What was your first AEP like?

[AugustaMi]

The problem with coming aep as far as leads go is how will the new cms rules as far as taping conversations and possibly appts event everything ? We don't know what the final final law will look like . Some people are saying it doesn't pertain to face to face agents . I know it will be very tough setting appts if the first line you have to say and record is " I don't represent all plans in the area . To compare all plans call 1-800 Medicare for your options " . I'm going extra hard from now until until Oct 1 to put as many as I can on the books not knowing how aep will be . If aep is going to be tough I'll spend 4 weeks calling existing clients and moving all that want to move . I'll spend 1/2 my time on retention . Let's see how things shake out. Or I'll spend much more time with aca open enrollment.

I can only speak for myself on this one. I've been hearing about this and at first cringed.

But, just like anything else, I think I could make it work.

I'm honest anyway about not representing all carriers and plans. I'm only using 5 carriers and have no problem saying that. To date, no one has said, "wtf you only have those 5". Folks still will need and want our help. While it might not be the first thing I say (not representing all plans), I think it's never what you say it's how you say it...the delivery...The other part, "...To compare all plans call 1-800-S&^% my...." Yah, not sure about that one...again, delivery...work it in and pivot...fast like Jimmy Johns, smooth like butter. haha I mean do you really think it will come to that 2nd part? ...IDK, it sounds utterly ridiculous. But then again, NOTHING would surprise me.

It wouldn't be the first time being recorded, or on film if even that came up for a few events.

Hopefully, it isn't going to pertain to f2f. IDK, my thought is who cares. So far, all my past concerns about all the rules and regs have been almost null and void. I do follow them all to the best of my ability, so there's that. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think it's a big deal. Maybe I'm just older/wiser and nothing really bothers me these days. LOL. Life is just too short.

 

[sman]

I can only speak for myself on this one. I've been hearing about this and at first cringed.

But, just like anything else, I think I could make it work.

I'm honest anyway about not representing all carriers and plans. I'm only using 5 carriers and have no problem saying that. To date, no one has said, "wtf you only have those 5". Folks still will need and want our help. While it might not be the first thing I say (not representing all plans), I think it's never what you say it's how you say it...the delivery...The other part, "...To compare all plans call 1-800-S&^% my...." Yah, not sure about that one...again, delivery...work it in and pivot...fast like Jimmy Johns, smooth like butter. haha I mean do you really think it will come to that 2nd part? ...IDK, it sounds utterly ridiculous. But then again, NOTHING would surprise me.

It wouldn't be the first time being recorded, or on film if even that came up for a few events.

Hopefully, it isn't going to pertain to f2f. IDK, my thought is who cares. So far, all my past concerns about all the rules and regs have been almost null and void. I do follow them all to the best of my ability, so there's that. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think it's a big deal. Maybe I'm just older/wiser and nothing really bothers me these days. LOL. Life is just too short.

I may use something like this after making the statement regarding contacting Medicare, "while I don't represent all plans, I do compare all plans. I will find the plan that has the lowest cost for your medications and includes all of your doctors in their network."

I have always told my clients the following, "I don't work for any insurance company, I work for you and my goal is to find the plan that fits your needs. My loyalty is to you."

If this is a new rule we have to implement, it doesn't really change much for me other than making that specific statement. And my phone system records all calls so the recording isn't a real issue. I just don't see how they could make recording a requirement in F2F appointments. I can see it now:

Me - "Mrs. Jones, before we get started I have to set up this video camera and record this meeting."

Mrs. Jones - "Give me a few minutes, I need to go change my clothes and fix my hair if I'm going to be on camera"

or Mrs. Jones says "the hell you are"

Can you imagine the computer/data storage you will need to keep recordings of hundreds of appointments each year? Imagine 10 years worth.

If this is really about making the statement pointing them to Medicare, I don't see why it can't be included in the SOA.

 

[vic120]

I may use something like this after making the statement regarding contacting Medicare, "while I don't represent all plans, I do compare all plans. I will find the plan that has the lowest cost for your medications and includes all of your doctors in their network."

I have always told my clients the following, "I don't work for any insurance company, I work for you and my goal is to find the plan that fits your needs. My loyalty is to you."

If this is a new rule we have to implement, it doesn't really change much for me other than making that specific statement. And my phone system records all calls so the recording isn't a real issue. I just don't see how they could make recording a requirement in F2F appointments. I can see it now:

Me - "Mrs. Jones, before we get started I have to set up this video camera and record this meeting."

Mrs. Jones - "Give me a few minutes, I need to go change my clothes and fix my hair if I'm going to be on camera"

or Mrs. Jones says "the hell you are"

Can you imagine the computer/data storage you will need to keep recordings of hundreds of appointments each year? Imagine 10 years worth.

