Representatives from CVS and Aetna are meeting with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) and you’re invited too! The public meeting will be held in Sacramento on May 2, 2018, from 10 a.m. to noon. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss DMHC’s jurisdiction and authority to oversee the transaction and to solicit public comment for DMHC’s consideration. Public comment may be limited to 3 minutes depending on the number of people who want to comment. Comments may also be submitted to publiccomments@dmhc.ca.gov until 5 p.m. on May 16, 2018. Click here to view the agenda for the public meeting.
Reference-Based Pricing
EBN has a story up on reference-based pricing. Keep your eyes peeled for Cal Broker’s July issue where contributor David Fear Sr. is penning a story about the growing phenom of RBP in health insurance.
Contact Lenses That Work Like Sunglasses
Transitions Optical announced it partnered with Johnson & Johnson Vision to make light-adaptive photochromic technology available in a contact lens. ACUVUE OASYS® with Transitions® Light Intelligent Technology™ creates a new category of contact lenses and expands the photochromic category beyond eyeglass lenses. No word if the lenses are covered by vision plans.
More Vision News: Online Eye Exams
Transitions recently released its second round of research for the Employee Perceptions of Vision Benefits survey. The research reveals that six in 10 employees said they would be more likely to get their eyes checked more often if their vision plan fully covered online eye exams—with millennials being the most likely to agree. Half of employees not currently enrolled in a vision plan would be more likely to enroll if their plan fully covered online eye exams. Cal Broker’s June issue will cover the emerging issue of online eye exams. You can also find out more about the Transitions study at HealthySightWorkingforYou.org.
MassMutual Launches DB Pension Plan Market Update And Commentary
As part of a strategy to increase support for employers that sponsor defined benefit (DB) pension plans, MassMutual announced it’s introducing a new quarterly market update and commentary about economic and regulatory conditions and their impact on managing pension obligations. MassMutual’s Defined Benefit Market Update and Commentary is designed to support its DB plan sponsors and potential clients in the ongoing management of their plans. The quarterly report includes data on interest rates, bond and equity markets, and commentary on economic and regulatory matters to help sponsors make informed decisions.
SmartAsset, Wealthbox Integrate
SmartAsset, the financial technology company helping people make financial decisions, and financial adviser customer relationship management (CRM) software provider Wealthbox, announced a partnership to integrate their services. According to the companies, the integration will ensure the seamless delivery of client prospects gathered via SmartAsset’s SmartAdvisor lead generation service directly into the Wealthbox software.
Overworking is Overrated
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 85 percent of men and 67 percent of women work more than 40 hours a week. The International Labour Organization reports that Americans work longer hours than people in most of the world’s developed nations. But an emerging school of thought holds that many American workers are overworked, and further, that going the extra mile isn’t worth it due to higher health costs and other deleterious effects. “Overworking is overrated,” says Jeremy Greenberg, founder of Avenue Group, a firm that advises executives of Fortune 500 corporations, private equity firms and mid-market companies. “We are told to work longer hours, sleep less, and grind. But it’s a big misconception to think that this kind of sacrifice leads to success, more money, faster advancement, and happiness. Here are Greenberg’s top four reasons overworking is overrated:
- It can’t compensate for business flaws. Putting in another two or three hours a day, while continuing to use the same ineffective ways of doing things, won’t solve fundamental issues related to the company’s success, Greenberg says.
- It distracts from the big picture. Having too much to do often promotes tedium, taking away from valuable time that might otherwise be spent on thinking, creating, planning, or maybe just taking a breathe.
- It leads to health problems. Numerous studies show that overwork and stress can result in all kinds of health issues. “Working too hard is simply bad for us,” Greenberg says. “It takes a toll on the brain and the whole body, by boosting stress and inducing bad habits, such as poor eating, reduced exercise, skipping sleep, and relying on too much caffeine.”
It lowers performance levels. Sarah Green Carmichael of Harvard Business Review says overwork results in diminishing returns – a general drop-off in quality and an uptick in avoidable mistakes.
So, there you go, take a break!
April Issue Now Up!
Cal Broker’s April print issue is now posted online. Don’t miss it! Looking for a different issue of the magazine? Back issues are available for browsing here.
Go Johnny, Go!
They say you can’t keep a good insurance pro down…or at least we say that. Johnny Ringo proves the point. Injured in a desert motorcycle race in January 2017 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, Ringo has made incredible progress and was a speaker at a recent Inland Empire Association of Health symposium. He has managed to regain some ability to walk. In fact, he walked on stage at the symposium and then spoke about motivation and his journey from the terrible accident. His message was to not give up, accept support help even when it’s hard, keep positive and have faith. Get inspired by following Johnny Ringo on Facebook. Especially don’t miss his “motivational Mondays.”
MassMutual Names Montano to IT Security
Underscoring the importance it places on comprehensive, robust information security and risk management capabilities, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today named long-time information technology executive Jesus “Laz” Montano as Head of Enterprise Information Risk Management (EIRM) and Chief Information Security Officer. Montano reports to Mark Roellig, MassMutual’s Chief Technology and Administration Officer.
LAAHU May Meeting- LTC
May 17, 8am, Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12825 Ventura Blvd, Studio City
Topic is marketplace changes in long term care with presenter Steve Cain, director of LTCI Partners. There will also be an election of directors. Nominations can be made from the floor at the meeting. Click here for names of those already nominated.
IICF Casino Night
May 17, The Rotunda, San Francisco
Join the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation for a fun night of gambling and insurance industry networking while also raising money for community grants. The event takes place at The Rotunda, Union Square, San Francisco. Registration and sponsorship info available here.
NAFA 2018 Annuity Leadership Forum & Hill Walk
June 13-15, Grand Hyatt, Washington, D.C.
Share stories, impact policy and affect change. Watch a video detail more about the conference here. Register for the conference here.
IICF Western Regional Forum
June 21, The Millennium Biltmore, Downtown Los Angeles
The one-day regional format provides opportunities for greater participation and networking with colleagues here in the West and beyond. There will be ample time for networking with speakers as well. Topic this year is: Driving Diversity: Cultivating Individual and Industry Confidence. Learn more at womensconference.iicf.org
NAILBA 37
November 1-3, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
Detailed information about NAILBA 37 will be available soon. Info on exhibit hall and sponsorship opportunities available at nailba.org or contact etoups@nailba.org for more info.
