IAHU Viewpoint: 2022-2023 First Issue

October 2022-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Volume 16 Issue 1

A special thank you to our 2022-2023 Platinum Sponsor:

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President's Message

As we begin a new year of Leadership, I thought I would start out by telling you a little about me, my goals, and why I believe so strongly in NAHU. First, I am a husband and Father to some amazing people. I have been married to my wife Bri for 11 years, and have three very energetic boys: Milo 9, Luca 7, and Graham 4. The boys are all very active in sports and we love any activity that would take us into the beautiful Idaho wilderness.

I have only had two jobs my entire life. Moving pipe for the farm across the street in Jr. High and High School and selling health insurance. I started working at Semons Financial in 2008 as a Broker and became a Partner at Real Benefit Solutions in 2014. I love this industry and have had some great mentors through the years.

In the spring of 2014, I was approached by Todd Bateman and asked if I would like to Join NAHU. He explained what the organization was all about. I agreed to join and a few weeks later took his place as President-Elect of the Eastern Idaho Association of Health Underwriters as he moved up to Northern Idaho. Since then, I have met so many great people, been back to Washington DC several times, and have met with our legislators on multiple occasions advocating for legislation that would benefit our consumers.

I have loved serving in various positions in NAHU leadership, and feel It is about supporting the organization that protects all of us, our consumers, and the business that provides for our families. I volunteer my time as my way of showing appreciation. Through volunteering, I have formed many amazing friendships and created business opportunities that would not have been possible without being an active member. I believe in the work that NAHU does. From lobbying on our behalf in DC and Boise to providing Compliance guidance and endless resources, NAHU provides support in many ways.

My goal as President is to make our industry better than it is today. With the exciting upcoming name change to the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP), I look forward to re-branding our association to what we truly are, Benefits and Insurance Professionals. As an association, we have a renewed opportunity to share who we are and what we do, finally with a name that supports us.

Now is the time for change and new fresh ideas! History is in the making, and I get to be part of it with the greatest crew. As your President, I will be visible, active, and accessible and want to hear your ideas and feedback! I want to bring value to our membership and plan to attend at least one meeting at each local Chapter to support your cause and spread our message.

Thank you for your support and the opportunity to serve. Please consider getting involved in any capacity with your local Chapter. Together, we can do amazing things.

-Nathan Semons

Idaho Dept of Insurance Drops Consumer Alert For Medicare Beneficiaries

The Idaho Department of Insurance is warning consumers shopping for Medicare health insurance to be wary of improper marketing by telemarketers and television commercials during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period.

New Medicare Marketing Guidelines

Get NAHU's latest updates and information on new CMS regulations regarding Medicare marketing.

Upcoming Events

Day on the Hill: February 6th, 2023
NAHU Capitol Conference: February 26th, 2023
IAHU Symposium: April 19th & 20th, 2023
NAHU National Conference: June 24-27, 2023

Get to Know Your New 2022-2023 IAHU Board of Trustees

President - Nathan Semons

How long have you been in the industry? I started in December of 2008, so almost 15 years

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? My Molina Healthcare Plan

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? George Washington. I read a bio on him a little bit ago and I think he was an amazing man! What he did to shape our country is truly awe-inspiring.

President Elect - Ernie Kroll

How long have you been in the industry? 11 + Years

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? $30 Washington State Parks pass that only used once at Mount Spokane this year – Didn’t find the Huck’s like we normally do and due to busy summer schedule never made it back up. Would have liked to gone up a few more times. Maybe next year!

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? I admire George Washington for refusing to be King when it was offered to him

Secretary/Treasurer - Stacie Anthony

How long have you been in the industry? I have been in the medical and insurance industry since 1997 and became an independent broker in 2013

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? I can't remember my last experience of buyer's remorse. When I splurge on something it's only after quite a bit of thought.

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? My husband is my hero. As a first responder, he deals with things on a daily basis that most people couldn't handle. He's always fair and precise. He's just a wonderful person all around. His Christian faith and his leadership are extraordinary and his reliability and honesty are things to be greatly admired.

Past President - Guy Stubbs

HUPAC - Rhonda Bartholomew

Awards - Terrie Trevino

How long have you been in the industry? 38 Years

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? Time shares, I purchased two of them and never used them. I was able to gift them to others.

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? My husband, he keeps me grounded, and makes me feel like I can do anything I set my mind to.

