New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters · that meeting focused on hospitals, ... consumer panel did not deliver an agent-friendly presentation ... ing agents effectively

A Message from your Rio Grande Chapter President

New Mexico Rio Grande

Association of Health

Underwriters

N M R G A H U Volume 2, Issue 2

August 2012

Northern President 2

Legislation 3

Membership 4

Professional Development 5

Media 6

Communications 7

July & August CE Photos 8-9

Golf Tournament Photos 10-12

Sponsor Advertisement 13-15

Word Search & Quotes 16

11

Inside this issue:

PO Box 95142 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87199 http://www.nmrgahu.org/

Our Mission

NMAHU will educate the public and decision makers about the value health insur-ance professionals deliver in helping consumers access the health care system and, through education and asso-ciation involvement, in-crease members' ability to better serve consumers. We will do so in a financially prudent and responsible manner.

Fall is time for planning and I know we are all in that same boat!

As we begin the new term as the Board for New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters, we are beginning our strategic planning process to prepare for the programs that we want to offer to our members. Education will be at the forefront of this year’s strate-gic plan. We have many forces that are changing as we approach 2014 and the PPACA final implementation.

Fall is also a Planning cycle for carriers to prepare for the upcoming year’s products, pricing strategies, and value-added programs that are coming to our markets. This year’s planning cycle is critical with the introduction of the Exchange and CO-Ops that are entering our market.

I know you are all planning strategies to retain and grow your business. Our roles are being challenged in Washington and, now more than ever, we need to plan on diversification and the ability to retain the need for the agent/broker in our industry. Believe me, without us, our consumers of health care would be lost. We are an integral role in the sale process en-suring that our customers find the Right Product that meets their financial need, with the Right Carrier that offers the breadth of choice that they want, and at the Right time. These roles are not being met by anyone else in future of health care. We need to plan on speaking with our local rep-resentatives and make sure they understand the need for us and how im-portant we are to make PPACA a smooth transition. Please make sure that we are heard.

Thanks, and look forward to some terrific programs this year as we move forward with change!!

Carole Henry

Carole Henry

With changes occurring all around us in the medical insurance field, it is impor-tant as always to keep ourselves apprised of changes. In order to adequately serve our clients, we need to be aware of the ever-changing requirements so that any necessary changes or paperwork are put into place at the right time.

Where do we find the resources we need to keep ourselves aware?

NAHU of course is an excellent resource. Check out http://www.nahu.org/education/programs/compliance/ppaca.cfm for updates and resources.

If we work with a large agency we may be fortunate to have a compliance officer on staff.

The government has set up a website at www.healthcare.gov/law/index.html for consumers.

www.irs.gov is another resource – which can contain a lot of “language”. However, if you are willing to sift through it, type “PPACA” and any other relevant terms into the search field.

Carrier Reps are always a great resource. How are your carriers handling grandfathering provi-sions? Are they writing child-only policies?

Your colleagues of course, are always a great resource. Keep asking until you get a clear answer, and keep your eye open for updates and clarifications as they come!

Best wishes,

Halle Treanor

A Message from your Northern Chapter President

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

Halle Treanor

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

NMRGAHU Legislation Update

The NM Legislative Interim Committees have been meeting on a regular basis all summer. The one we are watching is the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee. Their next meeting is September 10-12, 2012 and will be held in Las Vegas, NM at Highlands University.

The topics in September are geared toward certain medical conditions and their treatments. At the end of the meeting there will be a discussion on Centennial Care and their updated waiver application. This is a Medicaid modernization pro-gram that has 4 major principles:

A comprehensive service delivery system including Native Americans

Personal responsibility

Payment reform

Administrative simplification – combine all Medicaid waivers into a single, comprehensive 1115 waiver

Governor Martinez authorized her Medicaid division to submit the waiver to CMS, develop request for proposals for plans, and finalize new contracts to be used with the plans by the end of August. We will know more after the September meeting of the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee.

