Med Supps Only

[justing]

How can you target med supp prospects and minimize if not almost eliminate the med advantage people you will run into.

I would like to add med supps to my business, but do not want to touch MA's.

 

[G.Gordon]

you can't...

It's a mix out there of retiree benefit plans, MA's, medicaid, and those with just Medicare alone... there is no way to just target those with medsupps already.

 

[GreenSky]

It's better to take the attitude that you want to help people on Medicare with their health insurance choices.

To say you only want to work with supplements is very much like saying you only are willing to write IFP copay plans. Help people make choices and you'll be a better agent.

Rick

 

[Frank Stastny]

If you will mainly market in rural areas you will encounter far fewer people who have Medicare Part C plans.

I don't blame you for not wanting to mess with Part C plans. I don't either.

 

[Professor Leads]

It's better to take the attitude that you want to help people on Medicare with their health insurance choices.

To say you only want to work with supplements is very much like saying you only are willing to write IFP copay plans. Help people make choices and you'll be a better agent.

Rick

Rick, you know as well as I that there are many good reasons to avoid the MA market. I choose to sell only Medicare supplement plans for 2 reasons:

1. It's better business
2. It's a better product than MA

Does that mean I am not a "better agent"? I don't want to "help people on Medicare with their health insurance choices". In order to do that I would need a consent form for every single appointment.

I do help them make choices...the right choice

I want to convince the appropriate demographic that Medicare supplement insurance is the best choice for them because I believe it is. I think what 'justing' is asking is, 'what is that demographic'?

I would answer that by saying do as Frank suggests and focus on rural areas and/or focus on households that earn an income above $20k. These, for now at least, seem to be the people who are attracted to Medigap plans more than MA plans.

 

[Hank]

It's better to take the attitude that you want to help people on Medicare with their health insurance choices.

To say you only want to work with supplements is very much like saying you only are willing to write IFP copay plans. Help people make choices and you'll be a better agent.

Rick

I agree with Rick here. Always do what is in the best interest for your client and you will do better in this business.

Some of my clients benefit from Part C and some from Med Sups. If you go into their home with just one you are doing an injustice to them.

Some agents only sell Med Sups because they feel it is in their best interest to sell it. Some agents only sell Part C because they feel it is in their best interest to sell it..

Do both and help the client decide what is in their best interest.

 

[GreenSky]

Rick, you know as well as I that there are many good reasons to avoid the MA market. I choose to sell only Medicare supplement plans for 2 reasons:

1. It's better business
2. It's a better product than MA

Does that mean I am not a "better agent"? I don't want to "help people on Medicare with their health insurance choices". In order to do that I would need a consent form for every single appointment.

I do help them make choices...the right choice

Actually, you are not helping them make a choice because you are only offering one choice.

You are helping them choose the plan you like.

I agree that in 100% of the cases where money is not an issue, a med supp is the better product. But is a PPO not also a terrific option? I'm covered under a PPO and have no issues.

In CA, the Anthem Medicare PPO has a zero premium and $3,350 max OOP. Compare that with a $200 supplement plus $35 for drug plan regardless of the need for medical services.

You can be a Medicare "snob" if you prefer. I prefer to lay out the options and let my clients decide. My opinion is to always go with a supplement if it is the best use of my client's money. But it's their choice, not mine.

I agree it 's a pain to use the scope of appointment and if that's too much trouble for you, I understand. But don't think for one second you are helping your clients make an informed decision when you don't discuss all options.

Rick

 

[Professor Leads]

"The Medigap Snob" Hey I got a new slogan for myself! I like it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I agree with Rick here. Always do what is in the best interest for your client and you will do better in this business.

I do. It's a Med supp. I truly believe it is the best product for my demographic.


The Medigap Snob

 

[Frank Stastny]

"The Medigap Snob" Hey I got a new slogan for myself! I like it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


I do. It's a Med supp. I truly believe it is the best product for my demographic.


The Medigap Snob

You can include me also.

What most don't realize is that Rick is in the PRC. California is unlike any other state in the country. If all 57 states were just like California then we would all take a different approach to dealing with seniors. Rick needs to qualify that his statements are made based on the California market.

I don't think that most agents realize that Medicare Part A & B is excellent health coverage. Because of what we do it is very easy to overlook that. In Missouri I would rather see a senior have just Medicare than take a PFFS plan.

That should generate a lot of discussion. But, before you attempt to drop the hammer on me look very carefully at the benefits provided by Medicare and what the real potential out of pocket cost would be for the majority of seniors. They are not all chronically ill and in and out of doctors offices or the hospital every month.

 

[Chazm]

I would feel very uneasy about having to pay 20% of say $500k....or ever $100k

I agree though, medicare alone is great coverage. As long as the prospect doesn't have any big health issue arise