LAAHU Issues Statement on Upcoming Keynote for AdapTech Symposium

March 4, 2020 Calbroker Admin
At this point, strangely, we have little to add to the coronavirus or the Bernie/Biden conversation. So we’ll just mention that organizers for the April 22 Los Angeles Association of Health Underwriters Annual Symposium recently issued a statement about keynote speaker Parker Conrad.  The theme of the symposium is AdapTech. This email came from LAAHU:
For decades The LAAHU board and its members have been dedicated to improving the broker community. In partnership with local and national affiliate organizations, LAAHU contributors author essential curriculum, illuminate relevant marketplace trends, and actively pursue beneficial legislative advancement.
The sustainable and successful execution of these programs and thought leadership requires passionate LAAHU members to make decisions regarding the relevancy and market value of subject matter and material such as new technologies, digital media, periodicals, op-ed articles, technology vendors, and other products, information, and resources available to the health benefits profession. In our best effort to showcase appropriate information pertaining to or affecting the landscape of this industry, we will on occasion host a variety of thought leaders and pertinent companies, some of whom may be controversial. To wit, Parker Conrad has been invited as the Keynote speaker at the 2020 LAAHU Symposium.
While we do consider his history in our industry and his current company as closely related to the benefits industry, LAAHU does not expressly endorse, in any way, his or any other event speaker’s opinions or perspectives. They do not reflect the opinions or views of LAAHU as an organization or any of its members.
We believe that it’s our duty to honestly present the industry in its entirety to the best of our ability so that you can formulate a comprehensive understanding of the variables affecting the insurance industry today.
As always, we warmly invite you to contact us with any questions or comments. info@laahu.org
It looks like you don’t want to miss this one! Go here to register for the LAAHU Symposium,  which will be held at the Skirball Center. Of course, Cal Broker will be there!
Coronavirus Quarantine: Who Pays?
No, wait, we do have something to pass along about coronavirus at least. This is an interesting story about surprise medical bills and the coronavirus quarantine.

NAHU Capitol Conference 2020

 

At the NAHU Capitol Conference 2020 on Feb. 25, Senator Mike Rounds (SD) discussed the victory on successfully repealing the #CadillacTax. Addressing NAHU participants, Rounds explained we were victorious in repealing the tax because Republicans and Democrats agreed that the Cadillac tax was not a good idea. “I have faith in this business, it’s an honorable profession,” he said. “Brokers and agents provide a service and a sense of security. Commitment is needed for you to take the lead role, doing the hard work prior to presenting plans to the public.” Rounds recommended: support your association and offer products that are great for the consumer. #NAHUCapCon2020

Supreme Court to hear Affordable Care Act Case; AHIP Weighs In

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Texas v. Azar case, which could — once again– determine the fate of the Affordable Care Act. A refresher: The Trump administration and a group of Republican-led states are arguing that the entire ACA should be thrown out. In a friend of the court brief, American’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) said it would prefer to see the court keep all of the ACA intact or simply nix the individual coverage mandate provision, rather than to see all of the ACA go away.

Best’s Market Segment Report: U.S. Health Insurance Industry Facing Tighter Margins in 2020
AM Best reports that it expects U.S. health insurance companies to sustain profitability in 2020. However, according to AM Best’s 2020 Review/Preview market segment report, earnings may temper due to lower rate increases for many products, anticipated higher utilization and medical cost trends and the return of the Affordable Care Act-imposed health insurance fee. The impact of the coronavirus also holds the potential to affect health insurers negatively.

MENTAL HEALTH

Anthem Purchases Beacon Health

Anthem announced it has completed the purchase of Beacon Health Options, the largest independently held behavioral health organization in the country serving more than 36 million people across all 50 states. Beacon manages mental health, substance abuse and other behavioral health services. Anthem didn’t disclose a price it is paying Bain Capital Private Equity and Diamond Castle Holdings for Beacon Health. The purchase is seen as a key move toward better serving people with mental health needs.  Most major insurers are increasingly focused on improving mental and behavioral health benefits.  More than 20% percent of the population could benefit from access to mental and behavioral health professionals.

LIFE

LIMRA Study says Life Insurers Look to Make the Underwriting Process Quicker and Easier for Customers

According to a recent LIMRA study, 3 out of 4 life insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada have implemented some type of automated and/or accelerated underwriting program. One in two companies has both. This is a direct effort to reduce the obstacles in the underwriting process.  Automated underwriting uses technology/tools (including rules-based or predictive algorithms) to facilitate the review and approval of insurance applications that meet defined underwriting criteria, thus limiting human intervention. In accelerated underwriting, some applications are eligible to have certain medical requirements waived, such as the paramedic exam or the collection of fluids. Companies says the top goal for these programs is to reduce the time it takes to issue a policy, followed by meeting consumer expectations, reducing policy issue cost and increasing applicant satisfaction.

EVENTS

  • The 29th Annual IEAHU Symposium, March 10, Riverside Convention Center– We’ll see you here!
    Contact Inland Empire Association of Health Underwriters for more info: ieahu.administration@gmail.com
  • Employee Benefits Planning Association, 2020 Employee Benefits Summit, March 13, Omni Los Angeles, more info here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • SIIA Self-Insured Health Plan Executive Forum
    March 16-18, Charleston, SC. More info here.
  • CAHU Women’s Leadership Summit,
    March 25-27, JW Marriott Resort&Spa, Las Vegas- We’ll see you here!
    More info here. 
  • SIIA Mentor Connection Forum (For Younger SIIA Members), April 6-7, Philadelphia, PA. More info here.
  • The Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters (SAHU) Business Expo, Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Citrus Heights Community Center. To buy tickets, contact sahu@bmsch.com. More info here.
  • SIIA Washington, DC Fly-In (Meet Your Members of Congress)
    April 21-22, Washington, DC. More info here.
  • LAAHU Annual Symposium- We’ll see you here!
    April 22, Skirball Center, Los Angeles, More info here.
  • Golden Gate Association of Health Underwriters (GGAHU) Annual Sales Symposium, April 23, Crowne Plaza Concord/Walnut Creek, More info here.
  • Desert Cities Association of Health Underwriters (DCAHU), May 14, Palm Valley Country Club, More info here.

  • The 16th Annual BenefitsPRO Broker Expo
    May 18-20 Hilton Austin in Austin, TX. More info here.
  • NorCal Medicare Senior Summit– August date and more info soon!
  • SIIA National Conference & Expo, October 11-13
    JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, AZ. More info here.

 

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