GOLD NUGGETS - Golden Gate Association of Health Underwriters

GOLD
NUGGETS
News & Opinion Magazine
Vol. XV, Number 33
August 2013
In Your Future… NAHU 83rd Annual Convention
By Janine Wilson, President
NAHU Region VIII
Meeting
August 2, 2013
Westin San Francisco
Airport
1 Bayshore Old Hwy
Milbrae, CA 94030
GGAHU Board Meeting
August 14, 2013
Claremont Insurance
Services Office
9:00am-10:30am
GGAHU Symposium
September 19, 2013
Crowne Plaza Concord
45 John Glenn Drive
Concord, CA 94520
8:00am-3:30pm
CNN’s global headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia and while attending this conference we were all truth seeking reporters exploring
the hot topics of the day.
Monday was our first full day and began with Georgia’s Congressman
Price, a former doctor, addressing the general session and offering
just a few plugs for H. R. 2300, The Empowering Patients First Act
which “returns health care decisions to patients, families, and doctors,
so that they, not government, can make choices rooted in compassion
and common sense.” Then we were thoroughly entertained by former
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino and political strategist Donna Brazile debating several national issues with the help
of Past NAHU President
Alan Katz serving as moderator. Attendees than had a tough choice to make between the 21
valuable education sessions that offered everything from understanding
technology to cost transparency strategies.
While seeking truth and interesting stories, I had to see if fried green
tomatoes were edible. A restaurant across the street from the oldest
cemetery in Georgia and aptly named Six Feet Under offered the anMission Statement swers I was seeking. Not only were the tomatoes edible, but they were
The Golden Gate Association of delicious. However, I think you can bread, fry, and dip just about anyHealth Underwriters is an thing and it will taste good. The Georgia Peach Martinis were quite saorganization of insurance vory too.
professionals committed to
promoting ethical interests of the
industry by acting as a resource
f or bot h emp loy ers a nd
consumers, and by providing
continuing education, legislative
advocacy and consumer
education.
www.ggahu.org
Don’t miss out on the education, networking, and exploring next year at the 84th
annual convention in Scottsdale, Arizona;
mark your calendars now for June 29July 2, 2014.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 1, 2013
Contact: dana.howard@covered.ca.gov
Media Line: (916) 205-8403
COVERED CALIFORNIA ANNOUNCES HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Exchange’s Small-Group Market Will Offer Better Choice, Online Tools, Convenient Shopping and
Billing, and Competitive Rates
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California, the state’s new health benefit exchange, announced the
insurance carriers and rates for its small-group market, the Small Business Health Options Program
(SHOP).
While rates vary by region, Covered California SHOP premiums are generally comparable to 2013 small
-group market rates and, in some cases, can save small businesses money on their premiums.
“Employer-sponsored health coverage has historically played an important role in insuring Californians,
and our launch of a full-choice small-group market is a testament to the state’s commitment to build on
the critical role of employer-based coverage,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee.
California businesses with 50 or fewer employees will now be able to choose from competitively priced,
quality health insurance plans similar to those usually only available to larger employers. This will allow
the state’s vital small-business sector to use health coverage as leverage for recruiting and retention,
while keeping employees healthy and more productive.
Covered California has selected the following health plans to participate in SHOP: Blue Shield of California, Chinese Community Health Plan, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Health Plan and Western
Health Advantage.
Small businesses are not required to enroll in Covered California’s SHOP, and there is no penalty for not
participating or not providing health insurance to their employees. However, Covered California SHOP
health plans will offer expanded choices, online tools for convenient shopping and enrollment, and
streamlined invoicing.
Federal tax credits only available to small businesses in SHOP can make it even more affordable for
some businesses with fewer than 25 full-time-equivalent employees to offer coverage to their workers.
Small-business owners may enroll in the SHOP plans when the health exchange opens Oct. 1. Like the
insurance plans in Covered California’s individual market, the SHOP plans were negotiated to bring a
standardized set of benefits, a robust provider network, broad choice for employers and their employees, and competitive prices to the Covered California portfolio.
The plans, a mix of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations
(PPOs), will be sold through licensed agents who are trained and certified by Covered California.
Covered California looks forward to making this choice available to California’s 500,000 small businesses, which employ more than 4.5 million workers.
“Covered California is offering plans that will encourage thousands of employers to participate, ultimately
increasing the number of insured Californians, which is the mission of the landmark federal law,” Lee
said.
