Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters (CSAHU)

Important Information

Fellow CSAHU Members:

As president of the LTC Forum of Colorado, I am excited to inform you of timely and unprecented developments in the Long-Term Care Insurance industry in Colorado. On Tuesday, July 7th, at 11:00 am, Governor Ritter will hold a press conference on the west steps of the State Capitol to launch the Own Your Future (OYF) campaign. A few days before the press conference, approximately 800,000 Coloradoans ages 45-65 will receive a letter signed by the Governor (see first link below) encouraging residents to begin planning for future LTC needs. The second link features the brochure which will accompany the letter. Please take an hour or two out of your schedule on July 7th to attend the press conference to show your support for your industry and for LTC planning!

Following the July 7th press conference, Public Service Announcements made possible by the Colorado Broadcasters Association will run on television and radio. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pli3tPPId6U to see the 30-second spot. The LTC Forum of Colorado has been working with insurance carriers, agencies and individual agents to raise funds for the Public Service Announcements. We have achieved half of our goal: providing enough funds ($30,000) to pay for Public Service Announcements in July, August and September. We hope to raise more money to continue funding as many as three more months of Public Service Announcements. If you or your company would like to donate to the cause, please make checks payable to the LTC Forum of Colorado and mail to my office.

Most of you are aware that Colorado has adopted new continuing education (CE) requirements for selling LTC Insurance. Agents must complete 16 hours of LTC training, including 8 hours in a classroom, in order to sell LTC Insurance in 2009 and beyond. After the initial 16-hour requirement, agents must complete 5 hours of training in a classroom every two years. These new requirements help ensure agents understand Partnership Plans, which have been available to consumers in Colorado since January 1, 2008. In a nutshell, LTC Insurance policies qualifying as Partnership Plans allow the policyowner to protect and retain assets equal to the amount of benefits paid by the policy when qualifying for Medicaid. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPVDRtX6dO4 to view the Governor's message about Partnership Plans.

The Own Your Future campaign and Partnership Plans give you a tremendous opportunity to visit with your clients about the importance of planning for future long-term care needs. Please join us in supporting the above efforts with your presence on July 7th and a donation to the OYF Public Service Announcements cause.

Thank you,
Aaron R Eisenach, CLTC
President, LTC Forum of Colorado
7175 W Jefferson Ave, Ste 1300
Lakewood, CO 80235
303-697-8988
800-788-8205

About Us: The LTC Forum of Colorado is a non-profit advocacy group that supports and encourages proactive Long-Term Care planning in the state of Colorado. Our Mission Statement is to provide a collabartive forum to address Long-Term Care issues and concerns. Focus areas include, but are not limited to: building awareness of Long-Term Care planning among consumers, trusted advisors, legislators and regulators, advocate proactive planning among consumers and trusted advisors, develop and implement educational programs for Long-Term Care planning, and monitor and initiate change where needed within the evolving Long-Term Care landscape. Formed in 1991, we have consulted and supported Colorado legislators and regulators, the insurance Industry and other like-minded organizations on Long-Term Care planning issues affecting the citizens of the state of Colorado. Members are LTC insurance specialists representing various competing agencies and/or carriers in Colorado. To learn more, please visit www.ltcforumco.org.

Click here for a OYF letter from Governor Ritter

Click here for the OYF Brochure

Click here for a OYF Fundraising Letter

Click here for a OYF PSA request for assistance

Welcome

Welcome to the Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters (CSAHU) member website. We are a professional organization of Producers (agents and insurance company representatives) who care about their mutual clients to stay informed and to Make A Difference.

I welcome you to our website and hope that you will find the information informative and valuable. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

A Message from your State President

Claudia This is my last message as your State President. I want to thank each CSAHU member for your support not only of me but for the board during this highly volatile time in the insurance industry.

The CSAHU board work together to update the state bylaws to define a quorum and allow the state committee chairs a vote on the board as well as some other minor changes. The bylaws were approved by a vote of the membership in October, 2008. The State Committee Chairs will have their first opportunity to vote in the term that begins July 1, 2009.

The 2009 Legislative Session ended on May 6, 2009. I want to thank the CSAHU Legislative Committee who worked tirelessly throughout the session on your behalf. We would not have had success killing some bad legislative bills without the grassroots efforts of our members. I also want to thank Cindy Sovine Miller who has placed our organization at the table with stakeholders, the legislative house and senate and government representatives. Please see Jim Sugden’s legislative summary included in this newsletter.

Many thanks to John Nelson, President, Warner Pacific, our keynote speaker at CSAHU’s first Annual Awards Celebration Dinner. His passion for the role of the broker and our future in the insurance industry was very inspirational. I want to thank Joni Reents, CSAHU Awards Chair who put together with the assistance of the local chapters, FRAHU, MDAHU, SCAHU, NCAHU and WRAHU a very impressive group of awards with most deserving recipients. Please see Joni’s article in this newsletter about the Awards.

Our annual symposium “Got Wellness” was a huge success! The evaluations came back with glowing remarks about the speakers, breakout sessions and the accommodations at the Grand Hyatt. Many thanks to Shelly Lillibridge, CSAHU Education Chair and Freddie and Keith Templeton for a job well done. It takes months of planning and professionals like Freddie and Keith to make it a spectacular occasion. Also, want to thank Lisa Wright, CSAHU Community/Public Service Chair for the successful drive for the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics. Please see Lisa’s article in this newsletter about the winners of the drive.

To close I want to thank each member of the CSAHU board who contributed many volunteer hours to our fine association: Marie DeWolf, President Elect, Jay Steele, Vice President, Eden Ripingill, Treasurer & MDAHU President, Keli Childs, Secretary & SCAHU President, Lars Parkin, FRAHU President, Sandy VandeWalle, NCAHU President, Anita Pollock, WRAHU President, and Committee Chairs: Dorothy Marshall & Jim Sugden, Legislative, Joni Reents, Awards, Rene Perreault, Chapter Liaison, John Odell, Communication/Media, Lisa Wright, Community/Public Service, Shelly Lillibridge, Education/Programs, Keith Taylor, Ethics/Bylaws, Larry Greene, LPRT, Heather Harte, Membership/Retention, and Bill Killgore, PAC.

CSAHU qualifies for Silver Seal Certification

NAHU's Chapter Certification Program is an ongoing program that recognizes excelling chapters through out the year. Recognition is based on criteria satisfaction in a variety of areas. To earn the Silver Seal Certification chapters must satisfy at least six of nine criteria.

CSAHU qualifies for Silver Seal Certification

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