The August meeting of the Committee was up in Farmington, NM at the San Juan College. The topics for that meeting focused on hospitals, nursing staff, and domestic violence. At the end of that meeting Ellen Pines, J.D., Health Policy Consultant gave a presentation on the NM Health Insurance Exchange – Navi-gators, Outreach, and Enrollment. She was joined by Leah Steimel, Director, Office of Community Af-fairs, University of NM Health Services Center and Jessica Kendall, Outreach Director, Enroll America. The handouts for their presentation can be found on the NM Legislature web site. Needless to say, this consumer panel did not deliver an agent-friendly presentation. The August meeting also had strong presentations in favor of accepting the Federal Medicaid Expansion dollars.

The July meeting of the Committee was in Truth or Consequences, NM. That meeting allowed Sidonie Squire, Cabinet Secretary for the NM Human Services Department and Dan Schuyler, Director, Leavitt Partners to give a presentation on the development of the NM Health Insurance Exchange. The presen-tation has not changed much from 6 months ago and NM has a very long way to go for implementation. The Exchange Task Force and it’s working groups are meeting throughout this late summer and early fall. We should be seeing the fruits of their labor in more volume after the November election.

The June meeting of the Committee was in Santa Fe, NM. Senator Dede Feldman, Chair laid out her work plan for the summer. Fiscal reports were given and Centennial Care was discussed.

I am staying in close contact with State officials, health plan lobbyists, and other contracted individuals to stay current on the topics that affect us the most and which may show up in the form of legislation this January. Legislation usually does get formed from the interim committee hearings and is presented at the October and November meetings.

Anne Sperling

Anne Sperling

NMRGAHU Membership Update

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

Membership…… Has its privileges

Being a member of the NMRGAHU, NNMAHU and NAHU provides you with a toolbox filled with some of the most significant resources for your business.

Professional Development

Our local chapters are working hard to bring you timely and industry specific Continuing Education. Each month your chapter brings you engaging speakers with opportunities for continuing credit for your New Mexico state licensure. The NAHU website provides you with training tools, guide books and a speaker’s bureau. They also provide a variety of educational Webinars to meet your busy schedule.

Sales and Marketing Tools

How good does it get when you have at your fingertips software services such as where it's easy to add your voice to slides to create talking videos that you can send to prospects, customers and business associates anywhere. They can watch your presentation on-demand - when it's convenient for them - making your presentation even more effective. And it's all FREE.

You also have access to The HSA Toolkit which is a suite of tools developed for the purpose of help-ing agents effectively sell HAS’s along with qualified HDHP’s.

And, if that’s not enough, The LTC Connection Technology Division assists in the development of web-based sales and customer communication products for the long-term care insurance industry. The tools can also be used by insurance and financial professionals that do not sell any long-term care insurance. Take a fresh look at www.nahu.org. You’re sure to find what you need and what you’re looking for.

Business Services

Moving your office to a new location? Need teleconferencing services? Need to send an important document or rent a vehicle for an out of town business meeting? Well NAHU has got you covered. With a host of business ser-vices you can make your life easier by enlisting one or more of the many services available to NAHU members at discount prices. Benefits, such as a 60% discount off of out of state moves means you can use it for your personal business too. Want to donate to a worthy cause? The NAHU Visa card provides a $50.00 donation to NAHU plus you can choose a creative card design and earn cash rewards. Use your new credit card for business purchases and have them delivered by Fed Ex which gives you a 10% to 26% discount on your package. With all of the dis-counts you can get you might even save enough money for a nice vacation next year!!

Compliance Resources

Having your office compliant with all the new rules regarding healthcare can be overwhelming. The NAHU Com-pliance Tools section provides you with toolkits for Brokers, Employers and Business Associates. The website pro-vides invaluable information that will assist you and your clients with the changing healthcare landscape as we move forward. Take another look at what your association can do for you.

