Humana

[somarco]

I have had client issues with the initial billing. Unless it has changed and I am not aware of it, they send out a bill before the policy is issued.

The first bill is for the full premium and does not reflect the money paid with app. Then a few weeks later they send a corrected bill.

Will mention other deductible options on Monogram.

Just curious. How many clients have you had that exceeded the 6 visit limit? You do realize later visits are at the negotiated rate, typically $50 - $60 and apply toward the deductible, right? Or if they have met their deductible they only pay 20% of the negotiated rate.

When talking with prospective clients, I ask how many times they go to the doc. Usually the response is 2 -3x per year.

If they tell me a dozen times they are probably not going to pass underwriting.

lower deductible on the Autograph, with the 100% coinsurance would be a good

May I suggest the new Coventry plans. They have 100% after the deductible.

 

[somarco]

Just a quick update on the broker council meeting. Some of the following changes are happening right now while others will roll out on a state by state basis.

New, shorter app with 17 questions. The online version will be less repetitive and more intuitive.

The shorter app will eventually (target 1st Q 2009) allow a significant number of apps to be auto-issued without underwriter involvement. Clean apps will be cross-checked against MIB and Intelliscripts. If there are no hits the app will be approved and issued.

Effective 8/1/08 they are changing from Ingenix to Intelliscripts for tracking Rx history.

They are in the process of hiring an internal medical director.

Some things on the drawing board . . .

Online, immediate access to enrollment cards. Clients will have the option of downloading the fulfillment package as well rather than waiting 2+ weeks for the policy.

Easier bill pay options including the ability to draft a credit card beyond the first months premium.

Possible expansion of ancillary product lines in addition to the current life & dental. The current dental plan may be replaced or enhanced with a network dental option. Also under consideration is a $5,000 accident benefit integrated with the deductible. Another possibility is lump sum cancer and/or critical illness.

Things coming soon include . . .

Relaxed underwriting for over age 60 clients. I asked for a review of an offer made to a 64 yr old in June. They agreed to reduce the load for meds from 49% to 27%.

The ability for the underwriter to make counter-offers on more liberal terms.

The current product line will have soft changes for now. The 80% HSA and 70% PPO plans will still be available but will not be as prominent.

There is a possiblity of expanding the Portrait series to $3500 and $5,000 deductibles.

That's about all I have. Could be something I missed. A lot of ground covered.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Wow...so they're only a few years behind Assurant.

 

[TXINSURANCE]

Their company wide issue rate is only 60% according to them.

Our issue rate was even worse and this is on HIGHLY screened and pre qualified clients.

The silly e-signature needs to go away (it is redundant). I have seen parameds and a lot of goofy requests I finally threw the towel in.

To me the issue rate is very counter productive.

 

[Senateguy]

Assurant sucks. They suck with paying claims. I have to hand it to Humana - they are really crushing the market here in Florida.

They only crappy part of their Humana One plan is that the network is only in 11 counties in Fla. So if you leave the major metro areas you are out of network. That sucks. Especially if you live on the boarder of a out of network county.

Plus - the University of Florida hospitals are not in the HumanaOne Network. So shands - which is a great specialist hospital for kids is no good.

But they issue fast - have good premiums - have competitive copay plans and cover all the preventive care like mamograms and annual checkups.

4 stars. I would give them 5 stars if their network didnt' suck

 

[TXINSURANCE]

I would give them an extra star if their renewal commission didn't suck.

 

[somarco]

Their company wide issue rate is only 60% according to them

That contradicts figures given at our meeting. 11% of apps submitted to Humana are declined. My figures are much better . . . just under 2%.

I have seen parameds and a lot of goofy requests

Only 1 paramed. Of course, I don't do the volume you do.

Only a handful of APS'.

They are moving toward fewer APS' and parameds. The streamlined underwriting process will allow their underwriters to only deal with cases where medical issues need review.

Someone mentioned Time (Assurant). Are they still in the business?

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

In MD they are!!!!

HSA - male 40, female 40, two kids

GR: $5,800 = $307
Assurant: $5,700 = $302
Aetna: Not even close

It's all Assurant

 

[bill3173]

The silly e-signature needs to go away (it is redundant). I have seen parameds and a lot of goofy requests I finally threw the towel in.

To me the issue rate is very counter productive.

I second that on the e-signature. I threw the towel in on their online app with a some really good clients, that just couldn't follow their system. We're not discussing Assurant, but I don't remember the last time I had a complaint about their app retrieval and review system. Humana team needs to study the Assurant method and copy it.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

I think Aetna's the prize winner for worst online app. First, if you click the "save" button simply because your client needs to get some info, chances are it doesn't save and you'll need to basically start from scratch.

There are so many odd questions on the app I don't even know where to start. They want to know how often your client drinks and what they drink.

Very personal female questions about when they last menstruated - which is fantastic when I'm on the phone with the father asking about his 16 year old daughter's period.

They ask for "percentage of recovery" for all conditions. Tell me, what's the percentage of recovery for someone taking HBP meds?

They ask for the doctor's full address but don't allow enough text space to type in the entire address.

Unless you're using your IPS tool you'll need to "add" yourself to the app which entails running a "search" for yourself which a lot of agents run into snags as it says "no agent found."

There's an entire section after filling out the medical questions regarding if your client doesn't speak English. Most new agents don't know how to fill it out - you don't - you skip it.

Then after the E-sigs you have to log back into Producer Word and "verify" the app. Then there's a block that wants to know if you met with your client and if not, why.

Totally 100% worst online app available. Also, not compatible with Firefox.