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February 2008 | Volume 7, Number 2
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IN THIS ISSUE...
* March Meeting
* Health Care Expo... Save the Date!
* President's Message
* Louisiana Gets OK to Expand LaChip
* NAHU National Membership Contest
* Insurance Department Chief of Staff Resigning
* Number of US Primary Care Doctors Down
* Six Celebrity Secrets for Making Your Customers Feel Like Stars!
* Deadline Approaching for Leading Producers Round Table
* HUPAC = Good Medicine For Health Care
| NOAHU March Meeting
Save The Date!
Thursday, March 20th
New Location!
Chad's Bistro
3216 W Esplanade
(at N Causeway Blvd)
Metairie, LA
8:00-8:30 am: Registration
8:15 am: Full Breakfast Buffet
8:30-10:00am: Meeting Begins
Credit Card Pre-Payment by 3/18/08:
$20 Member
$35 Non-Member
At the Door Payment (Not Pre-Paid):
$25 Members
$40 Non-Member
1 Hour CE to be applied for
(Cost of CE is included for non-members)
This credit will most likely not be
approved prior to April 1st.
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| SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, May 7th
Pontchartrain Center
11am - 5pm
* 3 Hrs CE Credit
* 30+ Exhibitors
* Luncheon & Happy Hour
* Amazing Speakers!
Details Coming Soon!
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2008 SPONSORS:
Southern Benefit Services
Always Care Benefits * Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Co * Gilsbar * Humana
Morgan White Group * PPO Plus * WellDyne Rx * Wellcare
Interested in becoming a chapter sponsor, exhibitor or advertiser?
Limited opportunities remain. Click for the information: Online Paper
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I was delighted to represent NOAHU at NAHU's Capital Conference in early February (during Mardi Gras!) in Washington, DC. Almost 700 attendees from across the country stormed the hill and brought the issues of our industry to our elected officials.
Louisiana was represented by 11 attendees and we visited with our officials or their staffers and talked to them about issues such as health information technology, genetic discrimination, mental health parity, long term care tax issues and much more. Everyone was receptive and it was great to hear that they were in contact with our national office and knew them by name. This wasn't the case in the past and it just shows what great strides we have made inside the beltway over the last few years. NAHU is really the go to association on many health issues. We participate and/or lead many health-related coalitions in Washington.
We heard from some fabulous speakers! Be on the lookout for an email from LAHU that will have all the presentations that were given as well as a clip from former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson's talk about health information technology.
On another note, we are in the process of planning the 2008 Health Care Expo. We have made some exciting changes in the event that I think you will all like. We will be starting with a luncheon and ending with a cocktail reception in the exhibit hall. We are so excited about these changes and others - especially the amazing speakers we have in store for you! Full event details should be out by mid-March. If you know of any companies who might benefit from exhibiting, let me know or provide them with the information or links above for the sponsorship information.
And as always, please let me know if you ever have any suggestions to improve your membership experience. We're all ears! Email me at jennifer@noahu.org.
Jennifer Toups
NOAHU President
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| Former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson (CT)/ Health IT Now Coalition |
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| LAHU Delegation with Congressman McCrery (LA) |
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| NAHU President Elizabeth Ashmore (TX) |
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| Denny Ebersole with Congressman Micheal Burgess (R-TX) at the HUPAC Capitol Club Luncheon |
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| Congressman Louis Gohmert (R-TX) |
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| Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) |
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| Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) |
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Louisiana gets OK to expand children's health insurance program
Louisiana received federal approval today to expand its children's health insurance program to add another 6,500 children from middle-income families who don't have insurance.
The Louisiana Children's Health Insurance Program, called LaCHIP, is funded with state and federal health care money, so state officials needed federal approval for any enlargements of the program.
The latest expansion will allow children in families with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level to participate in LaCHIP — an estimated 6,500 children, according to Kerry Weems, acting administrator for the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That will include children in families of four earning up to $53,000 a year.
LaCHIP, like children's health insurance programs in every state, provides health insurance coverage to children in families that earn too much to qualify for the federal-state Medicaid program for the poor.
Currently, Louisiana's program included children of families earning up to twice the federal poverty level.
"This great expansion will mean that 6,500 additional children in Louisiana will now have access to regular, good health care through an insurance package," Weems said at a news conference with Gov. Bobby Jindal and state health care leaders.
