BCBS FL Reform Call

[Yagents]

So, who was on the BCBS FL reform presentation this morning or last week?? I missed it!

Will independent agents be allowed to sell them in 2014? Either directly, or through an MGA?

Any other big news communicated? Product rollout?

Thousands of agents in FL somebody had to be on the call. Please share with us what was said.

 

[Blue]

So, who was on the BCBS FL reform presentation this morning or last week?? I missed it!

Will independent agents be allowed to sell them in 2014? Either directly, or through an MGA?

Any other big news communicated? Product rollout?

Thousands of agents in FL somebody had to be on the call. Please share with us what was said.

Independents will not be selling Blue. Same rules as always. You have to only sell Blue Medical exclusively. No other health carriers. We can appoint agents if they agree to be exclusive.

 

[pcbinsurance]

Don't they have another call on Wednesday? Are these calls all the same or are they adding information slowly?
TO BLUE: What would the advantage be to selling only BCBS FL as a captive agent?

 

[Yagents]

If you assist a client through the exchange, they will see all plans offered. Same with web brokers.

Only if you work directly through the carrier website, will they only see only Blue plans.

 

[pcbinsurance]

"Independents will not be selling Blue. Same rules as always. You have to only sell Blue Medical exclusively. No other health carriers. We can appoint agents if they agree to be exclusive."
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As an Independent Agency for BCBS-FL, you require your agents to be exclusive (captive) to BCBS-FL....yet, agency owner(s) can also sell other (competing) products like UHC and Humana, etc.
Is this a correct assumption and typical of how it works?

 

[Yagents]

The way I understand it, is the client must ask for something other than BCBS or be declined by BCBS before they can position another carrier.
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I know an agent who was positioning other carriers, and got secret shopped by a BCBS rep and got their appointment terminated

 

[bluediamond]

The call on Wednesday is the same as the one today and last week. Even if someone asks for another carrier we have never been able to sell, only if they were declined. So the decline will be off the table in 2014 and we're still only able to offer BC. Yes most MGA's are appointed with other carriers and most use for group which we are not exclusive and never have been in the past 16 years at least. There are quite a few agents that were termed this past year for offering other companies when they were seeded.
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Don't they have another call on Wednesday? Are these calls all the same or are they adding information slowly?
TO BLUE: What would the advantage be to selling only BCBS FL as a captive agent?

Well they have a third of the market in Florida, now. Who knows next year.

 

[Yagents]

Yes most MGA's are appointed with other carriers and most use for group which we are not exclusive and never have been in the past 16 years at least. There are quite a few agents that were termed this past year for offering other companies when they were seeded.
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Well they have a third of the market in Florida, now. Who knows next year.

So, how will a BCBS FL agent handle this situation underlined below? I just see a lot of business being lost by not being a "broker"
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Insurer-based pathway. An agent or broker appointed by an insurer can initiate enrollment of a consumer through the insurer's website. If the consumer wishes to enroll in coverage through an exchange, the agent or broker will be securely redirected to the exchange website to complete the eligibility determination process. The agent or broker must use his or her unique identifier and NPN to access the exchange and must inform the consumer that the agent or broker will only provide information on QHPs with which he or she has a business relationship, but that the consumer may alternatively directly access the exchange website to see other plans.

Implementing Health Reform: The Role Of Agents And Brokers In The Exchanges – Health Affairs Blog

 

[0b1kanobee]

I was told new agents could earn six figures and seasoned agents high six figures when this crap rolls out. With renewals (not sure how that works), might be a good opportunity. Or sell for them and move all your clients in a few years. I think it is a great way to make some quick money and acquire a real solid client base.
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So, how will a BCBS FL agent handle this situation underlined below? I just see a lot of business being lost by not being a "broker"
----------------------------
Insurer-based pathway. An agent or broker appointed by an insurer can initiate enrollment of a consumer through the insurer's website. If the consumer wishes to enroll in coverage through an exchange, the agent or broker will be securely redirected to the exchange website to complete the eligibility determination process. The agent or broker must use his or her unique identifier and NPN to access the exchange and must inform the consumer that the agent or broker will only provide information on QHPs with which he or she has a business relationship, but that the consumer may alternatively directly access the exchange website to see other plans.

Implementing Health Reform: The Role Of Agents And Brokers In The Exchanges – Health Affairs Blog

I think a lot of people will be OK with that. There are many people here who only want BCBS and they don't want anything else for some reason. For health right now, they just aren't taking anybody unless they are extremely healthy. People just love it and I have no idea why.

My buddy was on the call but he isn't the smartest knife in the drawer. I haven't met a BCBS agent yet that was intelligent. The ones that are usually just lie to you because they are the agency owner.

If you want to listen to the call Wednesday, PM with your number since I think I lost it and I'll get you what you need to get on the call. I might listen myself. I think that would be possible? Don't see why it wouldn't.

 

[taterpeeler]

well... if they got the best gig they will get the biz..... since they are captive they better hope they got the best gig.....if not they will loose the captive requirement in a year.... far and away best plan no prob... if not mr big boy blue you are fked