Blue Cross Blue Shield

Presented by Michael Bertaut, Economist, MBA, CHC, PAHM

Thanks to member George Messina for catering this week’s networking event at Rooftop on Basin.

Michael Bertaut (BURR-toe) is a Certified Health Consultant and Professional of the Academy of Healthcare Management.  He has nearly 40 years of analytical experience in the Healthcare,
Telecom, and Retail Industry Sectors. Mike is a financial modeler and forecaster, currently responsible for predicting membership activity for over 1.9 million Louisianans who carry some form of Blue Cross Card.

Michael spoke about how medical insurance has become very inflated over the last 10 years and that copays and deductibles have greatly increased with health insurance plans. Which in turn is pushing people into high medical debt. Louisiana has a 38% of the population that is on Medicaid. Medicaid does not pay a provider 100% of an insurance claim where a private insurance plan will. This has pushed private dr’s/surgeon’s to stop accepting Medicaid. Michael stated that individual insurance policies are the cheapest they have ever been. Washington (healthcare.gov) is covering about 90% of all those policies.

Membership

If you have a prospect, please have them connect with Jacquie Bonano, membership chair at membership@gnoea.com.

Thank You & Announcements

Announcement: Bill Dalton- contact Bill if anyone needs Jazz Fest tickets

John Zollinger, Home Bank, thanked Jesse Hoppes with Leaaf  Environmental LLC for coming out to the brewery for the cochon de lis and David Raymond, Clean Fleet Auto Body, for fixing his car

Guest of John Lagarde, Classic Cupboards – Charles Carriere, Carriere Consulting (3rd visit)

Q2 2024 dues reminder.

Upcoming Meeting Schedule

  • April 16 – Talent Pool, Hiring Trends, Candidate Preferences, Lola Lass Adeeta Corporate Staffing, Board meeting to follow
  • May 7 – The Riverfront Project, Kyle Burks
  • May 14 – St. Roche Market @ St. Roche Market
  • May 21 – City Park, Cara Lambright

Check website for updates and bulletins that include upcoming events. Meeting events are on the calendar. Speaker suggestions: contact Program Chairman, Duaine Duffy, duaine@benefitanalystllc.com.