Chapter Meeting December 5th, 2013 at Harrigan s 11:45 A.M. Please bring an unwrapped Toy for Toys for Tots

Transcription

1 December 2013 PAGE 1 Chapter Meeting December 5th, 2013 at Harrigan s 11:45 A.M. Please bring an unwrapped Toy for Toys for Tots Marine Sargent Amy Siegfried will be our luncheon speaker. We will have special entertainment this year. Come Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with us.

2 Page 2 President Corner What a month we ve had thus far in November. We had a good turnout for our November meeting at Harrigan s. We were joined by several members of the local SHRM chapter taking advantage of the 2 hours of CE on the FMLA act provided by Unum. We also presented a $1500 donation check to the Komen Foundation at the luncheon from the proceeds of our first annual golf tournament. Their representative was a breast cancer survivor herself and she thanked us and told us the many ways the money could help out. It made the efforts for the tournament all the more worthwhile. Some of our ACA Certified members reached out to help educate the public about ObamaCare through four community meetings held at LISD Middle Schools. Though 31,000 flyers were sent home with each student across the district response was relatively light with 30 to 50 attendees at each meeting. Some of these members plan to continue holding these meetings with other school districts and various organizations throughout the open enrollment. It is time to begin planning and organizing the 2014 LAAHU Symposium. If you would like to be on the Symposium Committee and participate please call me at or We can use all the help we can get! The annual Texas Day at the Capital in Austin is January 31st, 7:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Typically LAAHU has 5 to 6 members attend. The new Commissioner of the Texas Dept. of Insurance will be speaking as well as other prominent legislators. Plan to attend this important day if you can.

3 Page 3 Obama Administration Extends Marketplace Enrollment Period. In an announcement which garnered significant media coverage over the weekend, the Obama Administration said it would extend enrollment for the Federal healthcare exchange until December 23, an extra eight days for insurance coverage that will start January 1. The enrollment period for 2015 insurance also will be extended to begin on November 15 next year, rather than the October 15 start planned earlier. The extra time for next year s enrollment means insurance companies will get another month to establish their 2015 rates. The New York Times (11/23, Shear, Pear, Subscription Publication) reported that the extra month next fall also will mean enrollment doesn t close until after the 2014 midterm elections, which could help Democratic candidates who have been worried that another debacle involving the healthcare law s website, HealthCare.gov, would hurt them just as they are facing voters. USA Today (11/22, Korte) reported that HHS spokeswoman Julie Bataille said the decision was made in consultation with insurers, who assured the government that they will be able to enroll those customers by the beginning of the new year. However, she declined to say whether all insurers would participate in the extended deadline The delay was covered with a segment on Friday night s CBS Evening News and on Fox Business Willis Report. Senator Shaheen Sends HHS A Letter About Agent Concerns with Exchange Enrollment Earlier today, Senior Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) sent a letter to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, expressing her concern that the Administration is not doing enough to promote the role of marketplace-certified health insurance agents and brokers who can adequately help enroll individuals and small businesses in marketplace-based coverage. She also highlighted that many of the agents and brokers in her state of New Hampshire are still having a difficult time gaining access to the federal marketplace and the access problem the agents and brokers are having go beyond the consumer healthcare.gov issues. Senator Shaheen urged Secretary Sebelius to take action on many of the issues NAHU has raised with HHS and CMS. Thank you Senator Shaheen!

4 Page 4 Please go to to register today. Seating is limited. Join Us For Our 20th Annual Legislative Day aka Day at the Capitol! This legislative event will provide a forum to identify key issues affecting our clients. Keynote speakers will include the TDI Commissioner, Julia Rathgeber, NAHU Executive Vice President and CEO, Janet Trautwein and Scott Millson with Millson James speaking on Private Exchanges. This is your chance to be on the leading edge of change in our industry and have the opportunity to discuss issues affecting our industry. Don't miss this opportunity to have your voice heard! Hotel Information: Should you require a hotel room there is a block of rooms at a rate of $159 single/double. Reservations will need to be made online at this link prior to the cutoff date of January 8, If you have any questions, please me at cheryl.clark@umchealthsystem.com. The registration cancellation deadline is January 10, Any cancellations must be made in writing in order to receive a refund less a 20% service charge. No refunds will be made for cancellations after this date.

5 Page 5 November 22, 2013 Texas Health Insurance Pool Coverage Extended to March 31, 2014 AUSTIN Texas Insurance Commissioner Julia Rathgeber today signed an order to extend existing insurance coverage for Texas Health Insurance Pool enrollees until March 31, The commissioner worked with state Leadership to determine an extension is the best option. Given the difficulties with enrollment in and confusion surrounding the rollout of the federal health exchange, there was a growing concern that pool enrollees will not be able to replace their health insurance coverage by January 1, 2014, Rathgeber said. This could result in a break in coverage and possibly loss of treatment for individuals with chronic conditions as well as significant out-of-pocket expenses to pay for the needed treatment directly. The Texas Health Insurance Pool was created by the Texas Legislature in 1997 to provide health insurance to eligible Texas residents who, due to medical conditions, are unable to obtain coverage from individual commercial insurers. The pool covers approximately 23,000 individuals and is funded by policyholder premiums and assessments on Texas health insurance companies. Senate Bill (SB) 1367 was passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature to provide for termination of the health insurance pool and also to provide the commissioner with the discretion to postpone termination if necessary. The emergency rule signed today is effective December 1, 2013 and will be in place for 120 days. During this period, TDI will propose formal rules under the Texas rulemaking process addressing the termination of the health insurance pool.

6 Page 6 As Christmas approached, I had worked very hard --- I had bought all my presents. and signed every card, My house was a showcase---- I viewed it with pride---- Yet, despite all the frills, I felt empty inside. As I looked at the bells and the garlands of green, It was then I recalled the Nativity scene. So, there in the quiet That solitude brings, I unwrapped every figure--- The Angels and Kings, The shepherds who came to honor the birth of the Babe who touch Every life upon earth. And at the very moment, With no one around, I knew what I d lost had finally been found In my haste and my waste, In my blindness and pride The Christ in my Christmas Had been pushed aside. In my efforts to please and empress everyone, I d forgotten the reason God gave us his Son. I thought of the star shining brightly above That brought us the message. So, from this moment on, I will make a new start----- I ll give all that I can of the Love in my heart. Next year, I ll remember of this, I ve no doubt That Christ is what Christmas Is really about.

7 Page LAAHU Board President President-Elect Vice President Immediate Past President Secretary Treasurer & Website/ Technology Awards Chair Presidential Advisor & Newsletter Communications Chair Professional Development Chair TAHU & HUPAC Chair Legislative Chair Media Relations Chair Membership Retention/ Recruitment Chair Community Service Chair William Ernest Berry Reed Hitch Lynn Alexander Shawn Laquey Tim Denton Connie Claborn Della Gunn John Claborn Rhonda Thomack Dorothy Price Bobby Clark John Claborn Cheryl Clark Jake Montoya