Nine Health Care Megatrends, Part 1: System And Payment Reform
We are all futurists. We all have to make predictions—even if only implicitly—about the future to shape our lives: to determine what job we take, where to live, whether to buy a house, whether to get additional education or training and in what subjects, and on and on. The same is true for the 22 million people employed in health care in the US as well as health investors and government policy makers. Thus, it is essential to periodically consider trends in the health care system, to figure out how to benefit from them, to assess how to bolster beneficial trends or to impede those that seem unhelpful or even harmful. What does the future hold for health care?
INFORMATION YOUR CLIENTS COULD USE
Eli Lilly agrees to $500M settlement in insulin lawsuit, agrees to $35 price cap
The class action lawsuit filed six years ago against the drugmaker, which alleged systematic overpricing, will set up a $13.5 million settlement fund for those who pay out of pocket.
Eli Lilly is one of the country’s oldest drug manufacturers, notable for introducing the world to Prozac. This year, it was one of the pharmaceutical companies caught up in Congress’s investigation into the high price of insulin, but that didn’t seem to have dampened the company’s market performance.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Proposal to Advance Prescription Drug Transparency in Medicaid
New HHS proposal would shed light on cost of prescription drugs and save states and federal government money in Medicaid
The Biden-Harris Administration has made lowering prescription drug costs in America a key priority — and President Biden is continuing to deliver results. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is proposing steps to further drive down prescription drug costs in Medicaid and build on President Biden’s executive order to lower prescription drug costs for Americans.
California Governor and Democratic Lawmakers at Odds Over Billions in Health Care Funds
When Gov. Gavin Newsom took office four years ago, the Democrat went after Republicans on the national stage as they sought to gut the Affordable Care Act. Key to his ambitious health care agenda: reinstating the fine on Californians who don’t have health coverage, which had been eliminated at the federal level.
MEDICARE
Sponsored by AGA
Independent Agent vs. Captive Agent – What’s the Difference?
When choosing a career as a health insurance agent for Medicare, one crucial decision to make is whether to become an independent agent or a captive agent. Both paths have their pros and cons, but choosing to become an independent agent offers several advantages. In this article, we will explore why.
‘I didn’t order it’: Free COVID test scam targets people on Medicare
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has received complaints from around the country about unsolicited tests being billed to Medicare. Could this be a trial run for further fraud?
Medicare coverage for at-home COVID-19 tests ended May 11, but the scams spawned by the temporary pandemic benefit could have lingering consequences for seniors.
SAVE THE DATE
The Pinnacle Career: Mastering the Concepts of Business, Presented by Wellcare (Eric Neria)
June 7 • 10:00 am – 3:00 pm PDT
GROUP BENEFITS
Sponsored by Word&Brown
What Employers Need to Know About ERISA Compliance for Health Plans
ERISA compliance involves understanding the fiduciary role and the key health plan obligations that the law requires of employers.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) dominates the health insurance industry and regulates coverage for around 139 million Americans in 2.5 million health plans, making familiarity with ERISA compliance critical for employers offering health plans.
Employees see vision benefits as critical but often leave them on the table, survey finds
Survey respondents say they need more clarity on coverage, adding that remote work and screen time have a negative impact on their eyes.
While employees value vision care benefits as much as dental care benefits, many of them are not finding the best ways to leverage such coverage. A new survey conducted by The Harris Poll for the digital-first vision benefits platform XP Health indicates that more than half of workers with vision care wish their employers provided more helpful information about vision benefits.
SAVE THE DATE
Earning up to half of your CE Credits for your California residence license renewal is actually very easy.
7 (work) days. 12 courses. 1 unmissable event. How many CE Credits will you earn?
