I'm Concerned

[MedicareWAA]

You should be very worried about the future of the agent in Medicare and aca . Many will say " don't worry we've been hearing the agent us history for 10 yrs " . It's very very different this time . #1 carriers profitability is imploding like never before ( United , Humana , Aetna , Centene ( last week stock down 50% because Ambetter the #1 aca provider profits imploded ) . #2 and thus hasn't even started yet . Trumps new tax bill crushes support for aca and Medicaid . Aetna saw the handwriting on the wall and exited aca . Now Ambetter profits collapsed and will surely pull areas and plans hard .

As far as Medicaid goes millions will lose it . But all these millions will still flood hospitals and crush hospital profitability . Guess what ? Hospitals will then raise contract prices big to ins carriers to get some if that $ back . That will put more profit pressures on carriers that sell aca and Medicare . Now what business would pay a commission or as much commission on something they make very little money on ? The truth is we've all known we sell sell products that are subsidized by the govt . We knew if the subsidies were scaled back hard our livelihoods would be affected . Guess what it's happening . The aca nkt is affected massively . Most agents business outside open enrollment was 150% or less income . That's gone . Now they'll be checking incomes hard and that eliminates many low income people who lied and said they make $15k a yr . The other killer was enhanced subsidies . That's gone . A 50 yr old that makes $60 k a yr was paying $300 -$400 a month with a $2 k gold plan deductible . That's going to be $1 k a month with $9k deductible. Few will buy it . I'm listing facts of what's happening not wishful thinking . That said I continue this till it ends . If I were your age I'd be diversifying hard to life ins , long term care and annuities if you want ti stay in the bus . Even I'd ad p@c . I haven't even discussed AI which will affect agents greatly

It's even harder to make money in this business when you spend all your time shouting about how Medicare brokers will go extinct this fall. Breathe, dude. Go find clients and go sell them insurance. Every one of your posts is about how the sky is falling yet you're not even outside under the sky. You're inside using your keyboard to sow fear in others.

 

[DonP]

The sky has been falling in this industry as long as I've been in it… and every time, the cream rises to the top… adversity doesn't destroy this business—it exposes who's willing to adapt and grow…

I've seen my biggest growth during "uncertain" times… and here's the reality: agents who stay hungry and embrace change come out stronger… the ones who coast or resist change are the ones who get left behind…

You're 23 with your whole career ahead of you… you've already built a great foundation—this isn't the time to worry about scaling or assistants… you don't need any of that until you're managing 700–1,000 clients… I managed my book entirely solo for years, and most agents do…

This is a challenging business, but also one of the most rewarding—if you see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity to get better, smarter, and faster… you're in the right place…

I'll agree with this . But the changes coming are much different than before . We've never seen this type of profit pressure on carriers before . The only question is how long does it last and what's the agents and agency's role and compensation on the other side . Let's not bear around the bush . Agency overrides on first year and renewals have been obscene for yrs now . I haven't talked to my fmo in a yr and he made around $130 k on me the last yr . Throw in crazy marketing money . It created a massive gold rush the last 5-10 yrs . Retrenchments here . What it looks like we don't know .

 

[DonP]

It's even harder to make money in this business when you spend all your time shouting about how Medicare brokers will go extinct this fall. Breathe, dude. Go find clients and go sell them insurance. Every one of your posts is about how the sky is falling yet you're not even outside under the sky. You're inside using your keyboard to sow fear in others.

Actually I'm on I'm the beach gettjng a tan drinking a bourbon and coke . I'm listing facts . Time will tell what's coming

 

[rmhaire]

Pretty sure he takes a little blue pill prior to getting his blood drawn. @rmhaire is never unprepared.

Viagra? Not only no but hell no.

My brother loaned me one years ago when they 1st came out. Looking back I probably should have read the owners manual.

One heart attack and a stent later. All on a Friday the 13th.

Got kicked out of ICU for hitting on the nurses. I don't remember any of that.

But when I got home I had two strips of paper with two different phone numbers on them. And no, I never called either one of them.

My fat ass had been through enough.

 

[sman]

Viagra? Not only no but hell no.

My brother loaned me one years ago when they 1st came out. Looking back I probably should have read the owners manual.

One heart attack and a stent later. All on a Friday the 13th.

Got kicked out of ICU for hitting on the nurses. I don't remember any of that.

But when I got home I had two strips of paper with two different phone numbers on them. And no, I never called either one of them.

My fat ass had been through enough.

Gotta stop. I'm two drinks deep out by my pool. I can't explain my laughter to my wife

 

[aheff]

I am in the Don P camp. I have been in Medicare for over 15 years with a healthy book. My biz is about eveny split MS/MA.
I WOULD be very concerned. This is the first time that COMMISSIONS ARE STOPPING on many products. Part D is no commissions now (about 3% of my income-no big deal). Many MAPD are now no-commission. That IS a big deal. Will other MAPD plans follow suit? Stay tuned. I am at the late stage of my career. Might alter my retirement strategy a bit, no no big deal.
If I am young and newer in the biz and committed to Medicare, I'd be extremely concerned. I would have an actionable step, such as diversifying into corollary products, perhaps D/V/H, ACA etc.

 

[sman]

Gotta stop. I'm two drinks deep out by my pool. I can't explain my laughter to my wife

@rmhaire three drinks deep, give me something funny

 

[rmhaire]

@rmhaire three drinks deep, give me something funny

So you're out by the pool?

Pools are nice. I've got one over at my lake house.

Several years ago I decided to drain it and clean it. Loaded up my tools and took off.

Had it completely drained when my phone rang. It was my daughter wanting to know why I was sending all that pool water over to my neighbors yard. I hadn't even noticed.

Seems the old couple next door was planning an Easter Egg hunt for the church kids that Easter Sunday.

I don't know if they had it or not but if they did they probably needed a jon boat.

But like I said, pools are nice. But I'm not allowed anywhere near mine without adult supervision.

 

[sman]

So you're out by the pool?

Pools are nice. I've got one over at my lake house.

Several years ago I decided to drain it and clean it. Loaded up my tools and took off.

Had it completely drained when my phone rang. It was my daughter wanting to know why I was sending all that pool water over to my neighbors yard. I hadn't even noticed.

Seems the old couple next door was planning an Easter Egg hunt for the church kids that Easter Sunday.

I don't know if they had it or not but if they did they probably needed a jon boat.

But like I said, pools are nice. But I'm not allowed anywhere near mine without adult supervision.

After three drinks I'm not allowed to post anymore.

 

[WinoBlues]

After three drinks I'm not allowed to post anymore.

You can post pictures.

We won't tell.