If this is really about making the statement pointing them to Medicare, I don't see why it can't be included in the SOA.

Ah but your missing the main thing You have to tell them they go to medicare.... or call 800 medicare to review all thier options

if that was not there it would be super easy

I don't think the point is as much saying we don't represent them all but that we have to give out all there contact info

 

[sbg_ben]

My first AEP was probably like 5-10. I was on salary and kind of decided to do it at the last second so that we could keep more of our referrals in house. After that I have probably done somewhere between 30-60 most AEP's but I haven't done any marketing at all. I get the majority of my new business spread throughout the year due to referrals which is nice, trying to jam all of your appointments into those couple months sucks. If you look at my application count for AEP it's 100+ every year based on making changes to people's plans.

I think your numbers will be highly dependent on your marketing strategy and ability to get people in front of you. If you don't have enough referrals to keep you busy the whole time you should do some kind of marketing or buying leads. Maybe have a backup plan if you don't end up getting enough people to meet your goal. And another back up plan if that one doesn't work.

Good luck!

 

[sman]

Ah but your missing the main thing You have to tell them they go to medicare.... or call 800 medicare to review all thier options

if that was not there it would be super easy

I don't think the point is as much saying we don't represent them all but that we have to give out all there contact info

No, I'm not missing it. You can't "require" them to go to Medicare. But you can say, I am required to tell you this, but know that I review all plans available even the ones I don't represent.

 

[vic120]

No, I'm not missing it. You can't "require" them to go to Medicare. But you can say, I am required to tell you this, but know that I review all plans available even the ones I don't represent.

No One said required to go there the requirement is to say you can go to and you have to say both website and 800 number and say the words you can go to this site or call this number to review all your options

which is not what you said in the post

 

[sman]

No One said required to go there the requirement is to say you can go to and you have to say both website and 800 number and say the words you can go to this site or call this number to review all your options

which is not what you said in the post

WTF are you talking about? I'm stating that after you tell them they can call Medicare or go to Medicare.gov, I'll then tell them that I review all plans anyway. Meaning, the very thing they would do by contacting Medicare is what I'm doing for them anyway. Just because I don't represent all carriers doesn't mean I can't review all the plans for them.

When I said you can't require them to go to the website or call Medicare, I mean just because you tell someone they can do that doesn't mean they are going to. They come to us for a reason. And that reason is to simplify the process for them. Again, I'm not loyal to any carrier. My loyalty is to my client.

 

[vic120]

WTF are you talking about? I'm stating that after you tell them they can call Medicare or go to Medicare.gov, I'll then tell them that I review all plans anyway. Meaning, the very thing they would do by contacting Medicare is what I'm doing for them anyway. Just because I don't represent all carriers doesn't mean I can't review all the plans for them.

When I said you can't require them to go to the website or call Medicare, I mean just because you tell someone they can do that doesn't mean they are going to. They come to us for a reason. And that reason is to simplify the process for them. Again, I'm not loyal to any carrier. My loyalty is to my client.

Ok I feel like we are arguing for some reason not trying to argue just simply point out what you said sounded great just omitted the go to website or call 800 which is why it sounded so great and flowed so perfectly not trying to argue but for agents looking at it can sound ohh that not bad I can just say that and how easy

thats all

I may use something like this after making the statement regarding contacting Medicare, "while I don't represent all plans, I do compare all plans. I will find the plan that has the lowest cost for your medications and includes all of your doctors in their network."

I have always told my clients the following, "I don't work for any insurance company, I work for you and my goal is to find the plan that fits your needs. My loyalty is to you."

 

[sman]

Ok I feel like we are arguing for some reason not trying to argue just simply point out what you said sounded great just omitted the go to website or call 800

My very first sentence in the post was:

I may use something like this after making the statement regarding contacting Medicare (emphasis added to make the point that I said it).

which is why it sounded so great and flowed so perfectly not trying to argue but for agents looking at it can sound ohh that not bad I can just say that and how easy

Again, read the first sentence in the original post which I highlighted above. And you even included it in this very reply. See below.

I may use something like this after making the statement regarding contacting Medicare, "while I don't represent all plans, I do compare all plans. I will find the plan that has the lowest cost for your medications and includes all of your doctors in their network."

What exactly did you think I meant when I said "after making the statement regarding contacting Medicare"?

 

[vic120]

My very first sentence in the post was:

I may use something like this after making the statement regarding contacting Medicare (emphasis added to make the point that I said it).



Again, read the first sentence in the original post which I highlighted above. And you even included it in this very reply. See below.



What exactly did you think I meant when I said "after making the statement regarding contacting Medicare"?

Ok then no reason to get upset though

actually reread it I see what you are saying now, I am sorry just missed that part

Sometimes reading forum while multitasking you miss stuff thought it read different such as I would say the state meant like this clearly not what you said though