We can talk about coverage, reform preparedness andinnovation—and the companies whoprovide it—all we want, but there's nothing like hearing from thosedeep in the trenches about which carriers are getting it right.

Our annual Readers' Choice Awards—now in its 11th year—featurescompanies brokers may want to get friendly with (if they aren'talready). On this year's list you'll see some familiar names, alongwith a few surprises—just more proof that the industry is alwayschanging. Better keep up.

Which carrier is best prepared for PPACA?

As we dive deeper into PPACA waters, Colonial Life is stillon top—at least according to readers. For the fourth consecutiveyear, the carrier snagged the top honor in this all-importantcategory. And Aflac is the runner-up yet again, proving that thesetwo continue to pack a punch in a post-PPACA world.

Giants including Blues, UnitedHealthCare, Aetna, Anthem, Humanaand Cigna all earned votes as well, which makes sense—how can anycarrier at this point not be well-prepared for the biggest event toever hit health insurance?

The carrier best prepared for a defined contributionfuture?

The Colonial Life-Aflac combo takes this category, too, provingto readers they are committed not just to a post-PPACA landscape,but a landscape with a new (or at least re-imagined) way of fundinghealth care.

But still, this category had the most answers involvinguncertainty—including “I don't know,” “no one” or “N/A”—meaningthere might be future opportunities here.

Which carrier offers the best visioncoverage?

VSP claimed nearly half the votes in the vision category, demonstrating, onceagain, that they are the ones to beat in the vision space. Aflaccame back to reclaim the No. 2 slot here after Ameritas won runnerup last year, proving the carrier is continuing to make moves inthis area.

Which carrier is the easiest to work with?

As other categories attest, brokers love working with ColonialLife and Aflac. Colonial Life beat out last year's champ, Aflac, tobe crowned this year's winner, but Aflac still managed to snag theNo. 2 spot. Though it's no surprise to see these carriers on top,this category, in particular, featured the biggest variety ofanswers, perhaps signaling that carriers are making more of aneffort with brokers than ever.

 Which enrollment company could you not livewithout?

Though 2014's winner Brian Patten and Associates still landed inthe top 4, Colonial Life and Ameriflex came out swinging, earningthe No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively (despite, of course, notbeing enrollment companies). Colonial Life soared to the top afterearning the runner-up title last year. Aflac and BenefitsConnectalso earned a number of votes.

Which carrier offers the best dentalcoverage?

 No surprise here: Delta Dental yet again takes the(sugar-free) cake when it comes to best dental coverage. Brokers love the company'svalue, customer service and simple administration.

And, by a small number of votes, Colonial Life reclaimed therunner-up position this year from Guardian, which received thehonor last year.

Which TPA offers the most comprehensiveservice?

Ameriflex is synonymous with gold-standard TPA service—andReaders' Choice Awards—so it's no surprise they win this categoryhandily yet again, securing nearly half the votes. Readers love thecompany's innovative products and solutions. What is a little moresurprising is that Colonial Life kicked Total AdministrativeServices Corp (TASC) out of the runner-up spot they have become socomfortable in.

Which technology vendor makes your life theeasiest?

Colonial Life also nabs the top spot in the technology category,with Ameriflex snagging the runner-up spot. Of course, answers runthe gamut from (actual tech vendors) BenefitsConnect and Zywave, toconsumer-friendly giants Apple and Google, which are starting tomake a big splash in the health care space. And Zenefits even madeits first appearance, with a handful of votes (it was bound tohappen eventually. Anyone worried about that one?).