TAHU Update Volume No. 4 Issue No. 2 October 2002
October Meeting
Monday, October 21, 2002
Marriott at RTP
Exit 281, Miami Blvd.
11:45 am, Luncheon Meeting
OCTOBER GUEST SPEAKER
Don Narensky
Social Security Disability
Claimants Representative
Don Narensky has had over twenty-two years of experience with Social Security benefit programs, both for the Adminstration and in private practice. He has worked extensively with people seeking Social Security benefits and has given presentations to health and social service groups and has conducted a public information radio show on Social Security benefits programs.
Mr. Narensky has developed a high level of expertise in Social Security rules, regulation and policies, including coordinating the Hyatt program for North Carolina residents while in service with the government.
Mr. Narensky is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR) and the National Association of Disability Representatives, and works to assist claimants in obtaining Social Security and/or SSI benefits.
SPONSORED BY
CTGroup
A Division of Commercial Travelers Mutual Insurance Company
President's Message:
Sam King, CHC
You probably saw the headlines and articles last week regarding the crisis with the uninsured. Forty-one (41) million is quoted as the amount uninsured Americans for the year of 2001. Anyone in our industry cannot help but ask what will be the solution. We in the industry know a large portion of the uninsured are in temporary situations where they have decided against taking advantage of their rights under COBRA or through State Continuation Laws. We know many have decided not to buy temporary plans as offered in our state. Many would rather play the odds and depend on someone else to pay their fare if a catastrophic situation would arise. We know many have health conditions that in the current market create premium requirements that make it difficult for individuals of average means to afford coverage and still pay the rent/mortgage and have food on the table. We in the industry have seen the constant the downward slide of employer's contributions towards health insurance. A recent article I read stated less than thirty-two percent (32%) of employees of employers with less than 25 employees have coverage through their employer. Yet, our legislators constantly present mandates that adds to the cost of coverage. Four years ago I was told that government mandates enacted since 1980 accounted for approximately fourteen percent (14%) of the cost of health care in our neighboring state of Virginia.
What's a working person to do?
In the coming months you will have opportunities to present your Association's views to both our State and Federal legislatures. Our "Day on the Hill" will be held in Raleigh on March 18 & 19. The Capital Conference will be in Washington, DC, March 21-23. I encourage you to participate in one of these events.
You can also help by serving on one of the local committees. Please inquire at the next meeting or give me a call. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Recently Tom Snell, Nancy Winter, & I attended the NCAHU Board's meeting in Greensboro. Several points were brought forward that I believe will be of interest to our membership. Our local chapter is the 2nd largest in the state. We trail the Greensboro chapter .by approximately 80 members. We can change that if we would all recruit one new members to the ranks.
The Symposium will be held in High Point in February 27-28. Make your plans now to attend. This is an excellent way to earn Continuing Education Hours, while in the presence of old friends from around the state.
Lastly, I hope you have sent your registration in for the COBRA-HIPAA Seminar to be held October 15th at the McKimmon Center off Western Blvd. in Raleigh. Go to the award winning TAHU website (www.nctahu.org) for detailed information and to download a registration form for both yourself and your clients. Anyone who has attended one of these events has come away impressed with the information and manner in which it was presented.
New Legislative News:
Bill Hendrickson
This first item is not directly related to any U.S or N.C. legislative activity, but it is of interest to those myopic folks who call for a government run single payer system. A recent letter to the Wall Street Journal from a reader in Mississauga, Ontario said, "If I ever needed surgery, I would not bother getting it in Canada. I'd rather pay for it myself down south with true quality care without the need for rationing or waiting for it up north." He further mentioned the "long queues, lack of diagnostic equipment and general frustration of Canadians with the state-sponsored health care." So, please keep these Canadian comments available the next time a friend or a legislator starts touting a fully run government program!
The Bush Health Agenda would significantly strengthen Medical Savings Accounts (MSA's) and expand options for small business health insurance plans. Similarly to the Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA's) reported on in last month's newsletter, MSA deductible amounts would be significantly reduced to $1,000 per individual, $2,000 per family. In addition first-dollar coverage would be included without counting against the deductible. And touching on Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's), some unspent money could be carried over from year to year.
