I am looking forward to meeting our members at the upcoming Annual Member Dinner & Meeting, November 10-11 in Tampa, Florida.
In this issue of AAAB Insights, check out the most recent regulatory updates out of Washington D.C. and across the country in Regulatory Updates, information from our most recent member committee meetings in Committee Updates. This month, we profile AFSLIC, one of our Members in Member Highlight. Find out more about how ESG impacts investments in the ESG Corner.
For any questions or feedback regarding AAAB, please feel free to contact our leadership board via email at a.melgar@aaab.net.
Brandon Wood
AAAB President
From DC:
Federal Regulations: In the month of October, there were 10 new Federal register entries in the Healthcare Reform section. Those entries broke down as follows:
- Declared National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2021 by the Executive Office of the President on 10/05/2021.
- The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health issued a final rule to revise the regulations that govern the Title X family planning program (authorized by Title X of the Public Health Service Act) by readopting the 2000 regulations, with several revisions to ensure access to equitable, affordable, client-centered, quality family planning services for clients, especially low-income clients on 10/7/2021.
- The OPM, IRS, Treasury, EBSA, Labor, CMS, and HHS released a document that set forth interim final rules implementing certain provisions of the No Surprises Act, which was enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 on 10/7/2021.
- The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection published for public comment a proposed rule amending Regulation B to implement changes to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) made by section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) on 10/8/2021.
- HHS is proposed to repeal two final rules: “Department of Health and Human Services Good Guidance Practices,” published in the Federal Register of December 7, 2020; and “Department of Health and Human Services Transparency and Fairness in Civil Administrative Enforcement Actions,” published in the Federal Register of January 14, 2021 on 10/20/21.
- In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the CDC announced a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on 10/22/21.
- In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Health Agency announced a proposed public information collection seeking public comment on the provisions on 10/25/21
- CMS announced an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public on 10/26/21.
- HRSA released a notice seeking comments on two updated draft recommendations for (1) providing contraception and (2) screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, as part of the HRSA-supported Women's Preventive Services Guidelines on 10/28/21.
- HHS proposed to withdraw or repeal a final rule entitled "Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely'' (SUNSET final rule) on 10/29/21.
No Surprises Act Update: On 10/7/21 interim final rules were released to implement provisions of the No Surprises Act that provide for a Federal independent dispute resolution process to permit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage and non-participating providers, facilities, and providers of air ambulance services to determine the out-of-network rate for items and services that are emergency services, non-emergency services furnished by non-participating providers at participating facilities, and air ambulance services furnished by non-participating providers of air ambulance services, under certain circumstances.
Medicare Dental Update: As of Halloween, President Biden and Congressional leaders were working on legislation that includes coverage for hearing services, but NOT dental or vision. This is far from over, but that’s a significant signal that dental and vision may not make the final cut.
Short-Term Health Update: Nothing specific at the federal level but we are seeing efforts from various task forces or groups of the NAIC that are ostensibly focused on lead generation for short-term health insurance but some are concerned that scope will expand to include the products. The association is taking a lead on this by taking a leadership role in lead generation conduct.
In order for all of us to get to know our diverse member base, we are highlighting a member each month. This month it’s American Financial Security Life Insurance Company ("AFSLIC").
American Financial Security Life Insurance Company (“AFSLIC”) was organized in Missouri in January 1957, under the name of Survivor’s Benefit Insurance Company. In 1981, the name was changed to Penn Diversified Insurance and Annuity Company, and in May 1989, changed to its current name of American Financial Security Life Insurance Company. The company has been under current ownership since 2008, and now provides a broad range of insurance services in over 35 States.
Core offerings include Short Term Medical, Fixed Indemnity, Accident, Critical Illness and Medical Stop-Loss Insurance products, in both individual and group markets. With corporate headquarters located in southern Florida, a regional office in New York City, and a nationwide network of distributors and agents, AFSLIC is able to meet and better serve the needs of our members throughout the country.
Upcoming Member Opportunities
Get involved! If you aren't currently serving on a committee, but would like to, please email a.melgar@aaab.net.
