DOI Says That We Cannot Call for Med Supps?

[policy doctor]

OK...here is some legalese that skirts around that particular issue you raised. I'll post the link and you need to read SECTION 4. It gives us all a heads up on how this industry will be regulated.

http://www.medicarerights.org/issues-actions/Obama_Administration_Transition_Memo.pdf

Now it weaves insurance mktg practices, then it hits on Medicare health plans, and then marketing practices to the senior, etc. Though med supps are not specifically mentioned, those mktg practices can be a violation if cms considers it so since you're dealing with a medicare beneficiary. (double-talk, i know).

There was another reference that tied in CMS bent towards med supps... hope to find it.

Oh well....do mail outs. Many of us are done with this market in a big way.

 

[captain94]

everything I read says that cms only regulates MA plans. Not med-supps. I think the med-supp market is going to grow. More seniors are wanting away from MA plans and back to med-supps do to the govt cuts.

 

[midwestbroker]

I know numerous agents who have decided to do the "catch me if you can" marketing.

Their philosophy:

I am going to do what is right by the client. Once 1-800 Medicare is as accurate as myself, I will abide by their ever changing rules.

I cannot say I disagree with them. Sure there are some bad apples out there, but there are also a lot of good apples as well. Do what is right by your client / potential clients and you should have no problems.

 

[Frank Stastny]

I gave the memo mentioned above a quick glance and everything I saw pertained to MA and Part D plans. Not that it isn't there but I didn't see anything that even looked like it was directed to Med Supps.

There is no government money going to Med Supp companies like there is with the companies that are offering MA plans. Does anyone really think that Med Supp companies would stand still for CMS telling them they have to abide by the rules that govern MA plans? I don't.

Everything I have seen lately convinces me more and more that Med Supp sales are going to soar in the next couple of years. I believe that agents who are geared up to sell Med Supps are going to see their production go higher than ever before.

I am already getting calls from people who want out of their PFFS plans. Thanks to our new "president", I expect I will be getting those same calls in the not too distant future from seniors who have HMO plans.

That's what I call an "economic stimulus program".

This does not look like the time to get out of the senior market to me. I will continue marketing Med Supps the way I always have.

 

[elder]

I know numerous agents who have decided to do the "catch me if you can" marketing.

Their philosophy:

I am going to do what is right by the client. Once 1-800 Medicare is as accurate as myself, I will abide by their ever changing rules.

I cannot say I disagree with them. Sure there are some bad apples out there, but there are also a lot of good apples as well. Do what is right by your client / potential clients and you should have no problems.

I completely agree with you, but the IDOI does not agree with us. I've been selling supps for 10 years, not one complaint has ever been filed against me by a client, ever. But the doi does not care. They are acting on behalf of the Great American Supplemental Benefits Group, like they are their attornies. This all started with a bad apple or a disgruntled former agent.

 

[Winter_123]

I completely agree with you, but the IDOI does not agree with us. I've been selling supps for 10 years, not one complaint has ever been filed against me by a client, ever. But the doi does not care. They are acting on behalf of the Great American Supplemental Benefits Group, like they are their attornies. This all started with a bad apple or a disgruntled former agent.

We are interested in the issue but it is hard to advance the discussion unless IDOI specifically cites the rule or regulation that they are relying upon. Just saying it is CMS this or SHIP that doesn't get us anywhere and everyone starts speculating. If they are taking action against you they need to cite the rule you violated. We understand that some zamboni at the DOI is pulling your chain but in the end it is going to pivot on how your actions line up against the regs which they spell out in the complaint. There is more to this story than meets my eye. Great American is jumping on your bones for something and it is not cold calling. What is it?

 

[elder]

Great American is jumping on your bones for something and it is not cold calling. What is it?



I can't discuss the issues on that. That will be up to another judge.

I do now know that the DOI had another Indiana agent @ a hearing for compliance issues last week, telemarketing was part of it. Results are not in yet.

 

[AgentOrange]

DOI's dont know anything. They tried to fine my buddy for not comparing Medicare Advantage plans, the problem is Medicare says you cant compare medicare plans. He fought it and made them look stupid.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I do now know that the DOI had another Indiana agent @ a hearing for compliance issues last week, telemarketing was part of it. Results are not in yet.

Compliance issue's in regards to Med Advantage? or Med Supp's?

When I hear this stuff it just makes me so happy that I do FE.

 

[elder]

Compliance issue's in regards to Med Advantage? or Med Supp's?

When I hear this stuff it just makes me so happy that I do FE.

Supps