New Member Orientation

Message from the Chair

Thank you for joining your local Association of Health Underwriters.  We at the State Chapter, CAHU, are very excited that you have chosen to unite with us in our unwavering commitment to protect and maintain a free market delivery system of healthcare in California and the United States.  Within a few weeks, you will receive your Welcome Kit.  It contains everything you need to get the full benefit of your (AHU chapter named) membership. 

Your local (AHU chapter named) has several committees that would welcome your involvement.  Our organization is strong because of dedicated individuals like you who get involved and make a difference.  Your involvement on the committee can be as little or as much as you would like – the more committee members we have the better for all!

Sample of Available committees:

            Membership
            Hospitality
            Legislation
            Ethics
            Political Action
            Media Relations
            Newsletter
            Education
            Foundation

Welcome to the CAHU family.  I look forward to seeing you at our State events such as Day at the Capitol in May where we sit down with our legislators and educate them on the virtues of a free market system.  Additionally, our annual Sales Conference is held in October and provides you with access to a variety of vendors to make sure you are at the cutting edge of product knowledge for your clients.  Check out our website for for more information at www.cahu.org.  

Thank you and welcome once more!

Member Benefits

Professionalism

By being a member of the California Association of Health Underwriters you are demonstrating that you support and are involved in the development of your career and the future of the industry.  The many benefits of membership are really second to the pride and knowledge that you will exude by being a member of CAHU.  You aren’t required to hold an office, you aren’t required to join a committee, and you aren’t required to attend the meetings.  However, as in most things, the more you put in, the more you get out.  We believe in the philosophy LEAD, FOLLOW OR DONATE and will gladly accept your energy, time or money!

Networking

Of all the benefits that accrue to being a member of our Association, none is more important than the people that you will meet.  Making friends with a wide variety of members will serve you well in your endeavor to become as professional as you can be.  Our industry has become very complex and to know every facet of it in detail has become an almost impossible task.  Knowing people who specialize in various fields of our business broadens your scope by having access to their knowledge.  Just another way to serve your clients better.  They are just a phone call away.  Get to know them!

Industry Knowledge

A firm understanding of pending legislation and newly enacted laws are vital to an insurance agent.  Being unaware of rules can leave you open to lawsuits and can ruin your reputation.  CAHU is your information source for new legislation.  We have lobbyists at both the State and National levels and give you access not only to information but also to the lawmakers themselves.

Continuing Education Courses

At monthly meetings and local and national symposiums, Continuing Education Courses are provided to help you meet your CE requirements.  Members receive a reduced rate for the courses. 

Annual Conference Speakers

Our objective at our conferences is to provide quality speakers speaking on pertinent industry topics.  We know your time is valuable and we want your attendance at our conferences to be worthwhile. 

Website Access

With membership in the association, you will have access to the National, State and Local websites.  With that, you will have timely updates on pending legislation and other pertinent industry information.  Members can access us on-line at, www.CAHU.org  or  www.nahu.org.

Magazine & Newsletter

As a member you will receive the Association’s quarterly newsletter, The STATEment, which profiles industry articles, board member articles, and current and upcoming events.  In addition, legislative alerts and other timely information appear.

The National Association of Health Underwriters sends you a monthly magazine entitled the “Health Insurance Underwriter” which contains many articles applicable to the sale and service of the Health Insurance Industry.

Symposium Attendance

The cost for attendance at the California Association and the National Association of Health Underwriters annual symposiums is less for members than non-members.  At each of these symposiums, CE on the latest industry topics is provided as well as the opportunity to explore the latest products being exhibited by over 50 booth sponsors.  In addition, outstanding speakers present various subjects of current interest keeping you abreast of emerging trends within the industry.

E & O Coverage Availability

As a result of your membership in CAHU, you are entitled to E & O Coverage with a discount.  The National Association of Heath Underwriters sponsors the coverage.  You can obtain coverage individually or for your entire agency.  MARSH, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers, administers the coverage.  For more information or to get a quote, go to the NAHU website at www.nahu.org.

