This week, CHIP was renewed for six years and the federal government was reopened. Other than that, it’s been a little slow around here as far as insurance drama. But if you’re nostalgic for last year’s roller coaster ride, read this.
LAAHU Paladin Award – Nominate Now!
The Paladin is LAAHU’s most prestigious award. Each year a six‐member committee comprised of four Paladin recipients, the immediate past president and the president‐elect meet to discuss and select the LAAHU member who best meets the established criteria for this award.
If you’d like to nominate a LAAHU member who demonstrates the achievements below, please send in the name of the nominee and how they qualify for each of the criteria listed to: info@laahu.org
- Contributed “directly” to the Association
- Provided service or assistance to others within the Association and or industry
- Acted as a leader or coach who challenged others to aspire to a greater goal or understandingProvided leadership, coaching or assistance in more than one discipline (education, legislation, marketing, sales, etc.)
- Provided leadership over a period of time indicating a long term commitment
The award will be presented at the LAAHU Annual Conference in April! Registration is now open!
Aetna agrees to $17M Payout for Egregious HIV Privacy Breach
Kaiser Health News reports that Aetna has agreed to a $17 million payout due to a privacy breach that happened in the summer of 2017. The insurer sent letters to patients who were taking HIV medications. Unfortunately, the clear windows on the envelops allowed anyone who saw the letter to read about the patient’s HIV medications.
MetLife Evolves Supplemental Health Employee Benefit Product Suite to Meet Needs of the Changing Workforce
To meet the needs of today’s workforce – and the workforce of the future – MetLife announced a change to its supplemental health product suite, which includes voluntary benefits. MetLife’s enhanced hospital indemnity solution, which is now available, offers new benefit options including child care, transportation, lodging and prescription drugs. The new plan is also modular, with standard plans and optional benefits employers can select to customize their coverage. For employees’ ease and convenience, the plan contains no age restrictions for participants or spouses and covers children up to 26 years of age. Payments are made in lump sums for employees to use as they choose. Consultative customer service is provided 24/7 to help employees understand the scope of their coverage and answer any questions they may have. Visit MetLife’s website for more info.
BIG I Praises Delay of Cadillac Tax
“The Big “I” announced it was pleased to see another two-year delay of the ‘Cadillac’ tax included in the government funding legislation that President Trump signed into law. The tax has now been delayed until 2022. Big I publicly thanked lPresident Trump, Sens. Heller (R-Nevada) and Heinrich (D-New Mexico), and Reps. Kelly (R-Pennsylvania) and Courtney (D-Connecticut) for their work securing the delay.
LIMRA Tackles Agent Retention
According to LIMRA’s latest Agent Production and Retention survey, almost three quarters of agency-building companies reported growth in their 2016 sales force. However, companies still reported low retention rates for agents who were within their first two calendar years on the job. LIMRA will address this issue as well as InsurTech and consumer engagement at its 2018 Distribution Conference February 28 through March 2 in Florida.
LifeMark Partners to Offer Cancer Genomic Profiling Program to More Than 2 million Americans
LifeMark Partners, Inc., one of the nation’s largest independent national insurance marketing organizations, announced that a complimentary cancer genomic profiling program will be exclusively available to its partner broker general agents. The company says this is a first of its kind offer and will allow BGAs affiliated with LifeMark Partners to initially provide 250,000 Americans, who purchased new life insurance policies, with instant complimentary access for one year to Wamberg Genomic Advisors’ Cancer Guardian program. Cancer Guardian allows sequencing of a cancer tumor to learn about coding mutations that contribute to tumor progression. To find a LifeMark Partners’ agency click here.
Register Now for the Women in Insurance: Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership
IICF’s Women in Insurance Conference Series has positioned the insurance industry at the forefront of the national conversation on diversity, inclusion and leadership. IICF Western Regional Forum will be June 21 at The Millennium Biltmore in Los Angeles. Find out more and register at the IICF website.
Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) Webinar – FMLA Communications
January 23, 9AM Pacific
Helen Applewhaite with the United States Department of Labor, and Angela Ripper with Unum, will provide Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guidance and best practices. They will use the DOL Employer’s Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act, case law and real-world examples to describe how communication regulations are applied in the workplace. To register, call 202-554-6796.
LIMRA 2018 Distribution Conference
Feb 28-March 2, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, Ponte Vedra, FL
Sessions about agent retention, InsurTech, consumer engagement and more. Info and registration at the conference website.
NAC3, the North American Crypto Currency Conference
March 24-25, Playa Studios, Los Angeles
Event appropriate for seasoned crypto currency pros and those merely curious about Bitcoin, Ethereum, Blockchain etc. Tickets and info now available at https://www.nac3.io. Companies interested in sponsorship can contact info@nac3.io for details.
LAAHU Annual Conference
April 11-12, LA Convention Center
Registration, exhibit and sponsorship info now available!
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 at IICF’s website.
NAILBA 37
SAVE THE DATE! 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
