Uncle Sam Wants You … to Help Stop Insurers’ Bogus Medicare Advantage Sales Tactics
After an unprecedented crackdown on misleading advertising claims by insurers selling private Medicare Advantage and drug plans, the Biden administration hopes to unleash a special weapon to make sure companies follow the new rules: you.
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Blue Shield has been hacked. What to do if your information was part of the breach
Some Blue Shield of California members were recently notified that their personal data may have been compromised by a global cybersecurity breach this spring.
A third-party vendor that provides vision benefits for many of Blue Shield’s customers was one of “thousands of companies and governmental agencies” that were swept up in a global data security breach earlier this year that impacted more than 60 million individuals worldwide, said Mark Seelig, a spokesperson for Blue Shield.
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Biden’s prescription for 2024 turnaround will include major health care focus
President Joe Biden is preparing a package of health care measures that he would aim to pass in a second term, with announcements starting this week centered on cutting prescription drug prices.
Biden and aides see the potential to transform health care coverage and cost for millions of Americans and, along the way, give the president a full-throated, forward-looking argument on an issue that has consistently delivered for Democrats in recent election cycles. They believe former President Donald Trump made that much easier by suddenly renewing his calls to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act – giving them a strong contrast point with the GOP front-runner.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Covered California Small Business a partnership that pays
BONUS PROGRAM – COVERAGE EFFECTIVE: JULY 1, 2023, TO JANUARY 1, 2024
CCSB is relaunching its Partnership That Pays bonus program. Now you can earn even more by offering your clients California’s most comprehensive access to healthcare.
Click below to learn more about how CCSB can help build your business!
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Inland Empire residents looking for health insurance through Covered California will see a trusted name on the list — Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP).
The Rancho Cucamonga-based not-for-profit health organization will be among the list of options on the exchange for those seeking coverage in 2024. IEHP will offer four levels of coverage to consumers — including the lowest-cost silver plan option in Region 17 — when open enrollment begins Nov. 1 and continues through Jan. 31, 2024.
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Special thanks to Russ Williams for his new Professional Development Program for California Brokers readers.
Russ Williams contributes articles on professional growth for readers of California Broker Magazine. He serves as a mentor-advisor and offers one-on-one professional consultations based on The Clarity Conversation. This 9-Session Self-Renewal Consultation focuses on overcoming nagging personal-professional challenges to re-claim personal and professional clarity to renew your influence for good at home, at work, and in the community.
Managing Completions IT SHALL BE DONE!
“What we do not see, what most of us never suspect of existing, is the silent but irresistible power which comes to the rescue of those who fight on in the face of discouragement.”
Napoleon Hill
Discouragement is the occupational hazard of competent, successful, goal achieving people, organizations and nations. As a Babyboomer teen in 1961, I was a witness to history when John F. Kennedy mobilized the resources of a nation to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
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MEDICARE
Sponsored by AGA
CMS Announces New Enforcement Authorities to Reduce Criminal Behavior in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued a final rule that strengthens the agency’s ability to stop fraud before it happens by keeping unscrupulous providers out of our federal health insurance programs. This first-of-its-kind action – stopping fraudsters before they get paid – marks a critical step forward in CMS’ longstanding fight to end “pay and chase” in federal healthcare fraud efforts and replace it with smart, effective and proactive measures. Today’s action is part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing effort to safeguard taxpayer dollars and protect the core integrity of the critical Medicare and Medicaid programs that millions rely on.
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GROUP BENEFITS
Sponsored by Word&Brown
Annual Employee Benefits Compliance Responsibilities On January 1st
The start of each year marks an important date for employers as they face annual compliance responsibilities related to their health plans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and COBRA. Staying on top of these regulations is crucial for compliance and to avoid significant non-compliance penalties. Benefits advisors and insurance brokers play a vital role in helping employers navigate these complexities and ensure compliance.
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INDUSTRY CALENDAR
December 2023
- Dec. 07 @11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1 Hr. CE Credit – Presented by Dave Fear Sr., What Advisors Should Know About Telemedicine & Virtual Care Benefits, Register
- Dec 7 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm PST, WIFS – Los Angeles Chapter “Tax Changes-This Year and Next” Register: Janet Fishman (213) 359-0389, janet@wifs-losangeles.org
- Dec. 12 @ 5-7:45 PM, Newport Beach Parade of Lights Harbor Cruise Balboa Pavilion, 400 Main St, Newport Beach, CA 92661, Register **On-site or walk-in reservations will not be ACCEPTED**
- Dec 13 @4:30-8 PM, CCAHU, HOLIDAY PARTY 2023, Register
- Dec 14 @10AM, CMS 2024 Proposed Rule – Agent Commissions Webinar, Register
- Dec 14 @11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, CAHIP-IE, DEC. HOLIDAY EVENT & CHARITY FUNDRAISER, Register
- Dec 14@ 4-7 PM, CAHIP-Golden Gate, Jingle and Mingle Holiday party, Register
- Dec 14 @5-7 PM, WIFS-LA & NAIFA-LA, Celebrate 2023 & Welcome 2024 Holiday Happy Hour, Register
- Dec 14 @6-9 PM, CAHIP-LA, “I’m Dreaming of a CAHIP-LA Holiday Party,” The Village , 12345 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604, Register
January
2024 Conferences
- Jan. 22, CAHIP Innovation Expo @Sheraton Universal, LA, Register
- Feb 13 @8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, CAHIP-OC, Annual Sales Symposium, Register
- Feb 25-29, 2024 NABIP Capitol Conference, Washington DC, Register
- March 25-27, Ellevate Women’s Leadership Summit 2024 @ JW Marriott Las Vegas. Register
- May 6-8, CAHIP Capital Summit @ Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento, Register
- June 23-26, Society for Human Resources Management SHRM24 Annual Conference and Expo @ Chicago, Register
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