Register NOW for NAHU’s CapCon! | California Broker Magazine

The National Association of Health Underwriters will hold its annual Capitol Conference (CapCon) virtually February 22-24. This is your chance to get an incredible experience from the comfort of home and for the mere price of $199 for members. Access the entire agenda here. Word has it that a very special guest speaker is about to be announced. So go ahead and register before it’s too late. See you at CapCon!

INSURTECH

AIG Partners with Beacon to Certify Annuity Information Through Annuity Switchboard

Beacon Annuity Solutions, a provider of cloud-based annuity software and compliance solutions, announced AIG has joined their list of Annuity Switchboard partners. Annuity Switchboard, a Beacon Annuity Solutions service, is a fully automated data delivery platform that connects insurance carriers to its ecosystem of distributors and software providers.

COMMISSIONS

Answer 3 Questions and Get a Free E-Book!

You’d really be helping out OCAHU member Phil Calhoun if you’d answer this three-question survey about commissions. Phil is writing about protecting, growing and selling commissions for Cal Broker this year and he’s planning to offer CE courses and boot camps for brokers. You can remain anonymous with the survey or you can share your email and receive a link for a free e-book. You may also be included in a drawing to receive a copy of “The Health Brokers Guide to: Protect, Grow and Sell Commissions” by Phil Calhoun. Go here for the survey. Thanks!

OCAHU EVENT

OCAHU Virtual Sales Symposium Feb 11 &12!

On Feb 11 and 12 OCAHU will host ‘Navigating the New Normal’, the 2021 virtual summit geared toward the tireless health insurance professional who has been navigating the difficult and uncharted waters of the current COVID-19 era. The two-day experience features a lineup of industry leaders and speakers who are committed to offering the knowledge, skills, and insight insurance pros need to excel while navigating the new normal. The keynote presentation will feature a compelling and inspiring story about breakthrough – with encouraging messages about perseverance, compassion, adversity and doing hard things. Please go here for partnership opportunities. Email questions to orangecountyahu@yahoo.com.

Special Word About Events

Got an event coming up?? Tell us who, what, where and when. Email to editor@calbrokermag.com. We do our best to support associations!

HEAR YE HEAR YE

We Love You But We Don’t Love Unhinged E-mails. CDI Also Might Have Concerns.

We adore feedback from our readers and we very often publish your comments. HOWEVER, unlike any of the other almost 40 years in which Cal Broker has been published, the last couple of years we’ve seen a sprinkling of concerning emails. Sometimes the people are merely railing against reported news. Other times we’ve gotten irate emails from readers who have so badly misconstrued what one of our contributors has written that it’s laughable. Except when it’s not laughable. Last week we received an email that got too close to being a serious threat. When we referenced COVID vaccines last week in this newsletter we received an email that said in part:

PERHAPS CALIFORNIA BROKER MAGAZINE WILL COME TO REALIZE THAT SUPPORTING THE RADICAL LEFT LIBERALS IS NOT WHAT AMERICA NEEDS… THEY’RE COMMUNIST BASTARDS AND SHOULD BE ELIMINATED PERMANENTLY!!!

Again, this might be amusing if we as a country hadn’t just been through an insurrection that left five people dead. It’s amazing too because professionals who purport to be Boy Scout and Girl Scout volunteers and such have sent rants with their names clearly on the email. We understand that some people are angry, but we want to warn you for your own sake and for your professional standing to be careful about what you send to anyone. In fact, unhinged communications may be something that the California Department of Insurance would want to know about. CDI encourages people who have a concern about an agent or broker licensed by the Department to contact them so that the investigations division can look into the concern. Reach out to the CDI consumer service team either online with CDI’s new chat feature, or by calling 800-927-4357. You can also submit a Request for Assistance online directly to the CDI team, which works works directly with the Department’s law enforcement team.

Here’s a link to the CDI consumer page (chat option on the right side of the screen) http://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/

Here’s a link to file a request for assistance http://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101-help/index.cfm

Namaste!

MENTAL HEALTH

New Poll: Worries Increase Over Worsening Mental Stability

We’ve talked a lot about how employers are worried about mental health issues during the pandemic. A new poll suggests it’s not just employers worrying. A “Back-to-Normal Barometer” survey for the first time finds that nearly 50% of people agree that their own mental health has gotten much worse and 56% of Americans believe that over the course of the pandemic, the mental health of others that they know has gotten much worse. Rich Thau, president of Engagious, one of the three firms—along with the Sports and Leisure Research Group and ROKK Solutions—that conducted the survey said the survey results suggest we’re only beginning to grasp the emotional toll this crisis has taken on us. The survey also found that 57% agree with this statement, “As more Americans get vaccinated in 2021, I expect my mental health will be much better.” 35% strongly agree; 24% somewhat agree; 22% somewhat disagree and 19% strongly disagree.

PEOPLE

Newfront Hires Chenu and Benedetti

Newfront Insurance, a tech-enabled, full-service brokerage in San Francisco, has brought Jeff Chenu on board as principal and commercial insurance broker. Jeff joins Newfront from Relation Insurance Services, where he spent 17 years as a vice president. Newfront also announced it has hired Joseph Benedetti as a principal & employee benefits producer. Joseph joins Newfront from OneDigital Health and Benefits, where he was a client executive working with small and midsize employers.

EVENTS

NAHU Power Hour, 4th Wednesday of the month from 4-5p.m. Pacific. Members and nonmembers welcome. Register here.
OCAHU Virtual Sales Symposium Feb 11 &12, Navigating the New Normal, February 11 & 12, 7:30 AM to 12:30 p.m. both days. Info here or email orangecountyahu@yahoo.com.
NAHU CapCon, Virtual, Feb 22-24. Register here.
NAIFA-Los Angeles 68th Annual Will G. Farrell Award & Leadership Recognition Event, Virtual, Feb. 18. More info here.
CAHU Women’s Leadership Summit, Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas, April 7-9. Email questions to info@cahu.org.
American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance, National Medicare Supplement Insurance Industry Summit, Sept 8-10, Schaumburg Convention Center, Chicago area, info here.