BIP Summer 2024

Letter from the CEO

From impactful to indispensable

We are essential. Do you feel the weight of that responsibility? Our mission to shape the future of healthcare demands that NABIP and our members evolve from being impactful to becoming indispens able to the healthcare ecosystem. This transforma tion is crucial for our sustainability and longevity. The redesign and rebranding of our magazine mark a vital step. BIP showcases NABIP members at the forefront of insurance and healthcare innovation, highlighting our essential role in the ecosystem. Living up to the call of essentialism requires not tolerating anything that hinders it. Recently, unau thorized plan-switching on HealthCare.gov and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services response have reflected poorly on our industry. Agents and brokers place 78% of coverage through HealthCare. gov; plan switching results in stolen clients. The nar rative put out by CMS casting agents and brokers in

the ACA Marketplace in an unfavorable and misleading light overlooks the likelihood that automated systems, not unethical practices, cause many unauthorized switches. NABIP has presented evidence of systems switching thousands of consumers within mere minutes — a task impos sible for humans. This clearly indicates a need for enhanced security protocols. CMS’s Dean Mohs discusses the topic further in “CMS ad dresses unauthorized Marketplace activity,” p.10. Our role spans from kitchen tables to boardrooms, guiding health care access decisions that impact countless families. This central position allows us to influence quality, access, delivery, and affordability. The NABIP Healthcare Bill of Rights was designed with this unique respon sibility in mind. Learn the significance behind its formation in “Health care Bill of Rights heralds a new era for NABIP,” p.8. Its principles will guide us in aligning our decisions with the needs of those we serve. A final note as we head into open enrollment season. This period is intense, as our members care for many people every day, making impor tant decisions that impact numerous lives. The dedication required can lead to burnout. I encourage you to recognize when you need support, prioritize your mental health, and remember that your well-being is as important as those you help. Please rely on your peers and our asso ciation for support during this demanding time, as you’re supporting everyone else — NABIP supports you!

I encourage you to recognize when you need support ... and remember that your well-being is as important as those you help.

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Living up to the call of essentialism requires not tolerating anything that hinders it.

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Jessica Brooks-Woods CEO, NABIP

2 bip magazine Summer 2024