How about those large MAPD commissions?

[somarco]

Med Supp clients are so easy...

In some ways, yes, in others, no.

AEP is a challenge with PDP reviews, but much easier with S&S . . . thanks @sshafran for letting us know your discovery.

A few years back I had to stop doing reviews. Mcare.guv was so messed up and then they removed the ability for brokers to recover prior years Rx list. S&S makes life simple again.

PDP reviews are always good for referrals.

Medigap renewal rate checks take about 5 minutes to see if we have anything to discuss. With some carriers the hardest part is finding out what they pay now, but if the client is calling me it is because they got their increase notice.

Most of the time, even on old policies, there is very little premium savings. The exception would be if they have a plan in a closed block . . .those rates are sky high but often they are locked in. Even if they are not, and considering changing to MAPD they are swapping premium payments for copay's . . . at least premium payments are predictable.

If there is a potential premium savings worth exploring I ask about health in general . . . any change in the last 18 months or so?

No problem since my stents last year . . .

That puts the brakes on.

If no change I look over their med's to see if they have something that is an auto decline.

If all systems are go, and the savings is enough I email the health questions for the proposed carrier. Some get kicked out but there are still others that seem clear sailing so we move forward.

The best thing about this side of the business is no surprise billing or delays/denials for pre-authorization.

I need to leave these forums, there is a ton of stupidity here.

Do you really think you will be missed?

The ad hominem attacks don't help your cause . . . whatever that is.

 

[Limozine]

Really?

According to many agents who post here, there is almost no service work needed on MAPD plans, not even running a drug report. Those same agents say their Medigap business requires more time and hand holding. And all that underwriting to move a Medigap client. Who has time for that?

MAPD renewal? Phone it in . . . quite a few back & forth posts on this very thing.

For the record, I do both (MAPD and Med Supps). MAPD clients are a classic illustration of the Pareto principle: 20% (or fewer) of my MAPD clients require 80% of my time. Someone here suggested it's a lack of education, but it isn't. I give every new client an hour or longer tutorial on how Medicare works, the differences between Med Supps and MAPD, the pros and cons of each, etc. all before I ever present a plan, just to minimize the inevitable handholding to come. And yet for a few, it always comes. I have a few clients who simply refuse to call the number on the back of the card for customer service; they'd rather call me so that I can politely tell them to call the number on the back of the card (again).

Right now, I have a few that I certainly wouldn't lose sleep over if they moved to another agent. They're generally nice people, so I hate to ask them to leave. I have always prided myself on maintaining good relationships with clients, and apparently I'm just too good in that respect. Pretty much the only losses to book that I ever have are deaths, so at least there's that.

 

[somarco]

I give every new client an hour or longer tutorial on how Medicare works, the differences between Med Supps and MAPD, the pros and cons of each, etc. all before I ever present a plan,

Good for you! IMO, that's the way it should be.

Too many agents are merely replacement wizards, churning through the business, collecting scalps, and moving on to the next fish.

There is a difference in cultivating clients vs policyholders, and you apparently recognize the value of a client.

 

[rousemark]

100% wrong. She knows her shit. Ha. MA drug plans blow PDP's out of the water 100%. I will sit back and listen though. Ha I need to leave these forums, there is a ton of stupidity here.

Would probably be only half a ton when you leave...

 

[goillini52]

Actually, unless it's a T-65, Med Supps are paying as well or better on 1st year commissions. On an UW Med Supp, it's not unusual to see $3-400 commissions and add the App Bonus most carriers are paying...one of them is up to $400 per UW app. Some are paying OEP bonuses of $50-100 and app.

 

[somarco]

App Bonus most carriers are paying...one of them is up to $400 per UW app.

MLIC did something similar, although not quite as generous, a few years back.

They crashed and burned not long afterwards.

 

[goillini52]

MLIC did something similar, although not quite as generous, a few years back.

They crashed and burned not long afterwards.

This has been happening for a couple of years and more carriers doing it and the size of bonuses growing.

Manhattan's still doing it. After the way Family Life's premiums shot up after they were paying full comp on GI, I never felt comfortable offering Manhattan's Med Supps.... just their DVH.

 

[somarco]

premiums shot up after they were paying full comp on GI,

Formula for carrier implosion

 

[DonP]

Med Supp clients during AEP.

Med Supp clients are so easy...

Maybe I do too much for my med supp clients but by year three (sometimes sooner) we're shopping rates. I need to prep new rate sheets for them. Need to factor discounts - is it even worth it to change? so, we quote.

It's not just as simple as plug into csg anymore (not in NC at least). Then send it. Then discuss if worth changing. Then answer questions.

Ok, probably worth changing if you can qualify.

Need to figure out if they can qualify. They are in excellent health - no issues. A few pre screen... No issues... Run through 7-10 general question.

Ok, worth moving to the app.

Then start the app. Then stop the app because well, yeah, it's not an issue but I forgot XYZ is going on. Completely left my mind that the doctor mentioned rheumatoid - didn't think that would matter. Not as healthy as we thought.

Still need to handle that PDP app and change me from Humana WalMart to WellCare - I'm not paying $30+ for my drug plan especially with the $25 increase on my Plan G. Oh I need to change pharmacies to make this make sense? No... Don't like CVS. Is Walgreens preferred?

We haven't talked about Dental yet.
Discuss dental.
Man just can't do the extra $35.

End of the 30 minute conversation you flipped a PDP, quoted a dental - sold an occasional dental, and patted yourself on the back for great service work.

---

MAPD renewal:
Looks like they lowered the Max OOP and increased your dental from $1500 to $2000.
"Still $0?"
"yep, still $0"
"Cool - I want to keep it as is unless you see something better."
"Looks good to me."

Click.

Unless a guy like me or 1000 phone centers get to them . " Mrs Jones how would you like $100 a month back on your check ? Or when a claims not paid and they turn on the company . Or they call an add because they want to see if they can get money added to their check . But I agree over all non dual lis you don't have to move unless there's a big change .

 

[John Matter]

What does S&s stand for?