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Has anyone heard yet what the actual commissions will be for 2009 on the MAPD or PDP plans?
2009 MAPD - PDP Commissions
- Thread starter insurance0707
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I've heard no one wants to be first. Whoever is first will have smallest commissions so everyone will probably release commissions on October 1st which is when CMS set deadline.
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It's probably not going to be good. It seems like this time last year I was getting all kinds of emails wanting me to write for such and such company and they were heavily promoting the commissions on the plans
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I was thinking the same thing. I've had a few new solicitations for Cigna, and a couple calls to renew certification for the 2009, but nothing else. Health markets is exiting the field, right?
After listening in to Today's Options conference call this week, someone asked them to help agents with advertising/mailer costs to generate new leads. Obviously marketing costs will soar for agents doing mailers. Well their response was they would look into it. (lol)
I think that if the M A co's are getting the same reimbusement as they have in the past, then they need to offset any cut in commissions by subsidizing lead generation, don't you think? After all, don't they retain the money CMS gives them? I would think FMO commissions will also be affected.
After listening in to Today's Options conference call this week, someone asked them to help agents with advertising/mailer costs to generate new leads. Obviously marketing costs will soar for agents doing mailers. Well their response was they would look into it. (lol)
I think that if the M A co's are getting the same reimbusement as they have in the past, then they need to offset any cut in commissions by subsidizing lead generation, don't you think? After all, don't they retain the money CMS gives them? I would think FMO commissions will also be affected.
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I like this idea. In fact, I would consider a quasi-captive arrangement. Carrier's could put this together without FMO's. FMO's are worthless.
CMS has given carriers and agents less then 15 days notice. One of the top five carriers told me last week that they didn't know how their massive computer would administer the new Rent-A-Agent payments.
CMS should agree with Senator McCain and put their new Rent-A-Agent payment rules on hold till after the bailout.
FMO's are worthless
when it comes to MA sales. Cut them out and pay the agents enough so we will be able to make enough to cover their own mailings. Just supply us with CMS approved templates so we can do them ourselves. Just my 2 cents.
I do my own mailings anyway. I never assumed the FMO would do it for me for free or provide leads for free. There is no such thing. I do it out of the commissions I am paid and I will continue to do so regardless of how the commissions are paid. Yeah, FMO's are worthless, but do you really think the insurance company will pay you more if they eliminate them? That is not the nature of the beast.
I spend many thousands of dollars a year for mailings and leads. The alternative is to sit and dial all day long or pay someone to do it for you. I don't do that, and now CMS made it against the rules.
I have a Bulk Mail permit, Business Reply Mail permit and I purchase updated lists based on the demographics I am trying to reach out to. I create my own leads. It is a business expense, or as some of you will point out, marketing is not an expense, it is an investment
I spend many thousands of dollars a year for mailings and leads. The alternative is to sit and dial all day long or pay someone to do it for you. I don't do that, and now CMS made it against the rules.
I have a Bulk Mail permit, Business Reply Mail permit and I purchase updated lists based on the demographics I am trying to reach out to. I create my own leads. It is a business expense, or as some of you will point out, marketing is not an expense, it is an investment
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I do my own mailings anyway. I never assumed the FMO would do it for me for free or provide leads for free. There is no such thing. I do it out of the commissions I am paid and I will continue to do so regardless of how the commissions are paid. Yeah, FMO's are worthless, but do you really think the insurance company will pay you more if they eliminate them? That is not the nature of the beast.
I spend many thousands of dollars a year for mailings and leads. The alternative is to sit and dial all day long or pay someone to do it for you. I don't do that, and now CMS made it against the rules.
I have a Bulk Mail permit, Business Reply Mail permit and I purchase updated lists based on the demographics I am trying to reach out to. I create my own leads. It is a business expense, or as some of you will point out, marketing is not an expense, it is an investment
It's nice to hear an agent acknowledge that selling insurance is a business. For any business to be successful, selling insurance included, one needs to constantly be investing in their business if they want their business to be successful.
Probably the thing that gripes me the most is to see/hear agents who think that everything should be "free" and having to spend a couple of bucks is totally out of the question. This industry appears to be full of them. Not necessarily the members of this board but so many agents I have worked with and trained.
Those agents who view this as a business as opposed to a "quick way to make a buck" sitting in front of a computer screen in their underwear are the ones who will enjoy the fruits of their labor for years to come.
Most things are worth exactly what one pays for them.
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I do not know if FMO's are worthless. To a newer agent, they can be the stepping stone they need to go full independent.