Agnes Gallegos

Agnes Gallegos

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

NMRGAHU Professional Development Update

Greetings:

Once again because of your continued support we had successful professional de-velopment events in both July and August. We really appreciate you and without you we could not be successful. After winning the national Robert W. Osler Award in June at our national convention for outstanding achievement in promot-ing health insurance educational activities, we are stepping it up a notch this year! Coming next month, Thursday, September 27th we have a full day of CEs planned. Eight credits with some phenomenal speakers so please mark your calen-dars and plan on attending. Our speakers include Karli Dunkelberger from Cali-fornia, (Business Administration Topics, Compliance & Ethics), Sally Pipes also from California, (ACA, Affordable Care Act and author of several books and columns, her latest book is “The Truth about Obama Care”) and Susan Junda from Albuquerque, (Performance Consultant will pre-sent on change and how to prepare for 2014). As you can see, these dynamic speakers are ones that you definitely do not want to miss. There will be one hour of ethics for those of you who still need it. This CE event will be held at Presbyterian Health Plan and we will have escorts for your convenience in find-ing the Jemez Room.

We began handing out surveys at our CE events requesting your feedback. We have received excellent feedback except for the locations and their convenience. As you know we are a non-profit association and look to secure venues that are little or no cost. For this reason, I am reaching out to you for sugges-tions on venues that would make you more comfortable and be more convenient. Please email or call me with suggestions at [email protected] or 505-727-5278. We are listening to you and want everyone to enjoy and benefit from these events, so your input is very important to me and NMRGAHU.

I would also like to reach out to you and your companies to be food sponsors for our professional devel-opment events. If you or your company sponsors food for an event we will provide a full page advertise-ment in our newsletter as well as you being listed on the flyer as a sponsor and advertising at the event as well as a shout out. Please consider sponsorship of one of these events so to make them profitable for NMRGAHU so that we can be visible in Washington DC at Capitol Conference.

Lastly, I would like to express a sincerely thank you to my co-chair Lametria Davis who does a superior job in assisting with these events. She spends many hours each month dedicated to putting on these events with me. We also appreciate all of the assistance that we receive on the day of the events. We have several staff members from the Lovelace Underwriting Department along with help from the NMRGAHU board. And last but not least, YOU! You are the reason why we work so hard to provide outstanding educational activities. As you can see, this is not a one person job!

I am looking forward to seeing you in September.

We really appreciate you and remember, without you we could not be successful.

Tim Tucker

Timothy Tucker

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

Dining Etiquette Your Professional Mirror

I look forward to serving on the Board of the NMRGAHU this year as your Media Rela-tions Coordinator. My first career before going into health care was in public relations and marketing with newspapers, cable television and radio. Every day we market our as-sociation, our agencies/companies and ourselves. First impressions are still how people will view you in business and how you will represent them.

Our mothers and fathers taught us when we were small our manners at the dinner table, but as we excel in business we will be invited to attend luncheons and formal events. My mother still teaches me a few things and recently she sent me a dining etiquette quiz

which I shared with my co-workers. Some of the answers surprised us so I’m sharing a link this month to test your skills from Jobstriker.com.

http://www.jobstriker.com/quizzes/etiquette-quizzes/dining-etiquette-quiz.html

Let’s test you on the first question.

How will the letters “b” and “d” (in that order) help you at dinner? Bread on the left, drink on the right They will remind you of good manners, or to “be docile”. They will remind you to always compliment your host, “best dinner”. Beverage on the left, dessert on the right

There are many other websites to check your dining knowledge and to view formal table settings. Now you can pass on this knowledge to your children or grandchildren. This is a lifetime lesson that never goes away.

Don’t miss this month’s Health Insurance Underwriter and an interview with NAHU President Bruce Benton. http://www.hiu-digital.com/hiu/201208/?pg=1&pm=2&u1=friend

Janelle Brookhouser

NMRGAHU Media Update

Janelle Brookhouser

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

Recently some of us attended the NAHU Region 7 Sales & Leadership Conference – Broker 2.0 conference held in Denver, Colorado. I wanted to share some of the great information that I learned.

