Name change ‘part of rewriting the story of NAHU,’ association president says

AUSTIN, Texas – Members of the National Association of Health Underwriters are meeting for their annual convention with the opportunity to “send a signal that we are on a new mission and we are rewriting the story of NAHU.”

At Sunday’s convention opening session, NAHU president Eugene Starks urged members to vote in favor of changing the organization’s name to the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.

“We are rewriting the story of NAHU,” Starks said. “With this name change, we are choosing to change the direction, change the story of our organization. We are benefits professionals, and we are reshaping the future of health care.”

Starks called on NAHU members to work to create “a health care system that works for everyone.”

“We have the agency and the ability to take control of our lives and of our industry – that’s why we’re here.”

Susan Rider, NAHU secretary, discussed the association’s strategic plan and its goals, which include:

• Changing customer expectations. Better understand the needs and expectations of health care purchasers, consumers and members. NAHU conducted a survey to learn the members’ needs and expectations. NAHU will act on survey findings to better serve existing members and recruit new ones.
• Change to member compensation. Identify and communicate broker compensation challenges, opportunities and industry trends. NAHU gathered state-by-state broker compensation rules and created “Path from Commissions to Fee-for-Service” as an educational source designed to keep members in compliance and provide tools to grow their business. NAHU will finalize compilation of state-by-state broker compensation rules.
• Employer market issues. Create communication materials on industry and demographic trends with a focus on benefit programs and solutions that meet the needs of NAHU members and consumers. NAHU identified how changes in the workforce will affect modifications to the public option and the Affordable Care Act. NAHU will draft various white papers and update information on various policy issues, including ACA reporting, pharmacy benefit managers and prescription drugs, menta health parity and the public option.
• Evaluate and prioritize technological areas where NAHU can deliver greater value to members. NAHU created a national technology committee and compiled a list of technological needs.
• Major health policy. Develop procedures for delivering timely and comprehensive communications to members regarding major health policy. NAHU identified state-based information to track and created an interactive state-by-state map. NAHU will refine the process for establishing policy priorities.
• Organizational changes. Reevaluate NAHU’s mission, vision and values. Develop strategies for improving chapter effectiveness. NAHU redesigned its national committee structure and will create a survey for small chapters.

 

 

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @INNsusan.

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