In This Issue

In Case You Missed It:
Turkey Dinner Drive Results

Upcoming Events:

Annual River Oaks Center for Children Toy Drive

In the News:

CMS Releases 2025 Medicare Premium and Deductible Updates

NABIP Warns of Serious Medicare Disruptions from Carrier Policy Changes, Calls for Accountability

Thanks to You CAHIP NorCal Donated

$2,025

To River Oak Center for Children's Turkey Dinner Drive

This year, CAHIP NorCal is most thankful for you. We appreciate you helping to make this possible. Happy Thanksgiving!

A Message from River Oak Center for Children

River Oak is one of the area’s largest providers of behavioral and mental health services for financially disadvantaged children and youth. We serve over 1000 children and youth on any given day with a wide array of innovative and evidence based practices to meet the individual needs of the youth and family with the highest quality of care. With the holidays approaching, which we recognize can be a stressful time, we strive to provide a gift to each child and their siblings in order to help brighten the season for families who are already facing challenges. Caregivers are often unable to provide gifts for their children as they struggle to meet basic everyday needs. Helping provide a gift for each of our clients and their siblings takes a major stress off them. In December we will hold our annual Santa’s Workshop [Now known as Winter Wonderland.] event and serve children and youth from birth through age 21. Last year at this event over 1,000 children and youth received Christmas gifts due to the generosity of our community. A list of ideas for the most requested items follows.

Please note that due to accounting guidelines, we prefer to not receive gift cards. Additionally, we are unable to give out any toys that look like or could be used as weapons along with items that are primarily solid blue or red in color. Thank you for understanding.

Infant:

Children:

Pre-Teen & Teen:

November 15th, 2024 CMS has released the 2025 Medicare premium and deductible adjustments, along with significant changes resulting from the Inflation Reduction Act.  These changes include an increase in premiums, caps on out-of-pocket drug expenses, and expanded eligibility for financial assistance. CAHIP-NorCal is sharing this information to help brokers and their clients stay updated on the ever-changing Medicare landscape and better understand how these updates may impact Medicare coverage in the coming year.

With the premium increases and plan terminations happening frequently, CAHIP-Norcal encourages all Medicare beneficiaries to work with a broker who specializes in senior health benefits so that you can feel confident in your health coverage and avoid coverage gaps, or unexpected cost increases.

2025 Costs At a Glance :

Part A (Hospital Insurance):
Inpatient hospital deductible: $1,632 (+$32 from 2024)
Daily coinsurance (61st–90th day): $408 (+$8)
Daily coinsurance (lifetime reserve days): $816 (+$16)

Part B (Medical Insurance):
Monthly premium: $174.70 (+$9.80)
Annual deductible: $266 (+$14)

IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts):
Premiums range from $243.10 to $594.00, based on income levels.

New for 2025

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, beneficiaries will see capped out-of-pocket costs for Part D prescription drugs, with a maximum annual limit of $2,000 starting in 2025.

Expanded Low-Income Subsidy: The Extra Help program is broadened to offer full benefits to individuals with incomes up to 150% of the federal poverty level.

Price Negotiations: Medicare will implement negotiated prices for certain high-cost prescription drugs.

Washington, D.C. – This week, both Aetna and Elevance Health (Anthem) announced to agents across multiple markets that they would no longer pay commissions for new enrollments in select Medicare plans, effective November 1, 2024. Some agents and brokers were notified with less than 24 hours’ notice, in the middle of Medicare’s open enrollment period, creating significant disruption.

Higher drug costs and declining star ratings have driven some Medicare carriers to take drastic actions this fall. The individuals most affected by these changes are the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who, through no fault of their own, are losing benefits within their Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and, alarmingly, their options to work with trusted agents to find the best healthcare coverage.

NABIP CEO Jessica Brooks-Woods addressed this urgent issue, underscoring the repercussions of these sudden decisions on beneficiaries, agents, and the healthcare system at large:

“By eliminating agent commissions in certain Medicare plans, Aetna and Anthem have created a substantial barrier for seniors who rely on agents to understand their plan options, manage costs, and access the care they need. This disruption hits particularly hard at a time when seniors are already grappling with higher prescription costs and shrinking benefits in their Medicare Advantage plans.

"Our Medicare agents are essential advocates who help beneficiaries make informed coverage decisions, assist with navigating plan changes, and resolve complex claim issues, providing stability and support that is now at risk. Without assistance from Medicare agents, beneficiaries could face significant challenges that could compromise their access to personalized guidance and cost-effective choices.

“We call on Aetna, Anthem, and other industry leaders to collaborate with NABIP to find a sustainable solution that maintains the critical support our seniors need. Together, we can protect access to knowledgeable Medicare guidance, ensuring our healthcare system remains accessible, reliable, and dignified for all.

“NABIP reiterates its commitment to supporting agents, brokers, and the communities they serve through our Healthcare Bill of Rights.1313 Our mission is to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable healthcare guided by professionals who prioritize patient advocacy and equitable healthcare solutions.”

Check Out NABIPS Events!

Check Out CAHIP's Events!

LEADING PRODUCERS ROUND TABLE

The LPRT was formed in 1942 to recognize success in our industry.

Today, the LPRT is committed to being the premier program for top Health, Disability, Long-Term Care and Worksite Marketing Insurance Producers, carrier reps, carrier management, and general agency/ agency managers.

Check out the easy online application

TRIPLE CROWN

NABIP created the President's Triple Crown Program to recognize those members whose individual contributions to NABIP help advance the association's mission.

Criteria

1. HUPAC Contribution $12 x 12 or flat $150

2. Recruit 2+ new members

3. Send 3+ Operation Shout messages

REBC®  Designation Elective: Earning the REBC designation elevates your credibility as a professional and prepares you to best serve your clients. Click here to access more information about the REBC designation, including the learning objectives and curriculum.

Brand Sets Professionals Apart from the Rest 
NABIP’s certifications offer a brand that sets professionals apart from the rest and the logo can be applied to media announcements, email signatures, business cards, and company letterhead to highlight professional accomplishment. After completing the final exam, a download version of the logo stamp of authentication will be generated.

National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals
Student Services Helpdesk: 844-257-0990

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President

David Brabender

Atman Insurance

President Elect, Legislation

Brad Wright

ABC Workforce

Executive Director

Lauren Bayha

BayhaBenefits Insurance Solutions

Treasurer

Jacqueline Martinez

Ornellas & Associates

Professional Development, Tech Training

Antonette Vanasek

Vanasek Insurance

Awards Co-Chair

Michele Meder

Trusted American Insurance Agency

Membership Retention

Angie Caruso

Amwins Connect Insurance Services

Political Action Committee Co-Chair

Cerrina Jensen

Solv

Medicare

Dalia Sutton

Anthem Blue Cross

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Renée Balcom

Renée & Company

Past-President

Helen Ornellas

Ornellas & Associates

Secretary

Michele Mills

Trusted America Insurance Agency

Media Relations

Shae Trombatore

Trusted American Insurance Agency

Professional Development, Programs

Andy Glenn

Aflac

Awards Co-Chair, Carrier Relations

Tamara Moreau

BBP Admin

New Membership

Teri Blake

Ornellas Executive Benefits

Political Action Committee Co-Chair

Aaron Jensen

Stellar Stories Insurance Solutions

Community Service

Andrew Garnett

Cypress Ancillary Benefits

Vanguard

Danny Langarica

Cal Choice (CHOICE Administrators)

Communications

Kyle Frantz

Trusted American Insurance Agency