Access to Industry Awards & Educational Designations

CAHU is available to help you obtain educational designations.  Several designations are available and we will coordinate study groups, assign a proctor and provide encouragement to assist in obtaining these designations.  RHU & REBC Designations provide the health producer a means of obtaining expertise in the ever-increasing complex market of employee benefits and individual health product market.  The American College administers these exams.

The Leading Producers’ Roundtable (LPRT) provides a medium for the health producer to receive recognition for his/her above average production.

Community Involvement

The California Association of Health Underwriters local chapters contribute time and money to several charitable organizations. The Public Service deeds are a great way to give back to the community and feel great doing it.  All chapters combined raised just below $112,000 during the 2006/2007 fiscal year, which was donated to a local charity. 

Education

In any type of professional association, education is frequently cited as the primary reason for joining.  CAHU provides members with the highest quality educational opportunities at either a reduced fee and free of cost.   Contact your local chapter for current CE opportunities.

You may contact your local Education Chair for information on how to obtain RHU and REBC designations.

Mission

California Association of Health Underwriters

“To promote and support the association of health insurance professionals in their efforts to educate the public, influence legislators and uphold fair and ethical insurance industry practices.”

Code of Ethics

National Association of Health Underwriters

To hold the selling, service and distribution of disability insurance and health insurance plans as a professional and a public trust and to do all in my power to maintain its prestige.

To keep paramount the needs of those whom I serve.

To respect my client’s trust in me and to never do anything which would betray their trust or confidence.

To give all service possible when service is needed.

To present policies factually and accurately, providing all information necessary for the issuance of insurance coverage to the public I serve.

To use no advertising that may be false or misleading.

To consider the sale of disability and health insurance plans as a career, to know and abide by the insurance laws of my state and seek to constantly increase my knowledge and improve my ability to meet the needs of my clients.

To be fair and just to my competitors and to engage in no practices that may reflect unfavorably on my industry or myself.

To treat prospects, clients and companies fairly by submitting applications which reveal all available information pertinent to underwriting a policy.

To be loyal to my clients, associates, fellow agents and brokers, and the company or companies whose products I represent.

Legislation

We’ve Got the Power –
Let’s Turn It On!

Each session, hundreds of lawmakers are making decisions that will affect each one of us.  Legislation will be considered that they may or may not have a full understanding of the impact their decision will have upon consumers.  Our industry needs a voice, and we have one!  We have one in the form of national and state level lobbyists who ensure that position is heard.  And each one of us has a voice that can be heard both on Capitol Hill and in our local districts.  And we will show you how to use that voice!

CAHU is pleased to have our own lobbyists, Steven Lindsay, who along with John Lovell, are employed as lobbyists for CAHU.  Both Steven and John have extensive experience and can clearly state the opinions and positions of our industry.

Steven Lindsay earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from California State University, Sacramento and a Masters degree in marriage, family, and child counseling from Chapman College.  He joined the insurance industry in 1982.

Lindsay served on the Sacramento Association of Life Underwriters Board of Directors from 1992 to 1995 and the Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters Board of Directors from 1991 to 1996.  He served as President of the Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters in 1994-1995.  He also served as Vice President Legislation on the California Association of Health Underwriters Board of Directors from 1992 to 1995 and Vice Chair Legislative Policy from 1995 to 1997.

Steven is currently Associate Director with the Institute for Government Affairs and Public Policy.  He has also served as a lobbyist for CAHU from November 1997 to present.  Steven has walked over 1,600 miles in the Himalayan mountains, climbed a 21,300 foot mountain called Mera Peak and is an avid scuba diver and sea kayaker.

John Lovell has been a Lobbyist for over twenty years.  During that time, over 99% of the bills he has lobbied for have been signed into law.  Significantly, NO bill he has opposed has ever been enacted.  If you are serious about getting things done in the California Legislature, you need John Lovell on your side.  He has represented Donald Trump, the DuPont Company, Ernest Gallo and the Gallo Winery, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the Los Angeles District Attorney, the California Equine Council and the California Welfare Fraud Investigators Association. He currently represents the California Peace Officers’ Association, the California Police Chiefs’ Association, the California Narcotic Officers’ Association, the California Association of Health Underwriters, the Checker Cab Company and Political Animals.  He is CAHU’s Legislative Counsel at this time.

