June 10, 2009
Dr. Nancy H. Nielsen
President
American Medical Association
Fax: 202-739-8400
Re: Role of the Insurance Agent,
Dr. Nielsen,
I attended the AHIP conference, where you spoke, last week. As an agent, I attended AHIP as I wanted a feel for how the industry was moving outside the insurance realm I am usually exposed to.
I was disappointed to hear your strong objection to agents and the value we bring to the industry. Granted there are some slack agents but then there are also less than stellar doctors.
Interestingly, we work closely with our local hospitals both in providing wellness information to our client’s employees as well as working with the hospitals when they need background information to negotiate their contracts with the large insurance carriers.
Piedmont Hospital, here in Atlanta, regularly has agents in for educational sessions, thus keeping us abreast of the work Piedmont is doing within cost containment and disease control. They also seek agent input as to what local employers are looking for and how the hospital can better meet the demands of the marketplace. I have also attended similar meetings at Emory.
What I wanted to share with you was a list we use with potential clients to explain the services and processes we, as an agency, provide. When I think about my profession, I think of us much like a CPA or an attorney.
Employee benefits is so complex, it takes a dedicated person, working full-time, to understand the nuances, to keep abreast of the changing laws, to know all the different insurance carriers and the pros and cons inside each carrier. We work with approximately 50 small to medium size businesses of which I employee a staff of 7 people, which is what it takes to adequately meet the needs of our clients.
I am hoping this letter, along with the attached spreadsheet will open a dialog for us to educate each other. It may be we are able to find common ground and possibly help each other in this quest to bring the best healthcare to all Americans at the most affordable costs.
Sincerely,
Victoria J. Braden
President/CEO
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