NABIP-NN December 2025 Newsletter 
Chapter Updates
The Agent Wish List
by NABIP-NN President Aliana Rushing
As we’ve stepped into December, most people are making “Christmas Wish Lists” often filled with books, clothes, or maybe a weekend somewhere warmer than our office thermostats. But us health insurance agents? Our Christmas lists look a LITTLE different …
The top of my list is that January starts smoothly for our clients. Every year, we enter this magical season where deductibles are rediscovered – usually right around the time they’re at the pharmacy counter or doctors’ office.
Next, I’m wishing for ID cards that arrive on time and land safely in the hands of the people who need them. When that envelope shows up without delays, it feels like a win for all of us.
I’d also love a carrier portal that loads as quickly as my holiday playlist and benefits that roll into January JUST the way I explained them. Sure, it would be lovely if those “quick questions” really did take only five minutes, but I’m not above believing in Christmas magic.
Behind these lighthearted wishes is something real: I want it to feel easy and reassuring for the people who trust us – that our clients feel protected, informed and cared for as they step into the new year. When everything falls into place, it brings a peace of mind for them, and a quiet sense of purpose for us.
So as the busiest season winds down, here’s hoping your holidays come with grateful clients, on-time ID cards, remembered deductibles, good eggnog, and at least one full night of uninterrupted sleep.
May your season be merry, bright, and blissfully free of carrier hold music.
NABIP National Battle Against Unfair Marketing Activities
The National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professional announced a national program to coordinate local and state chapters efforts to stop certain unfair trade practices, which appear to be an attempt to manipulate consumers into certain plans and products that are more financially favorable for the insurer to the disadvantage of the consumer.
In Nevada, a formal complaint has been filed with the Department of Insurance in regard to certain marketing and commission practices in the distribution of some Medicare Advantage, Part D Prescription Drug, Medicare Supplement and Individual plans.
Along with eliminating commissions all together, or substantially reducing commissions, other practices, such as restricting access to plan applications, changing commissions mid-year and discouraging or disincentivizing producers from presenting certain plans to consumers, have been put in place.
In the complaint, such practices have been described as being a violation of Nevada insurance regulations.
Countrywide, the national organization, through its Government Affairs department, is working with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to issue bulletins warning of potential violations that vary from state to state.
As of November 12, Idaho, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Oklahoma have issued bulletins.
Active discussions are going on with regulators in 17 other states including: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Annual Holiday Charity Get Together
The National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals Northern Nevada chapter will host its’ annual Holiday Party on behalf of Ashlee’s Toy Closet, a local charity organization that distributes toys to under-privileged children throughout the area.
In June of 2007, the community of South Lake Tahoe suffered a devastating fire which destroyed nearly 250 homes. Many of the homes that burned included families, and their children, who lost everything they owned.
At eight years old, Reno resident Ashlee Smith had a close-up view of the Angora blaze, as the fire was named. Her dad was a firefighter, and he helped to contain the wildfire. Ashlee, having recent painful memories of when she and her family had lost their own home to a fire, organized an effort to collect donations in order to make sure every child, who had lost their home, would get a brand-new toy.
Ashlee, now in college, continues her dedication to collecting and donating new toys to children affected by natural disasters, fires, floods or economic conditions.
2025 is the fourth consecutive year that the chapter has supported the charity by holding an hors d’oeuvres and drink reception, open to members and non-members alike. Entrance to the event is open to anyone who brings an unwrapped toy donation of at least $25 in value or donates an equal amount of cash at the door.
The celebration will be held at the Sierra Gold Tavern located at 680 South Meadows Parkway in Reno. Doors will open on Wednesday afternoon, December 17th at 4:30 and continue with food and drinks until 7:30.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and one drink ticket will be served. Additional drinks will be available at a cash bar.
2026 Capitol Conference NABIP-NN Representatives
The 2026 NABIP annual Capitol Conference will run from Sunday, February 22 till Tuesday, February 24. It will be hosted at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill hotel.
Seven of the chapter’s board officers will represent the Northern Nevada chapter. Along with attending the variety of educational programs, the officers will visit local and state legislators.
Chapter President Aliana Rushing will head the contingent. Also attending will be chapter Vice President, Georgiana Cepeda, VP of Finance, Joy Gardner, VP of Awards, Ross Pendergraft, VP of Legislative Affairs, Mary Lou Urrutia, VP of Media, Don Goldmann and Medicare Chairperson, Merre Gregory.
Calendar of Events
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.
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Sierra Gold Tavern
680 South Meadows Parkway
Reno, NV 89521
NABIP Happenings
Join NABIP for the 36th Annual Capitol Conference 2026 —
February 22–24 in Washington, D.C.
This premier advocacy event brings together more than 800 health insurance and benefits professionals for three powerful days of preparation, education, and direct engagement with lawmakers and policymakers.
From in-depth training and timely policy briefings to a full day of advocacy on Capitol Hill, Capitol Conference 2026 empowers members to make their voices heard and drive meaningful change in healthcare policy.
Help shape the future of healthcare that expands access, strengthens choice, and improves affordability while strengthening relationships with legislators and connecting with industry leaders.
Sunday prepares. Monday equips. Tuesday delivers.
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.