Another Bush proposal is to allow the creation of association health plans (AHP's). These plans have been immensely popular with some associations in the past, but state by state small group legislation has basically ruined their viability. While some insurance companies stay away from these types of plans and some agents and brokers feel they interfere with their small business marketing efforts, there appears to be a need for this type of combined underwriting. A recent report issued by the Kaiser Family Foundation as reported in the New York Times stated that "forty-five percent of employers with three to nine workers now offer no health benefits..." If some insurance companies avoid the very small employer market while some agents and brokers choose to ignore these same small businesses, perhaps some combination of small employers under one master plan could be helpful. What do you think? E-mail your comments to me at william@hendricco.com.
The consultant Watson Wyatt Worldwide recently studied 56 firms that offer health insurance for retirees. 17% of this group have virtually eliminated their liabilities for such benefits by requiring employees to pay the full premium. This means, of course, that some retirees will drop their plans and thus depend on Medicare for their full health insurance coverage-unless agents and brokers offer to them the approved and available Medicare Supplemental plans already on the market. Some health insurance in addition to Medicare is almost essential to all those who can't self-insure, so as more and more individuals retire without employer sponsored health insurance, these folks will need our attention.
In North Carolina, both Houses of legislature approved the transfer of $5,000,000 additional funds into the North Carolina Health Insurance Program for Children. This has been a popular social program for those people who have taken advantage of the benefits and legislators in both major political parties have endorsed keeping the program funded.
The Kaiser Report mentioned above reported another alarming fact: in the twelve months ended this spring, health insurance premiums soared almost eight (8) times the overall inflation rate! This, of course, kills many plans and requires us to continue to create and offer the most cost effective plans and features available. And it means that when legislative bodies continue to promote health plan features and additional mandates that add to all costs, once again WE MUST PREVAIL UPON THESE LEGISLATORS TO SPARE THESE COSTLY FEATURES THAT FORCE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE TO BECOME UNINSURED AS COSTS ESCALATE AND EMPLOYERS TERMINATE THEIR PLANS. DO YOU KNOW YOUR LEGISLATOR?
Website:
www.nctahu.org
Michele Gregory, MHP, RHU, REBC
tahu website scramble
Michele Gregory, MHP, RHU, REBC
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Email: michele.gregory@bcbsnc.com
Phone: 919.461.5271
Fax: (919) 467-2823
Membership Update:
Jennifer McLaurin
Membership in the Triangle Association of Health Underwriters
There are many benefits to joining TAHU - here are just a few reasons to join:
1. Monthly meetings to network with company representatives and other agents in your line of work
2. Monthly meetings with top-notch speakers in your industry discussing current events.
3. Website access to a local, state, and national list of membership for NAHU.
4. An opportunity to find out about current legislative action in your field.
5. An opportunity to help your community through several public service projects or playing in our annual golf tournament.
6. A chance to make new friends.
7. A chance to meet agents who are experts in other areas of life, health, disability, LTC, and retirement planning.
8. A local newsletter delivered to your office to keep you current in your industry and remind you of upcoming meetings and events.
9. A national magazine, HIU, delivered to your office to keep you current in your industry and remind you of state & national meetings and events.
10. It’s a small investment in your industry and your future.
To find out more about TAHU or for membership information please contact any of our Board of Directors (phone number in the newsletter), visit our website at www.nctahu.org, or contact Jennifer McLaurin at John F. Sipp & Associates 919-403-7173 ext 14.
Communications:
Tom Snell, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC
Monthly meetings are the 3rd Monday of each month starting at 11:45 am.
The next meeting will be held on October 21, 2001 at the Marriott (Research Triangle Park, NC – Exit 281, Miami Blvd.).
All members and their guests are invited to attend.
Guaranteed seating for the luncheon meeting is by reservation only.
Please RSVP no later than October 18th.
If you are not receiving the monthly fax, please contact Tom Snell at MAMSI Health Plans. Fax: 281-7222, or email to tsnell@mamsi.com. Lunch is $12.00 for members. $16 for repeat visitors.
As the success of the Triangle Association of Health Underwriters largely depends upon the benevolence of corporate contributors, we are proud to honor the following organizations for their continued support of our many programs and activities:
Diamond Sponsors
2002-2003
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC
United Healthcare
Please extend your appreciation to the Triangle members representing these organizations and remember their generosity when placing coverages.
Please remember that the cost of lunch for TAHU members is $12. Guest and non-member lunches are $16.
There will be a $3 charge for lost or misplaced name badges. Please remember to turn in your badge at the conclusion of each meeting.
Triangle Association of Health Underwriters
P.O. Box 19177
Raleigh, NC 27619-9177
