Los Angeles-based Dickerson Insurance Services announced it has become an Alera Group partner firm. The change happened effective May 1. Alera Group is an independent entrepreneurial firm with more than 50 locations across the nation. The companies say that Alera Group offers industry expertise in insurance services and wealth management, combined with the ability for partner firms to preserve their company cultures, staffing and business models. “Our company began 53 years ago as a one-man firm with roots in the minority and underserved communities of Los Angeles,” says Dickerson CEO and managing partner Tony Lee. “Our new partnership affords us the ability to continue our trajectory while delivering the high levels of innovation and customer support for which we are known.” Dickerson serves thousands of insurance brokers and their clients from its L.A. headquarters. In addition to partnering with major insurance and other companies, Dickerson also offers services such as payroll, electronic enrollment, benefits administration, account management, HR, compliance, risk management and more. For information, visit www.dickerson-group.com.
Drug Assistance Available for Free
Head’s up: a no-cost California Rx Card and Nevada Drug Card prescription drug assistance program is available to any resident, regardless of age or income. Edward J. Brown III, vice president of the two programs, says residents of California and Nevada who use the program have saved more than $635 million since the discount cards were launched in 2007 and 2008, through December 31, 2017. Whether patients are uninsured or underinsured, the discount cards may deliver savings and are accepted by a number of pharmacies, including CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, Albertsons, Pavilions, Raley’s, Ralphs, Safeway, Smith’s and Vons supermarkets. The discount cards offer savings on both brand name and generic medications, with discounts ranging from 30 to 75 percent. The program can be especially useful to individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid and Medicare programs. It can also be used by residents who need prescription drugs not covered by their insurance and when purchasing prescription medications for pets. Cards can be obtained by visiting www.californiarxcard.com or www.nevadadrugcard.com. At CVS pharmacies, individuals can also simply request that the pharmacy technician or pharmacist process their prescription through the California Rx Card or Nevada Drug Card program.
LS Pipeline LLC Now Operates as LS Pipeline
LS Pipeline LLC announced it is now operating as simply LS Pipeline. In a recent release, the company clarified that it is not a broker and is instead focused on redefining life settlement industry technology standards. New and existing suppliers – companies with downline financial professionals (e.g., brokers, providers, general agents, insurance carriers, etc.) – can implement LS Pipeline’s patent-pending software to provide LS tools throughout their organizations. These tools are intended to save time while engaging financial professionals and clients in the life settlement conversation. LS Pipeline encourages brokers, providers, agents and other potential supply organizations to schedule a demo of LS Pipeline solutions. Click here to request a demo. For more info, view this video on LS Pipeline.
AIG Enhances Underwriting for Two IUL Insurance Solutions
American International Group, Inc., a leader in the index universal life insurance market, announced new, non-medical underwriting for Max Accumulator+ IUL insurance policies and improvements to non-medical underwriting for QoL Max Accumulator+ IUL insurance policies, both issued by American General Life. “Non- medical underwriting” means that no in-person paramedical examination will be required of an applicant for life insurance. For Max Accumulator+ cases that fall within predetermined guidelines, non-medical underwriting is now available for clients ages 0-50 in up to Preferred Plus underwriting class for policies with face amounts of $50,000 to $499,999.99. For eligible QoL Max Accumulator+ cases, non-medical underwriting has been expanded to encompass those same ages and face amounts for all rate classes up to and including Preferred Plus. For proposed insureds who qualify, non-medical underwriting of Max Accumulator+ and QoL Max Accumulator+ is designed to result in a significantly reduced underwriting cycle time (from application receipt to the underwriting decision) and an application process that’s less intrusive. In addition to no in-person paramedical examination, the process features:
- no physical exam,
- no lab tests, and
- no attending physician statement.
For financial professionals, non-medical underwriting of the two IUL solutions means:
- easy processing, with fewer requirements to gather,
- the same competitive products with no changes to state availability, and
- faster turnaround times, especially for Max Accumulator+ applications submitted through the Quick Ticket® online submission tool for selected AIG life insurance products, and QoL Max Accumulator+ applications submitted via iGO®, the intelligent fillable form and data gathering solution hosted by iPipeline®.
