New to Individual Health, What Are Best States

[retread]

...it's not as bad as MD

I have it on good report that MD is a very good state to do IFP. Also GA, FL, OH. If I were you, I would get licensed in those states right away.

 

[hlink20]

We are new to individual health coming from the MA market. We are currently licensed in NC and appointed with Assurant, World, Aetna, UHC, and Humana.

If we wanted to get non resident licenses in 5 states, what ones would the experienced folks on the board recommend with these carriers?

Thanks!

First, congratulations on expanding your markets. Larger marketing markets to go after are Texas, California, New York, Florida and Ohio. New York presents challenges, especially if you are new to the space. Another state to consider is Georgia, as their ROI is more flexible than many. If you are going to market in several states, I suggest that you research additional carriers. Many states will have excellent regional health carriers and in some cases, are better received and are a better value to your customer, than the traditional big players. Avalon health care in FL is a good example of this. Good luck.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Many states will have excellent regional health carriers and in some cases, are better received and are a better value to your customer, than the traditional big players. Avalon health care in FL is a good example of this.

Gina, I'm not sure what your experience level is with ifp, specifically in Florida?

Avalon Healthcare here in Tampa hasn't paid their agent comp on time for six months now. It's always late. That can't be a good sign.

What is Avalon offering that is a "better value to your customer" to quote you?

 

[Gregb3104]

Have you found the non-resident states that you seek? If not, please contact me privately and then I will either email this information, or discuss it over the phone - whichever you prefer. We have researched this issue for our agents, and will make it available for you.

Greg

 

[Justin Bilyj]

Ohio really?? i hear we have lower premiums and more broke people than a jerry springer show here. California, AZ, is my guess, GA is good too. I guess its not really what state, but the areas you target in that state. Just find a data list that allows you to target a specific income level and go after those people.

 

[somarco]

Avalon Healthcare here in Tampa hasn't paid their agent comp on time for six months now. It's always late. That can't be a good sign.

Dang.

And to think I was about to check out her site in hope of capturing new prospects. I figure if enough of us sign up she might stop with the annoying solicitations.

Or not . . .

 

[hlink20]

Gina, I'm not sure what your experience level is with ifp, specifically in Florida? Avalon Healthcare here in Tampa hasn't paid their agent comp on time for six months now. It's always late. That can't be a good sign. What is Avalon offering that is a "better value to your customer" to quote you?

MLM, My apologies for taking a little longer to respond. I had carrier relations research your issue. The Avalon response was...

In Oct they were 3 days late and in Jan they were 1 day late. Checks for Avalon are issued in New Jersey.The Avalon commissions have actually increased for policies issued through the second quarter of this year. They are paying 30% at the street level. They even offer advance commissions to brokers after they have issued 5 cases. They then will advance 8 months upon issuance of new cases. Lastly, they advised that the only reason they could think of that a broker would not be paid for a long period of time would be due to them not receiving the I9 information from the broker.

This is a cut and paste of the internal email that circulated at Avalon:

As earned commission checks are always mailed on the seventh business day of each month. I believe it was in October that we had a system issue that delayed the checks by 3 days and in January the checks by 1 day. Other than those two occurrences, our checks are always mailed on a timely basis. I have also been sending a reminder email to the agents every month to let them know which day the checks are going out (the email is not only sent if there has been a delay) as it seems that most agents have difficulty calculating which day of a particular month the seven business day falls on. I believe you are correct below by stating a delay of six months would have been the result of no broker agreement and w-9, although further research could be performed if a specific agent's name was provided. I have also attached a notice from Aetna that was found describing a delay in their commissions that you may want to share.

Hope this helps MLM, thank you again for your input as always. If the above information does not answer your question, please let me know. If you have specifics on the example you provided, that would be beneficial to research further. As you know, there are many new brokers and people starting out in the business on these types of forums looking for help, not speculation. A good rule of thumb is to always state facts and refrain from hearsay.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

MLM, My apologies for taking a little longer to respond. I had carrier relations research your issue. The Avalon response was...

What do you expect them to say - yes, we've been paying late for the last six months?

I have no doubt that they've lied to you and "carrier relations" just as they have to me.

In Oct they were 3 days late and in Jan they were 1 day late. Checks for Avalon are issued in New Jersey.The Avalon commissions have actually increased for policies issued through the second quarter of this year.

Avalon compensation checks have been mailed out late every month since last August. The postmark on the envelope doesn't lie!