Jennifer Benz from Benz Communications presented about mistakes all employers make with bene-fits communications. Here are some of her suggestions:

Employers should have benefits available online

Check into mobile access & smart phone applications

Get a branded website outside of a firewall

Set up a blog and publish information that people can respond to

There are tons of free resources for communications

Talk to employees and family members

Work smart and use free/low cost resources

Ryan Thorn, NAHU Vice President presented on Qualities of a strong NAHU leader. Here are some of his recommendations:

Time doesn’t = money; Relationships = money

Set a day to focus on the most important items

Decide what it is you love to do and what you do best and focus on that area

Life is too short, you have a choice so make it happen

Don’t be afraid to delegate

Find people who want to serve with you

You don’t have to know EVERYTHING

When going to board meetings:

Be prompt

Provide an agenda (5 day rule)

Keep order during the meeting

Allow full feedback from others

Once a decision is made, move on

Follow up on assignments

Leadership is an action, not a position

Leaders make the impossible, possible

We are what we repeatedly do

Lean on other region leaders, national leaders and home office

Josh Kirkland from Aflac presented on How to Create a Winning Culture. Here is some advice from him:

Our job is to develop a team of winners

Win people over with integrity

Be someone people can trust

Character still matters

Don’t expect people to only serve you, you must serve them too

Talent alone will eventually fail, but talent and skill together builds you up Lametria Davis

Lametria Davis

NMRGAHU Communications Update

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

July CE Event

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

August CE Event

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

2012 NMRGAHU Annual Golf Tournament Photos

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

2012 NMRGAHU Annual Golf Tournament Photos

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

2012 NMRGAHU Annual Golf Tournament Photos

Come join us in continuing the mission we have accomplished for 100 years: Improving the health of individuals, families and commu-nities of New Mexico. Presbyterian is dedicated to national excellence. What you do every day affects who you are and how happy you feel. A new job is a big change, and we want you to have a better life here -- working in a place where your profession is an exten-sion of your life. In a beautiful part of the country with a low cost of living, New Mexico is continually a national leader in population and employment growth. By investing hundreds of millions of dollars into facilities, technology, and services, and offering educational assistance and leadership development training for our people, Presbyterian Healthcare Services is keeping pace. Our employees fre-quently say the process of getting a job here is a very pleasant experience. We work with each candidate to find the right position for them and provide a great deal of assistance for out-of-area candidates. Take a look at what Presbyterian and New Mexico have to of-fer. We're sure you'll find a place where you'll love to work -- a place to improve your life.

http://www.phs.org/PHS/careers/

https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_presbyterianhealthcare/external/search.do

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

Lovelace Health Plan has a Health Educator Coordinator – HEDIS position open. Job includes participation in the coordination and manage-ment of various educational programs. Researches and develops new programs, as needed. Attends various meetings to coordinate HEDIS re-lated initiatives to all lines of business. Reports directly to the Wellness Manager. Adheres to policies, procedures and regulations to ensure patient safety and compliance.

Bachelor's Degree in related healthcare discipline; Master’s Degree preferred. Education may be substituted for relevant experience in accor-dance to policy. Ability to communicate effectively; ability to work independently; advanced computer skills. Excellent presentation skills in a variety of health education topics. Three (3) years of directly related experience. Bilingual preferred.

Please visit www.lovelace.jobs to learn more about other job opportunities

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

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New Mexico Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters

Joke of the Month

www.lovelacehealthplan.com

www.phs.org

www.aflac.com

Platinum Plus Sponsors

www.lfg.com

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www.uhc.com

www.deltadental.com

Turquoise Sponsors

NMRGAHU August Word Search

CARRIER COMPLIANCE DUNKELBER-GER ELECTION ETIQUETTE EXCHANGE HSA JUNDA LTC MEDIA MODERNIZA-TION PERFORM-ANCE PIPES PLANNING PRIVILEGES SUCCESSFUL WASHINGTON

Have fun searching for words from this month's newslet-ter! Try to find ALL 17 words on this board.

"The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body,

the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to pro-

duce outstanding results."

Anthony Robbins

N R O W V P L A N N I N G

S O E G A P I C M J E O R

E U I G E S H P J Q W G E

G E C T R X H I E U M N I

E T C C A E C I Q S N W R

L I N N E Z B H N A B D R

I Q O K A S I L A G I Y A

V U I P W I S N E N T K C

I E T A C T L F R K G O D

R T C Z I Q D P U E N E N

P T E K S D B V M L D U A

J E L B M Z E B I O Z O D

V P E R F O R M A N C E M

Quote of the Month

www.lyfebank.com/