A new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation says that a whopping 4.2 million people nationwide are eligible to purchase a bronze plan with $0 premiums after subsidies in 2019. If they bump up to a silver plan, they get better benefits and only pay $20 to $130 month after subsidies. Many of these people have no clue they are eligible for this coverage.
Modern Healthcare Says CMS Star Rating Doesn’t Account for Socioeconomic Status
A recent analysis by the consulting firm SullivanCotter and Modern Healthcare of the new CMS star ratings for hospitals concludes that those institutions with a high percentage of dual-eligible stays do worse than other hospitals in the readmissions category of the CMS ratings, hurting their overall star rating. In a preview report of the upcoming release of the star ratings on Hospital Compare, the CMS didn’t risk-adjust hospitals by dual-eligible stays as it currently does in the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. Thus, hospitals in peer groups four and five of that program—or those with the largest percentage of dual-eligible stays—fared worse on average than other hospitals in the readmissions category of the star ratings.
New Year Webinar
CAHU is offering a free new year’s webinar. Learn what’s changed and what to expect going into 2019. On January 16, 3 p.m. tune in to hear from CAHU’s Vice President of Legislation, Jim Morrison, and CAHU’s Legislative Advocate, Faith Borges. They’ll discuss how elections and more will impact healthcare policy in California. Register here for the webinar.
LTC
Long-Term Care Under the Microscope
The Wall Street Journal reports that long-term care policies have become one of the most unpredictable segments of the insurance industry. The story – which you should read! –charges that there’s been an industry-wide lack of judgement. Look for two industry experts – Jesse Slome and Louis Brownstone – to delve into the LTC outlook in our January 2019 print issue.
New Book Demystifies Culture Decks
Netflix. Hubspot. LinkedIn. These are among some of the most admired companies in the world and part of the reason has to do with company culture. The companies don’t just create a culture, however. They craft culture decks and other vital materials to convey their values, mission, vision and purpose inside as well as outside the organization. Now a new book, Culture Decks Decoded: Transform Your Culture into a Visible, Conscious and Tangible Asset (CCF Publishing, Nov. 8, 2018) by startup and growth company culture expert Bretton Putter looks at outstanding culture decks created by top organizations. Learn more at brettonputter.com
The Standard Promotes Baumgarten to Vice President of Retirement Plan Sales
The Standard announced that Rob Baumgarten has been promoted to vice president of Retirement Plan Sales. Baumgarten is a 20-year veteran of The Standard, having previously served in various sales leadership and management roles. Most recently he served as West Regional Sales Director and was previously vice president of Field Sales, managing The Standard’s field sales team.
LAAHU Holiday Party
Dec. 18, Traktir Restaurant, Tarzana, 4:30-7:30pm
Register here.
PIMA’s 2019 Industry Insights Conference
January 24-27, 2019, Margaritaville Beach Resort, Hollywood, Florida
Registration is now open for the Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA) Industry Insights Conference. The conference will host expert speakers from leading companies around the country including Facebook, Forrester and Action Surge. Conference promises to explore new product and distribution trends; emerging markets that harness growth in new areas; social marketing to drive insurance business; marketing to Millennials and Gen Z; and an insurance industry overview of blockchain. Early bird registration and housing deadline is December 14, 2018. Visit PIMA’s conference page for more details and to register or call 817-569-7462 (PIMA).
LAAHU Annual Conference — Save the date!
April 17, 2019
New Location: Skirball Center
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
LAAHU’s Annual Conference is the largest in the state and includes updates from DC, breakout sessions for IFP, small group, large group and medicare. It’s a don’t miss! More info to come soon.
IICF Horizon Award GALA and IICF Global Conference –Save the dates!
March 21, 2019, Downtown Los Angeles
June 12-14, 2019, New York City
