A new A.M. Best report titled “The ACA Five Years On: Early Struggles Give Way to Strong Performance for U.S. Health Insurers,” concludes that the U.S. health insurance segment has bounced back after early ACA struggles. In the last two years, the industry has posted its highest underwriting and net incomes since the ACA went into effect at the start of 2014. On the individual side, business has been substantially more profitable for insurers in the last two years of the ACA than the first three years, with industry net income of $23.2 billion in 2017 and $28.4 billion in 2018, compared with $12.3 billion in 2014. Performance throughout the health insurance industry, according to Best, has strengthened, as the percentage of companies reporting an underwriting loss has declined since 2015. Capital and surplus also has followed a similar pattern, topping $198 billion at year-end 2018. Indeed.
HEALTH
Number of Uninsured Remains About the Same in California, Creeps Up Nationally
The U.S. Census Bureau reported this week that nationally the uninsured rate increased a half of a percentage point from last year to 8.5%. Other findings: there are more people on Medicare and employer-based health insurance isn’t growing despite low unemployment. In California, there was almost no difference in the number of uninsured. We had 7.2% of our population uninsured in 2017 and 2018. Take a look at the report here.
CAHU Conference Coming to Costa Mesa Oct 4!
Don’t forget to register for the CAHU annual conference. C’mon. It’ll be fun.
AMA Releases Competition Study
The American Medical Association recently published “Competition in Health Insurance – A comprehensive study of U.S. markets”. Please go ahead peruse the PDF. With a quick look, what we can tell is that California isn’t the worst. Let us know your thoughts! editor@calbrokermag.com
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Do You Recognize Any of These People?
Last week we hung out at PERKSLA, the L.A. version of the employee benefits conference PerksCon. We ran into a few of the usual suspects….
This is Reid Rasmussen and few other fans of FreshBenies! But where were you?
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Retirement Ed Resources Available for Free
The Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC) sent us a little note saying maybe we could tell you about their educational videos. The IALC is a consortium of life insurance companies, by the way. They have something called the Game Ready retirement series of vids. And they provide free online resources such as worksheets, calculators, etc. Take a look here and share with your clients if you like!
LIFE
LegacyShield Offers LegacyLife
LegacyShield recently unveiled LegacyLife, a permanent life insurance product developed in conjunction with The Savings Bank Mutual Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts (SBLI). LegacyShield comes preloaded with Life’s Mission Control® tools. LegacyShield has a guaranteed death benefit, guaranteed cash value, and a return of premium level term rider. Depending on age and coverage amount, LegacyLife policies may not require a medical exam and are typically issued within five business days.
PEOPLE
Beth Andersen Named President of Anthem Blue Cross’ Commercial Business Plan
Anthem Blue Cross announced that Beth Andersen has been named president of the company’s commercial business plan in California. Prior to joining Anthem, Andersen held various senior leadership roles with Optum and Aetna and also headed LifeMap, a member of Cambia Health, in the Pacific Northwest.
EVENTS
NAAIA National Conference & Empowerment Summit
Sept 11-13, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, GA
Leaders from across the insurance and financial services profession will come together at this high energy industry event to further the education, advancement and uplifting of African American insurance professionals. More info at www.naaia.org
LIMRA Group & Worksite Benefits Conference
Sept 10-12, Newport Marriott, Rhode Island
The conference will focus on key industry issues, including factors driving change in the benefits market. Executives and professionals in the workplace benefits area are encouraged to attend and network at this collaborative event. Tom Wamberg, chief executive officer, Wamberg Genomic Advisors, will open the conference by talking about how genomic developments will change every long-held belief of the life and health insurance industries. He’ll discuss genomic products and their potential risks, rewards and regulations. The following day, these industry leaders will share their thoughts on today’s most important topics in the workplace space:
- Lori L. High, senior vice president, Sales & Relationship Management – Group Benefits, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
- Gene Lanzoni, assistant vice president, Thought Leadership – Group & Worksite Marketing, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America;
- Jeanette Rice, president and chief operating officer, American Fidelity Assurance Company; and
- Bill Smith, president, Cigna Group Insurance
Registration and info here.
GGAHU –Reducing Healthcare cost with Yoga & Meditation
LAAHU seminar- The Art of Networking
September 19, Skirball Cultural Center, 9 a.m.
Speaker Sarah Shirazi-Reznick will cover the how to be more effective and intentional in networking environments. Topics will cover include niche marketing, how to choose your network groups, power partners, elevator speeches and much more. Register here.
NAIFA & LAAHU 13th Annual Health Forum
September 20, 2019, Corky’s Restaurant, 5043 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks
Join NAIFA- Los Angeles, NAIFA-Greater Foothills and LAAHU for a jam-packed half day, including a 2CE breakfast with senator Anthony Portantino and much more. Info and registration register here.
CAHU Annual Conference & Symposium– We’ll see you here!
Oct 3-5, Costa Mesa
Register here.
Alliance of Comprehensive Planners 2019 Annual Conference
Nov. 12-15, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, San Diego
The Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP) is a community of tax-focused financial planners who provide planning strategies for clients on a fee-only retainer basis. Conference early bird registration rates (which expire Oct. 11, 2019) are in effect now. Participation is open to all interested financial professionals. Companies interested in sponsoring the ACP Annual Conference should contact Jill Colsch at jill@acplanners.org. The agenda is available here: https://2019.acplanners.org/home. More info here.
CAHU Women’s Leadership Conference
March 25-27, 2020, JW Marriott Resort&Spa, Las Vegas
Save the date! Get early bird pricing by registering by 8/31/19 and using code NAHU19. More info at www.cahu.org.
LAAHU Annual Symposium- Save the date!
April 22, 2020, Skirball Center, Los Angeles
More info soon!
