insurance

Six takeaways from the 2023 Global Insurance Symposium

By Lisa Rossi Insurance companies continue to face a changing world, including a retiring workforce, global upheavals and issues of inflation and interest rates. At the April 20 CEO panel and InsurTech Founder panel at the Global Insurance Symposium, we heard strategies for facing these changes. Speakers included:CEO panelAnant Bhalla, chief executive officer and president, American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.Jeff Dailey, chairman of the board, Farmers InsuranceKendall Jones, president

GIA names Lewis to new alumni director role

The Global Insurance Accelerator announced Monday that Jim Lewis has joined the accelerator’s leadership team as alumni director, a newly created role focused on building a more comprehensive alumni support model. Lewis will be responsible for providing long-term value to the GIA alumni and investors following participation in the 100-day program, creating new partnerships and supporting alumni as they grow. “The creation of this role represented a strategic investment from the GIA and

OpenLoop physician network covered by 600 plus insurance payers

OpenLoop, a Des Moines-based provider of white label telehealth services, announced Tuesday its physicians are covered by more than 90% of nationwide insurance payers. “OpenLoop’s in-network clinicians can now serve patients covered by over 600 payers including Medicare, Medicaid and every major private insurer,” CEO and co-founder Dr. Jon Lensing said in a release. According to the release, OpenLoop’s virtual care support service assembles a roster of physicians to staff

innovationQ&A: Gregory Bailey

CEO and founder, Denim In 2015, Gregory Bailey – like many entrepreneurs – struck out and launched a startup from his Urbandale home. He had spent more than two decades in the corporate insurance world, including holding executive positions at Athene USA and Pacific Life. Now, his startup, Denim, operates from a bright, airy and open workspace on the skywalk level in downtown Des Moines and has developed partnerships local

Global Insurance Accelerator announces new investment at cohort launch

Global Atlantic Financial Group announced a $100,000 investment in the Global Insurance Accelerator, a Des Moines-based 100 day program aiding up to ten insurtech startups in financing and industry connections. The investment joins Global Atlantic with the GIA’s 12 other existing private company investors, which support the accelerator’s mentor networks and business infrastructure assistance. GIA managing director Brian Hemesath announced Global Atlantic’s investment on Wednesday during the GIA’s welcome reception,

INSIDER: Insurtech investment firm builds up portfolio

In early 2017, Des Moines investment professionals David Miles and Matthew Kinley partnered to launch ManchesterStory Group. The new venture capital firm has established a foothold with initial investments in the insurance technology sector, along with an eye on promising financial technology and health care technology startups. In less than two years, the West Des Moines firm has attracted just under $50 million in capital from investors toward a $125

Coworking space in Cedar Rapids to offer health insurance along with workspace

A new office rental and coworking space in Cedar Rapids is offering group health insurance plans and other benefit programs to clients starting in October, reports the Corridor Business Journal. Office Evolution, which opened this spring in the NewBo district, plans to offer Affordable Care Act-compliant group health insurance plans through human resources consultancy TriNet. TriNet is able to offer competitive group rates because it has buying power of a

GIA announces featured companies for 2018 InsureTech Week

The Global Insurance Accelerator released the names of 16 featured companies worldwide presenting at the 2018 InsureTech Week, scheduled for Oct. 22-26. Each company will present to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 24, and will be available to schedule 1:1 sessions with visitors throughout the week. This year’s international participants are: Album Health (Des Moines), Care Bridge International (Lakewood Ranch, Florida), Ebbie (Olathe, Kansas), Edmund Insurance (Brisbane, Australia), everyday life

Hy-Vee extends health insurance, other benefits to part-time workers

Hy-Vee Inc. and its subsidiary Midwest Heritage now offers employee benefits to more than 58,000 eligible part-time employees, Hy-Vee announced in a statement this morning. Any part-time employee who is 19 or older is considered eligible for the program and can choose between 11 elective benefit options, including health, dental, vision and critical illness insurance. The program offers medical insurance options beginning at $200 a month. Benefits are offered through