The Benefits Brief

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NABIP-Supported Employer-Reporting Bill Passes House Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

On Wednesday, the House passed the Employer Reporting Improvement Act (H.R. 3801), a bill that provides much-needed relief for employers by easing certain aspects of the reporting requirements under Section 6055 and 6056 of the ACA. This has been an issue that NABIP has been active in for several years now, and for employer-reporting legislation to make it this far is truly exciting. On this week’s episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour, NABIP lobbyists John Greene and Michael Andel are here to discuss the bill.

Marcy M. Buckner Discusses NABIP Successes and Favorite Memories in Last Podcast Episode Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

This week is Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Marcy M. Buckner’s last here at the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals. For several years, Marcy has been one of the premier voices on the Healthcare Happy Hour podcast – but that has just been a small piece of her duties at NABIP. After over 11 years, Marcy has left a substantial legacy and everyone, from staff to members, are sad to see her go. On this week’s episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour, Vice President of Congressional Affairs John Greene and Marcy review some legislative and regulatory successes that NABIP has had during her tenure, as well as some fun and emotional personal anecdotes.

House Ways & Means Committee Advances NABIP Federal Priority to Ease Employer Reporting Process Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

Earlier this week, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced the Employer Reporting Improvement Act which will simplify employer reporting on health insurance coverage. This is a priority that NABIP has long advocated on behalf of. On this week’s episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour, Marcy M. Buckner discusses what this big win means, along with details of what’s included in the bill and future steps.

Are You Ready for NABIP’s Annual Convention? Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

NABIP’s Annual Convention is rapidly approaching – our first Convention as the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals! We hope that all our listeners are planning on attending Convention, which will be held June 24 through 27 in New Orleans, Louisiana. On this week’s episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour, Dan is joined by NABIP Chief Information Officer Illana Maze to discuss the Convention and all the great speakers and sessions that come with it! Register for Convention at https://www.nabip.org. The deadline to register online is June 16. On-site registration will be available but will increase by $50.

How to Best Leverage Employee Benefits Portfolios – from Retirement Plans to Pet Insurance May 26, 2023

Show notes

In a recent benefits survey, 92 percent of respondents said that benefits were important to their overall happiness on the job. In today’s world, that means offering benefits that go beyond health insurance. For those that work in the group market know that employers are always looking for interesting and useful supplementary benefits to attract the best and brightest employees. On this week’s episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour, we are joined by Heidi Sirota and Andee Gravitt from Nationwide along with Adam Sheehan from AccuRisk Solutions, to discuss how to best leverage employee benefits portfolios to optimize employee retention. Sponsored by Nationwide *Nationwide has received the DALBAR Plan Participant Service Award from 2014-2022. This recording is educational in nature and is not designed or intended to provide financial, tax, legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Nationwide and its representatives do not give legal or tax advice. An attorney or tax advisor should be consulted for answers to specific questions. Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal, and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be achieved. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Nationwide and AccuRisk Solutions are separate and non-affiliated companies. Retirement Resource Group includes Retirement Specialists and Personal Retirement Counselors. Retirement Specialists are registered representatives of Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC), member FINRA, Columbus, OH. The information they provide is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Personal Retirement Counselors are registered representatives of Nationwide Securities, LLC., member FINRA, SIPC. DBA Nationwide Advisory Services, LLC. in AR, CA, FL, NY, TX, and WY. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Nationwide Securities, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor. DBA Nationwide Advisory Services, LLC in AR, CA, FL, NY, TX and WY. Representative of Nationwide Life Insurance Company, affiliated companies and other companies. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC), member FINRA, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide Retirement Institute is a division of NISC. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide Retirement Institute and Retirement Resource Group are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company © 2023.

A Stay in ACA Preventive Care Mandate Case; NABIP Submits More Testimony May 19, 2023

Show notes

Earlier this week, a federal appeals court issued a stay on a lower court ruling that struck down provisions of the ACA’s preventive care mandate while it reviews the case. Meanwhile, NABIP submitted more written testimony to Congressional committees on a variety of topics – including direct primary care and hospital consolidation. On this week’s episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour, Marcy M. Buckner discusses the ACA case and its implications, along with the details of our statements for the Congressional Record.

What You Need to Know About the End of the COVID-19 Emergency Period May 12, 2023

Show notes

May 11 was the official end date of the public health emergency that has been in place for over three years. There are several temporary health policies and flexibilities impacting Medicare, group and individual plans that were put into place during the pandemic. Do you know which ones are affected by the national emergency as opposed to the public health emergency? Do you know which flexibilities will expire when? In this excerpt from NABIP’s April 20 Compliance Corner webinar, NABIP Legislative Council Manager and CEO of MZQ Consulting Jennifer Berman discussed the end of the emergency periods in detail. Watch the webinar in full on NABIP.org!

NABIP Submits Written Testimony on Host of Healthcare Issues May 05, 2023

Show notes

Did you know that NABIP regularly submits written testimony to Congress ahead of relevant healthcare hearings? From small-business tax credits to Association Health Plans to mental health network adequacy, NABIP submits statements to Congressional committees when they are debating policy that impacts our members. On this week’s episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour, NABIP Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Marcy M. Buckner is back to review our latest testimony.

Special Guests from Nonstop Health Discuss Benefits for Brokers and Employers Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

North of 175 million Americans receive their health coverage through their employer, among a host of related benefits. Agents, brokers and other insurance professionals who work in the employer market understand how important it is – for both the employer and employee – that a company can provide top-tier health benefits. On this week’s episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour, we are joined by special guests Elizabeth Hodges and Derreck Smith from Nonstop Administration and Insurance Services to discuss how benefits can be recession-proof, how you can be a more trusted advisor to your clients, and what Nonstop Health can do for you. This week's episode is sponsored by Nonstop.

An Individual Market Agent’s Perspective on the Medicaid Unwinding Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

As we have discussed a few times on the podcast, we are amid what is being referred to as the “Medicaid Unwinding,” where tens of millions of Medicaid beneficiaries are having their eligibility redetermined. CMS estimates that nearly 15 million individuals are poised to lose coverage over the next 12 months following the end of a major public health emergency flexibility, and many of those beneficiaries will be looking for new health coverage in the individual market. On this week’s Healthcare Happy Hour, we are joined by special guest and member of NABIP’s Legislative Council Joshua Brooker to talk about the unwinding period from the agent’s perspective.

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