AIG has also launched two online IUL insurance resource centers, at www.aig.com/IUL and www.aig.com/QoLIU
Aflac Brings Home SABRE Awards for Corporate Responsibility
Though Aflac has grappled with sales force controversy this year, the leading provider of voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the U.S. continues to do good and bring home plenty of accolades to prove it. The company recently received the Platinum SABRE Award for Best In Show and the Gold SABRE Award for Institutional Image. The SABRE Awards are issued by The Holmes Report, which recognizes superior achievement in branding and reputation in North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. Aflac received top honors for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign and its latest innovation in the fight against childhood cancer, the My Special Aflac Duck™, an innovative, smart robotic companion that uses play to help children coping with cancer. For more information, check out Aflac’s award-winning CSR microsite at www.aflac.com/csrreport. For more about My Special Aflac Duck, visit Aflac’s childhood cancer campaign page at aflacchildhoodcancer.org.
It’s Harder To Health Qualify For Long-Term Care Insurance, Start Earlier Advises AALTCI
Nearly half of individuals 70 or older who apply for long-term care insurance are declined coverage due to existing health conditions according to a just-released study conducted by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). The Association just released results of a study of leading long-term care insurance companies. According to the findings, some 44 percent of individuals age 70 or older who applied for coverage were declined. At younger ages the percentage of individuals declined for traditional long-term care insurance policies is lower but still significant, according to AALTCI.
ANNUITIES
Impact Announces Partnership with Lincoln
The Impact Partnership announced a new partnership with Lincoln Financial Group to launch Lincoln Impact AdvantageSM, a fixed indexed annuity providing higher net worth clients with competitive upside opportunities through equity-like returns while protecting from equity-like losses. Lincoln Impact AdvantageSM features the Balanced Capital Strength 6 Index, utilizing First Trust’s Smart Beta Strategy. The solution is designed for clients who seek the stability that a fixed annuity can provide, combined with growth potential. Clients also have the ability to take income in retirement when ready, through the i4LIFE® Indexed Advantage, Lincoln’s patented retirement income distribution strategy. This annuity will be offered through an exclusive group of 500 agents and advisors that are part of Impact’s larger network throughout the United States. Advisors with high net worth clients can contact an Impact Partnership representative at 800-380-5040.
CAL BROKER
Agent’s Voice- Do You Have an Idea?
Los Angeles-based producer Naama O. Pozniak is now contributing the Agent’s Voice column for Cal Broker. Check out Naama’s May story, up now. We’re also accepting guest contributors — agents in the field who have something to share about what they’re doing. Email editor@calbrokermag.com
EVENTS
LAAHU May Meeting- Long-Term Care
May 17, 8am, Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12825 Ventura Blvd, Studio City
Topic is marketplace changes in long term care with presenter Steve Cain, director of LTCI Partners. There will also be an election of directors. Nominations can be made from the floor at the meeting. Click here for names of those already nominated.
IICF Casino Night
May 17, The Rotunda, San Francisco
Join the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation for a fun night of gambling and insurance industry networking while also raising money for community grants. The event takes place at The Rotunda, Union Square, San Francisco. Registration and sponsorship info available here.
CAHU Capitol Summit
May 21-23, Sheraton Grand, Sacramento
Speakers will address issues such as universal coverage, upcoming state and federal bills, and the current “lay of the land” in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. In addition to insight and information, the Summit also has opportunities for fun and networking. Keynote speaker is radio show host Joe Getty. Register and info available here.
NAFA Annuity Leadership Forum & Hill Walk
June 13-15, Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC
Events provide an opportunity for membership to network with one another, advocate on behalf of fixed annuities and learn about ways to enhance distribution. Keynote speaker is journalist Fred Barnes. Info and registration here.
IICF Western Regional Forum
June 21, The Millennium Biltmore, Downtown Los Angeles
The one-day regional format provides opportunities for greater participation and networking with colleagues here in the West and beyond. There will be ample time for networking with speakers as well. Topic this year is Driving Diversity: Cultivating Individual and Industry Confidence. Learn more at womensconference.iicf.org
NAILBA 37
November 1-3, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
Detailed information about NAILBA 37 will be available soon. Exhibit hall and sponsorship opportunities available here. Or contact etoups@nailba.org for more info.
