Incoming NABIP CEO requires extra equitable entry to medical insurance and advantages

The Nationwide Affiliation of Advantages and Insurance coverage Professionals’ (NABIP) incoming chief govt, Jessica Brooks-Woods, says the trade has a task to play in bridging gaps in medical insurance and advantages protection for Individuals, particularly these in communities with poor entry.

Brooks-Woods is about to guide the group starting September 1, 2023, overseeing the illustration of greater than 100,000 licensed medical insurance brokers, brokers, basic brokers, consultants, and advantages professionals throughout the US.

Chatting with Insurance coverage Enterprise, the enterprise chief, well being fairness advocate and advantages knowledgeable mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic elevated the conversations round healthcare in a approach the trade hadn’t seen earlier than.

“We now have a task to play to make sure that we do not solely present entry to care,” Brooks-Woods mentioned. “What are we offering entry to, and the way will we be certain that we now have an affect in these outcomes that meet the standard of lifetime of Individuals?

“I imagine NABIP is primed to drive that high-impact work additional, given the affect of our members as insurance coverage consultants, brokers and people impacting not solely the personal insurance coverage market, however the Medicare insurance coverage market as effectively.”

Navigating the ‘advanced and numerous’ medical insurance panorama

Conversations round healthcare disparities have been a big a part of Brooks-Woods’ focus during the last three years as CEO and co-founder of the Government Motion and Response Community (EARN) and EARN Staffing Options.

An affiliation of African American leaders and executives, EARN was launched within the wake of George Floyd’s homicide, a response to rising cultural consciousness about racial inequalities within the company America.

EARN Staffing Options is a consulting agency specializing in range, fairness and inclusion (DEI) options for corporations searching for to draw and retain expertise.

Till 2022, Brooks-Woods was additionally president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Enterprise Group on Well being (PBGH), a non-profit coalition of employers devoted to serving to corporations present high-quality, equitable, and inexpensive healthcare for his or her workers.

Having seen completely different sides of the healthcare and advantages insurance coverage trade, Brooks-Woods is aware of the limitations that Individuals face in attaining healthcare protection. However she’s assured that NABIP generally is a drive for change.

“The panorama of the well being care system and insurance coverage could be very advanced and numerous, and our [NABIP’s] members are a very good illustration of what Individuals communities and households face,” she mentioned.

Entry and affordability have huge variability relying on location, she defined. Densely populated areas can have nice main care entry, whereas rural communities will be “healthcare deserts.”

“I need to prioritize and spotlight that range does exist all through the nation, and that our constituents have completely different entry factors and experiences primarily based on various factors,” Brooks-Woods mentioned. “I feel that’s one thing that’s been beneath the whole lot we do however hasn’t been pushed to the highest [of the agenda].”

NABIP’s members, who’re navigating the frontlines of this advanced panorama, ought to have their voices heard and assist create options within the market.

“On the finish of the day, I need NABIP to be not simply voice, however a pacesetter in driving the way forward for healthcare,” she pressured.

Creating extra inclusivity by way of a various workforce

On the identical time, Brooks-Woods is assured {that a} numerous workforce will help transfer the needle on DEI within the healthcare and advantages sector.

“I imagine that it is necessary to take a look at the way forward for our workforce,” she mentioned. “Are we attracting the very best and brightest, probably the most compassionate and empathetic future insurance coverage brokers, consultants, and advantages professionals to the trade?

“As a result of we’d like individuals who need to assist others. We’d like people who perceive that there is a nice alternative right here, but in addition that there’s an awesome accountability.”

As NABIP CEO, Brooks-Woods intends to concentrate on workforce growth and engagement among the many group’s members throughout 200 chapters.

A lot of NABIP’s members are unbiased and/or family-owned brokerages and consulting corporations, in line with Brooks-Woods.

Constructing capability includes serving to them evolving their enterprise fashions “to fulfill our mission,” and in responding to laws “in a approach that ensures [they] can serve purchasers and communities whereas additionally assembly new necessities of transparency and worth,” she mentioned.

Positioning NABIP as a trusted supply

Brooks-Woods takes over NABIP’s management from outgoing CEO Janet Trautwein, who has served the group for 26 years.

“I’m excited to see Jessica construct upon our work, leveraging her trade and DEI experience, as she leads the premier affiliation for medical insurance and worker advantages professionals,” Trautwein mentioned of Brooks-Woods’ appointment.

As she steps into her new function, Brooks-Woods’ first precedence is to attach with NABIP’s members and ensure the group is “primed to have an effect.”

“We’re not a mere voice within the ecosystem,” she informed Insurance coverage Enterprise. “We’re a number one voice, and I’m most enthusiastic about elevating our positioning transferring ahead. In the end, we need to change into a trusted supply.”

Do you agree with NABIP’s incoming CEO on creating equitable entry and variety within the healthcare and advantages trade? Pontificate within the feedback.