Membership Retention - Dawna Moreno

How long have you been in the industry? 25 Years

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? Amazon sometimes can be buyers remorse in general because its so easy to put things in your car and get them in 2 days!!

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? My grandfather who passed in 2014 at the age of 92. He was a major in the Air Force and flew 30 combat mission in WW2. His stories of his life experiences were amazing. He spent 20 years in the Air Force and then worked another 20 years as a high school science teacher at Valle View Middle Scholl in Caldwell.

New Membership - Knute Kleven

How long have you been in the industry? I was first licensed in 1998

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? I was talked into trying and sharing the 2 1/2 lb prime porterhouse for two at Barbacoa and while it was good, it wasn't as good as the Hot Rock Fillet - which I love.

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? Captain America. He is honest, up-front, loyal, extremely noble, and unfailingly dependable. His strengths don't lie in creativity or brilliance, especially when compared to some other Avengers, but he is the one who can step in and lead all the complex personalities, skill sets, strengths, and weaknesses of this diverse team.

Communications - Brett Thomas

How long have you been in the industry? Almost 9 years

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? MP3 Player. I wasn't even sure these still existed but I was looking for something lighter than my phone to use while running. I bought one for about $40 and it played the first 30 seconds of every song before automatically skipping to the next track. Total bust.

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? This might be dodging the question, but I'm inspired by ordinary people who live excellently but quietly without fanfare, seeking neither accolades nor prestige. My parents are obviously high on this list because of their direct impact on my life, but I always have a few people at different stages of my life (through church or work etc.) that I'm keeping my eye on that motive and inspire me.

Legislative - Angie Jackson

How long have you been in the industry? Almost 30 years

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? Miele Dishwasher - it took over a year to receive it and I lost the rebate for multiple appliances

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? My father - he never had a bad word to say about anyone and was a very patient man. I miss him every day.

Legislative - Phaedra Anderson

How long have you been in the industry? I was a co-owner of an agricultural consulting firm for 15 years and one of my many responsibilities was managing group health insurance for our employees in Arizona and Idaho. I sold my portion of the successful business in 2012 and through the help of an exceptional Business Coach Thomas Voccola, I was able to determine a new career path that focused on my analytical and skills. I homed in on group health insurance and was licensed in the fall of 2013, and love what I do!

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? During covid, I purchased an knock off rumba that was so weak and worthless it would not pick up a single thing and sounded like a cheep hairdryer. It made a great white elephant gift!

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? My mother, she was so incredibly brave, adventurous and the most loving person I have ever known

Media Relations - Pedro Rojas

Vanguard - Korey Ashton

Professional Development - Malia Rogers

How long have you been in the industry? About 12 years

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? I paid a $20 deposit to sit through a time share presentation . Lost 2 hours of my life, but didn't get suckered into buying the timeshare & we will see if I ever receive the voucher they promised for a week stay at a condo in an undisclosed location.

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? My mom, for her courage to escape her home country (Vietnam) during the war & also raise 4 kids on her own...she had to start life all over again twice, with English as her second language. Whenever I think I'm having a bad day, I reflect on what my mom had to go through, to remind myself life could be harder.

Professional Development - Steve Moore

Local Chapter Information

brought to you by our Gold Sponsors

Treasure Valley Association of Health Underwriters

Lisa Wilson - President

How long have you been in the industry? 20 Years

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? I recently upgraded my office 10 gallon aquarium to a 30 gallon. I bought the back drop off of Amazon that was supposed to look like the sun coming through the water onto beautiful rocks and sand. Instead, its dark blue, you can’t see any details, and it’s cloth. It was supposed to be a sticker for the back. Good thing it was only $15.

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? Wonder Woman – She has integrity, she’s honest and conquers evil.

2021-2022 TVAHU Board Members

Northern Idaho Association of Health Underwriters

Brad Miles - President

2021-2022 NIAHU Board Members

Eastern Idaho Association of Health Underwriters

Roxanne Christensen- President

2021-2022 EIAHU Board Members

Southern Idaho Association of Health Underwriters

Sandi Daley - President

How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the insurance field for 4.5 years. Prior to this gig, I was an analyst for an airline.

What's your most recent "buyers remorse" purchase and why? I bought a “floating island” to use at Bear Lake. It didn’t get used much and now I have to store the behemoth.

Who is your hero and what do you admire about them? I don’t have A hero. I find inspiration and motivation in every person that is willing to work hard, put forth effort, be non-judgmental, practice transparency, push beyond their limits and perceived abilities, and try to leave a place better than they found it.