September 10, 2009 

Dear Colleague:

The New England Claim Association would like to welcome back members from last year and to invite our colleagues who may not be familiar with the New England Claim Association to come and check us out as we enter our 83rd year! 

The Life and Disability insurance industry is spread across all of New England. There was an increase in membership last year as we hit a record number of members and we believe that our professional educational association continues to be needed now more than ever before. 

This year we have scheduled six education and training programs that will be held in a variety of locations from Springfield, Massachusetts to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We will be introducing two new venues this year; our President’s Reception will be held at Marriott Springfield and our June meeting and annual golf outing will take place at Heritage Country Club in Charlton, MA.

This year’s programming will cover topics such as a presentation by Dr. James Alan Fox at our October meeting; our President’s Reception in November will include a general session with a presentation by ICA President Marlon Nettleton as well as an inspirational speaker and three breakout sessions to include topics such as Motivation in Disability: Work Rx; and Lean Six Sigma and the DMAIC Principle; and our annual Legal Year in Review will take place in April.

Rewards:

Membership has its rewards.  The membership cost for 2009-2010 will continue to be $35.00.  Membership gives you a discounted meeting fee of $10.00 (for most meetings) as well as full access to the New England Claim Association website:
www.neclaimassociation.org 

The individual meeting cost for non-members is $25.00 (for most meetings) and can be applied toward the cost of membership at any time. 

 
If you attend only three meetings the membership pays for itself.

Continuing Educational Credit Hours:

Members and non-members who attend NECA meetings receive NECA certificates of attendance to fulfill the requisite educational needs of a professional insurance claim analyst.  Members and attendees with professional licenses such as investigators, attorneys, nurses or vocational staff may be able to have these certificates count for the educational requirements in their respective field. 

For example:  In the past, the Maine Bar Association has allowed credit for the annual NECA Legal Year in Review.  Please note that each member is responsible for having NECA CE credits certified with an external professional organization.

Corporate Group Rates:

The New England Claim Association will continue to offer a group membership incentive - ten memberships for the cost of nine!  For every 10 members who join the New England Claim Association from the same company, 1 membership will be free. 

NECA Bucks Program:

We are continuing with our NECA Bucks program.  For any new member that you refer you will receive $5.00 in NECA Bucks. NECA Bucks can be used toward the cost of your membership or meeting fees.

When you refer an individual to become a new member, please make sure that individual writes your name and the company that you work for underneath the Membership Referral section on the 2009-2010 Annual Membership Form so that you get credit for the referral.

If you are a returning member and have accrued NECA Bucks from previous years you may still use the NECA Bucks toward the cost of membership or meeting fees this year. NECA Bucks do not expire.

LinkedIn:

LinkedIn describes itself as “an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. You can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your goals.” This professional networking platform is a great way to stay in touch with peers that may have moved onto another chapter in their career, communicate with members of a group you may belong to and take part in discussions with likeminded professionals in private group settings.

Members of NECA, look out for New England Claim Association’s group on LinkedIn and join our group today!

Itinerary of Events:

Come join the New England Claim Association and your industry peers to learn, to network and to have some fun. We have the following dates reserved for our meetings this year. Keep an eye on our website for more details on the programs to be offered.

• October 12, 2009 – Beechwood Hotel and Conference Center Worcester, MA

Topic – Dr. James Alan Fox is a Professor of Criminal Justice and Law, Policy, and Society at Northeastern University. An author of 18 books and publisher of 100’s of articles in newspapers around the country, he frequently appears on national television news programs and is regularly interviewed by the press. Dr. Fox will present on Campus Crime, Violence and Safety. 

• November 19, 2009 – President’s Reception, Marriott Springfield*, Springfield, MA  

Topic – Marlon Nettleton, ICA President, will be making a presentation during the general session followed by an inspirational speaker.  The general session will be followed by three workshops including:

1. Motivation in Disability: Work Rx, which will be moderated by Les Kertay, PH.D., ABPP, Lead Medical Director with Unum as well as Tom Pendergrass, RN, PH.D., Lead Medical Director with Unum.  
2. Lean Six Sigma and DMAIC Principles, which will be moderated by Michael Sullivan, MPM, PMP, Engagement Director for Accenture Management Consulting.
3. Foreign Death Claims modeerated by Richard Marquez

Pre-workshop entertainment will be provided by comedian, Paul D’Angelo.

• February 12, 2010 –    Sheraton Harborside, Portsmouth, NH

Topic - Mr. Ed Warner - President, Automated Management Services, Inc. providing practice management consulting to physicians for over 23 years - will provide an informative and most timely presentation on “Defining Occupations Duties, Pre and Post Disability, for Doctors, Dentists, Chiropractors and Other Medical Professionals.”

• April 9, 2010 –             Radisson Hotel, Chelmsford, MA

  Topic – Legal Year in Review with Joan Vorster and Joe Hamilton of Mirick O’Connell

• May 7, 2010 –             Sturbridge Host, Sturbridge, MA 

Topic – Kym Martell, President, K.M. Associates will present "Fighting the Battle Against Insurance Fraud - The Company Perspective!"

• June 4, 2010 –             Heritage Country Club* Charlton, MA

Topic – Scott Sperry, Manager, Disability RMS and Kathryn Breed, Manager, Disability RMS will discuss "Appeals and Beyond: How to Ensure Quality, Consistency and Compliance in a Disability Claims Organization"

* Indicates New Venue

We look forward to seeing friends from past years, to meeting colleagues new to our association and to discussing topics important to our industry.

Sincerely,

L. David Covino, CFE, ALHC
President, New England Claim Association