Letter From the President
Dear ICA membership –
For many, the transition from winter to spring can feel like a fresh start. As the days get longer and temperatures rise, our restive energy is at its peak and is actively seeking an outlet. This may be especially true after so many of us have spent a year or so socially distancing from one another, spending more time isolated at home and less time interacting with our extended families and friends. It is my hope that we will all be able to return to a semblance of normalcy in the coming days and weeks, and enjoy the spring and summer seasons with our families and friends.
In a manner of speaking, this spring represents a fresh start for the ICA as well as many of the ICA’s initiatives will soon be coming to fruition. Today, I am excited to share with you an update on some of the initiatives our board of directors and committee members have been working on.
Refreshed Brand and Website Re-Boot
In the next few weeks, the ICA will be launching its new brand and website. Refreshing our brand is expected to generate new interest and promote a positive impression among industry professionals. The new branding will help to illustrate to both current and potential members, the value of ICA membership. It pleases me to say that while the new brand has a modernized aesthetic; it has also retained elements of the ICA’s rich history and traditions.
Our new interactive website, is set to roll out. The site will serve as the hub for the ICA’s online presence and digital footprint. With its improved web design, it will offer users a clean and more intuitive experience.
Heightened Social Media Presence
In order to make progress on our goals of promoting high standards of performance and expanding our network of claim professionals, the ICA has created two new social media accounts. Through our LinkedIn and Instagram accounts, we are sharing important information about our Associate, Life and Health Claims (ALHC) and Fellow, Life and Health Claims (FLHC) designation programs, our Annual Education Conference as well as other important information.
New Insurance Analytics and Technology Committee
Claim analytics and digital claim processes are on course to become “table stakes” for insurers. Recognizing that it will be imperative for claim organizations to be skilled in leveraging and incorporating analytics and technology into its claim processes, the ICA has recently formed an Insurance Analytics and Technology Committee. The committee will conduct research and educate ICA members on topics such as data analytics, predictive modeling, digital transformation and more.
Expanding & Updating Our Educational Courses
We are making significant advancements on a number of fronts concerning our educational program. We are updating Course C3: Claim Administration, creating an on-line version of the Claims 101 Manual, conducting more webinars, podcasts and increasing our blog activity. Perhaps the most exciting news is that later this summer, the ICA will be adding a fifth course to its curriculum; Detection, Prevention and Mitigation of Insurance Fraud. Designed through a joint effort of our committees, the course will offer a comprehensive overview of insurance fraud, cover numerous insurance products and offer strategies that will help our members better detect instances of insurance fraud.
These are just a few examples of the work that has been completed and what is yet to come. Of course, none of this would be possible if not for the support and dedication of our committee members. The work of our volunteers is critical to the success of our association. I would like to thank all of our volunteers for their time, hard work, dedication and willingness to share their expertise.
Update on the Annual Education Conference September 28th – 30th
The Board of Directors has decided it is in the best interest of the ICA and its members to host the 2021 Annual Education Conference virtually. In reaching that decision, the Board looked at the current state of the pandemic, the vaccination rollout, employer and government mandated travel restrictions, our contractual obligations with the hotel/resort, and most importantly, what is best for the health and safety of our members.
Although we were all disappointed that we would not be able to meet in person, we felt that by making the decision to host the conference virtually early, we could immediately begin the work that we need to do in order to make certain the conference is the absolute best it can be. We had a successful virtual conference in 2020 and now, we can build upon that experience and make the 2021 virtual conference even better.
Thanks to Our Members
In closing, I would like to reiterate my gratitude to our members. Thank you again for your contributions and ongoing commitment to the ICA.
Stay safe,
Antonio Ferrante, UACRM, FLMI, FLHC, FALU, AIRC, ARA & ACS
ICA President
AVP Claims Risk Management – Corporate Risk. Sun Life
