OUR PRESIDENT'S MISSION STATEMENT

In 1988, I decided to start my own company by asking a former business associate if auditing administrators of self-funded plans was a sound business idea. Probably a day never goes by that I don't question that decision. After years in operations, and resolving all the day-to-day issues, I may have thought — naively in hindsight — what a nice challenge to take on, someone else's day-to-day issues. The people who have worked or currently do work for ICAPS have been great (okay, for the most part) — at times beyond great — and the same can be said about our clients.

I wanted to work with employers to make sure that their benefit plans were properly managed. Initially, everyone said, "You’re going to do what...? Audit insurance companies?" And here we are 18 years later, on what continues to be a cutting-edge concern for employers. You never get bored; just when you think the consultants have come up with what will be the healthcare delivery and reimbursement system for a period of time, a new concept is floating out in the marketplace.

What I hope I have instilled in our staff is truth and integrity in how they conduct themselves. Not too long ago, I read an article about admitting one's mistakes; if it were possible, I would send a copy of this article to several people I have met over the years. Our goal now, just as it has been since the beginning, is to assist employers in figuring out just what was or is going on with their benefit plans. Now that should not be a threatening statement; it should be viewed as an opportunity. An opportunity for ICAPS to assist the employer in assessing the administrative effectiveness of their plan, the employer to revise or correct any interpretation or administrative issues and finally for the administrator to step up and provide unquestionably the best administrative services available to the employer.

Recently, an administrator said ICAPS was the advocate for the employer — and it wasn't intended as a positive statement. However, to me, this was actually the highest compliment.

Betty C. Clark
Founder & President
ICAPS