September kicks off life insurance awareness month. Have you checked out Cal Broker’s September magazine issue? We have the Life Insurance View from the Top and much more. You can find the magazine online here.
Insurance Commissioner Working to Get Legal Pot Growers Insured
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones recently called on more insurers to enter the marijuana market to help fill gaps in coverage for those whose roles are essential in the cultivation and distribution of the drug. Of course, pot is now legal here but remains illegal at the federal level. Business Insurance reports that Jones has organized tours for insurance executives at cannabis businesses and convened meetings between insurance company executives and cannabis business owners in an attempt to educate insurers about this burgeoning industry.
Campaign Calls on Insurers to Ditch Fossil Fuels
Amid the Global Climate Action Summit, a new campaign, Insure Our Future, is calling out the insurance industry for its contribution to climate change. The campaign urges the industry to stop supporting fossil fuels. Insure Our Future charges that through insuring dangerous dirty energy projects and investing in fossil fuel companies, the insurance industry plays a critical role in driving the use of carbon-intensive energy sources. The U.S.-focused campaign follows significant movement from major European insurers. In the last three years, 17 large international insurers have divested about $30 billion from coal companies, and six have stopped or limited insuring the coal industry, including Allianz, Axa, Zurich and Swiss Re. To date, no major U.S. insurer has yet committed to end its support of fossil fuels.
Women Making Industry C-Suite Inroads
It’s not changing as fast as some would like, but women are making inroads in leadership positions in the insurance industry. That’s the take-home from this article on Insurance Business.
HEALTH
Health Insurance Expected to Impact Midterms
KHN reports that health insurance will likely play a key issue as the nation heads to the polls for midterm elections. Here’s their roundup of what leading news sources say has some politicians shaking in their boots.
Must-See TV for Agents
We know, you’re probably tired of all that Netflix and Hulu binge watching. So good news: A.M. BestTV recently launched a new episode. Jennifer Asamoah, financial analyst, and Jason Hopper, associate director, industry research and analytics, both of A.M. Best, delve into how health insurers’ investments have included more non-traditional assets and higher-risk bonds. Click here to view the program.
Wipro and Opera Solutions Launch Solution to Detect and Address Fraud and Waste in Health Insurance Claims
Wipro, a global info tech firm, announced the launch of an end-to-end solution to address the issue of fraud, waste, and abuse in health insurance claims in the United States. The initiative is in partnership with Opera Solutions, LLC. The solution will combine Opera Solutions’ AI and machine learning based Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) detection engine with Wipro’s extensive full-service claim processing capabilities in claims review, which includes the forensic examination of questionable claims, audits, adjustments, negotiations, recovery follow-up and payment posting.
VSP Offers New Research Insights
VSP Vision Care and market research agency YouGov recently teamed up to offer up vision insights. Among the eye opening findings:
- 8 in 10 people (84 percent) rate vision as the most important sense, and nearly everyone (97 percent) agrees that having healthy eyes is important, but only half of people get annual eye exams.
- Virtually no one (1 percent each) knows that signs of serious diseases and conditions like high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, thyroid diseases and certain types of cancers can be detected through an eye exam.
- 6 in 10 (61 percent) people worry about diabetes impacting their family’s health, but only 4 percent know that eye doctors can detect signs of diabetes through an eye exam.
- More than two-thirds of parents worry about their children’s eye health more than their own, but only 12 percent of parents know children should receive their first eye exam at six months old.
- 8 in 10 parents (84 percent) agree that a regular eye exam helps kids do their best in school, but 4 in 10 (41 percent) wait until their child complains about their vision to schedule an eye exam.
- Twice as many parents worry about their children’s dental problems (15 percent) than their vision issues (7 percent), even though most children lose their baby teeth by age 12 or 13.
- After learning about the importance of annual eye exams, 9 in 10 (90 percent) survey respondents agree on the importance of annual eye exams.
Aflac Recognizes Childhood Cancer Awareness
Aflac announced a slate of activities to honor children and families facing childhood cancer during September, which is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. During this month-long focus on families, the company will begin delivering its latest innovation in childhood cancer support, My Special Aflac DuckTM, a robotic duck designed to help newly diagnosed children and families dealing with cancer. As part of its ongoing Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign®, the company plans to distribute the comforting robots nationwide to children ages 3-13 who are diagnosed with cancer, free of charge when requested through a treating hospital. Aflac will also observe Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Sept. 10 and through an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Sept. 14, which is when the network will recognize Stand Up To Cancer Day. During National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Aflac will also unveil its 2017 Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
Oscar Broker Events
September 6 (Costa Mesa),7 (Warner Center, Woodland Hills) & 13 (Skirball Center, L.A.)
In June, Oscar launched small group products. For Q4, the company is positioned for growth. Also, Oscar is committed to serving and growing the individual market. Learn what the company is doing to help you grow your IFP business, on and off-exchange. Ask your small group GA, or register here for one of the three dates.
CAHU Foundation Gala
September 14, Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego
Please join CAHU for a Masquerade Gala to revitalize the CAHU Foundation. Festivities begin at 5:30pm at the famous Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Formal attire is requested. Gala tickets and hotel reservations can be purchased here. Or call (800) 322-5934. More info at the CAHU Foundation website.
DCAHU 2nd annual Medicare Summit
Thursday, September 20, 8:30am – 2:30pm
Villa Portofino Clubhouse, 4001 Via Portofino, Palm Desert
Hear Ryan Dorigan from Applied General Agency at 11:30am speak on working with providers and medical groups and Margaret Stedt at 1pm discuss helping your senior clients maximize their drug plan and options. 2 CEs available.
Advance tickets $30 or $60 at the door. More info and registration here.
LAAHU and VCAHU Medicare Summit
September 20-21, Pickwick Gardens Conference Center, Burbank
September 20- certifications and product training (including SCAN)
September 21- C.E. Courses and breakout sessions! Theme is “Get Ready to Rock and Roll with Medicare.” Click here to register.
IICF Week of Giving 2018: October 13-20
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation announced the 2018 Week of Giving will be October 13-20. Registration for nonprofits and volunteers is now open. Check out IICF Week of Giving for more info.
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.
