Final Expense Contracting

[Newby]

The worst are doctors and clinics that require their own special authorization. That is a guaranteed two weeks or more right there.

Clinic finally answers and tells the vendor they need their own release (your typical exam companies handle this for insurance companies, just like the exams and APSes for underwriting).
Vendor gets form and send it to carrier.
Carrier processes and sends to beneficiary.
Beneficiary finally signs and returns.
Carrier to Vendor.
Finally Vendor to clinic.

Yep. The VA operates that way. You have to babysit the whole process.

 

[VolAgent]

For claims that will be investigated, inside the 2 year contestable period, I always advise the beneficiary to contact the doctors and clinics to let them know they will be getting the request. To the clinic this is not a priority, so the beneficiary needs to become the squeaky wheel.

You can also do it as an agent, but I find most respond better to a family member, particularly for small offices where they may have actually met the beneficiary. Plus, this way you are assisting without taking on the actual leg work.

 

[WinoBlues]

Assuming the agent is helping the beneficiary with the paperwork, in person or on the phone, always ask for all the doctors. If the company gets an APS that refers to a different Doc they then may need to APS that Doc.

Side note: I tend to get a good percentage of new business from claims. either direct or by referral. Claims also mean bene changes which give you some else to talk to.

 

[VolAgent]

Nothing like a mystery doctor or clinic coming up in an APS to really slow down claims OR underwriting.

 

[Baseball7]

The reason I have that one claim pay so quickly is the guy had one primary doctor and the hospital he died at and there is no further investigation necessary.