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  National Association of Insurance 
    and Financial Advisors - Texas              
 
 
         August 2010 eNewsletter
Governor Perry Proclaims September Life Insurance Awareness Month
 
Gov. Perry, Littleton, Dodson
 
In support of Texas families' security and well-being, Governor Perry has proclaimed September to be Life Insurance Awareness Month. Click here to read the Governor's proclamation.
 
The nonprofit LIFE Foundation coordinates this yearly observance to remind Americans of the need to include life insurance in their financial plans. Each September, LIFE is joined in this educational initiative by more than 100 of the nation's leading insurance companies and industry groups.
 
Today, Americans are cautious and rightfully so. Uncertainty still bubbles in the job market, the housing market and the economy in general. More Americans want to ensure the financial stability of their families.
 
The 
2010 LIAM Producer Toolkit that makes it easy to put together a high-impact, LIAM marketing program, and to do it with relatively little effort. Most of the kit resources are accessible with the click of a mouse.  
Update: Agents Excluded on HHS Healthcare Information Web Portal
Healthcare agents continue to find themselves squeezed out of the healthcare services industry during the set-up phase in progress at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS).
 
On July 1, 2010, HSS unveiled its new health web portal - www.healthcare.gov - required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  However, despite best efforts, the web portal does not reference consumer services provided by licensed health insurance agents.
 
NAIFA and industry partners have strongly encouraged U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to include agent language on the new portal. On September 21, several members of Congress joined U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon (3rd District, Louisiana) in making a similar request of HHS. 

Consumers should be made aware of the personalized assistance provided by state-licensed health insurance agents. Contact Secretary Sebelius by clicking this TAKE ACTION link to request that agent language be added to www.healthcare.gov.
 
TAKE ACTION before OCTOBER 1, 2010 when the portal is scheduled to be finalized.
 
IRS Form W-2, Form 1099 Reporting Will Impact Employers and Agents
Beginning next year, in 2011, employers will be required to report on an employee's W-2 form "the aggregate cost for applicable employer-sponsored coverage." The aggregate cost of an employee's health benefits will NOT be included in the employee's taxable income. Instead, the reporting will be a way to verify medical coverage for purposes of enforcing other provisions of the new health reform law.

 

Another section of the new federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), scheduled to take effect in 2012, will require businesses to file an IRS form 1099 for all purchases of property and services worth $600 or more during the calendar year. At present, businesses are required to report only when they purchase services and only when those services are from non-corporate entities. NAIFA is working with other industry and business groups to ask Congress to repeal the information reporting requirements (form 1099) for small businesses under section 9006 of the new law.

 
How the NAIC Defines MLRs May Determine Agents Compensation

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") will recommend to the Department of Health and Human Services standardized methodologies for calculating medical loss ratios (MLRs) pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA"), the healthcare reform legislation enacted this year.The MLR calculation will look at how an insurance company's premium revenue is spent, and health plans will be required to issue rebates when their non-claims costs are more than 15% in the large group market or 20% in the small group and individual markets.

 

What is at stake for agents is whether compensation paid to agents should be  included in "premium revenue" to the insurance company and, therefore, included in the MLR calculation. NAIFA-Texas' position is that agent compensation is simply not company revenue and should be excluded from the MLR calculation altogether. NAIFA-Texas members have asked TDI Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin, who will be attending NAIC's summer meeting starting this week, to use his influence to insure that the NAIC does not enact standards and rules that would put a squeeze on agents' commissions/compensation and, thus, discourage insurance buyers (whether individuals or small businesses) and insurers from working with agents.

 
NAIFA-Texas Officers and Board Trustees Elected, Sworn In

On July 17, NAIFA-Texas leaders and representatives of the 26 local NAIFA associations in Texas held its annual business meeting to elect a President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer and three Trustees.

Stephen Ehlers LUTCF of NAIFA-Houston was elected President-Elect, and Doug Massey CLU, ChFC, FSS of NAIFA-San Angelo was elected Secretary/Treasurer.

Lane Boozer LUTCF of NAIFA-Texoma, Stella Castaneda of NAIFA-Corpus Christi and Kirk Haworth CLU, ChFC of NAIFA-Amarillo Area were elected Trustees.

That evening at the Presidents' Gala, the 2010-2011 Officers and Trustees were sworn in by 1994-1995 NAIFA President R. Keith White of NAIFA-Dallas.  Cylinda Clark of NAIFA-Dallas was sworn in as President after serving one year as 2009-2010 President-Elect/2010 Annual Meeting Chair.  Cylinda's theme for this year is "Success in Times of Change."

Jason Talley LUTCF of NAIFA-San Antonio, Frank Correa LUTCF of NAIFA-Fort Worth and Joey Ussery CLU, ChFC, LUTCF will continue to serve as Trustees.  Outgoing President Randy Robertson LUTCF of NAIFA-Lubbock will serve as Immediate Past President.  Ron Mullen CLU, ChFC will serve as National Committeeman.  Lee Ripley of NAIFA-Dallas was appointed Trustee by the NAIFA-TX Board on July 18 to fill the one year unexpired term of Doug Massey.

Click here to view a pictorial account of meeting highlights.
 
Next year's NAIFA-Texas Annual Meeting and TLRT Roundup will be held at the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake Hotel, July 21-23, 2011.
 
 
NAIFA-Texas Highest Honor Presented to Jim Benjamin CLU
 
Gov. Perry, Littleton, Dodson
NAIFA-Texas President 2001-2002 James H. Benjamin CLU was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for dedication and service to his profession and TALU/TAIFA/NAIFA-Texas. Jim's calm demeanor was a great asset for the numerous positions that he has held at the local and state levels. He has always been available to help fellow agents and his association. Making the presentation to Benjamin was John Ruckel. Past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award: the late Charlie Flowers, Ken Tooley, Tyson Payne and Oscar Newton in 2003; C. Dean Davis in 2004; Robert Ehlers in 2005; the late O. C. Jackson in 2006; John Neighbors in 2007; John Ruckel in 2008; Rosalie Kuntz and the late H. Dan Smith in 2009.
 
 
Suzanna Powell Named "Tall Texan" at IFAPAC Event in San Marcos
Suzanna Powell LUTCF of NAIFA-Fort Worth was presented the Bruce Murray Tall Texan award by NAIFA-Great Southwest at the NAIFA-Texas PAC reception July 17 in San Marcos.  Powell has been a NAIFA member since 1979 and has served on the TAIFA Board of Directors 2004-2006 representing, attending and paying dues to both Fort Worth and Great Southwest. A tireless supporter of NAIFA, NAIFA-Texas and Texas IFAPAC, Suzanna contributes to the PAC and has been a PIC contact for State Senator Jane Nelson for 17 years. The award, honoring those who follow in the proud tradition of Bruce Murray by excelling in the areas of political, association and community involvement, is given annually at the NAIFA-Texas Annual Meeting.
 

Suzanna Powell 2011

 NAIFA President Tom Currey congratulated 2010 and previous Tall Texans.

Left to right:   John M. Ruckel LUTCF - Alan B. Carl RHU, REBC, LUTCF   
 Douglas E. Aycock CLU, ChFC - Jack M. Morris LUTCF - Suzanna Powell LUTCF
Thomas D. Currey CLU, ChFC, LUTCF - Martha Hall RHU
Not pictured:  Don Ladewig LUTCF (first Tall Texan recipient) - the late H. Dan Smith CLU, LUTCF
 
2010 Platinum and Gold Sponsors
 Gov. Perry, Littleton, Dodson