(Independence, OH) - Jim Schade, Principal/Benefits Adviser with The Alpha Group Agency became certified through The National Association of Health Underwriters' (NAHU) new professional development course on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Schade completed this 10-hour course to receive the most up-to-date information on the key technical components of PPACA and is prepared to counsel his/her clients on upcoming required healthcare changes and new options for health plans.

"By taking this course, Mr. Schade has joined an elite group who is uniquely qualified to assist clients in complying with the new law," said NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein. "He understands how the market is likely to change over the next few years, and is in the perfect position to advise families and businesses in planning for the future."

Topics of study include:

• Implementing healthcare reform-overview and politics
• Grandfathered plans and the small-business tax credit
• Medicare Part D and non-discrimination rules
• Patient protection and changes to consumer-directed health plans
• Medical loss ratio requirements and tax implications
• W-2 reporting, summary of benefits, waiting periods, essential benefits and community rating
• Individual mandate, pre-existing conditions and rating reform
• Health insurance exchanges for individuals and small employers
• Employer pay or play
• Self-insured plans

"My goal has always been to provide comprehensive, cost-effective quality medical insurance coverage for my clients and their valued employees. My PPACA certification assures that I can provide these people with the information and advice they need to make the proper decisions on their benefits program," Schade said.

The National Association of Health Underwriters represents 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans.

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