Former Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's administration submitted the application in September to expand the LaCHIP program, which already provides health insurance to more than 142,000 children.
Enrollment for the expansion is expected to begin by late spring or early summer, according to a spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. The state dollars for the expansion were included by Blanco and the Legislature in this year's budget, and Jindal said he is proposing to continue those dollars next year as well.
"This is certainly one additional step to ensuring that all Louisianians have access to high-quality, affordable health care," Jindal said.
Jindal, a Republican, is at odds with the Bush administration over further expansion of the children's health insurance program. Congress has tried unsuccessfully to expand the program nationwide to allow more middle-income families to participate, but President Bush vetoed two bills that would have increased federal spending on the program.
Jindal supports the further expansion, which Bush has said would encourage too many families to drop private insurance coverage.
Also at today's event, federal and state health officials touted the benefits of electronic medical records. Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine announced that Jindal's budget proposal for the 2008-09 year that begins July 1 will include $19 million in new money to beef up health information technology and medical record sharing programs. The spending will need approval from state lawmakers before it could begin. (AP)
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NAHU National Membership Contest
More than $3000 up for grabs!
Recruit NEW members between February 1 and April 30, 2008, and your name will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of the Cash Prizes listed below!
Recruit 1 - 4 new members and your name will automatically be entered into a drawing for TEN $100 Cash Prizes. Recruit two new members, your name goes in the drawing twice; recruit three members and, well, you get the picture.
Recruit 5 - 9 new members and your name will automatically be entered into a drawing for FOUR $250 Cash Prizes. Recruit five new members, your name goes in the drawing five times; recruit nine members, etc.
Recruit 10+ new members and your name will automatically be entered into a drawing for TWO $500 Cash Prizes. Recruit ten new members, your name goes in the drawing ten times, etc.
In addition, everybody that recruits a new member will be on the winning team. Rather than getting $5 in NAHU Bucks for each member you recruit, we are going to give $15 in NAHU Bucks for each new member recruited from February 1 – April 30, 2008.
NAHU bucks can be used to pay for local chapter events- like breakfast or CE seminars - or national events.
NOAHU MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
*One prize per person*
Start Recruiting!!!!
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Insurance Department chief of staff resigning
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said Thursday that Brown was leaving because of a "difference in philosophy." Donelon did not detail the differences and refused to say if he had asked for Brown's resignation or if it had been offered voluntarily.
Brown, who has been with the department since 1993, called his departure "a mutual decision reached by Commissioner Donelon and me, based on differences in philosophies." He said the decision was made Jan. 4.
Brown was named in a recent audit of the Department of Insurance by Legislative Auditor Steve Theriot for accepting golf outings from Terry Lisotta, the former head of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Brown said he did not remember golfing with Lisotta. He said he went hunting several times with Chris Faser, a former Insurance Department employee, but was not aware the costs of the trips were being reimbursed by Citizens or the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana, which operated Citizens.
At one time, Brown was chairman of the Citizens board that signed off on some Lisotta expenses Theriot says were not legal. Brown also was a high-profile department spokesman in the Legislature, frequently explaining the department's positions on bills.
Brown said ethics charges may be filed against him, but Donelon said the audit did not play a role in Brown's departure.
"I don't think he has violated the ethics code from what I have seen," Donelon said.
The effective date of the resignation is June 30, Donelon said, to allow Brown use up most of the 1,200 hours of leave time he has banked over the years, including sick days, unused vacation and compensation for overtime.
(AP)
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Number of US primary care doctors down
Fewer American doctors are focusing on primary care, but the decline is being covered by physicians from other countries.
The General Accountability Office said Tuesday that as of 2006 there were 22,146 American doctors in residency programs in the United States specializing in primary care.That was down from 23,801 in 1995, the research arm of Congress told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
"It is troubling to me that the number of Americans pursuing a career in primary care has declined," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Overall growth in the number of primary-care physicians "has been totally due to the number of international medical students training in America," Sanders said.
"We are increasingly dependent on international medical school graduates to meet our needs. Currently, one in four new physicians in the U.S. is an international medical graduate."
In its report on primary-care providers, GAO said the number of international medical graduates training in primary care had grown from 13,025 in 1995 to 15,565 in 2006.For specialists, the number of Americans in training went from 45,300 in 1995 to 47,575 in 2006 and over the same period international specialists grew from 11,957 to 12,611, GAO said.