June 15,2023 — June 23,2023
EXIT PLANNING FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
Sponsored by Strazzeri/Mancini
This Week’s Featured Presentation:
The Secret Sauce to Exit Planning
Presented by Shelley Lightfoot and Melisa Silverman
Many advisors want to add Exit Planning as a line of business to their current practice but struggle to do that as well as maintain their current revenue stream. Shelley and Melisa will outline a comprehensive advisor’s guide to help entrepreneurs find clarity about the dichotomy that exits in their gut, honor their journey thus far, unpack their priorities, and identify the issues to focus on. Learn the mechanics to cause engagement, retain the quarterback role, maintain momentum, and complete the 7-Step Business Succession Journey video and presentation is available when you join the The SCI Academy.
The SCI Academy offers more titles and topics available with the “Basic Free Membership” with free access for California Broker Magazine readers.
The SCI Academy is the digital extension of SCI’s Thought Leader Community providing resources, education, and advice via collaborative think tanks, events, programs, online content, and introductions.
“Special Offer for California Broker Magazine Readers”
As a “Basic Member” you will have special alerts and access to live events such as Thursday Insights, Community Insights, and select recordings. You will also enjoy discounts for select conferences, programs and products. Additionally, you will have access to Thought Leader Connections and Monday Practice Builders.
To sign up for the Free Basic Membership (normally $49/month) Click here:
Click “Sign up Now” button to add to cart. In the cart window enter “Calbroker23″ in the “coupon code” to apply coupon field.
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We look forward to helping you grow your practice. Thank you for being a member!
California Broker is pleased to provide this content from the Southern California Institute
COMMISSION COACH
Sponsored by Commission Solutions
Make Sure Your Clients Have Tools to Communicate Their Wishes
Open enrollment is about to arrive and health insurance professionals report this time of year is their busiest. The reward of doing this work well is that clients are happy, and they remain loyal. The financial reward is renewal commissions along with the satisfaction that a job is well done.
Annual open enrollment is also the perfect opportunity to consider offering important education about health-related planning for your clients. As a client advocate, you join an advisor team for your clients and play a key role communicating health insurance topics — from how to use benefits to medical related planning your clients need.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Special thanks to Russ Williams for his new Professional Development contributions twice a month for California Brokers.
His “Letters on Integrity” will explore the themes of Integrity.
Through The Clarity Conversation, Russ offers readers the chance to work directly with him to explore these subjects.
“Above all be of single aim; have a legitimate and useful purpose.
And devote yourself unreservedly to it.”
James Allen
Allen’s words capture the big adventure for leaders and the organizations they serve. Individual and corporate self-governance are guided by three habitually used leadership qualities for Purpose Seeking in the marketplace: Those qualities are:
The I CAN attitude. The I WILL motivation. The I CARE mission.
INDUSTRY CALENDAR
- June 7 @10:00 am – 3:00 pm, The Pinnacle Career: Mastering the Concepts of Business, Presented by Wellcare (Eric Neria) AGA Anaheim 1040 N Tustin Ave Anaheim, CA Register
- June 7 @10:00 am – 7:00 pm, SDAHU Annual Summer Classic Golf Tournament, Poway, Register
- June 12 @9:30 am – 5:00 pm, IEAHU Richard Hawkins Memorial Annual Golf Tournament, Riverside, CA. Register
- June 15 @9:00 am- 11:00 pm, GAAHU Annual Member Meeting/Board Election, Walnut Creek, CA. Register
- June 22 @10:00 am – 4:00 pm, PST SVAHU 5th Annual John Bobincheck Memorial Golf Classic 2023, Pleasanton, CA. Register
CONFERENCES
- June 5 – 7, #Q4Live Q4LIVE for Benefit Professionals, SAN DIEGO ‘23, For more Information: 1-314-973-7422 Register
- June 13-15, 2023 AHIP 2023 Conference Portland, Oregon. Register
- June 15-23- Word&Brown Week of CE Webinars Register
- June 25-28, 2023 MDRT Annual Meeting Nashville, Tenn. Register
- August 22 – August 24, 2023 “Senior Summit: Exploring the Medicare Jungle,” Pechanga Resort, Temecula, CA. Register
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