HealthNet

[Crabcake Johnny]

I'd like to ask HealthNet what kind of mandatory agent training is in place which assures the agent fully understands the application and underwriting process.

I think this is all BS is you ask me. You put untrained agents together with clients who don't know how to properly fill out and app and the carriers scratch their heads when something goes south.

Every carrier in the country needs a mandatory agent training program - period.

 

[TXINSURANCE]

Agreed however then you get into what level of training is industry standard, etc., etc., They can start by training their own people, who are completely clueless.

In order to fix the system you would need:

-Standardized applications with NO "ever" question, 5 years max in my opinion should be the look back

-Standardized plans select A-Z so the client knows the minimum coverages he or she is purchasing.

-No more rescinds, period. Do your underwriting upfront, not up to two years later.

I am not preaching GOVERNMENT regulation, but the industry self regulating. It will never happen, and the government will step in - guaranteed.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

I'd like to ask HealthNet what kind of mandatory agent training is in place which assures the agent fully understands the application and underwriting process.

I think this is all BS is you ask me. You put untrained agents together with clients who don't know how to properly fill out and app and the carriers scratch their heads when something goes south.

Every carrier in the country needs a mandatory agent training program - period.

Agreed. But it's all ideology - the carriers just don't care. They see it as more distribution expense...

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Problem is the carriers need some type of protection from clients who flat out lie. I had a policy yanked and my client almost chuckled - had a recent heart attack, said he knew he wouldn't get coverage if he disclosed it and just "took a chance."

There is no easy solution but there needs to be a solution. The carrier can't be expected to eat it if a client who's 5.5 and 260 puts 160 and says "screw it."

What we need is all medical records online....which is coming. Then instead of an APS 6 week nightmare, underwriters can look at health history instantly.

We still need all carriers to have a mandatory agent training program. Companies need "secret shopper" who randomly contact agents and rate their sales process.

My friend's wife is a secret shopper for Sears. She has a 6 store territory and simply poses as a shopper who needs help, then writes up a survey.

BMW has secret shoppers - corporate employees posing as customers to ascertain knowledge and sales techniques of their reps.

The ugly truth is simply; the carriers want apps and nothing else. They don't care about the quality of the app since they can yank it at will.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

I am not preaching GOVERNMENT regulation, but the industry self regulating. It will never happen, and the government will step in - guaranteed.

Looks like it already has...

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Gov't stepping in isn't necessarily a bad thing. Let's take a look at the late 1800's to the early 1900's and look at how private companies operated without any regulation.

The gov't stepped into private industry with minimum wage and labor laws. If not, then people would be working for $1.50 an hour for 60 hour weeks.

Although not direct analogies to what we're discussing my point is just because the gov't steps in doesn't make it a bad thing.

 

[GreenSky]

The gov't stepped into private industry with minimum wage and labor laws. If not, then people would be working for $1.50 an hour for 60 hour weeks.

Now you hit MY hot button. That is just complete bullshit. Minimum wages do nothing but keep (primarily young minority) people from entering the workforce. People with any level of skill earn more than minimum wage.

Rick

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

If you want to read about how industry works without regulation read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle."

Injured on the job? Too bad - you're fired.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Isn't really a "pendulum" type of thing?

Business abuses employees. Gummint steps in.

Employees get out of control due to labor unions. Less business, less employees (see big auto mfgs).

Less union. Repeat cycle.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Read up on Walmart;

Work off the clock or you're fired. Ohhh...that's illegal? When then take what you're making from $6.25 an hour and go sue us.

Happened to me and I lost a job over it. When I was a teenager I worked for Color Tile basically doing whatever they needed me to do. After my shift one day I had punched out - my manager then tells me he needs some help but it has to be off the clock - throws "team work" and "loyality" in my face.

I said no and left. Guess what my schedule looked like the following week?

However, in those case I "could" have sued. Imagine no regulation.