BY DAWN MCFARLAND
Have you heard that saying that “God laughs at us when we make plans”? Pretty sure 2020 and 2021 are perfect pictures of that. This column is the “Agent’s Voice” and from my agent perspective and the observation of my colleagues around me, there is no longer a calm time in our industry. Fourth quarter began spilling into January—with the ACA and now the SEP extensions, subsidy increases and COBRA subsidy navigation from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—holy moly!
You know what is great about all of this? It is just in time to show how valuable agents are and why we need to be kept around whatever reformation of healthcare comes about. It’s so interesting how legislation creates the impetus of change, but we’re the “boots on the ground” who have to figure out how to make it work.
Oh and let’s not forget that there are some new broker commission transparency rules coming down the pike from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Did someone say Mental Health Parity NQTL Analyses? Mental Health is not just a little issue these days, right? If you haven’t heard how these could impact you (group agent, Medicare agent AND IFP agent) be sure to watch one of the NAHU Compliance Corners, or read one of my favorite blogs by MZQ Consulting. Sometimes it feels like we are a spaceship constantly dodging meteors because we are the implementers!
Every time I write here, I will ask that if you are employed in the health insurance industry that you join your local chapter of the Association of Health Underwriters (which then makes you a part of your state chapter and NAHU (National Association of Health Underwriters). If you are already a member, thank you! If you want to hear more about the value it adds, give me a call. And if you want to get involved in the work we do for industry, even better!
We are the ones our clients call when the Department of Labor comes knocking. We are the ones our clients call when they get the email that they may now be eligible for a new subsidy. We are the ones they call when they receive a large medical bill.
All of this work we do is best shown by our voice in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento. And it matters. I am sure you have heard of the single payer and public option proposals in multiple states, including California.
By the time you read this, we will have completed our annual Sacramento visits with CAHU up and down the state. One of the big discussions related to this event, called Capitol Summit, was “can we have the summit in person?” (at that time California was not in a tier where that was possible) or “do we go forward virtually?” especially since we cannot walk the halls of the capitol in person. Virtual won after a survey of membership showed that while many were in favor of in-person events, slightly more were in favor of waiting just a little bit longer.
As with everything these days there are many differing opinions and that can make our environments hard to navigate. Add the forums of public opinion (especially social media) and well, it sometimes feels like a harsh and judgmental world. How about we support each other and accept that when someone else has a different perspective, we can still be kind to each other? We have a great big platform to set the example of spreading positivity over negativity.
We’ve seen a lot of talk around mental health these days too—well, no wonder, right? It’s been a tough year no matter what side of the aisle you sit on and we are all eager to GET OUT! As we start re-entering public places with less social distancing and more people vaccinated, let’s take it easy on one another while we re-acclimate. There is a thing called “reentry anxiety” and it is real. A shocking 50% of us are experiencing it. If that’s you, Google it and you can find lots of great tips on how to deal with it.
I know I am sure excited to get back to seeing people (and concerts!) again, though I am grateful for the ways I have efficiency that I did not use before. Change creates opportunity. I am curious to see what we humans come up with for the next hybrid work environment and what we will do with all of our empty commercial space.
Every time I write here, I will ask that if you are employed in the health insurance industry that you join your local chapter of the Association of Health Underwriters (which then makes you a part of your state chapter and NAHU (National Association of Health Underwriters). If you are already a member, thank you! If you want to hear more about the value it adds, give me a call. And if you want to get involved in the work we do for industry, even better!
Here’s to seeing you, in the flesh, very soon! And to HUGS!
DAWN MCFARLAND is founder and president of M&M Benefit Solutions Insurance Services. She is passionate about helping individuals—especially Medicare eligible—navigate choosing how they receive their health care. She believes in education as one of the means to help change the high cost of healthcare. Dawn currently serves as VP of Legislation for CAHU; on the Medicare Advisory Council and the Membership Council for NAHU and is currently a member and past president of the Los Angeles Association of Health Underwriters (LAAHU).
Contact: dawn@mnmbenefitsolutions.com or visit www.mnmbenefitsolutions.com.