A Life Lived with Passion and Purpose

A Dedicated Edition of the HVBA’s Daily Industry Report

Tye Michael Elliott, age 59, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at his home in Peoria, IL. Born on August 17, 1964, in Peoria, Tye was the beloved son of Royce and Helen (Milford) Elliott and a cherished brother to Brian (Debbie) Elliott, Hedy (Zeb) Gardner, and Brett (Devon) Elliott.

On May 13, 1989, Tye married Elizabeth “Beth” Westart at Sacred Heart Church in Peoria. Together, they built a life filled with love and joy, blessed with two sons, Mitchell (Maria) Elliott of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Beau Elliott of West Peoria. Tye was a devoted husband, father, brother, friend, uncle, and mentor, roles in which he was often referred to as the “Best.”

A Legacy of Lifting Others – Celebrating a Remarkable Career
Tye’s 25+ Years in the Life and Health Insurance Industry

With a quarter-century of dedication and expertise in the life and health insurance industry, Tye stands out as a beacon of leadership and innovation. From Tye’s industry leading success with Aflac to 8 plus years as Executive Vice President and Director of Growth with Acrisure. Tye was a cornerstone at Aflac & Acrisure, holding pivotal leadership roles that have significantly contributed to the company’s growth and success in both field and corporate positions.

Tye’s journey with the companies he represented was marked by impressive achievements and a steadfast commitment to excellence. His adept management of over $2 billion in Voluntary Benefits sales is a testament to his strategic acumen and deep understanding of the market. Tye’s leadership has not only driven sales but also fostered the development of numerous leaders within the Voluntary Benefits Industry, ensuring a legacy of talent and expertise for years to come.

A key aspect of Tye’s role involves close collaboration with his relationships and the broader leadership teams. His ability to synergize efforts and support growth initiatives has been instrumental in propelling the Voluntary Benefits industry forward. Tye’s extensive knowledge and professional experience enable him to build upon the best practices established by his company’s, further enhancing their operational excellence and market presence.

Tye’s career is characterized by a relentless pursuit of innovation and a commitment to nurturing talent. His strategic vision and leadership have been crucial in navigating the complexities of the insurance industry, ensuring that the companies he represented remain at the forefront of Voluntary Benefits. By empowering his teams and fostering a collaborative environment, Tye has created a culture of success that continues to drive the company’s achievements.

In summary, Tye’s 25+ years in the life and health insurance industry, have been marked by significant contributions to sales growth, leadership development, and strategic collaboration. His professional journey is a shining example of dedication, expertise, and visionary leadership, making Tye an invaluable asset to the companies he represented and a respected leader in the Voluntary Benefits Industry.

Tye’s life was characterized by his unyielding dedication to lifting others up and helping them achieve their dreams. He was an industry leader who profoundly impacted those around him, always giving selflessly. Tye’s generosity extended beyond his immediate circle; he made it a mission to help his mother and mother-in-law see the world, creating cherished memories with family trips to places like Paris.

A Passion for Baseball

Tye was most at home with a baseball in his hand. An outstanding athlete from a young age, he led his team to a West Peoria Little League Championship and continued to excel in the sport through his years at Spalding Institute, Lincoln College, and Illinois Wesleyan. Tye’s passion for baseball carried on into adulthood, where he played in the Peoria Sunday Morning League and earned recognition as an All-World Selection in Fast Pitch Softball. Tye even published a book about baseball and family entitled: Diamonds Are a Man’s Best Friend: A Baseball Family Journey.

An Indelible Impact

Tye’s larger-than-life personality and genuine care for others left an indelible mark on everyone he met. His drive was fueled by a deep love for his family and a desire to see those around him succeed. His presence will be deeply missed, but his influence and the memories he created will live on.

Celebration of Life

The Elliott family will host a celebration of Tye’s life at the end of June, with details to be announced. This gathering will be an opportunity for friends and family to come together and honor the remarkable person Tye was.

