Did you know
Join us for the 2nd Annual Herbert Montgomery charity golf event at Old Fort Golf Course
on June 21st, 2019.

Located along the banks of the Stones River adjacent to Fortress Rosecrans, a historic earthen fort used during the Civil War. Enjoy a wonderful golf experience combining antebellum landscapes within the heart of Murfreesboro.

The Herbert Montgomery Memorial Golf Tournament will benefit A SOLDIERS CHILD FOUNDATION in his honor. 

Please take time to watch the video below to get more information about this charity and the wonderful inspiring work they do.

PIA and AVYST are excited to announce that PIA members’ free trial of AVYST’s eForms Wizard has been extended to March 31, 2019 .

This PIA member benefit is an innovative software solution that enables insurance agents and producers to efficiently interview clients and prospects on-site with or without access to the internet. Using the eForms Wizard, agents can input data once and share it across multiple forms without the need to rekey all of the data into their management system. Coming in January is the services first release of carrier and agency specific forms, so be sure to watch for the new update.

Not only does eForms Wizard streamline the entire submission process, it also improves the customer experience, as prospects and clients are receiving their quotes faster and with fewer interactions with their agents. Carrie Mahoney of Mark Anthony Associates recently told PIA:

“AVYST’s eForms Wizard has been a great time saving product to bring potential new customers to market with up to date applications and ACORD forms. I don’t need to enter all the information into my agency management system to get the quote going and with the information automatically passed from form to form, it saves tons of precious time. If the customer moves from prospect to insured, I just print the signed application forms into the PDF format and attach it to the customer file. I highly recommend this product!”
Events & Info
Upcoming PIA National webinars:

Floodbroker.com Webinar – March 13 at 2 PM ET 

How to Succeed as a First Time Manager – March 20 at 2 PM ET 
PIA members earn HIGHER commissions on flood insurance sales with The Hartford.
2019 Convention
Legislative Updates
STAY CONNECTED: PIA Federal Legislative Summit  

On Feb. 13, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee considered a bill to put clear consumer warnings on short-term limited-duration health plans, disclosing the risks and warning in advance that coverage may not include pre-existing conditions. These plans offer limited benefits and insurers can deny claims they deem as a symptom of a pre-existing condition. Short-term health plans are promoted by the Trump administration as low-cost alternatives to comprehensive Affordable Care Act (ACA) polices.
 
In testimony, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman warned lawmakers about deceptive marketing practices that steer people into short-term plans, and about the practice of post-claims underwriting in short-term plans. She cited an instance in which a Pennsylvanian was denied coverage for heart failure treatment because the insurer said he could have been diagnosed with a heart condition prior to purchasing coverage. "They've shown the inclination to deny coverage rather than to provide it," Altman said.
 
Altman said the expanded short-term plans could disrupt the marketplace and noted her department has already suspended the licenses of some agents and brokers for misrepresenting the short-term coverage as comprehensive. "The plans are sold without consumer access to provider directories, formularies, sample coverage documents, summaries of benefits and coverage, or a uniform glossary," Altman said.
 
The 2019 PIA Federal Legislative Summit (FLS) will be held April 2-3rd in Washington, DC.
 
The FLS is your opportunity to represent the independent agent profession on issues that impact your business. The Government Relations staff at PIA National is your year-round advocate in the halls of Congress, but the FLS gives policymakers and their staffs a chance to hear directly from you, their constituents. It's your opportunity to "Make Your Priorities Their Priorities."
 
In 2018, your advocacy led to legislative victories for agents on vital matters like delaying the Cadillac tax until 2022, independent agencies getting maximum benefit from the tax reform law, protecting the commissions of agents selling National Flood Insurance Program policies, and the introduction of legislation to repeal the Federal Insurance Office (FIO).
 
At this year's FLS, PIA members will continue to advocate to repeal the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), to protect the vital role that independent agents play in delivering federally-backed crop and flood insurance, and to safeguard the employer-sponsored healthcare system.
 
To learn more about the FLS and to register, visit: http://www.piafls.com

PIA National's government relations team recently launched the PIA Advocacy Blog, your one-stop shop for timely updates on what's happening on Capitol Hill and on state and federal regulatory issues. Read the blog anytime by visiting www.PIAAdvocacy.com . 

Here are some of the latest posts on PIA Advocacy:
 
 

In The News
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If you are interested in advertising your business or writing an article in our newsletter, please contact:
Tina Nickell @ 615-823-5079 or tnickell@piatn.com
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