Changes from 2015 to 2016... Rules, Premiums, Plans, Exchanges, Etc.

[sman]

Thanks FLM2, but I'm in a different zone, so no big deal. By the way, those of you who are licensed in Illinois, check out the BCBSIL thread in the Illinois sub-forum. The company is cancelling almost every PPO and Multi-state plan on 12/31/2015.. 268,000 policies. Big shocker, if I interpreted the info correctly.
-allen

Looks like that is happening in Texas too.

 

[AllenChicago]

Looks like that is happening in Texas too.

A few well-connected Texas agents here in this forum knew what was coming for their state. The Illinois colored company didn't leak a word...and we still wouldn't know what was coming, if it wasn't for IL participating in the System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing system. (SERFF)

At least Texas BCBS had the balls to send out advance notice to its agents today. Kudos to them for that. BCBSIL also sent out a letter to agents today...letting us know of all the awards its received this Summer. What a hoot. Public perception of the company will be much different before the end of this year.

 

[FLM2]

Here is my take on the seemingly sunsetting of PPO plans for the U65 community:

It's not my problem.

If all of the companies decide to offer HMOs then that is all I have to offer.

One of my clients is the former COO of a major hospital in Florida-I once asked him about the difference in care between a patient with a PPO plan and an HMO. His response was, 'it doesn't matter, the qualify of care is the same'

There is certainly a reduction in choice under an HMO but, at the end of the day, that isn't really my concern. If that is all that is available, that is all that is available, and if enough people are pissed off about it, they can vote the bastards out and get a new law (all unlikely).

I want my clients to have the best available plan at the lowest rate, if they can't have their PPO plan they will have to suck it up and get an HMO.

 

[scagnt83]

Here is my take on the seemingly sunsetting of PPO plans for the U65 community:

It's not my problem.

If all of the companies decide to offer HMOs then that is all I have to offer.

One of my clients is the former COO of a major hospital in Florida-I once asked him about the difference in care between a patient with a PPO plan and an HMO. His response was, 'it doesn't matter, the qualify of care is the same'

There is certainly a reduction in choice under an HMO but, at the end of the day, that isn't really my concern. If that is all that is available, that is all that is available, and if enough people are pissed off about it, they can vote the bastards out and get a new law (all unlikely).

I want my clients to have the best available plan at the lowest rate, if they can't have their PPO plan they will have to suck it up and get an HMO.

Exactly. Why should a health insurance agent care about health insurance plans having less benefits because of government regulations? As long as you still make money (for now) why should it concern you at all?

Wall, meet writing.

 

[FLM2]

Exactly. Why should a health insurance agent care about health insurance plans having less benefits because of government regulations? As long as you still make money (for now) why should it concern you at all?

Wall, meet writing.

None of us have any control over the plans that are offered, all we can do is make sure our clients have the plan that closest fits their needs and budget, right?

 

[Yagents]

A good read. I smell desperate in the air

Feds Push States To Negotiate Lower Obamacare Rates | The CT Mirror

 

[scagnt83]

None of us have any control over the plans that are offered, all we can do is make sure our clients have the plan that closest fits their needs and budget, right?

I do not disagree. But I would say that network consolidation, carrier consolidation, & plan consolidation are certainly problems that will affect the future of the individual health insurance agent. And if I sold individual HI I would certainly be concerned about those issues. Those 3 things combined, at the same rate they have been going, means no need for agents in the next 5-8 years. Just call the national individual Blues health insurance carrier and choose plan 1, 2 or 3. All you need is a touch tone phone...

 

[somarco]

All you need is a touch tone phone...

I believe you mean an Obamaphone.

 

[Yagents]

Kalifornia...........releases rates monday on conf call. Attendance is mandatory for Rick

Covered CA to announce 2016 health insurance rates - State of Reform

 

[FLM2]

I do not disagree. But I would say that network consolidation, carrier consolidation, & plan consolidation are certainly problems that will affect the future of the individual health insurance agent. And if I sold individual HI I would certainly be concerned about those issues. Those 3 things combined, at the same rate they have been going, means no need for agents in the next 5-8 years. Just call the national individual Blues health insurance carrier and choose plan 1, 2 or 3. All you need is a touch tone phone...

I understand what you are saying, it's just that I am at a different point in my career than you (in my mid 60's) and don't really have a need for IFP beyond a 5 year window-I am building my Medicare business to run lifetime (targeting T65s) and that is sufficient for my needs.

If I was younger I would not be counting on the IFP business to sustain me and would be actively transitioning into another area whether it be Medicare, life, annuities, etc, etc, etc.