NABIP-NN October 2025 Newsletter 
Chapter Updates
Nevada Health Link Luncheon Presentation Tees Up Open Enrollment
Janel Davis, Chief Operations Officer for the Silver State
Health Insurance Exchange, which runs the Nevada Health Link website, often referred to as “The Marketplace”, will provide a broker briefing for the upcoming open enrollment season. Her presentation will occur at the NABIP-NN monthly luncheon on October 8th at the Atlantis Resort and Casino.
Along with focusing on the upcoming plan year of 2026, which opens enrollment on November 1st, Davis’s comments will include a review of key policy changes and operational updates affecting broker’s day to day activities during the annual open enrollment period.
NABIP Broadcasts Warning
As everyone begins their fourth quarter Medicare business, lots of our members are inquiring about whether they can charge fees for working with enrollees who wish to join a non-commissionable Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan.
NABIP’s national executive team wants everyone to be absolutely clear that federal regulations prohibit licensed agents from charging fees for aiding someone in those situations. A Medicare beneficiary may not be charged a fee for marketing, consulting, or enrollment services involving MA or PDP plans, even if the plan pays no commission.
The following citation is from the applicable Federal Regulation:
42 CFR § 423.2274(c)(8) requires Part D sponsors to “ensure beneficiaries are not charged marketing consulting fees when considering enrollment in Part D Plans.”
The same prohibition applies under Medicare Advantage regulations. Federal law preempts state law in this area. Even if a state permits Certified Insurance Consultants or Registered Investment Advisors to charge fees for other products, they may not do so for MA or PDP plans.
Charging fees for such services puts the agent at risk of regulatory enforcement and plan contract termination.
Urgent Help Needed: NYEP Girls’ Home Faces Plumbing Crisis
One of our chapter’s sponsored charities, the Nevada Youth Empowerment Project (NYEP), is facing a serious emergency. Their girls’ home has suffered a complete plumbing collapse—years of rot, tree roots, and recent roadwork have left the system unusable. For two weeks, sewage has backed up into the house, forcing residents to shower at a sister site and do laundry offsite.
NYEP has launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for repairs. If you’re able to donate or share, your support could make a real difference for these young women and the team working to keep their home safe.
Theme For Annual Benefits and Medicare Expo Announced
The chapter’s Benefits and Medicare Expo has announced the event’s annual theme as “Saddlin’ Up For Success”.
A “Save the Date” flyer has been sent to all members calling for them to set aside April 29, 2026, for the event, which will be held at the Atlantis Resort and Casino.
Thoughts From Our NABIP–NN President:
“The True Measure of Success”
As open enrollment moves into full swing, I find myself reflecting on what truly grounds us in this work. Is it a sense of purpose? Our values? Meaningful
The reality is, this season places enormous demands on us. The deadlines are tight, the days are long, and the expectations – whether from our management, carriers,
But what can carry us through is grace. Grace toward ourselves when we can’t do it all. Grace toward our clients, who feel the pressure just as much as we do. Grace toward brokers who are navigating the same storm. And YES, grace toward our carrier reps, who do not make the rules and are just as much part of this community.
When we choose grace – especially in the busiest moments – we remind ourselves that we do this work to guide, protect, and empower our clients. This spirit allows us to navigate “busy season” with purpose and to leave our interactions richer in care, understanding, and respect.
And to me, that is the true measure of success.
Business Group on Health Expects 9% Jump in Health Care Costs
The “Business Group on Health” organization, a Washington D.C. based advocacy group focused on health care policy and the search for innovative solutions for health and benefits issues, realized a report stating that 2026 will see a 9% increase in healthcare costs for U.S. employer groups.
That is the largest annual increase forecasted since 2010.
An increase in the costs for mental health care was also cited.
Calendar of Events
Nevada Health Link Broker Briefing
October 8, 2025, | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Atlantis Hotel/Casino
3800 South Virginia, Reno, NV, 89502
Registration:
Members: $35
Non-Members: $45
*$8 late fee will be added after October 5th
NABIP - Northern Nevada November 2025 Monthly Meeting
NABIP - Northern Nevada December 2025 Monthly Meeting
December 17, 2025
Annual Holiday Charity Party
Celebrate with food and drink while supporting Ashlee’s Toy Closet.
Sierra Gold Tavern
680 South Meadows Parkway
Reno, NV 89521
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.
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.