"There are simply not enough primary-care providers now and the situation will become far worse in the future unless we do something," Sanders said. He urged doubling funds for the National Health Service Corps to $250 million next year.
The service corps offers scholarships to students dedicated to practicing primary care in communities of greatest need. In return for scholarship support, they must agree to practice in communities where need is the greatest.
"Part of the solution lies in making medical, dental and nursing education affordable for all Americans," Sanders said
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6 Celebrity Secrets for Making Your Customers Feel Like Stars!
If Johnny Depp walked into your workplace today, how would you behave? If you're like most people, you'd drop whatever you were doing and approach him, smiling, ready and eager to serve him. If Halle Berry walked into your restaurant, you'd immediately escort her to the best seat in the house. If Tom Hanks was on the phone asking questions, you'd do whatever you could to get him his answers...cheerfully...right?
What about the rest of your customers?
Perhaps you're thinking, "Of course, we'd treat them exactly the same way!" Maybe. In general, though, customer service has become a "buzz phrase" that is rarely lived up to. A study done by Connell and Associates (2004) found that 45% of all respondents felt that most companies simply do not provide good customer service. In a Harris Interactive Study 80% of respondents stated they had made the decision to never do business with a company again because of bad customer service.
How can you -- the business owner or service professional -- turn this trend around?
By treating your customers like stars! As Garrett Richter, president and CEO of the First National Bank of Florida, tells his employees, "If we roll out the ready carpet for billionaires, they won't even notice it. If we roll out the red carpet for millionaires, they expect it. If we roll out the red carpet for thousandaires, they appreciate it. And if we roll out the red carpet for hundredaires, they tell everybody they know." To his point, the same Harris Interactive Study found that 60% of respondents said the main reason they would recommend a company is outstanding customer service.
Here are six secrets from the world of celebrity that will get your customers buzzing about you.
1. Give Them a Red Carpet Arrival. When a celebrity arrives for a movie premiere or a charity function, it's a big deal! There's a red carpet. There are photographers. There are hundreds of fans lined up, shouting their name and begging for a chance to spend even two seconds with the star. When the rest of us arrive at a place of business, we're lucky if we can even get someone to acknowledge us. Treat your customers like stars by showing them you're glad they came. Look up, smile, walk out from behind the counter and greet them. Most people don't need a fancy carpet or paparazzi -- just eye contact is enough!
2. Call Them By Name. Motivational guru and author Dale Carnegie said that when remember someone's name you "make them feel important." Remember your customer's name and use it each time you see them. Make it a top priority, and you'll find remembering names easier than you think. You can also find unique ways of using someone's name. For instance, High Point University welcomes all expected guests with their own parking space designated by a sign bearing....you guessed it...their name. Some restaurants name dishes after famous people. What if you named some of your products after your best customers? Now that's the star treatment!
3. Remember and Refer. Aside from their name, remember other details about your customer as well and refer to them. When one grocery store manager recalled that the "grumpy lady who comes in on Wednesdays" had been to Chicago to visit her daughter, he asked her about the trip....and made her day! Now, that once grumpy customer seeks the man out with a smile on her face whenever she comes into the store. It doesn't take much to make ordinary people feel special. Just pay attention.
4. Cater to their Personal Preferences. While your customer may not be as picky as the celebrity who wants all the brown M&M's taken out of his candy dish, everyone has their likes and dislikes. Surprise your customer in little ways and let them know you are paying attention. In his former career as a banker, Author and Speaker Dave Timmons earned the business of a prospect after he tossed him two baseballs signed by the members of his grandsons' favorite sports team. One hotel dining room supervisor heard a guest say that she enjoyed blood oranges, so he secretly had a few brought up to her room. Delight people in this way and you and your business become unforgettable.
5. Give Them SWAG! At every awards show celebrities walk away with gift bags filled with products and paraphernalia worth thousands. There is a reason why people line up -- and even pay good money – to give their goods away to celebrities via the swag bag. When the superstar wears or uses their product, it creates buzz. When Katrina Campins, star of the first season of The Apprentice wore a watch on the show that was given to her by Jacob the Jeweler, she was swamped with calls from men wanting to buy one for their wives. While your customers may not have the platform that Katrina had to show off your product, when you give them something for free they will talk about it. Just watch how much press Ben & Jerry's gets next time they hold a "Free Cone Day." What kind of swag can you give your customers to get them talking about you?
