NABIP-NN August 2025 Newsletter 
Chapter Updates
Thoughts From Our NABIP–NN President:
“Proud To Be One of Those”
While getting some lab work done this month, the tech asked what I did for a living. I told him I’m an insurance broker. He paused, smirked, and said, “Oh … so you’re one of those.”
And I smiled. “Yes. Yes, I am.”
I’m one of those who recently helped a widow navigate her coverage after her husband passed ... ensuring she could keep her doctors and afford her medications during the hardest season of her life.
I’m one of those who answers the phone when a client is overwhelmed, confused, or scared about a bill or a letter they got in the mail.
I’m one of those who helps people age with security, dignity, and access to the care they need ... because Medicare is complicated, and no one should have to figure it out alone.
So yes, I’m proud to be one of those, because inside every “one of those” is a person who cares deeply, listens closely, and advocates fiercely.
Our job isn’t just about plans and premiums, it’s about people. I know I’m not alone. Our NABIP Northern Nevada members show up with heart, knowledge and purpose every single day.
That’s something worth being proud of.
Northern Nevada Wins National Pacesetter Award
At the 2025 NABIP National Convention in Miami, Florida, the Northern Nevada chapter was honored by being presented the Small Chapter Pacesetter Award for a second year in a row. Vice President of Awards, Ross Pendergraft, received the award on behalf of the chapter.
The Pacesetter Award honors chapters for their outstanding achievements and excellence in serving its members and the industry.
Through the work of Mika Clauson, Vice President of Media, the Kapsher Executive Director team, Vice President of Awards, Ross Pendergraft and the chapter’s newsletter editor, Don Goldmann, Northern Nevada also won a top chapter award for Media Relations and Chapter Website.
The convention, held at the Miami Fontainebleau Hotel, had four members of the Northern Nevada chapter in attendance. Mary Lou Urrutia, Gina Espinal-Aguerre, Ross Pendergraft and Don Goldmann, all attended as delegates to elect the national board of trustees for the 2025-26 Board Year. 
The newly elected Executive Officers included Susan Rider, who was celebrated during her installation as NABIP President, with David Smith as President-Elect, Mychal Walker as Vice President, Stephanie Berger as Treasurer and Keith Wallace as Secretary. Alycia Riedl became the Immediate Past President Patrick Burns of California became the Vice President for the Region 8 states of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
NABIP Launches New Medicare Advantage Certification
NABIP announced a new certification offered online to meet agents and brokers needs to sell Medicare Advantage Plans. The certification meets the training mandates of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The $100 course will meet CMS requirements and has received approval from many national and regional carriers.
However, not all carriers have agreed to accept the certification at this time.
Anyone interested in using this certification for their annual Medicare Advantage training should follow the link below to determine if their carrier has already approved the program.
To check the list of carriers accepting this 2026 training, follow this link:
https://www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/carriers
Additional information about the certification includes:
CE Available: Yes
Approved CE Hours: 8 credits in Life & Health
CE Provider: National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals
CE Provider Number: 18423
Course Name: 2026 Medicare, Medicare Advantage + Compliance Requirements (MMACR)
Course Number: 28231
Course Available Until: 06/30/2026
Legislative Update at July Membership Luncheon
Legislative Vice President for the Northern Nevada chapter, Mary Lou Urrutia, was the featured speaker at the July monthly membership luncheon at the Atlantis. 
Urrutia did a full review of all the health insurance related pieces of legislation that got to the Governor’s desk for passage or were vetoed.
However, she cited two bills in particular that caught lots of attention.
SB217 – IVF (In Vetro Fertilization) was vetoed by the Governor. The cost of the bill to the state would have been too great.
The second bill was SB292 – Medicare Supplements for Medicare Beneficiaries under age 65. While our NABIP state legislative efforts supported with bill with some amendments, it passed the Senate and House with few opposing votes, and the Governor signed it.
Because the bill will allow some Nevadans to buy Medicare Supplements, even when under the age of 65, the bill will likely have an impact on the Nevada Medicare population. Premiums will likely increase, but the premium will be doubled for those under 65.
Carriers have asked that open enrollment for this law start January 1, 2026, because they cannot be ready in time for the proposed enrollment dates of October 1, 2025, thru April 1, 2026.
August Luncheon Features Paul Roberts
One of the more popular speakers with the membership of the Northern Nevada chapter, Paul Roberts, will host a presentation during the August membership luncheon on August 13th at the Atlantis Casino and Resort in Reno.
Roberts, the Senior Director of Education at Word & Brown General Agency, has nearly two decades of industry experience, and is nationally recognized for his expertise in health insurance legislation and compliance.
In addition to his role at Word & Brown, Roberts serves on the Legislative Council and Employer Working Group for the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals. He also serves as Vice President of Legislation for the California Agents and Health Insurance Professionals, overseeing statewide advocacy and legislative engagement.
Paul was honored with NABIP’s Legislative Achievement Award in 2025 and is the creator and instructor of the nationally acclaimed NABIP certification course, “ACA & Beyond: A Modern Look at Employee Benefits,” a core component of the Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC) designation.
Calendar of Events
NABIP - Northern Nevada August 2025 Monthly Meeting
August 13, 2025, | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Atlantis Hotel/Casino
3800 South Virginia, Reno, NV, 89502
Registration:
Members: $35
Non-Members: $45
NABIP Happenings
New Member Orientation
One of the best ways to maximize the value of a NABIP membership is to learn about all the benefits at any monthly New Member Orientation!
Monthly orientations are held by Zoom at 9 AM on every 4th Thursday of the month.
The Zoom meeting ID is 826 3420 3381 and the passcode is “Membership”.
The program can also be accessed here: http://welcometonabip.org
Member Resources
Online Learning Institute
Earning the Registered Employee Benefits Consultant® (REBC®) designation elevates your credibility as a professional. The field of employee benefits continues to evolve rapidly. A year does not go by without new government regulations, new or modified coverages, and new techniques for controlling benefit costs. To best serve their clients, professionals need to have a current understanding of the provisions, advantages, and limitations associated with each type of benefit or program as a method for meeting economic security.
Affordable courses are available by visiting the NABIP site here.
Did You Know
There are many resources available to every member. Below are active links to a world of benefits that come from being a member of NABIP.
This collection of logos contains active weblinks to make it very easy for you to click and be led directly to the appropriate section of the national NABIP website.
Apply today for one of NABIP's highest honors - Leading Producers Round Table (LPRT). Click here for more information.
Earning the Registered Employee Benefits Consultant® (REBC®) designation elevates your credibility as a professional. Click Here to learn more.
NABIP's Leadership Academy assists chapter leaders and members to become better leaders in life and NABIP. This 12-module program provides a wide variety of topics touching on many areas to provide students with a well-rounded experience. Programming can be done through attending pre-recorded programming, by attending monthly webinars or as a mix of the two formats.
NABIP created the President's Triple Crown Program to recognize those members whose individual contributions help advance the association's mission.
NABIP Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).
Vision & Core Values, DEIB Training & DEIB Resources. Click Here to learn more.
Leadership Mentorship Program
Provides senior leadership support to new and current members professionally and in their leadership roles. Click Here for more information.
