An LP Insurance representative attended the Battle Mountain General Hospital (BMGH) board meeting to propose a switch to their insurance services. The insurance company wants to be the provider of employee health insurance moving forward, in 2019.
On Monday, Nov. 13, BMGH board chairman James Matheus and fellow board members listened to a presentation by insurance broker Tim Holland. Holland described LP insurance as the largest Nevada-based brokerage firm in the state.
“We have 150 employees and have our headquarters located in Reno. We have additional offices throughout the state in Las Vegas, Elko, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, CA and Phoenix, AZ,” Holland told board members, “We focus on the needs of mid-size entities with approximately 50 to 2,000 employees. LP excels in managing self-funded benefit plans and meeting the unique needs of large employers.”
LP Insurance services proposed the idea of having their company represent BMGH in all lines of its employer-sponsored benefit offerings, including medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits. The board discussion with Holland did not result in an approval to switch to LP insurance but helped the board consider options in protecting hospital employees.
BMGH currently has a working relationship with LP Insurance in other areas of the hospital, including property, boiler, machinery, and auto coverage as well as earthquake insurance.
One of the benefits that LP insurance boasts is that their company is the only service in rural Nevada that has a licensed underwriter on staff. The underwriter's responsibilities are focused on renewal projections, analysis, claims reporting, feasibility analysis and plan management.
Board member Dave Mason asked, “Why are you here then?”
“I am soliciting you to try and earn your business. I am not the hospital's current broker, but I hope to participate in brokerage services for 2019, while earning your business through those services,” answered Holland.
The board did not approve the switch to LP insurance at that time but may consider the company in the future. LP insurance currently covers employees of Lander County and the school district. The hospital will remain with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for now but will consider other bids for a possible change in the future.
