About Us
At Kimmel Benefits+, we pride ourselves on taking a unique approach to healthcare that goes beyond traditional insurance.
About Kimmel Benefits+
At Kimmel Benefits+, we pride ourselves on taking a unique approach to healthcare that goes beyond traditional insurance. We believe that empowered health plan designs are the key to reducing costs and improving care. Our team provides expert HR guidance and personalized support to ease administrative burdens, ensure compliance, and effectively communicate the benefits of our plans to help businesses excite and retain quality employees.
Our Advisor Team
Cindy Kimmel
President & Benefits Advisor
Cindy is a former HR professional with 15 years of experience, serving primarily as Director of Benefits for large, self-funded employers. Her background includes deep expertise in plan design, compliance, employee engagement, and cost containment.
Since 2019, Cindy has partnered with employers across industries to explore non-traditional health plan options and implement sustainable, high-performance strategies. At Kimmel Benefits+, she leads with a focus on long-term growth, driven by trusted relationships and thoughtful plan management. She is the primary account manager for self-funded plans and oversees client services for all Kimmel Benefits+ clients—ensuring consistent, high-touch support at every level.
Education and Certifications
- M.S., Human Resources – Western Carolina University
- Certified HR Professional – PHR, SHRM-CP
- Licensed Benefit Advisor
Samir Masic
Vice President & Benefits Advisor
Samir is VP of Operations and a licensed Benefits Advisor with a diverse background in HR technology, business analysis, and public health. He spent over a decade as a business analyst and management consultant before shifting his focus to public health—leading a childhood obesity initiative on the Navajo Nation and conducting a year-long study on the social determinants of health in Spartanburg County’s workforce. These experiences led to his commitment to improving the healthcare system through better benefit design and delivery.
Samir has been instrumental in building Kimmel Benefits+, supporting all aspects of the benefits cycle, and leading the implementation and management of clients’ benefits administration systems. He also serves as the account manager for small group clients, providing tailored solutions and high-touch support.
Education & Certifications:
- B.S., International Business and Finance – University of South Carolina
- Licensed Benefit Advisor
- Fluent in English, German, and Bosnian
April Cogswell
April serves as a Client Advocate Partner at Kimmel Benefits+, guiding clients and their teams through the complexities of the healthcare system. With over a decade of experience in alternative healthcare, she brings a strong track record of supporting patients and helping them navigate care options within an often overwhelming and complex healthcare system.
In her role, April provides personalized support to employers and employees alike—simplifying benefits administration, answering member questions, and connecting people with cost-effective, high-quality providers. She plays a key role in helping businesses maintain a sustainable, employee-centered benefits strategy and is known for her strengths in process improvement and her people-first approach.
Education:
- B.A., Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology – Appalachian State University
Jeremy Kimmel
Jeremy is a licensed Benefits Advisor who brings firsthand employer experience to his role at Kimmel Benefits+. He joined his family business, Kimmel & Associates, in 2006 after serving as a submarine Reactor Operator in the U.S. Navy. Over the years, Jeremy moved from Accounting to COO, where he managed the company’s self-funded health plan—one of the first in WNC to implement Direct Primary Care (DPC) and innovative cost-containment strategies such as high-cost medication sourcing and patient navigation.
Under Jeremy’s leadership, the company consistently beat medical trend while maintaining a high-value, low-cost benefits program. His success in driving results for the family business ultimately inspired him to join his wife, Cindy, in bringing these proven strategies to other employers.
Jeremy often says that actively managing a health plan takes work—but it’s meaningful work that pays off for both the company and its employees, year after year.
Education & Certifications:
- B.A., Accounting – University of North Carolina at Asheville
- Licensed Benefits Advisor