We are pleased to report that 770 agents, company representatives, physician groups and carriers gathered at the Senior Summit held at the Pechanga Resort and Casino. They shared ideas, heard about new products and features, completed trainings, attended educational certifications, and learned of legislative issues and concerns affecting the Medicare focused marketplace.

The biggest news is that our Membership team brought in 63 new members for several of our chapters with 33 of them for OCAHU!!!!! Our membership table was manned the entire event and made the difference! Thanks to Gonzo Verduzco and his team including Briana Hudson, John Evangelista, Pat Stiffler, Dorothy Cociu, Dave Benson and more! NAHU congratulated us for the great effort!!!!

On Monday afternoon, 10 foursomes gathered for a round of golf. Juan Lopez reported all had a great time with recognition given for closet to the pin for both men and women, and the winners of the mini tournament were Juan Lopez, Ricky Haisha and John Morales with a minus 7 in a card off.

On Tuesday the event was kicked off by Alignment with a high energy training followed by Product First Looks with SCAN, Humana, Blue Shield, Aetna, Brand New Day, Central Health and product trainings with Wellcare and Anthem. NAHU’s CEO Janet Trautwein gave an update on NAHU’s CMS and Legislative actions. Nick Uehlecke from Todd Strategy Group shared a Medicare update from Washington DC. Patrick Rodriquez, principal of AGA our Gold Ribbon Partner, shared the importance of NAHU membership for the Medicare Agent. We finished up the day with a jammed packed fun Cocktail Party on rooftop in the Eagle’s Nest!

On Wednesday the program was kicked off by SilverSneakers’ Maria Arana with yoga and was followed by a CE class with James Russ. After a formal opening and recognition of our dignitaries, attendees were welcomed by CAHIP President Sue Wakamoto-Lee. We heard messages from our Ribbon Partners: Gold- AGA, Red – Alignment and White- Golden Outlook, JSA, Optum and Wellcare. Janet Trautwein returned with an up to minute update from NAHU and a call to action. Next up was our Keynote Speaker, Dan Clark, motivational Speaker extraordinaire and author of many inspirational books including Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Our exhibit hall opened up with over 70 exhibitors and was well attended throughout the Summit. The new expanded layout was found easier to navigate. A big thanks to our exhibitors for participating!

In the afternoon we addressed important state and federal issues especially addressing the just released CMS Marketing Guidelines for the upcoming AEP. Nick Uehlecke returned with more updates and Dwane McFerrin from SMS shared information about the work by NAHU FMO Council and Medicare Advisory Group on our members’ behalf. A legislative panel with Susan Rider, NAHU Treasurer, Faith Borges of California Advocates, Sue Wakomoto-Lee and Dwan McFerrin, shared insights, key issues and concerns for Medicare Beneficiaries and agents.

We finished the day with a few minutes with Golden Outlook, Jack Schroeder and Associates (JSA), Wellcare and Optum. United Healthcare provided an hour presentation for their Medicare Advantage, PDP and Medicare Supplement 2023 Product Rollout.

The day started on Thursday with SilverSneakers Cardio Fit Express Training. We heard messages about NAHU Membership and HUPAC. We then jumped into our Prescription Drug Panel: Challenges and Options with Dr. Sarah Chae, Dr. Sherrill Brown, Tami Mongold and Bill Hepscher.

Our White Ribbon partners Wellcare and JSA returned to share some additional insights. Alignment conducted a fun “Oscar” recognition for performance for MAPD plans.

Dan Clark returned to share How to Network and Influence through Speaking and Storytelling.

The morning was closed out by the Senior Summit Executive Committee with Thank-you’s, recognition of our volunteers and awarding of the Grand Prize sponsored by Van Berg Insurance Services.

The afternoon was dedicated to our educational/informational break-out sessions that addressed a number of key topics that had been requested by our attendees. A big thank-you to the following presenters:     Karina Romero, Bill Hepscher, Wayne Goshkarian, Danniel Wexler and Phil Calhoun, Lucy Niquet, Craig Taylor, Dale Stein, Lisa Ramsey, Aaron Kassover and Craig Gussin!

This major event would not be possible without our partners and exhibitors. A Big Special Thank-you to Applied General Agency our Gold Ribbon Partner, our Red Ribbon Partners Alignment Health Plan and Humana, our White Ribbon Partners Jack Schroeder and Assoc, Centene, Optum and Golden Outlook, our Blue-Ribbon Lunch Partners Aetna Medicare and Senior Market Sales and our Welcome Reception Partner SunFire. And, thank-you to HRBC, Financial Grade, SCAN Health Plan. The Brokerage, Inc. Prospect Medical, Van Berg Insurance Services, Green Leaf Financial Services, Altmed, Dickerson Insurance Services, Warner Pacific, Blue Shield of CA, AFUSA, Central Valley Health Plan, Regal Medical Group, Retire with Renewals, Rehburg Life insurance Settlements, UnitedHealthcare and Anthem Blue Cross for their sponsorship and partnership to make this a successful Summit!

Your Executive Team (Yolanda Webb, Ricky Haisha, Juan Lopez, Henry Romero, Craig Gussin and myself with Gale James Clarke, Dawn Carroll and George Carson) put in countless hours of work to help make this Summit one on the most well attended in all of NAHU. A special thanks to Gail James Clarke, Dawn Carroll and George Carson for their support and expertise. We would not have succeeded without them!

Mark your calendars for next year! The event will return to The Pechanga Resort and Casino on August 22^nd to the 24^th. It promises to be even better! (Yes, we take the surveys and comments seriously!) Juan is also looking forward to the return of the Official Summit Golf Tournament! For partners, exhibitors and sponsors please start planning and budgeting now to participate! More information should be out no later than April 1^st!

• Maggie Stedt, CSA, LPRT
• Co-Chair of the Senior Summit/Medicare Chair of Orange County Association of Health Underwriters and Past President of CAHIP and CAHIP-OCAHU