Released: August 22, 2008

The Twelfth Annual Health Care Conference, sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, will bring together national experts, state legislators and state and federal regulators to discuss a variety of health care topics.

The Conference will be held on Wednesday, September 3, at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and DHH Secretary Alan Levine will open the conference at 8:30 a.m. Commissioner Donelon will also make closing remarks at 3:30 p.m.

John Maginnis with LaPolitics Weekly, is the keynote luncheon speaker. Senator Donald Cravins, Jr. and Representative Charles Kleckley will speak in the morning on insurance legislation that passed in the 2008 Regular Legislative Session. Agenda topics include panels on: Consumer Driven Health Care: The Plan of the Future, Health Care Options and Challenges for Baby Boomers, Health Insurance Coverage Mandates: How Costly Are They to Consumers? and What Does the Future Hold for Louisiana’s Private Insurance Market? There will also be several exhibitors displaying health products and services.

Anyone interested in attending can contact Thomas Clemons at 225-219-4772 or e-mail hcconference@ldi.state.la.us. The registration form and agenda, along with hotel accommodation information, are listed on the Department of Insurance Web site at www.ldi.state.la.us. All licensed life, health and accident producers who attend will be entitled to earn up to six hours of continuing education credit.

More Information on Health Care Conference Panel Topics

Consumer Driven Health Care: The Health Plan of the Future?

When consumer driven health care was first introduced to the marketplace, no one could have predicted that Louisiana would be one of the states with the highest enrollment figures. Panelists will discuss the impact that consumer driven health care has had on the marketplace and how these products can be improved upon to achieve greater cost savings.

Health Care Options and Challenges for Baby Boomers

Many baby boomers are being faced with numerous personal health care decisions in addition to caring for their aging parents. This panel will provide an overview of the options that are becoming available to retirees when planning for future health care needs.

Health Insurance Coverage Mandates: How Costly Are They to Consumers?

The issue of health insurance mandates was hotly debated during the 2008 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Is Louisiana heading down the wrong path in regard to mandates? Panelists will discuss the mandate issue in detail including the long-term impact on costs and consumer access to appropriate health care benefits.

What Does the Future Hold for Louisiana’s Private Insurance Market?

Leadership from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, UnitedHealthcare and Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. will discuss the future direction of Louisiana’s health insurance marketplace. They will also discuss the growing segment of early retirees and the options that they have for health insurance coverage before they attain Medicare eligibility.

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