Continued on Page 3
Continued from Page 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 1, 2013
Contact: dana.howard@covered.ca.gov
Media Line: (916) 205-8403
COVERED CALIFORNIA ANNOUNCES HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Exchange’s Small-Group Market Will Offer Better Choice, Online Tools, Convenient Shopping and
Billing, and Competitive Rates
Licensed agents will soon be able to pre-register for Covered California certification by visiting
www.healthexchange.ca.gov. Covered California will be hosting a series of events in the coming months
to familiarize agents with Covered California’s products and the certification process.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Covered California was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals
and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage starting in
2014, Covered California will help individuals compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that
works best for their health needs and budget. A sliding scale of financial subsidies in the form of premium assistance will be available to help reduce costs for people who qualify. Small businesses will be
able to purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to
choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits. Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers.
It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
It’s in the Hole!! GGAHU’s 14th Annual Golf Tournament
By Allison Wendelberger, Communications Chair
On May 6th, volunteers and golfers
gathered for GGAHU’s 14th annual
golf tournament. It was a beautiful
day at Callippe Preserve Golf
Course in Pleasanton. The day
started with a barbecue lunch and
some socializing – perhaps some
taunting over who would take
home the top prizes. Then the
golfers were off in foursomes at the
12:30 shotgun start. Play continued until late afternoon, when all
gathered for wine, hors d’oeuvres
and many raffle prizes, which benefit our charity, the PKD Foundation.
Please mark your calendars
for Monday, May 5th, 2014 at the
Callippe Preserve. While this is a
fun day to hit the links with colleagues, clients, prospective clients or any combination, keep in
mind that it serves a very important
purpose to help fund our organization so that we can continue to
bring you great resources, meetings, CE courses, legislative influence in Sacramento/Washington
and more.
It’s in the Hole!! GGAHU’s 14th Annual Golf Tournament
By Allison Wendelberger, Communications Chair
Your PAC Contribution is Vitally Important
By Rick Coburn, Vice President of PAC
Community advocates continue to push for health insurance rate and benefit review. An initiative has already qualified to be on the ballot in 2014.
Here are some reasons why state rate and benefit review will not provide lasting solutions to
the health insurance marketplace:
1) Federal and California Medical Loss Ratio rules already address the rate issue, limiting
the amount insurers can charge for administrative costs, including profit.
2) Reduction in the premium rates will impact the quality of the plans - the carriers will not
reduce profits but will look for other ways to reduce premiums, such as reduction of providers in the networks, removing consumer options.
3) Carriers will drop out of unprofitable markets, removing competition from the marketplace. This would result for fewer options for rural Californians.
4) The initiative not only covers rates, but includes benefit review as well. This is already
addressed in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
5) The intervenor process will play havoc on employer ability to renew their plans on a timely
manner. This is not just small group, but all market segments. Large group, multi-state plans
would be managed by the Department of Insurance.
6) There is concern that many specialty hospitals would be priced out of the market.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO EDUCATE OUR LEGISLATORS THAT:

STATE RATE AND BENEFIT REVIEW DO NOT ASSURE PERMANENT HEALTH INSURANCE COST SAVINGS.

RATE REGULATION IS A DIRECT CONFLICT WITH PPACA AND CURRENT CALIFORNIA
LAW.
YOUR PAC CONTRIBUTIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN CREATING THE OPPORTUNITY TO
DELIVER OUR MESSAGE. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE NOW.
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August 2013
GGAHU 2013 Metallic Sponsorships
2013 Metallic Sponsorship Opportunities are available!
Don’t miss the chance to be involved and get your company that extra exposure with
our annual sponsorship package! Our distinguished Metallic Sponsors have a
significant role in supporting our chapter and provide us with means to present our
membership with great programs. For more information & to get your 2013 Metallic
Sponsorship Package, go to ggahu.org and/or contact: Veronica Keithley at (800)
488-2506, or by e-mail at info@ggahu.org.
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August 2013
Agents...The Answer
Ready, Committed, United
Early Bird Rate (subject to change): $99 member/$129 non member
October 23 & 24, 2013
Universal Sheraton Hotel
333 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA 91608
Member rate available to CAHU/NAIFA-CA/IIABCal members.
Get more information and register at www.cahu.org
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August 2013
EVENT
DATE
LOCATION
NAHU Region VIII Meeting
August 2, 2013
Milbrae, CA
Board Meeting
August 14, 2013
Claremont Insurance
Services Office
CAHU Health Summit
October 23 & 24, 2013
Universal Sheraton Hotel
GGAHU Annual Symposium
September 19, 2013
Crowne Plaza Concord
Save the Date:
Annual Golf Tournament
May 5, 2014
Callippe Preserve
GOLD NUGGETS is a monthly news magazine of the Golden Gate Association of Health Underwriters. It is written
and published by the Board of Directors of the Association, and it is designed for the general benefit of the Chapter’s
members and the public at large. Permission is required to reprint original material, and it will usually be given upon
request. Advertising Correspondence or letters to the editor should be addressed to GGAHU GOLD NUGGETS, c/o
Veronica Keithley 4747 N. First St., Suite 140, Fresno, CA 93726; telephone (800) 488-2506; fax (559) 227-1463.