Whether their commissions have increased, and where they're mailed from has nothing to do with it.

This is a cut and paste of the internal email that circulated at Avalon:
As earned commission checks are always mailed on the seventh business day of each month. I believe it was in October that we had a system issue that delayed the checks by 3 days and in January the checks by 1 day.

It was actually last August that they used that "computer problem" excuse. That was the first month that comp was paid late. From their email:

"Dear Avalon Producer,

As you may have noticed, the monthly commission checks were delayed this month. They are typically mailed on the seventh business day, but due to system interruptions were not mailed until today, August 15th."

Other than those two occurrences, our checks are always mailed on a timely basis. I have also been sending a reminder email to the agents every month to let them know which day the checks are going out (the email is not only sent if there has been a delay) as it seems that most agents have difficulty calculating which day of a particular month the seven business day falls on.

Yup, I get these emails (see above). They confirm (along with the postmarks on the envelopes) that they've been paying consistently late. An email I received from last September:

"I understand your concern and I can assure you that your commission check was issued in the amount of $xxx.xx, check #xxxxx. I confirmed with our mailing room that all commission checks were mailed together last Thursday, September 11th. I have received notifications from some other agents that are experiencing the same delay."

Confirmed with the mail room that they were mailed on September 11th? That's strange, when I received the check, the postmark on the envelope was September 16th.

Wanna see some more?

I believe you are correct below by stating a delay of six months would have been the result of no broker agreement and w-9, although further research could be performed if a specific agent's name was provided.

This is not the problem. The problem is that they have been paying their monthly compensation late since last August.

If the above information does not answer your question, please let me know.

I didn't have a question. I made a statement replying to your touting of Avalon.

As you know, there are many new brokers and people starting out in the business on these types of forums looking for help, not speculation. A good rule of thumb is to always state facts and refrain from hearsay.

Exactly! That's why you should check more thoroughly on the information that you post!

I'm helping the "new brokers and people starting out in the business" by alerting them to the truth, as opposed to the outright lies told by Avalon (confirmed with documentation) and regurgitated by nitwits like you.

 

[hlink20]

What do you expect them to say - yes, we've been paying late for the last six months?

I have no doubt that they've lied to you and "carrier relations" just as they have to me.

Avalon compensation checks have been mailed out late every month since last August. The postmark on the envelope doesn't lie!

Whether their commissions have increased, and where they're mailed from has nothing to do with it.

It was actually last August that they used that "computer problem" excuse. That was the first month that comp was paid late. From their email:

"Dear Avalon Producer,

As you may have noticed, the monthly commission checks were delayed this month. They are typically mailed on the seventh business day, but due to system interruptions were not mailed until today, August 15th."

Yup, I get these emails (see above). They confirm (along with the postmarks on the envelopes) that they've been paying consistently late. An email I received from last September:

"I understand your concern and I can assure you that your commission check was issued in the amount of .xx, check #xxxxx. I confirmed with our mailing room that all commission checks were mailed together last Thursday, September 11th. I have received notifications from some other agents that are experiencing the same delay."

Confirmed with the mail room that they were mailed on September 11th? That's strange, when I received the check, the postmark on the envelope was September 16th.

Wanna see some more?

This is not the problem. The problem is that they have been paying their monthly compensation late since last August.

I didn't have a question. I made a statement replying to your touting of Avalon.

Exactly! That's why you should check more thoroughly on the information that you post!

I'm helping the "new brokers and people starting out in the business" by alerting them to the truth, as opposed to the outright lies told by Avalon (confirmed with documentation) and regurgitated by nitwits like you.

Sounds like you have a real example to take back to them. I cannot take a cut-n-paste to them. If this information is valid, then yes, brokers need to know. However, more importantly, correction must be made at the source. Our executive has direct access to the majority of the carriers we work with. There is no value in ranting, only correction and improvement. You seem like a knowledgeable individual, a little angry at the world, but capable of adding value. Why don't we work together on this one and let my resources help you.

Have a great weekend......

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

As you know, there are many new brokers and people starting out in the business on these types of forums looking for help, not speculation. A good rule of thumb is to always state facts and refrain from hearsay.

Sounds like you have a real example to take back to them. I cannot take a cut-n-paste to them. If this information is valid, then yes, brokers need to know.

Here's what Florida brokers should know - Avalon Healthcare pays their commissions late - and lies about it as well. Avoid them.

Why don't we work together on this one and let my resources help you.

Yeah, right. Based on the credibility you've established so far?