Whether you are a broker, a third party administrator, an employer, or santa clause year end brings with it all of the joy and challenges one can imagine.
Yes, it's that time of year again! We are all getting ready for renewals, and hopefully adding on some new business. Our industry is in a challenging time right now (to say the least). Enrollment meetings that used to take 30 minutes now take 3 hours due to the complexities of consumer directed health care. It's all good though, right? We are finally, as an industry doing what is right and healthy for the consumer. Quite frankly, whether they, or we like it.
With premium increases being what they are, the poor health of consumers, and the real threat of a single payer system it is most definetly time to buckle down and get to work.
Most of you know that I am extremely involved in consumer education, whether through the monthly column I write for Benefits Selling Magazine, The Benefits Buzz radio show, or my involvement with the national association of health underwriters. I must say that balancing all of this with a family and business has proved to be quite the challenge. So, I have decided to resign my position as the incoming national media chair for the association. I really felt like at this point and this time of year my committment to consumer education had to be balanced with my committment to my business, our clients, and our livelihood!
If you are a client, please know my first committment is to YOU!! everything else speaks to my passion for making change. I wont give that up, but I do need to prioritize.
Now, having said that : ) keep watch on our website for my upcoming speaking engagements. I will be presenting a 2 hr continuing education class on consumer directed health care for the Dallas AHU on November 14, 2007. We will be discussing the compliance, pros/cons of health savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, and flexible spending accounts. A show you wont want to miss.
Check out the Dallas website at www.dahu.org for details. I hope to see you all there!!
P.S. I got a new puppy. She's a poodle, yes, I said poodle! Her name is Edie and she is fantastic.. I need to make time for her too!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Putting America's Health Care System on Trial?
Interesting title huh? A good friend of mine, Eric Johnson, and I decided to do just that. Instead of continuing to shout that those that believe a single payer system would be good for America are wrong, and that we, who believe in keeping the financing of health care in the private market are right we decided to do a little research into their argument.
What we found is that they actually do have a compelling, if not incredibly emotional argument for single payer. What newspaper doesn't want to write an article about how the big bad insurance companies are making million dollar bonuses off the backs of our hard working, tax paying citizens, and our reward, they say is denied coverage, increasing premiums, etc..
The fact is they do have a valid point. We have major issues and inadequacies in this industry. Those issues though, I believe are better addressed in the private market rather than being turned over to government control.
The challenge? To get people / citizens / consumers to sit down and listen to both sides of the issue and have enough information to make an INFORMED decision rather than soaking up media soundbites both sides are quite capable of getting into the mainstream media.
So, we wrote a play / skit / mock trial and put our private health care system to the test! Eric, the prosecuting attorney (in favor of single payer), and myself, of course the defense attorney went to work to prove our points.
We have put this trial on 3 times now, the latest being in Louisville, KY at the NAHU Region III conference and we are having a blast. Not to mention presenting both sides of a very controversial issue. Of course it is a comedy. Who wants to listen to health insurance issues for 3 hours unless they can laugh! I want to send a HUGE shout out to Linda Erlenbach, VP Region 3 for making us feel welcome and putting on a tremendous conference. Linda, you are the best!!
On a more personal note I want to thank my husband, Chris! The guy that is always behind the scenes growing our business, taking care of our children, giving me the opportunity to travel the country and spread the message of why keeping the financing of health care in the private market is so important.
This is not just business for me, this is personal. Chris and I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren (expectng our 5th.. congrats to our son, Chris Jr. and his wife, Sara on expecting their 4th). How they access health care in the future is of great concern to me, and should be to all of you reading this blog.
Don't forget to tune into the radio show this week. We will be discussing the never ending issue of individual health insurance policies offered under a cafeteria plan. Our guest, John R. Hickman with Alston & Bird.
Have a GREAT week!!
What we found is that they actually do have a compelling, if not incredibly emotional argument for single payer. What newspaper doesn't want to write an article about how the big bad insurance companies are making million dollar bonuses off the backs of our hard working, tax paying citizens, and our reward, they say is denied coverage, increasing premiums, etc..
The fact is they do have a valid point. We have major issues and inadequacies in this industry. Those issues though, I believe are better addressed in the private market rather than being turned over to government control.
The challenge? To get people / citizens / consumers to sit down and listen to both sides of the issue and have enough information to make an INFORMED decision rather than soaking up media soundbites both sides are quite capable of getting into the mainstream media.
So, we wrote a play / skit / mock trial and put our private health care system to the test! Eric, the prosecuting attorney (in favor of single payer), and myself, of course the defense attorney went to work to prove our points.