Subscription is free with membership. The GGAHU is a non-profit professional association affiliated with the National
and California Association of Health Underwriters. All rights reserved.
Gold Nuggets
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August 2013
Thank you to our 20+ year members!
Greg Albin
Gus Barlas
Marsha Black
Hazel Bright
Pete Cella
Dirk Fitzgerald
Alan Fong
Michael Johnson
Bill Lavis
Phil Lebherz
Peter Levin
Barry Licht
Dolores Moran Norman Robins
Ann Vivell
William Wong
Roberta Whitman
Faces & Places
On July 18th I had the honor of presenting a
GGAHU check for $166 to Larry Sly of the
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano in the
name of longtime member Patrick Cifor.
Thank you to all who donated at our February meeting.
Kevin A. Roberts
GGAHU Immediate Past President
NAHU Annual Convention
Award Ceremony
The Awards Ceremony recognized the many outstanding chapters and
members of NAHU. The fun-filled event culminated with a pom-pom
filled announcement of this year's Membership Cup recipient, Region 8.
Golden Gate AHU won the Pacesetter award for the second year in a
row.
Look for it on display at the annual symposium September 19.
We would like to recognize new members to Golden Gate.
Members are an important part to this organization. Please
welcome these new individuals. Thank you for being a part of
Golden Gate Association of Health Underwriters.
Ronald Huppert
Carl Lundgren
Chris Mason
Kristin Emil McCulloch
Keith Partridge
Heather Pehanick
Dan Tidball
Karen Williamson-Gracey
Use your Membership Benefits to up the anti. Apply for Leading
Producers Round Table (LPRT) to have your
outstanding achievements recognized.
Qualification Guidelines:
 Only health or disability insurance eligible (no life, AD&D, annuities, P&C, etc.)
 Self funding, fee based, surplus lines and fully insured business are all eligible
 New business only (no renewals).
 Single or family coverage counts as one life.
 One client with multiple lines of coverage can be counted for each line of coverage.
 Qualification categories defined: Individual – Personal producers not involved with others in an
agency, a brokerage firm or management. Agency – To qualify in this category at least two individuals must be members of NAHU. Brokerage / Management – Designed for home office sales
managers, group representatives and managers, and brokerage agencies.
 All applications are held in the strictest confidence by NAHU staff. Committee and board members are not involved in the verification process
 The LPRT committee will make final determinations.
Click here to find out more about how to qualify for LPRT: http://www.nahu.org/members/LPRT/
awards-lprt.cfm
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August 2013
UNCLE SAM WANTS
**YOUR CAREER**
**YOUR INCOME**
YOU NEED TO SUPPORT PAC
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August 2013
John Baskett
Tina Baumgartner
Marsha Black
Hazel Bright
Patrick Burns
Lynn Caffrey
Colleen Callahan
Richard Coburn
Bob Copeland
Rebecca Ebrahimi
Dawn Fairbanks
Paula Heckler
Patrick Hennessy
Bob Herzog
James Holt
John Baskett
Hazel Bright
Patrick Burns
Colleen Callahan
Richard Coburn
Bob Copeland
Kym Hopwood
Kym Hopwood
Linda Rose Koehler
Lois Kuboto
Laura Lawrence
Janelle Lee
Philip Lee
Jennifer Lisanti
Chris Mack
Martin Mackin
Wendy Miller
Julian Monsarrat
Randa Reynolds
Mitzy Russom
Casey Stratmeyer
Linda Rose Koehler
Cathy Little
Martin Mackin
Kevin Roberts
Steven Way
Janine Wilson
Knowledge is Power! The Value of Professional Credentials….
NAHU makes it Easy!






Increases confidence and professionalism
Accelerates career advancement
Increases respect with clients and peers
Helps advisors earn a larger share of their clients’ business
Reduces liability
Facilitates succession planning with a consistent level of industry knowledge
Those surveyed were asked how their RHU/REBC designation has benefited their career?


78% claimed to have seen an increased credibility in their practice
68% claimed it provided additional expertise, as well as contributed to them being able to
open new markets
Your NAHU membership entitles you to a wealth of resources, courses, certifications and
training either through online, webinar or direct presentations. Find out more about all the
Professional Designation opportunities available what they are and how to obtain them at on
CAHU’s website at: http://www.cahu.org/education/rhu-rebc and exercise your power today!
GGAHU Website. www.GGAHU.org is a very useful Tool for Our Members!
