The real face of change

Although the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo has ended, the power of the event continues to have a significant impact on us all. For me the event was pivotal because of the strong sense of community. It was comforting to realize that I’m not alone on this journey of guiding clients through health care options, endeavoring to reduce the all-round costs of health care in this country and make a difference.

The energy was contagious and very special. Everyone could feel it. It was almost palpable in the air. “The Face of Change” is not just the title of a column or a session, but an actual movement in our industry. For the first time, I truly felt that change is possible and welcome beyond just the level of discussion.

There was a wealth of information at our fingertips. Highlights included sessions on technology, the political landscape, helping employers survive and thrive, social media, Alexa the broker, and fee and commissioned based practices. But dearest to my heart were the panels that represented the real face of change.

It was incredible to listen to industry rising stars like Rachel Pennington, Nolan Waterfall, Megan Chiarello, Eric Silverman, Chad Schneider and many more. The thoughtful words of Dave Chase, David Contorno, Dutch Rojas, and Kevin Trokey in closing truly resonated with me, as well. The message was clear: The business of health care is changing. You can either be part of it or get left behind. As Peter Drucker said, “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence—it is to act with yesterday’s logic.”

Many of the speakers suggested that the overwhelming cost of health care is killing the American dream. The cost of health care can and should be as low as possible in this, the most innovative country in the world. It is clear that we, as brokers, are the face of change and must deliver a very clear message.

Together, we can truly strive to ultimately lower the cost of healthcare. There are so many actions that we can take toward this goal, but for me, the bottom line is to change our mindsets and approaches to our personal health and that of our families. We can then effectively continue with our own community of brokers and agents; change on a large scale is indeed possible.

Related: BenefitsPRO Broker Expo: 10 top takeaways

We are in an industry that sees human suffering firsthand; ours is not a healthy society. Our one-on-one experiences take us far beyond those who simply deliver healthcare to the populace. We are in this together. It takes vital moments of really listening to each other and sharing ideas to lead us to eventual success for everyone.

I strongly believe that in life, you have to lead by example. You must create and allow change to first accrue within your personal life. As brokers, change is needed in our approach to delivering health care in order to find and deliver solutions that will allow the American people to heal.

This conference was an amazing gathering of minds and spirits.  It was though all of the speakers, organizers, and attendees had been handpicked. The vibration in the exhibition hall was beyond exciting. I felt truly connected to the message. If we can come together in this mission, with all of our unique styles, we can make this desperately needed change happen.

For years, I have tried to encourage my friends, coworkers, team, individual clients, and employer groups, and anyone who was interested in listening, to look beyond the western tradition of medicine. There are so many ways we can heal ourselves: mind, body, and soul are a key.  Right now, we need to heal our fractured health care system.

This conference was also aligned with my vision, my mission, and my passion to lower health care costs. It is heartening to know that the leaders of this conference accept and understand what real healing is all about.

We need to take our personal health into our own hands. I am actively trying to help my community to lower costs, one person at a time. With vigilant self-care, people can heal themselves, renew their own vigor, and thrive. I call it “intelligence jealth” or the “wheel of wellness.” It allows us to make the right decision for our own health and balance our well-being. Stress is the number one cause of all chronic disease. From my heart to yours, we should all pay careful attention to the scientists who agree that simple actions like yoga and meditation practice can lower stress levels and help us heal. I have seen amazing transformations in people who have taken action to heal themselves.

This was my first BenefitsPRO Broker Expo conference and I found it simply incredible. I would like to thank you for having me and for the warmest of welcomes.

May we all believe in the change we want to see in the world — Namaste                      

 Naama O. Pozniak is Paz Holding Inc.’s ( dba A+ Insurance Service) CEO and strategic health insurance advisor , and has been in the  industry for 30 years. Naama is also a yogi and a Primordial Sound Meditation Instructor, certified by the Chopra Center. From a very early age, Naama has been practicing yoga and meditation. She is currently a certified Healthcare Reform Specialist and a Covered CA Champion Certified agent.