6. Be Extraordinary...And Then Some. Make a commitment to be remarkable in every way that you serve your customer. Be the first one to respond. Have the widest smile in the room. Call everyone by name. Constantly be on the lookout for little ways that you can make your customer feel like the most important person in the world. When you do, you will find yourself not only with a customer for life, but with a raving fan that will go out and spread the word about their incredible celebrity experience.
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It’s the new year & it’s time to apply for membership in the Leading Producers Round Table. This is NAHU’s top honor for sales achievement. Applying is easy! Click the links below for the application & requirements. Only the top level of Golden Eagle requires certification from the carriers- the other levels are all self-reporting. It couldn't be easier!!!!! Be recognized!
The deadline is March 31, 2008!
2008 Application
Qualification Information
o Personal Production: Business written by a single producer
o Carrier Representatives: An employee of an insurance carrier working with producers
o Agency: Management of a general agency or agency
o Carrier Management: Carrier/home-office sales managers, directors of sales and vice presidents of sales
Levels of Membership
o Qualifying :This category is available to members applying for the first 9 consecutive years of qualification OR for the first 14
total years.
o Lifetime: This category is available to members applying and qualifying for 10+ consecutive years OR for 15+ total years for
members who are no longer producing.
o Lifetime & Qualifying: This category is available to members who still generate production at qualifying level and have
achieved lifetime membership.
Awards Categories
o Leading Producer Qualifier
o Presidents’ Council
o Eagle
o Golden Eagle
Please see the application on the NAHU Website for full qualification guidelines.
Benefits
- Web Seminars: The Leading Producers Round Table sponsors several Web seminars each year. The Web seminars will deal with advanced topics that are of interest to the top producers in the industry. The seminars will be open to the general public, but LPRT qualifiers will be able to attend these Web seminars free of charge.
- LPRT Educational Track at the NAHU Annual Convention There will be an LPRT-focused educational track at the NAHU Annual Convention. This educational track, like the LPRT Web seminars, will deal with advanced topics.
- LPRT Qualifier Discounts A 5% discount on all NAHU services and meetings, including Capitol Conference and the Annual Convention, will be given to qualifiers at the Leading Producers and Presidents’ Council levels of production. A 10% discount on all NAHU services and meetings, including Capitol Conference and the Annual Convention, will be given to qualifiers at the Eagle and Golden Eagle levels of production and Lifetime qualifiers.
- LPRT Products The Leading Producers Round Table will offer LPRT logo merchandise.
- Recognition The Leading Producers Round Table recognizes qualifiers in myriad ways for their outstanding achievements. LPRT qualifiers receive a certificate with their name and level of qualification each year until they attain Lifetime status. Lifetime qualifiers receive a lifetime achievement plaque. Additionally, Golden Eagle qualifiers receive an eagle statue. Qualifiers also receive an LPRT pin, which is usually presented at local or regional leadership conferences.
History
NAHU formed the Leading Producers Round Table in 1942 to recognize the successful underwriters of accident and health insurance. Today, the LPRT Committee is committed to making LPRT the premier program for top health, disability, long-term care and worksite marketing insurance producers, carrier representatives, carrier management, and general agency/agency managers. Through the hard work of the LPRT Committee members, LPRT will offer new membership benefits, exclusive LPRT events, and new categories and qualification requirements.
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Protect Your Industry! Donate to HUPAC today!
What is HUPAC?
HUPAC is the political action committee of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU). It is the expression of our First Amendment rights to free speech and association guaranteed under the Constitution. Such political expression has become far more than a useful option for professionals in a heavily regulated business like the health insurance industry. It has become a necessity.
HUPAC is registered with the Federal Election Commission. Since NAHU and similar organizations are prohibited from making political contributions, HUPAC was created to allow contributors to combine their financial support to a candidate to achieve maximum effect.
Why is HUPAC Necessary?
Few other industries are as heavily regulated as health insurance. Therefore, your success, and that of your clients, is directly dependent upon the actions of Congress. It is absolutely critical that we help those congressional candidates who support private-sector health insurance.
How Does HUPAC Help Make a Difference?