If you’re not checking it periodically, you should do so to:
 Download, view and print our electronic, colorized
versions of our Gold Nuggets newsletter.
 Easily make online reservations for most GGAHU events
 Check the Calendar of Events to see what’s going on!
 Access the list of GGAHU officers and board members to easily identify and
contact them and committee members and our Executive Director.
 Access easy “links” to reach the websites for CAHU, NAHU and the California
Department of Insurance
 Make use of a Membership Application to renew your membership
Plus more handy features will be added a soon as possible. If you have any questions about
GGAHU’S website, please email us at info@ggahu.org
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August 2013
PRESIDENT
Janine Wilson
HealthEquity
Ph: (925) 840-7080
president@ggahu.org
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Kevin Roberts
SeeChange Health
Ph: (925) 408-0558
e-mail: Kevin@krbenefits.com
SECRETARY
Cathy Little
Essential Exchange Insurance Services
Ph: (925) 984-5400
E-mail: cathy@eeinsuranceservices.com
TREASURER
Patrick Burns, CEBS, GBA
Burns Employee Benefits Insurance
Ph: (510) 652-7609
e-mail: patrick@burnsemployeebenefits.com
PAC CHAIR
Hazel Bright
HB Resources Insurance Services
Ph: (925) 671-0248
E-mail: hazel@hbrinsurance.com
MEDIA RELATIONS
Colleen Callahan, CLU, CASL, LUTCF
Colleen Callahan Insurance Services
Ph: (925) 284-5433; Fax: (925) 284-5444
e-mail: ccallahan@callahaninsurance.com
NEW MEMBERSHIP
John Helms
John Helms Associates
Ph: (925) 287-8616
e-mail: john@johnhelmsandassociates.com
MEMBERSHIP RETENTION
Mitzy Russom
Ph: (925) 927-7420
e-mail: mtzyrussom@yahoo.com
AWARDS CHAIR
Casey Stratmeyer
Payroll Systems
Ph: (925) 939-6214; Fax: (925) 939-5927
e-mail: casey@payroll-us.com
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR
Allison Farris Wendelberger
Ph: (415) 738-7736; Fax: (415) 738-7763
E-mail: Allison_wendelberger@us.aflac.com
PHOTO
COMING
SOON
EDUCATION/PROGRAM CHAIR
Ron Huppert
R H I Insurance Services
Ph: (925) 952 –8500
E-mail: ron@rhiservices.net
FOUNDATION CHAIR
Linda Rose Koehler
Herzog Insurance Agency
Ph: (925) 734-0530
e-mail: linda.rose@herzogins.com
LEGISLATIVE CHAIR
Colleen Callahan, CLU, CASL, LUTCF
Colleen Callahan Insurance Services
Ph: (925) 284-5433; Fax: (925) 284-5444
e-mail: ccallahan@callahaninsurance.com
HOSPITALITY CHAIR
Tina Baumgartner
Word and Brown
Ph: (408) 437-5329
E-mail: tinab@wordandbrown.com
MEMBER AT LARGE
Mitchell Zack
John Muir Health
Ph: (925) 952-2830; Fax: (925) 952-2839
E-mail: Mitchell.zack@johmuirhealth.com
MEMBER AT LARGE
Philip Lee
Lee Insurance Services
Ph: (925) 284-2000; Fax: (925) 284-5484
E-mail: plee@health-insurance.com
MEMBER AT LARGE
Rick Coburn
Word and Brown
Ph: (415) 726-9556
e-mail: rcoburn@wordandbrown.com
Board of Directors Meeting - 2nd Wednesday of each month
Claremont Insurance Services, 2999 Oak Road., Suite 810, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
All members are welcome to attend.
All GGAHU members are encouraged to be active & involved in representing the association, by taking part in the committee under each Chair. For more
information, please contact the Chair of the area of your interest. Should you be interested to volunteer for any open position on the board, please contact
Kevin Roberts (kevin@krbenefits.com). GGAHU would also like you to be aware that their budget and financials are available on the website www.ggahu.org.
We would like to express our appreciation to all
Golden Gate Association of Health Underwriters
~ 2013 Metallic Sponsors ~
With your support, we have been able to continue presenting quality events and
programs to our membership throughout this year.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you!
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Hill Physicians Medical Group
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
John Muir Health
BRONZE SPONSORS
Kaiser Permanente
SeeChange Health
Anthem Blue Cross
LISI
Word & Brown
Blue Shield of California
BRONZE SPONSORS—BROKER
Beere & Purves
Our Sponsors support us…we support them!
Please go out of your way to support our corporate sponsors
and help us in thanking our individual sponsors.
For more sponsorship opportunities, please contact
GGAHU at (800) 488-2506 or info@ggahu.org
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August 2013