Selling Final Expense but Captive with Florida Blue

[4real]

To make a long story short I got appointed with Florida Blue to sell Medicare products and some ACA (Obama Care) policies which I accomplished.
The issue I have is that Florida Blue wants you to be captive if you want leads, that means no outside contracts. The contracts they offer through their life brokerage are terrible IMHO. I told them I could be captive with them but I want to keep my final expense contracts where they are. NO WAY they said.
I like Florida Blue and want to keep them but I could easily get appointed with Freedom Health/ Optimum or Wellcare which is better serves the FE demographic than Florida Blue in a lot of instances. What should I do? I am just getting started in FE. I appreciate all and any answers or advice. Thanks

 

[WinoBlues]

Not an FE agent

Personally I would tell them to send me a check every week for the privilege of me keeping all my contracts there or they can kiss my light brown, ah, you get the picture. You are either an employee or independent. What kind of benefits do they provide? Free leads, Office space, Major medical? What do they provide that you can not do on your own?

Just my 2 cents

To make a long story short I got appointed with Florida Blue to sell Medicare products and some ACA (Obama Care) policies which I accomplished.
The issue I have is that Florida Blue wants you to be captive if you want leads, that means no outside contracts. The contracts they offer through their life brokerage are terrible IMHO. I told them I could be captive with them but I want to keep my final expense contracts where they are. NO WAY they said.
I like Florida Blue and want to keep them but I could easily get appointed with Freedom Health/ Optimum or Wellcare which is better serves the FE demographic than Florida Blue in a lot of instances. What should I do? I am just getting started in FE. I appreciate all and any answers or advice. Thanks

 

[Stephen]

To make a long story short I got appointed with Florida Blue to sell Medicare products and some ACA (Obama Care) policies which I accomplished.
The issue I have is that Florida Blue wants you to be captive if you want leads, that means no outside contracts. The contracts they offer through their life brokerage are terrible IMHO. I told them I could be captive with them but I want to keep my final expense contracts where they are. NO WAY they said.
I like Florida Blue and want to keep them but I could easily get appointed with Freedom Health/ Optimum or Wellcare which is better serves the FE demographic than Florida Blue in a lot of instances. What should I do? I am just getting started in FE. I appreciate all and any answers or advice. Thanks

You have all of the information that you need to make a decision, do you want to be a captive Blue agent and use their leads, or be independent and work the FE market?

 

[Guest]

Fl Blue has leads?
I was captive with them and they sucked, bail now and do not be a blue slave.

 

[Bobster999]

To make a long story short I got appointed with Florida Blue to sell Medicare products and some ACA (Obama Care) policies which I accomplished.
The issue I have is that Florida Blue wants you to be captive if you want leads, that means no outside contracts. The contracts they offer through their life brokerage are terrible IMHO. I told them I could be captive with them but I want to keep my final expense contracts where they are. NO WAY they said.
I like Florida Blue and want to keep them but I could easily get appointed with Freedom Health/ Optimum or Wellcare which is better serves the FE demographic than Florida Blue in a lot of instances. What should I do? I am just getting started in FE. I appreciate all and any answers or advice. Thanks

You could do like many others do and don't tell them your business. I know many that do and has never had any problems. IMO blue is strong on their Med supps but their MAPD is nothing special. ACA is ok i guess.

 

[4real]

Thanks for responding Guys
I have a plan of action now that I can put into effect. I don't know if it will work , but we will see...! I do like having that brand behind me, as most people haven't heard of some of the FE carriers, everyone knows Blue Cross Blue Shield. Blue has 80% of the ACA market and that means they have the best networks. So even if my primary niche will be FE, When I walk in to a home, I will write a term, a healthcare policy, or whatever they need or want. I am not trying to leave $$$ on the table. They do offer leads, (free is one of those 4-letter words in my book), a dialer system, continuous training and some infrastructure like a desk etc....I think I what Bobster999 said about not telling them your business is good advice. I bet If I am making those number when it comes to my healthcare production with some term or some other product they have to offer, they will leave my final expense alone. I do have another idea, but I don't know if it is feasible as of yet .....
You responses are much appreciated.

 

[BobbyMcGee]

.... everyone knows Blue Cross Blue Shield. Blue has 80% of the ACA market and that means they have the best networks.

Source? or just Blue Propaganda?

 

[4real]

Well ...the source I use to make that declaration is the site "Value Penguin" which has a ACA subsidy calculator and a listing of each companies and plans offered in that area with the price, etc... a great tool. Looking at ALL the plans offered, IMHO Blue has at least 5 plans in one area or price range where a company like Aetna or even Humana MIGHT have one. Its not even close to the plan options offered between Blue and the rest. Now that will change eventually I'm sure. I have heard it said without Blue (now this might be Blue propaganda) participating in the ACA there would be NO Obama Care... so..

 

[PA Bill]

You are kind of chasing your own tail here as it is very difficult to serve two masters. Decide if you want to be a health agent or an FE agent. Do you have the resources (i.e. money for FE leads) now to make the switch? If not, the mental masturbation you are currently engaged in is not productive. If you have the resources to switch, then switch. Selling FE and selling health are two different animals. Diffusion is the enemy of productivity.

 

[BobbyMcGee]

Well ...the source I use to make that declaration is the site "Value Penguin" which has a ACA subsidy calculator and a listing of each companies and plans offered in that area with the price, etc... a great tool. Looking at ALL the plans offered, IMHO Blue has at least 5 plans in one area or price range where a company like Aetna or even Humana MIGHT have one. Its not even close to the plan options offered between Blue and the rest. Now that will change eventually I'm sure. I have heard it said without Blue (now this might be Blue propaganda) participating in the ACA there would be NO Obama Care... so..

Not so sure anybody would want 80% of the market anyway:

Florida Blue: ACA enrollments "exceeded expectations" but premiums may rise in 2015 - Florida - MiamiHerald.com