We have put this trial on 3 times now, the latest being in Louisville, KY at the NAHU Region III conference and we are having a blast. Not to mention presenting both sides of a very controversial issue. Of course it is a comedy. Who wants to listen to health insurance issues for 3 hours unless they can laugh! I want to send a HUGE shout out to Linda Erlenbach, VP Region 3 for making us feel welcome and putting on a tremendous conference. Linda, you are the best!!
On a more personal note I want to thank my husband, Chris! The guy that is always behind the scenes growing our business, taking care of our children, giving me the opportunity to travel the country and spread the message of why keeping the financing of health care in the private market is so important.
This is not just business for me, this is personal. Chris and I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren (expectng our 5th.. congrats to our son, Chris Jr. and his wife, Sara on expecting their 4th). How they access health care in the future is of great concern to me, and should be to all of you reading this blog.
Don't forget to tune into the radio show this week. We will be discussing the never ending issue of individual health insurance policies offered under a cafeteria plan. Our guest, John R. Hickman with Alston & Bird.
Have a GREAT week!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Find Sharon
People I know have recently started a little game called "Find Sharon", you know like Find Waldo. Yes, its true I have been quite busy lately so I thought I would tell you all where I am instead of your having to play the "find sharon" game!
Another crazy week for me. I am off today to Little Rock AR for our Region VI National Association of Health Underwriters Conf. For those of you that didnt know I am the incoming national media chair for this association. It is another full time job but fortunately for me I absolutely love what I do.
Don't forget to check out the radio show next week, its going to be a great one. We will be discussing whats happening in the world of debit cards! You can tune in on Tuesday at 1:00 cst to www.health.voiceamerica.com to listen. And for goodness sakes PLEASE call in, people always send me emails after the show with great questions.. would be great to have you call in live!!
One last thing, if you have not subscribed to Benefits Selling Magazine you need to. Did you know I write a monthly column called the "Consumer Corner". Its a great magazine and its FREE. Just go to benefitssellingmag.com to subscribe.
I would like to give a written shout out to Denis Story, Editor of Benefits Selling Mag for all he has done to help me. Denis, you ROCK!
Thats all I have for now, I will write more when I return from my trip and let you know what else is going on (and where I will be the following week). Have a great week.
Another crazy week for me. I am off today to Little Rock AR for our Region VI National Association of Health Underwriters Conf. For those of you that didnt know I am the incoming national media chair for this association. It is another full time job but fortunately for me I absolutely love what I do.
Don't forget to check out the radio show next week, its going to be a great one. We will be discussing whats happening in the world of debit cards! You can tune in on Tuesday at 1:00 cst to www.health.voiceamerica.com to listen. And for goodness sakes PLEASE call in, people always send me emails after the show with great questions.. would be great to have you call in live!!
One last thing, if you have not subscribed to Benefits Selling Magazine you need to. Did you know I write a monthly column called the "Consumer Corner". Its a great magazine and its FREE. Just go to benefitssellingmag.com to subscribe.
I would like to give a written shout out to Denis Story, Editor of Benefits Selling Mag for all he has done to help me. Denis, you ROCK!
Thats all I have for now, I will write more when I return from my trip and let you know what else is going on (and where I will be the following week). Have a great week.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The Evolution from CDHPs to Consumerism: Beth I Hear You Calling
Our first posting! Welcome to my blog and thank you for visiting. We'll work hard to keep this blog informative and up to date on what is going on in my world, where in the world I am, and what the heck is going on in health insurance. I look forward to your feedback.
Our Commitment to Advocacy and Education
The Benefits Buzz: Inside Health Insurance in America
Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 -- 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST)
The Evolution from CDHPs to Consumerism: Guest Beth Bierbower
Join Host Sharon Alt along with co-host Mark Bellman for the second in a three part series on "consumerism" with guest Beth Bierbower, VP of Product Innovation for Humana. Beth will discuss what the major components of consumerism are. Does Humana foresee continued growth in Consumer Directed Health Plans or is this just a passing phase as many pundits have suggested. What are the barriers to growth?
Our Commitment to Advocacy and Education
The Benefits Buzz: Inside Health Insurance in America
Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 -- 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST)
The Evolution from CDHPs to Consumerism: Guest Beth Bierbower
Join Host Sharon Alt along with co-host Mark Bellman for the second in a three part series on "consumerism" with guest Beth Bierbower, VP of Product Innovation for Humana. Beth will discuss what the major components of consumerism are. Does Humana foresee continued growth in Consumer Directed Health Plans or is this just a passing phase as many pundits have suggested. What are the barriers to growth?
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