passion for helping others understand and access the benefits available to them. I'm also eager to contribute to a team that values creativity, continuous improvement, and strong client partnerships.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my husband, our daughter, and our two dogs. We love being outdoors—especially hiking, camping, and gardening. I also enjoy baking sweet treats (especially bread!) and curling up with a good book.
Tell us something interesting that people might not know about you.
My daughter says I’m way too competitive at board games—so now we turn everything into a competition. Last year, I channeled that energy into reading and listening to 187 books on Audible!
My Favorite:
- Food: Pizza and French fries, preferably together!
- Music: I love upbeat pop music—anything with a good rhythm that keeps the energy up.
- Book: I’m a big fan of mystery and thriller novels. I can’t choose a favorite—it changes too often!
- Hobbies: Baking, hiking, and reading. Now that Spring is here, I’ve been spending a lot of time getting our garden ready.
- Travel: I love exploring new places, from beach towns to mountain trails. Camping and road trips are some of our favorite ways to unwind and recharge.
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