CAHU has an impact on Sacramento!!!  This is the power of the Health Underwriters.  As a member, you will receive frequent updates from Lee on state legislative issues as well as national updates from NAHU coming out of Washington D.C.

NAHU’s Annual Capitol Conference

Each year members of the National Association of Health Underwriters and of the California Association converge on Washington, D.C. to ‘Storm The Hill’.  After briefings, NAHU’s members move to the “Hill” for meetings with their Congressmen and Senators.  This is an active grassroots effort from NAHU members around the country.  As leaders in the health care industry, we must always be on our guard for any misguided “incremental health care reform” that results in interference in the free market economy in health care industry.  Our collective voices need to remain strong to win.  Your clients’ future depends on it.  Your future depends on it.

Spend two days on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and senior Hill staffers to discuss NAHU’s vision for a vibrant health care system that ensures affordable choice for the American people - not government control!   Capitol Conference is usually held in February in Washington, DC.

CAHU’s Annual Day at The Capitol

Just as in NAHU’s Capitol Conference, the California Association sponsors their own ‘storming of the capitol’ in Sacramento each year.  A widely exciting and successful event, it provides an awesome feeling to attend and realize what a difference we make when we talk to our representatives one-on-one.  The Day at the Capitol is a one-day event with briefings conducted during a morning session and meetings with legislators scheduled during the afternoon.  This is your opportunity to get your message to your lawmakers who make the laws so they understand our industry and the impact of their laws on it and our clients.

Symposiums

As a member of the California Association of Health Underwriters, you will be invited to attend annual symposiums on the National, State and Local levels.  Each year, the National Association of Health Underwriters sponsors a Symposium in one of the major market areas.  CAHU holds its symposium typically Los Angeles.

From the opening sessions through the closing, hundreds of insurance professionals attending are extremely busy listening to top-flight general session speakers and participating in break-out sessions on areas of particular interest.  Opportunities to obtain Continuing Education credits abound!

Award banquets and dinners are held to reward outstanding individuals and chapters.  During recent years the California Chapter has been awarded various National awards, including Landmark, President’s Citation, Website, Media Relations, Gain, and National Membership Champion awards.

The State Symposium is usually held in October or November each year.  In addition to insurance business and continuing education courses, there will be opportunities to join your peers for fun and relaxation. 

The National Convention & Exhibition is held in a different city each year, usually during June.  It is guaranteed to be fun and a highly informative event.

The State and National events illustrate the value each person’s membership brings to the table.  To see the cumulative efforts of each city and each state come together to make change (or prevent change) is an incredible experience.  To learn what is happening in other states, what is being done, and meet others you may have a chance to network with (or learn from) is truly a rewarding time.  Attendance at these events is open to the entire membership.

Professional Designations

Leading Producers Round Table- LPRT
Qualification Guidelines:

1. Only health or disability insurance eligible (no life, AD&D, annuities, P&C, etc.)
2. Self funding, fee based, surplus lines and fully insured business are all eligible
3. New business only (no renewals).
4. Single or family coverage counts as one life.
5. One client with multiple lines of coverage can be counted for each line of coverage.
6. Qualification categories defined:
   Individual – Personal producers not involved with others in an agency, a brokerage firm or management.
   Agency – To qualify in this category at least two individuals must be members of NAHU.
   Brokerage / Management – Designed for home office sales managers, group representatives and managers, and brokerage agencies.
7. All applications are held in the strictest confidence by NAHU staff.  Committee and board members are not involved in the verification process
8. The LPRT committee will make final determinations.

Registered Health Underwriter - RHU

The RHU designation signifies that an individual working in the traditional health insurance marketplace or in the managed care industry has successfully completed a rigorous three-course program.  In addition, students also must meet specified experience requirements, maintain ethical standards, and agree to comply with both The American College’s Code of Ethics and Procedures and applicable continuing education requirements.

Registered Employee Benefits Consultant - REBC

The REBC designation signifies that an individual working in the employee benefits field has successfully completed a comprehensive five-course program.  In addition, students must meet specified experience requirements, maintain ethical standards, and agree to comply with both The American College’s Code of Ethics and Procedures and applicable continuing education requirements.