Allison Bell over at ThinkAdvisor says there’s at least one thing we now know after last night’s U.S. presidential debate (if we can call that televised interruption match a debate): Biden and Trump both say there’s a role for private health insurance. Read her post here. Remember that this is Allison’s story, not Cal Broker’s. If you have a comment, please send to her. Thank you.
HEALTH
Agents Stabilize Health Market
Covered California executive director Peter Lee recently testified at a House hearing that working with 10,000 agents — as well as advertising, operating local storefronts and sponsoring nonprofit navigators –have all been ways to stabilize health insurance markets in the state. Why? Because these efforts encourage low-risk people to pay for coverage before they feel sick. “People know we’re there,” Lee said. “It’s because we support navigators and agents.”
The Coronavirus Pandemic: Will People Accept a COVID-19 Vaccine?
The Forum/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health teams up with other public health experts to present a live Q&A stream on Facebook and The Forum site, Friday, October 2, 2020, 9am PT
Shedding Light on Why Kids Less Likely to Experience Severe COVID-19
Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City say that children and adults have different immune system responses to COVID-19 infection, which may help explain why it tends to be less severe in children. For their new study, the researchers examined blood and cell samples from patients admitted with COVID-19 symptoms. The researchers found that the younger the patient, the higher their levels of immune system molecules interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interferon gamma (INF-g). Higher levels of these two molecules are associated with better outcomes.
National African-American Insurance Association (NAAIA) Webinars
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Medjet Members Hospitalized with Active COVID-19 Infections Now Eligible for Air Medical Transport within the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Free Q&A Webinar on Compliance
National Association of Fixed Annuities is offering a free webinar focusing on compliance questions. Join NAFA as Maureen James and Roger Hayashi of Summit Compliance Group, LLC deliver answers on Wednesday, Oct. 14, When you register, you’ll have the opportunity to submit a compliance or regulatory-related question to be answered during the interactive, interview-style webinar. Questions such as “How could the upcoming presidential election impact our regulatory environment?” might be of interest. (NAFA says it could have a big impact!)
MEDICAID
Best’s Special Report: COVID-19 Likely Will Pressure Medicaid Managed Care Revenue Streams
Best has a new report on the impact of COVID-19 on Medicaid. According to Best’s “COVID-19 Drives Up Medicaid Enrollment as State Budgets are Pressured”:
Although the high U.S. unemployment rate and economic recession will lead to Medicaid enrollment gains for insurers, the pressures on state funding may strain programs and payments over the next six to 12 months and squeeze margins on Medicaid managed care.
The report notes that Medicaid enrollment will rise as the economy weakens.
[But] given that state budget revenues are being pressured by shelter-in-place orders, business closings and increased spending related to the COVID-19 pandemic, insurers’ earnings likely will be further pressured due to decreased payments to care providers and health plans. Moreover, payments from states also may be delayed, which, in combination with rate cuts, could materially affect revenue streams. The volatility in utilization trends based on the scope, duration, and intensity of COVID-19 infection rates and resulting delays in other procedures and surgeries could also affect earnings and lead to more medical loss ratio volatility.
CRITICAL ILLNESS
Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, wishes to point out that October is Critical Illness Awareness Month. The market for cancer insurance and critical illness insurance coverage is larger than most suspect: 5 million policyholders … about 1.5 new buyers yearly, says Slome. Check out the latest data here.
VISION
Fun Eye Stuff for Kiddos
Transitions® lenses has made it a little more fun for kids to explore eyewear. Kids can engage with immersive virtual activities before their appointment with games, trivia and virtual try-on sessions with frames sized right for them! Check it all out at Transitions.com/kids. Find other resources to help spark conversations at TransitionsPRO.com/kids.
EVENTS
- LAAHU’s Zoom Happy Hour is the first Wednesday of the month from 4-5p.m. Members and nonmembers welcome. Register here.
- CAHU Summit, Virtual, Oct 6-7- Moving Boldly Into Our Future
Keynote speaker will be Joe Buzzello, a life-long entrepreneur, author and a master salesperson and organizational leader. Sponsorship info here. Register here.
- SIIA National Conference & Expo, Virtual, Oct. 12-14
Self Insurance Institute of America will host the world’s largest self-insurance event with nearly 50 educational sessions planned – several live with an interactive format and others available on-demand. The event will also feature a virtual exhibit hall with nearly 100 companies showcasing their products and services. Registration fees now as low as $495. Info and registration here.
- IICF Foundation Women in Insurance Regional Forums Rescheduled
Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation has rescheduled the Women in Insurance Regional Forums:
Chicago: October 14
New York: October 26
Los Angeles: October 30
Dallas: November 17 More info at IICF’s website.
- IICF Inclusion in Insurance Forum, Virtual, October 27 – 29
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation will convene insurance professionals, C-Suite executives, D&I leaders and other innovators for the IICF Inclusion in Insurance Forum, an action-oriented program with a focus on the future of work in the insurance industry. Gain insights and plans for acting on inclusion, diversity and innovation initiatives from respected leaders representing the industry, academia and other areas of business. Each virtual session will run approximately 2-1/2 hours, starting at 9a.m. Pacific.Register here.
- CAHU Women’s Leadership Summit will now be April 7-9, 2021!
The latest news from CAHU’s WLS committee is that the CAHU Women’s Leadership Summit will now take place April 7 –9, 2021, at Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas. Questions should be emailed to info@cahu.org.
