At the annual convention in Costa Mesa last week, The California Association of Health Underwriters recognized California Broker for “decades of exceptionalism and support” of CAHU. Immediate past president Dave Fear, Jr. handed out the award on Friday and said a lot of nice things about the magazine. We enjoy reporting on the industry and informing the people who help us all gain access to healthcare. If we could give you all a big hug, we would. Thanks for the recognition, CAHU. It was pretty cool.
HEALTH
Trump Admin Proposes Relaxing Kickback Rules
Kimberly Leonard at Washington Examiner reports that the Trump administration wants to relax rules that prevent self-referrals and kickbacks in medicine. Trump’s proposal will apply to the Physician Self-Referral Law and the Anti-Kickback Law. These are 30-year-old laws created to protect patients from doctors who order unnecessary, costly tests or procedures merely because they may benefit financially. The laws sound good, but the healthcare industry has said the the rules are overly burdensome and prevent collaboration and progress. Here’s the kind of change Leonard says may happen if the rules are relaxed:
An example permitted under the proposal would allow a hospital to give patients with diabetes the technology they would need to monitor their condition at the time they are discharged from the hospital. This kind of arrangement would mean patients wouldn’t have to take a separate trip elsewhere to get the devices.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Gen Y Healthcare Workers Not So Happy
An emerging disparity could indicate challenges ahead for healthcare employers, according to a deep dive into the healthcare industry by MetLife’s 17th annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study. Unlike other workers of their generation, Gen X healthcare employees are happy and engaged at work. In fact, more than three-quarters (77%) of Gen X healthcare workers report being happy at work. But the numbers aren’t as good for Gen Y healthcare workers. Only 69% of those workers are happy and only 53% of millennial healthcare workers report that they are engaged. According to the study, happiness at work is critical for retention, with 90% of happy employees saying they are loyal to their employer. MetLife wishes to point out that benefit offerings is one tool that healthcare employers can use to increase Gen Y happiness and engagement in the workplace. But you knew that, right?
MEDICARE
UnitedHealthcare to Offer New Medicare Advantage Plan Featuring Canopy Health Care Providers
UnitedHealthcare announced it will offer a new Medicare Advantage plan in the Bay Area featuring Canopy Health care providers. The UnitedHealthcare® Canopy Health Medicare Advantage plan will be available to more than 630,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Contra Costa, Alameda and San Francisco counties. The new plan will offer access to a large network of care providers in the Bay Area who are affiliated with Canopy Health. The UnitedHealthcare Canopy Health Medicare Advantage plan will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020, pending regulatory approval. People may enroll during Medicare Annual Enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Tiburon CEO Summit: Inappropriate Comments from the Stage Ruffle Feathers
Think Advisor reports that an advisor is speaking out on comments made by Ken Fisher of Fisher Investments at the recent Tiburon CEO Summit. Apparently, Fisher’s comments from the stage “truly horrified and disgusted” advisor Alex Chalekian. In a video posted on Twitter, Chalekian said Fisher’s talk in San Francisco was “a true debacle. It was horrible. Things that were said by Ken Fisher were just absolutely horrifying.” Fisher has apologized and says his remarks are being taken out of context. This is an issue worth paying attention to, folks. This particular case has become very public, but it’s not the first time we’ve heard conference attendees complain about speakers making inappropriate and/or sexist remarks. Think carefully about what you say — especially when you’re in front of hundreds of people.
PEOPLE
Amalgamated Life Welcomes Linney as Marketing Director
Amalgamated Life Insurance Company announced the appointment of Erin Linney as marketing director. Linney brings a broad marketing skill-set which encompasses effective project management, database management, print and digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), printing and fulfillment solutions. Welcome to the industry, Erin!
EVENTS
⇒ IICF Week of Giving
Oct 12-19, 2019. More info here
⇒ Alliance of Comprehensive Planners 2019 Annual Conference
Nov. 12-15, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, San Diego
The Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP) is a community of tax-focused financial planners who provide planning strategies for clients on a fee-only retainer basis. Conference early bird registration rates (which expire Oct. 11, 2019) are in effect now. Participation is open to all interested financial professionals. Companies interested in sponsoring the ACP Annual Conference should contact Jill Colsch at jill@acplanners.org. The agenda is available here: https://2019.acplanners.org/home.
⇒ CAHU Women’s Leadership Conference
March 25-27, 2020, JW Marriott Resort&Spa, Las Vegas
Save the date! Get early bird pricing by registering by 8/31/19 and using code NAHU19. More info at www.cahu.org.
⇒ LAAHU Annual Symposium- Save the date!
April 22, 2020, Skirball Center, Los Angeles. More info soon!