It is imperative that NAHU members work together to counteract the strong and united forces of special-interest groups that oppose the free enterprise system of health care. HUPAC allows us to combine our resources and strength to make a difference where it will have the greatest impact for our colleagues, our clients and, above all, our country. All this can be accomplished through financial support of HUPAC. Donate today and make a difference!
Levels of Contribution
Donations of any level- whether monthly or in one payment are always welcome.
$10 x 12:
Payment Amount
- Monthly Credit Card or Bank Draft Amount: $10.00/month
Benefits
- Hupac Pin (Distributed Annually)
365 Club
Payment Amount
- Monthly Credit Card or Bank Draft Amount: $30.00/month
- Annual or One-Time Contribution Amount: $365.00
Benefits
- 365 Club Pin (Black, Distributed Annually)
- 365 Club Badge Ribbon (Distributed at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference and Annual Convention)
- Annual Complimentary 365 Club Breakfast (Held at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference)
- Discount on HUPAC event tickets (Held at NAHU national and/or regional events)
- This contribution level meets NAHU's Triple Crown Award criteria
Capitol Club
Gold
Payment Amount
- Monthly Credit Card or Bank Draft Amount: $85.00/month
- Annual or One-Time Contribution Amount: $1,000.00
Benefits
- Capitol Club Pin (Gold, Distributed Annually)
- Capitol Club Badge Ribbon (Distributed at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference and Annual Convention)
- Annual Complimentary 365 Club Breakfast (Held at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference)
- Annual Complimentary Capitol Club Luncheon (Held during NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference at the exclusive Capitol Hill Club)
- Frameable Capitol Club Contributor Certificate (Distributed Annually)
- Discount on HUPAC event tickets (Held at NAHU national and/or regional events)
- Special Legislative Update From NAHU Staff (Emailed Monthly)
- This contribution level meets NAHU's Triple Crown Award criteria
Diamond
Payment Amount
- Monthly Credit Card or Bank Draft Amount: $170.00/month
- Annual or One-Time Contribution Amount: $2,000.00
Benefits
- Capitol Club Pin (Gold with Single Diamond, Distributed Annually)Capitol Club Badge Ribbon (Distributed at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference and Annual Convention)
- Annual Complimentary 365 Club Breakfast (Held at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference)
- Annual Complimentary Capitol Club Luncheon (Held during NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference at the exclusive Capitol Hill Club)
- Frameable Capitol Club Contributor Certificate (Distributed Annually)
- Discount on HUPAC event tickets (Held at NAHU national and/or regional events)
- Special Legislative Update From NAHU Staff (Emailed Monthly)
- This contribution level meets NAHU's Triple Crown Award criteria
Double Diamond
Payment Amount
- Monthly Credit Card or Bank Draft Amount: $250.00/month
- Annual or One-Time Contribution Amount: $3,000.00
Benefits
- Capitol Club Pin (Gold with Two Diamonds, Distributed Annually)
- Capitol Club Badge Ribbon (Distributed at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference and Annual Convention)
- Annual Complimentary 365 Club Breakfast (Held at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference)
- Annual Complimentary Capitol Club Luncheon (Held during NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference at the exclusive Capitol Hill Club)
- Frameable Capitol Club Contributor Certificate (Distributed Annually)
- Discount on HUPAC event tickets (Held at NAHU national and/or regional events)
- Special Legislative Update From NAHU Staff (Emailed Monthly)
- This contribution level meets NAHU's Triple Crown Award criteria
Triple Diamond
Payment Amount
- Monthly Credit Card or Bank Draft Amount: $410.00/month
- Annual or One-Time Contribution Amount: $5,000.00
Benefits
- Capitol Club Pin (Gold with Three Diamonds, Distributed Annually)
- Capitol Club Badge Ribbon (Distributed at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference and Annual Convention)
- Annual Complimentary 365 Club Breakfast (Held at NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference)
- Annual Complimentary Capitol Club Luncheon (Held during NAHU's Annual Capitol Conference at the exclusive Capitol Hill Club)
- Frameable Capitol Club Contributor Certificate (Distributed Annually)
- Discount on HUPAC event tickets (Held at NAHU national and/or regional events)
- Special Legislative Update From NAHU Staff (Emailed Monthly)
- This contribution level meets NAHU's Triple Crown Award criteria
Donate Now! http://www.hupac.org/register.asp
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