06/21/2010
Letter from Brady Cass
While we're all working diligently to support our customers and implement the new health care laws, we must also remain vigilant in our efforts to address the rising costs of care. Long-term, sustainable access to affordable, quality health care can come only with reduced health care spending. We believe that significant change in addressing costs will come from helping our members and the community apply to health care the same consumer skills they use now when shopping for a phone or a car.
While the implications of health care decisions are clearly different from purchasing other consumer goods, many of the ingredients are the same: Consumerism in all purchases requires access to relevant, accurate information across multiple dimensions of value, such as cost, quality, experience, purchaser reviews, etc. In this respect, health care is no different. By providing quality tools to our members, we're contributing to a culture in which patients take charge of their own care and help drive a system that aligns cost more closely with value.
Increasingly savvy health care consumers will increase competition and the demand for value in all aspects of the system. The retail sector offers plenty of evidence of this cause and effect. Companies and service providers who respond to these new demands will remain competitive in the post-reform world.
Lasik eye surgery affords us a good case study of consumerism applied to health care. Lasik is not covered by most health plans, yet it's an in-demand medical service. Patients carefully shop for the highest quality providers: those with the best outcomes and the lowest price. Over time, consumerism has driven high quality outcomes and a lower market price.
Our strategic vision for post-reform success includes growing strong partnerships with our channel partners. As a trusted advisor, you're an invaluable resource for our current customers and future prospects who are looking for comparative information on health plans and carriers.
Asuris is well-positioned for continued growth in all lines of business. With investments over the last several years in new administrative systems and innovative approaches to health care transformation, we're well-positioned to meet the unique challenges facing the health care industry. In fact, I'm pleased to let you know that earlier this month, A.M. Best upgraded our A- (excellent) rating to A (excellent). Our financial strength, strategic and operational improvements, and favorable business profile were among the reasons cited for upgrading the company's high marks.
At a time when A.M. Best and other ratings agencies are downgrading some health plans and forecasting a negative outlook for the health insurance sector as a whole, our high ratings are an indicator that our corporate performance is solid and that we're well positioned to serve our communities over the long term. We look forward to your ongoing support in communicating the value of aligning with a financially strong carrier with proven experience in managing financial resources to benefit our members and our communities.
If there is anything my Sales team or I can do to support you, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
Regards,
Brady Cass
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