The Georgia Legislature is just days away from it's 2010 conclusion.  With the budget woes for the state, there has been (relatively speaking) not much activity affecting health insurance.  Of course, the feds have more than made up for that.

My message to you this month is one of my favorite words:           Prepare. 

Ask any coach of any sport.  Ask any business guru.  Ask any sales leader, and the one thing they will ALL talk about is preparation.  Preparation is the key to converting that prospect into a new client.  Preparation is the difference in keeping that client happy.  Preparation, in short, leads to consistent and productive action.

So, now that the dust has settled (at least into a hazy mist) on Health Care Reform, it's time for us all to prepare.  We must prepare our clients.  We must prepare their employees.  We must prepare our own practices.  AND, we must prepare to make our voices heard this November.

Like many of you, I live in districts where I'm preaching to the choir (Tom Price, Saxby Chambliss, Nathan Deal and Johnny Isakson).  I've already corresponded at length with most of these men and their constituents.  They know our message and they get it.  But there are those around this country (and state) who do NOT get it.  They are coasting along and getting their way.  I think it's time that we prepare them for a 'change,' don't you think? 

Prepare for November.  And, more importantly, think outside the box - prepare yourself for WHATEVER comes your way.  Your families and clients are depending on you!

Blake Watts

2009-2010 GAHU President

theblakewatts@gmail.com

Healthcare Reform & Related Federal Issues: 

• http://www.fpanet.org/docs/assets/ThePatientProtectionandAffordableCareActsummary-final1.pdf

Source:  National Financial Planning Association

• http://www.fpanet.org/GovernmentRelations/FederalIssues

Source:  FPA National Government Relations 

• health reform resources page

Source:  NAHU

Take Note of Blessings:

One of GAHU's best tools, Cathy Ford, will be welcoming her new baby girl into the world very soon.  Please extend your well wishes and appreciation for all of Cathy's hard work on our behalf! 

Thankfully, Cathy will return after a (much too) short stint with her family.

Know Your PHI Rules: 

Q:  When an Agent looses a client, due to any reason, is the Agent bound by any regulations to keep their records and information and if so how long? 

A:  Under the HIPAA rules, if the contract is terminated, then the agent should either 1) return the PHI to the carrier, 2) destroy the PHI. If either of these are not feasible, then the agent would maintain the PHI under the same rules as when the contract was enforce.

Source:  Farren M. Ross/ John Greene VP of Congressional Affairs

Special Opportunity - Wellness Certification Course Coming Soon!

We are pleased to announce that we will be presenting a new special CE program offered only through the National Association of Health Underwriters.

When:              9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on May 21, 2010

Where:             Georgian Club

Who:                Employee benefits professionals and employers.

Cost:                $60 for NAHU members and $85 for non-members. 

Register:          Click Here

Special Opportunity - CHHC Certification Course Coming Soon!

We are pleased to announce that we will be presenting a new special CE program offered only through the National Association of Health Underwriters.

When:              12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. on May 21, 2010

Where:             Georgian Club

Who:                Employee benefits professionals and employers.

Cost:                $135 for NAHU members and $185 for non-members. 

Register:          Click Here

2010 GAHU Convention

GAHU's convention will be held at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation on June 16^th - 18^th, 2010. 

Click Here for Registration Brochure

Keynote Speaker

Neal Boortz

General Sessions:

• "Shape of the New America" presented by Russell B. Childers, CLU, RHU, NAHU President.
• "Creating Value as a Benefit Professional" presented by Mel Schlesinger, RHU, REBC, NAHU Vice President.
• "Myths of Health Insurance Reform - Why Government needs to stay out of the Health Insurance business" presented by Neal Boortz.

GAHU Healthcare Summit:

Gain an understanding of the "Georgia Response" to Health Care regulations from all perspectives:

• Regulatory & Legislative Panel
• Business & Consumers Panel
• Providers Panel

Attendees & Sponsors/Exhibitors:

The vendor space for this year's event is fast selling out.  We now only have 13 total spaces available.  Platinum or platinum plus sponsorships are still available.  If you want to attend with your company, we ask you to please hurry. 

In addition to the sponsors list below, Purchasing Alliance is also our (much appreciated) Breakfast and Name Badge Sponsor.

 

Signature Sponsor

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia

Platinum Plus Sponsors

Purchasing Alliance Solutions, inc.

Platinum Sponsors

Admin America

Aetna

AFLAC

Coventry Health Care of Georgia, Inc.

EyeMed Vision Care

Group Resources

Renaissance Dental

Symetra Life Insurance Company

United Healthcare of Georgia / OptumHealth Financial Services

OptumHealth Financial Services / United Healthcare of Georgia

Gold Sponsors

Abacus

Advantica

American General Life Companies

Atlanta DI Center

BenefitMall

Business Distribution Solutions

Companion Life

CTGroup

First Horizon MSAVER

HCC Life Insurance Company

Heart of Georgia Insurance Brokers

Humana

JL Herring & Associates

Kaiser Permanente

Northside Hospital

Principal Financial Group

Quotit Corporation

Securian Dental Plans

Interested in knowing more about becoming a sponsor?  Click here for GAHU's Sponsor Package.