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January 10, 2013

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Best Business Practices

4 steps to standardizing your sales organization's messaging
If your sales organization is suffering from inconsistent messaging, you can address it by gathering interested parties in one room and attempting to gain a deeper understanding of your prospects. After developing new messaging, it may be a good idea to test it with a limited group of clients before applying it to the entire sales organization. B2B Lead Roundtable Blog (1/7)

Developing relationships in 140 characters or less
Social media channels are fast becoming important networking tools, writes Michael Cohn, who offers tips for making the most of Twitter. Relationship-building within a 140-character limit is possible, and it starts with showing respect, interest and promoting discussion, advises Cohn. Also, be wary of some of the pitfalls of online communication such as writing in all capital letters or excessive use of exclamation points. B2C Marketing Insider (1/8)

Other News

Business cards 101: Make sure yours is working for you
B2C Marketing Insider (1/5)

Industry Insight

Insurers say role in health insurance exchanges will develop slowly
Several major health insurance companies are planning to participate in exchanges established under the Affordable Care Act, although the extent of that participation depends on the marketplaces' profitability and other concerns, such as final regulations that will govern their operation. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (1/9)

New regulation will transform the health care industry this year
Health insurance exchanges, a tax on medical devices, Medicaid expansion and reforms in how health care is delivered will reshape the industry in 2013, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report. The Hill/Healthwatch blog (1/9)

Market Trends

Survey: Workers will shop around if health benefits are taxed
If Congress moves to tax employee health benefits, 26% of workers say they'll seek less-expensive coverage, 21% will attempt to purchase coverage directly from insurers and 9% say they will forgo health insurance, according to an Employee Benefit Research Institute survey. Employee Benefit News (1/8)

About half of states end up with default benchmark plan
Leaders in about half of states let a Dec. 26 deadline slide and allowed HHS to set benchmark plans for coverage in small-group and individual markets. A state's biggest small-group plan was the default benchmark. Central Penn Business Journal (Harrisburg, Pa.) (1/2) , Politico Pro (subscription required) (1/16)

Minn. legislators propose health insurance exchange bill
Minnesota legislators proposed a bill on Wednesday for the creation of a state health insurance exchange. The proposal also calls for a board to oversee the exchange. Minnesota received conditional approval to create an exchange from the federal government in December. American City Business Journals/Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. (1/9) , Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.) (1/9)

Health Insurance Plan Company News

AHIP Coverage: AHIP’s Ignagni on NBC Nightly News

AHIP Coverage: New NHE Data Show Health Spending Increased 3.9 Percent in 2011

Cigna: The Search Is On for the Healthiest Workplaces in the World

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio Urges Seniors to Get Flu, Pneumonia Vaccines

Study: UnitedHealthcare’s Diabetes Health Plan Can Lead to Improved Health, More Effective Disease Management, Better Cost Control

Vendor Company News

NationsHealth Announces Divestiture of Its Medical Products Division and Name Change to Convey Health Solutions

AHIP News

Secure your AHIP 2013 conference sponsorships
Sponsorship opportunities are available for AHIP 2013 conferences such as the National Policy Forum, March 13 and 14 in Washington, D.C., and Institute 2013, June 12 to 14 in Las Vegas. Reach hundreds of health care decision-makers who attend AHIP conferences to learn and network. Contact AHIP’s Business Development Team at BusinessDevelopment@ahip.org or 866-707-AHIP (2447) for details.

Understanding annuities
Annuities can go hand-in-hand with retirement planning. To better serve your clients, you’ll want to learn about the various types of annuities, including single and flexible premium annuities, fixed, equity-indexed, variable, immediate, and deferred. AHIP offers a series of online courses about this popular retirement concept. Get more information here.

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