What People Think of When They Think of Tye

“Tye was not only a dedicated professional but also a kind-hearted person who always brought positivity and warmth to our workplace.  A dedicated friend to so many, Tye’s contributions to Acrisure and his unwavering commitment to our people and clients have left an indelible mark on us all.  Tye was the embodiment of Acrisure’s culture and spirit . . . we’ll miss him dearly”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Tye’s family and loved ones . . . may they find comfort in the fond memories and the lasting legacy Tye leaves behind”.

            ~ Greg Williams / Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO – Acrisure

“Anyone who had the privilege of working with Tye not only had an incredible co-worker but an even better friend. Someone who always had a smile on his face and would pull a smile out of others everywhere he went. Tye had the rare ability to always find opportunity when others couldn’t. He was the consummate positive, innovative thinker who brought so much to Acrisure and the industry as a whole. We’ll miss him dearly on so many levels.”

            ~ Sozon Vatikiotis / Chief Operating Officer – Acrisure

“Every so often you meet an individual who is so effortlessly good at everything he or she does it inspires you to become a better person. That was Tye Elliot.  A skilled athlete turned consummate sales professional; Tye helped shape the voluntary benefits industry during his 30-year career. He was a talented author, having published numerous books, and a thoughtful, intelligent leader whose counsel was sought by sales and business leaders across industries. Yet for all his business accomplishments, Tye was an even better person. A loving father and devoted husband, he was incredibly generous with both his time and resources, always looking for an opportunity to pay it forward — best illustrated through his membership in Aflac’s Circle of Care program, an honor reserved only for those who demonstrate a financial and emotional commitment to children facing daunting challenges at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center in Atlanta. In 2020, Tye was recognized as an Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility Hero for his commitment to community throughout his career. When I look back at my own life, I am grateful for is knowing someone like my friend Tye Elliott. To Beth, Mitch, and Beau, and all who knew and loved Tye, the Aflac family send our deepest condolences.”

            ~ Andy Glaub / Senior Vice President, Director of Sales – Aflac

Final Thoughts

“Tye had so many friends it would take an encyclopedia to publish their experiences and friendships with him. He was larger than life and lived a life defined by love, compassion, trust, and an unwavering commitment to all others. His legacy will continue through the countless lives he touched, the dreams he helped realize, and the family who loved him dearly. Rest in peace, Tye, you were truly the best.”

            ~ Robert Shestack / Chairman & CEO – Heath & Voluntary Benefits Association®

In April 2024, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) released the document, “Navigating the Responsible and Ethical Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence into Clinical Practice.”  Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been ramping up as a hot topic in policy the past few years as federal and state policymakers grapple with how best to address this area on a regulatory basis.  The recently released FSMB document is a result of a recommendation made by the task force FSMB convened which was intended to monitor AI developments.  As a result, FSMB adopted this document to provide physicians and state medical boards with guidance on how to navigate AI in practices in a “responsible and ethical incorporation” manner.
 
Currently, AI is primarily utilized in health care for managing administrative tasks such as scheduling and documentation of clinical visits.  However, in some instances, it is also being used in clinical decision support systems.  While most providers may already be comfortable with AI, and can likely see the immediate benefit of using it to help with paperwork and administrative tasks, there are also several areas of concern with it that should not be overlooked, especially in situations where it is being used for more clinical related decisions. Additionally, as it has been highlighted in recent reports and news articles, bias can sometimes be found within products produced utilizing AI.  Therefore, a physician needs to make certain that they are regularly taking reasonable steps to identify and address any potential biases within a system utilizing AI and ultimately, as the FSMB document notes, it remains important for any AI-generated clinical information to always be checked for accuracy. 
 
The FSMB document continually encourages physicians to educate and inform themselves as the AI landscape evolves. FSMB encourages physicians to remain aware of developments and changes to AI policy because ultimately the care of the patient is always the physician’s responsibility.  Practitioners are also urged in the FSMB document to strike a balance between underutilizing AI, which might cause practitioners to inadvertently overlook helpful tools for patient care, and over relying on it, possibly neglecting other tools and compromising the quality of care. FSMB does caution that once a provider does decide to use AI for clinical decision support, they also “accept responsibility to respond appropriately to the AI’s recommendations.”  The guidance notes that regardless of whether the practitioner accepts or rejects the AI’s recommendation, there should be a solid rationale behind that decision and appropriate documentation.  Ultimately the choice on how to treat the patient always lies with the practitioner who is accountable for their own decision on how to treat.
 
