BCBS of Michigan
- Thread starter AugustaMi
- Start date
- 4,202
I don't offer BCBSM.
1) It's like taking a college level course to even start the contracting process.
2) Their MS pricing is only competitive for a couple of years.
Priority, imo, is a suitable replacement against them. They're more competitive generally, and tend to be the most competitive "top tier" companies in certain areas. They also have a great reputation with prospects.
BCBSM had major issues with ratings a few years back and SoM had to step in.
..oh, and there's this:
Medicare Advantage Compliance Audit of Specific Diagnosis Codes That Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (Contract H9572) Submitted to CMS
You'll lose some sales due to the BCBSM name, because people are stupid when it comes to Medicare and brands, but in the long term I think you'll be happier.
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MichFlor
Expert
- 89
Funny you should post this, AugustaMI. Like it is for Travis, Priority Health is my go to MAPD provider for Michigan. However, Over the last couple of years, I have had two clients that didn't like Priority or Spectrum and wanted BCBS. So, I contracted with BCBS and enrolled them. I just realized a couple of months ago that I don't have any record of receiving any commissions for either of these clients. I have tried to contact BCBS regarding this and can't find a number to call. I've been told that they only address commissions re an online inquiry. But, I can't find a way to do this. I haven't spent much time on it.
Now that BCBS has a 5-star plan in my market, I may really be able to write them during non-OEP or non-AEP. So, I am interested in getting this all figured out. What was your issue, AugustaMI?
Now that BCBS has a 5-star plan in my market, I may really be able to write them during non-OEP or non-AEP. So, I am interested in getting this all figured out. What was your issue, AugustaMI?
- Thread starter
- #4
My issue is the same as yours. Only submitted half a dozen, but close together, and simply for reasons of keeping/gaining a client, bc I am so new on this side of the biz. I did have to submit an inquiry for commissions and had no luck. I received an answer back after 3 weeks, which was time-stamped. The inquiry was opened and closed under a minute with no information as to why I didn't receive commish. A number was given in the reply that came back. So, of course, I called that number. The person answered me at that number with a basic line of "we don't handle the commish end at this number."
Still no answer and no recourse. I have called the main contact person, which I don't want to get into mentioning to much about here, bc I truly do like her, and she's done very nice things for the agents in my area as far as training and get-togethers, but she couldn't help either so far.
I do believe there's something by design that prevents them from paying Indy agents, and it seems "gate-keeped" to beat all hell.
I only know of two people receiving commish who can be put into close to the same category as myself. One nice lady, who has a book over 1000, and another long time agent, who oddly was never paid on her own U65, but somehow inherited another agents book, which she does get paid on....very odd. Then there's a few, like me, who thought ok, lets try this on the Medicare side, and see what happens. No luck for us.
My experience with BCBS on the U65 back in the day was the same. Was just told it was different on the Medicare side. NOT so far. I used to sell OR I should say, assist people with enrolling in BCBS just as a way to sell another product as part of the process, and without that ancillary, there was nothing worth doing it for. Assurity was a good addition to keep OOP down in the event of Heart Attack, Stroke, Cancer, etc. So, that's how I justified doing anything BCBS related. Basically an "Ill guide you on the BCBS, and this is a nice additional option....". It worked well enough and turned out for a few people to serve them well. There's more on this, but...not really the point.
I would love to be able to offer the 5-star, but cannot if I cannot get even bare minimum expenses covered. Right now, I am on a 2nd inquiry which was assigned to another person there, but I am not expecting much.
On the contracting aspect, I didn't experience that as a PITA. That part was easy, so was the submission on enrollment online. Our FMO is aware of it, but they can't seem to help either.
Either way, it was enough time wasted so far, to steer me right back away from it. Even writing this is giving me more cause to pause.
I'll post again down the road if I ever get to the bottom of it. For now, onto carriers that pay.
- Thread starter
- #5
Travis, you're right on that. I tried to save/get/keep a few more clients, but now I'm stuck with no pay and still having to service those few. Darn it. Maybe I can switch them down the road. I wouldve been happier just walking away. LOL
I track every little penny when it comes to this biz, and this so far, is the only problem I've had with commish....should've known better. Same as U65 issues with BCBS.
I track every little penny when it comes to this biz, and this so far, is the only problem I've had with commish....should've known better. Same as U65 issues with BCBS.
- Thread starter
- #6
- 31,316
How about moving them to Humana? They have a special SEP.
https://insurance-forums.com/commun...-in-nationwide-covid-dst.108164/#post-1417481
- Thread starter
- #8
Oh, I will move at least 4 of them, but going to have to wait a bit. The only reason I did BCBS in the first place is we were at the point of needing to do a 5 star. I think anyway. Had used the one OEP. This part confuses me though (again I am new to this side), but not getting into it here. I'll just say, yes, there are loopholes, and it's wild at least one of those people were switched twice over the phone without signing a SOA, and without their POA during OEP b4 landing back with me through her POA in BCBS. This one I for sure wanted to walk away from but the POA is my neighbor and i felt obligated. I am going to look into the Humana disaster codes.
sbg_ben
Guru
- 296
Did you write the business using a FMO or GA? If so you can try and use them to work on the issue for you. I have a ton of clients with BCBS of MI and I have not had many issues. If you do have issues you can open a case in IBU and someone will respond to it.
That being said, this is not the hill i'm going to die on. I can understand not wanting to deal with them as they can be a pain.
If you guys get people that don't want anything but BCBS feel free to give them my number lol. Send me a message and I will give it to you. Maybe we could work something out
That being said, this is not the hill i'm going to die on. I can understand not wanting to deal with them as they can be a pain.
If you guys get people that don't want anything but BCBS feel free to give them my number lol. Send me a message and I will give it to you. Maybe we could work something out
- Thread starter
- #10
Yes, through an FMO.
Yes, tried to figure it out through them.
Yes, did the Inquiry, TWICE. someone sure does respond. Minimally. in under one minute. and with zero helpful info.
Sure. let me get right on that and give those to you. LOL!
Youre a lucky one then too if youre getting commish. I know many who are NOT.
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