NAHU

U.S. Senate Bill Aims to Remove Broker Commissions from MLR Formula

February 13, 2012 - 6:00 PM

Love it or hate it, the Affordable Care Act has sparked a great deal of debate within the health care industry. One section of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that has proven to be particularly problematic is a provision establishing Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) benchmarks for health insurance carriers. Several congressional bills have been filed in an attempt to remedy the situation. 

Author: Michael Gomes

NAIC Approves Resolution Calling for Changes to MLR

November 23, 2011 - 12:36 PM

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has passed a resolution (26-20-5) to change health care reform laws related to Medical Loss Ratio. They are recommending that the Department of Human Health and Services (HHS) and Congress work to ensure that the role of professional health insurance agents remains a strong part of the healthcare process. The NAIC resolution strongly supports the need of agents to serve as consumer advocates in the process of securing health care coverage.

Author: Michael Gomes

Brokers are Key to Successful Implementation of Health Benefits Tax Credits

November 11, 2011 - 10:28 AM

One of the more positive aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was the authorization of a federal tax credit for small business owners who offer health insurance benefits to their employees. This tax credit potentially is worth a great deal of money to small business employers. Despite the potential for significant cost savings, efforts to promote the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit to small businesses have missed the mark.

Author: Bernard DiFiore

NAIC Committee Adopts MLR Report Addressing Brokers' Commissions: Study Provides Mix Findings

June 9, 2011 - 2:56 PM

The issue of how to treat broker commissions in the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) is heating up.  On June 7, a key health committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) adopted the findings of a report carried out by the NAIC Health Care Reform Actuarial Working Group (Actuarial Working Group). [1] 

Author: Michael Gomes

Broker/Agent Commissions at Center of MLR Regulation Debate

July 14, 2011 - 1:26 PM

Conflict is heating up relating to the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) regulations and the impact on broker commissions.  A growing faction of advocates is encouraging key policymakers to remove the broker commission from the MLR formula altogether.  This blog offers a snapshot of likely events over the next several weeks.    

As of January 1, 2011, the interim final MLR regulations now require health insurance issuers to spend at least 80% of the funds they receive in health plan premiums from the individual and small group markets -- and 85% from the large group market -- on a combination of medical care claims and activities to improve healthcare quality. [1]

Author: Bernard DiFiore

Broker/Agent Commissions at Center of MLR Regulation Debate

May 24, 2011 - 4:28 PM

Conflict is heating up relating to the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) regulations and the impact on broker commissions.  A growing faction of advocates is encouraging key policymakers to remove the broker commission from the MLR formula altogether.  This blog offers a snapshot of likely events over the next several weeks.    

As of January 1, 2011, the interim final MLR regulations now require health insurance issuers to spend at least 80% of the funds they receive in health plan premiums from the individual and small group markets -- and 85% from the large group market -- on a combination of medical care claims and activities to improve healthcare quality. [1] 

Author: Bernard DiFiore

Is Changing the Face of Health Care Delivery Really Possible?

September 8, 2010 - 4:30 PM

Are your friends and colleagues asking you what is happening with health care reform?  Mine are.  Now that reform has been passed, health care has fallen out of mainstream media as they turn their attention to more current issues. But, the reality is that much is being done behind the scenes.

As insurance professionals, we keep constant tabs on what is going on in Washington. Health care reform may not be in the headlines now but it will soon be back in the news. The 2010 initiatives passed in the new law are about to take effect this month and are sure to make headlines again.

At that point, the question on everyone’s mind will be – is changing the face of health care delivery really possible? Access to health care has been a problem for many years and recent reforms have provided great improvements.  But can we combine accessibility and affordability?

Author: Michael Gomes

Insurance Agents/Brokers Role as a “Trusted Advisor” Gains NAIC Attention

August 23, 2010 - 2:01 PM

When the Affordable Care Act was initially passed, there was quite a bit of concern on the part of insurance brokers and agents throughout the country. How would this effect the industry? What would be the impact on business and commissions?

The Act calls for “Navigators” to help educate the public and provide impartial information on plans. A big worry that arose is the qualifications of these Navigators asking the question whether consumers would be put at risk by having unlicensed, minimally-trained Navigators in place performing part of the function that has traditionally been done by agents and brokers.

To prevent this from happening, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) just passed a resolution recognizing brokers’ and agents’ roles in the country’s health care delivery system. This will limit the Navigator’s role to directing Exchange consumers to government agencies and licensed insurance professionals.

Author: Michael Gomes

NAHU Statement on President Obama’s Health Care Address

September 11, 2009 - 11:47 AM

In response to the Healthcare Address President Obama gave, NAHU has released the following statement.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Janet Trautwein, CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), which represents more than 100,000 licensed health insurance agents, brokers, consultants and benefit professionals nationwide, today issued the following statement:

“NAHU agrees with many of the reform ideas that President Obama presented last night to the joint session of Congress. Reigning in health care costs so that more Americans can afford health insurance needs to be the key driver of any comprehensive health care reform package.

Author: Janet Trautwein

Join NAHU for a Healthcare Reform Town Hall Meeting

August 7, 2009 - 12:18 AM

Join NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein and President Russ Childers for a free one-hour webinar on Friday, August 7, at 12:00 PM EDT to discuss the latest news on health reform and NAHU’s grassroots action plan for the August congressional recess. In addition to learning the details on the pending legislation, participants will be able to ask questions of NAHU’s top legislative volunteers and senior government affairs staff. Space is limited to 1,000 participants, so make sure you sign up today!    

Author: BenefitMall
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