The new document also emphasizes the importance of protecting health information, data and privacy. Over the last few years, discussion about protecting patient information has been a big topic in health privacy and practitioners should be sure they take steps to make certain such information is secure and safe. This includes being aware of the security measures that are in place and in compliance with current and relevant laws. Additionally, practitioners should ensure that if AI creates and records information into a patient record that it is done so accurately.
 
Additionally, the document notes that it will be difficult for the regulatory process to keep pace with AI’s technological development. Therefore, FSMB recommends to state medical boards and other relevant parties that there should be a focus on how AI is being utilized and governed during its use through already established ethical principles. The guidance continues on to identify seven principles and makes several recommendations under each. 

Examples of recommendations include:
 
1.Transparency and Disclosure

• Licensees should be required to maintain transparency about the use of AI in health care. 

2.Education and Understanding

• FSMB and its partners in the medical education community should identify structured educational resources for physicians, medical boards, and patients about AI in healthcare. Such programs should include resources to help understand how AI works, its benefits, potential risks, and implications for patient care. 

3.Responsible Use and Accountability

• Hospital systems, insurers, or others who select AI tools to support clinical decision making should provide physicians with education about AI tools, access to performance reports of the individual tools, and should design a process for regular review of the efficacy of the tools. 

4.Equity and Access

• Efforts should be made to ensure equitable access to the benefits of AI for all patients. 

5.Privacy and Data Security

• Licensees should generally be informed about how patient data will be used and be prepared to convey this to patients. 

6.Oversight and Regulation

• FSMB should explore and pilot ways in which AI can aid medical boards in decision-making, with the potential to shift from a reactive to proactive system. 

7.Continual Review and Adoption of Law and Regulations

• Policy makers should consider the impact of AI on fundamental legal principles such as the definition of the practice of medicine and the impact of AI on the corporate practice of medicine. 

Finally, FSMB notes that this document is only a starting point and that the use of AI will need to be continually monitored and the policy around it regularly refined.  As we move forward, there should be a collaboration in efforts in this development of policy, not only with regulatory agencies, but also with physicians, health systems, data scientists and state medical boards. While a useful tool, similar to telehealth technologies, AI is there to enhance, not replace, human judgment and accountability in the provision of care.  Although medical boards cannot directly regulate AI, they can oversee and recommend how physicians can use AI and other technological advanements to provide care.
 
Last week, the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group released its roadmap for AI policy, Driving US Innovation in Artificial Intelligence.  With the AI issue potentially spanning across multiple existing Senate committees, the decision was made to create this working group to complement the committees’ work on this developing area of policy. Many fields in which AI may impact were examined, health care being one.  The report is to act as a guidance to lawmakers on future regulatory actions involving AI and thus does not contain specific policy recommendations. The guidance is to be used to help inform development of such recommendations as the appropriate committees take up this work on regulating AI. 

Some of the specific health-related suggestions include: 

• Consider legislation that both supports further deployment of AI in health care and implements appropriate guardrails and safety measures to protect patients…This includes consumer protection, preventing fraud and abuse, and promoting the usage of accurate and representative data.
• Consider legislation that would provide transparency for providers and the public about the use of AI in medical products and clinical support services, including the data used to train the AI models.
• Consider policies to promote innovations of AI systems that meaningfully improve health outcomes and efficiencies in health care delivery. 

From the foregoing examples, one can see that some of the suggestions from the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group touch upon the same concerns raised in the FSMB document, particularly around transparency (both to the patient and the provider) of when AI is being utilized and putting protections in place for the patient. In regards to health care, these will be policy issues that will need to be monitored as AI policy develops.

To read more about the recommendations, download a copy of Driving US Innovation in Artificial Intelligence, and a complete copy of FSMB’s “Navigating the Responsible and Ethical Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence into Clinical Practice” can be accessed from the link provided.