(DeWitt, New York, Jan. 2, 2014) — In 2013, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York helped its members participate in the biggest change to the state's health insurance marketplace in two decades. New York’s oldest insurance producer trade organization also got its highest legislative priority to the governor's desk, made the industry's case in the aftermath of the worst storm in recent memory, and provided educational programs that enhanced the professional credentials of producers all over the state.

• A bill to stop the abuse of certificates of insurance, which IIABNY crafted along with other insurance and non-insurance groups, passed both chambers of the New York State Legislature in June. The measure would have prohibited business and public agencies from demanding that insurance producers issue false and misleading certificates. While New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed the bill in December, IIABNY promised to push for a new solution.
• IIABNY's multi-year efforts to ensure roles for insurance producers in the state's new health insurance marketplace paid off. Individuals and businesses seeking coverage through the marketplace (called New York State of Health) have the option of working with certified insurance agents and brokers. To date, NYSOH has certified approximately 3,400 producers to assist insurance purchasers. IIABNY also worked with the NYSOH staff to set reasonable certification educational requirements. The group worked with the New York State Department of Financial Services to permit producers to apply hours spent on the certification courses toward their general continuing education obligations.
• Throughout the state, IIABNY's Education Department conducted classes that enabled producers to obtain the NYSOH certification. More than 600 participants attended 20 sessions, with more to follow in 2014.
• IIABNY representatives participated in a New York State Assembly hearing and several roundtable discussions about claims handling and other issues that arose from SuperStorm Sandy, which caused extensive damage in the fall of 2012. The representatives and the group's legislative team stressed the strong performance of the insurance industry in the days and months after the storm. As a result, proposed legislation that would have damaged the state's insurance marketplace failed to get through the legislature.
• At IIABNY's urging, the NYSDFS proposed a regulation that would permit insurance producers to deposit premium funds in out-of-state and Internet-based financial institutions. The department has not yet formally adopted the regulation.
• Gov. Cuomo signed into law a bill that IIABNY supported, permitting producers to offer wellness programs to their clients without violating state laws against rebating and discrimination.
• IIABNY members were again very active in legislative affairs. The fifth annual Capital Day in January drew 174 members to Albany, where they spent the following day discussing industry concerns with state lawmakers. Another 17 traveled to Washington, D.C. in April for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's National Legislative Conference, where they met with members of the House and Senate.
• The IIABNY Education Department helped producers meet their continuing education obligations by presenting courses in a variety of formats. More than 2,000 students attended 57 webinars; 199 classroom-based seminars drew more than 4,500 students; and IIABNY reached more than 1,200 other students by presenting 56 programs in members' offices.
• The Education Department was honored in September with the IIABA's Excellence in Insurance Education Diamond Award. It was the third consecutive time IIABNY has won the award.
• The new IIABNY Web site debuted in July, featuring an easier-to-use interface, enhanced search functions, and easy registration for association programs, including course sign-ups.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. has represented the common business interests of independent insurance professionals since 1882. More than 1,750 agencies and their 13,000 plus employees currently rely on the DeWitt, New York-based not-for-profit trade association for legislative advocacy, continuing education and other means of industry support. In addition, most IIABNY members proudly identify themselves as Trusted Choice® agents and brokers, a national consumer brand uniting more than 21,000 independent agencies across the United States. For more information, go to www.trustedchoice.com or www.iiabny.org.