Andy Neary closes his talk on fixing health insurance with a baseball story from Missoula. Employers must act now with value-based primary care, reward quality providers, and overhaul pharmacy benefits to cut costs and improve outcomes.
Chapters
With the few minutes we have left, I'm going to close up by saying winning this game requires change. It requires a change in mindset, a change in strategy and a change in the status quo. Change is not going to come from relying on doctors, insurance companies or brokers. Change is not going to come from all of those screaming fans distracting the health insurance industry. Change is not going to come from playing defense alone. You know, it's often said in sports, defense wins championships, but to win a single game, you have to score runs. Change has to come from you. As Yogi Berra said, the future ain't what it used to be.
Employers have to be the driving force of change. And the time to drive change is now. Don't wait until the crowd is chanting how can you pitch when you're 5 foot 6? Before you decide to make a change. To finish that story in Missoula, the entire battle with Andres Torres lasted one pitch.
I lasered in on the catcher's mitt, drowned out that screaming crowd, and I threw a fastball on the inside corner. Andres hit a weak ground ball at second base. Inning over, you could have heard a pin drop inside that stadium. Going up against one of the top prospects was a daunting challenge. I had to get offensive and have confidence that throwing a strike would win the battle. Folks, going up against the complexities of the health care industry right now is a daunting challenge. It's a battle, but you know you have what it takes to win. Risk management is the best offensive weapon you have. By giving your members access to value based primary care, you're managing risk. By rewarding your members for seeking care at high quality providers, you're managing risk. By attacking your pharmacy benefits, you are managing risk. And the results of effective risk management are reduced cost, improved benefits and happy employees. Instead of shattering your pinky, shatter the status quo. The bat is now in your hands. Swing for the fences and win the game. Thank you.
