IAHU Viewpoint - March 2020

March 2020 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 13 Issue 6

A special thank you to our 2020 Platinum Sponsor:

CAP CON RECAP

Terrie Trevino's View Of The Capitol

Angie Jackson's View Of The Washington Monument

Sue Stokesberry's View Of Books Written About President Lincoln

A Note From Your Legislative Committee

It was another fantastic month where 16 IAHU members flew back to Washington D.C. to attend NAHU’s Capitol Conference. It’s during these events that we meet with law makers to improve our industry and strengthen our product offerings in Idaho.

This year we focused on five recommendations to law makers:

Fixes to the recent threat of surprise billings. Have you had a client go to an in-network facility only to be billed/treated by an out-of-network provider? Surprise! Have you had a client require emergency treatment outside of their network of providers? Surprise! We like some surprises, but bills beyond what our coverage pays is not one of them. NAHU and IAHU are working hard to eliminate surprise billings for our clients and customers.
We reminded legislators and law makers that “Medicare for All” is Choice for None. We are strongly positioned to help them see the failings of this route.
Medicare fixes – we asked them to fix two issues within the Medicare arena. COBRA needs to be recognized as ‘creditable coverage’. It’s currently NOT, leaving Medicare beneficiaries facing heavy lifetime penalties. We also asked that employees who work beyond age 65 should be allowed to continue to contribute to their Health Savings Accounts. Some common-sense fixed that are easily attainable.
Lastly, we focused on large Employer issues. We promoted legislation that is designed to ease the burden on Employers who are required to comply with onerous ACA reporting rules. We also reminded congress to NOT eliminate the tax-deductibility of employee benefits. It would be disastrous to the employer-provided benefits market.

I was thrilled to be a part of this legislative process, and see first-hand the powerful effect of NAHU on issues affecting our industry.

David Wilcox

IAHU Legislative Co-Chair

Bob Nelson (Legislative Co-Chair) Leading The Troops Prior To Our Hill Visits

Being Prepped For Hill Visits By Our NAHU Legislative Council

IAHU Members At Representative Fulcher's Office

Sharing Our Message At Representative Fulcher's Office

IAHU Members At Representative Simpson's Office

Representing Idaho With Simpson Staffer Jamie

More Capitol Conference Photos Below...

Upcoming Events

brought to you by our Gold Sponsors

IAHU Symposium & Awards Banquet

Boise State University

April 22-23

Registration Form

2020 Vendor Packet

NAHU Annual Convention

Chicago, IL

June 27-30

Learn More

HUPAC - NAHU's Political Action Committee Click to Learn More

"Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No man has the moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere."

Theodore Roosevelt

Leading Producers Round Table Happening Now:

The online qualification application is open – apply for 2020 LPRT from 2019 production/commission – Application closes on June 1. Go to NAHU.org/Resources/LeadingProducersRoundtable/on-line application

Video challenge – we are looking for LPRT qualifiers in our region to post to social media, a short video of themselves sharing why they qualify for LPRT and the biggest value to them. Make sure to use hashtag: #NAHU, #LPRT and make the ask to their NAHU friends to do the same. Help us meet our goal of 500 qualifiers.

We will have someone at the Idaho State Symposium in April recording the LPRT testimonials.

If there are LPRT qualifiers in your region that are willing to be interviewed and featured in ABS, please contact Val Cramer (val.cramer@myhealthbridge.com or Brooke Willson bwillson@nahu.org.

Watch for the next edition of the LPRT toolbox coming out in March. This toolbox is provides several simple ways in which state and local chapters can promote the value and benefits of LPRT and promote LPRT qualifiers in their chapters.

Click to Learn More

Treasure Valley Association of Health Underwriters

February, was a busy month. TVAHU held their monthly meeting on Thursday, February 13 ^th , our speaker was Lori Wolff Deputy Director for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. We had a record number of agents in attendance, 80 local agents came to hear Lori speak. Agents were given an opportunity to provide feedback regarding the 2019, process and possible improvements for 2020.

With our attendance increasing at our local meetings we are now requiring that all members that RSVP prepay, we will no longer be able to take payment at the door. Our RSVP’s are due a week before our meeting so be sure to respond to the RSVP emails as soon as possible.

Cap Conference was held the last week of February, we had seven local TVAHU members in attendance. During our time in DC, we had the opportunity to visit Senator Risch, Senator Crapo, Representative Mike Simpson, and Representative Mike Fulcher. During our visits we discussed Surprise Billing, Public Option or Medicare For All, COBRA Coverage Counting as Creditable Coverage for Medicare, and Preserving the Employer Tax Exclusion.

As we close out the 2019-2020 year we are looking for agents that would like to take the next step in volunteering for this great organization. If you are interested in a board position please contact Stacie Anthony your 2020-2021 President at stacie@aigidaho.com .

2019-20 Meeting Schedule

2019-20 Board Members

Southern Idaho Association of Health Underwriters

2019-20 Board Members

Eastern Idaho Association of Health Underwriters

2019-20 Board Members

North Idaho Association of Health Underwriters

News from Northern Idaho- NIAHU

Day on the Hill- 6 members attended. A great turn out with a few newcomers enjoying the tour of the Capitol and gaining a better understanding of the legislative workings. Ernie took photos of the day and with the help of Katie his wife and their 2 daughters turned them into a nice slide show to share at the February membership meeting.

Wrapping up final details on the 9 ^th Annual Bowling Tournament and Silent Auction Charity Event slated for Friday March 20 ^th . Proceeds will be split to support Family Promise of North Idaho and NIAHU.

Family Promise of North Idaho is an affiliate of Family Promise® which was created in 1986 in response to the growing need to provide shelter, meals, and comprehensive support to families without homes. They are a nonsectarian charity and welcome all clients who meet eligibility and admission requirements. The staff and board of trustees work together with our interfaith and community partners to extend support to the homeless families in North Idaho. In a typical Family Promise program over half of the guests are children, most of whom are under the age of six.

Final details on our May Program offering 3 hours of CE. Meeting to be held

May 13 ^th at Garden Plaza, in Post Falls. Check in at 10:00 am, cost will be $45.00 per person (includes a delicious lunch)

Program titles: Medicaid Expansion with updates, presented by -Lori Wolff- Deputy Director, Health, Welfare, and Family services:

Social Media Compliance & Efficiency Tools- Malia Rogers

Still working on 1 more ce TBA! We have a few options yet in confirming our speaker!

See you in Boise!

Carey Spears-

NIAHU President

2019-20 Meeting Schedule

2019-20 Board Members