Starting to feel like the wild west and snake oil

[DS4]

My county currently has no MA's. Twice now MA's have left my county. The last time, Anthem pulled their Freedom Blue PPO-PD.
I had about 125 clients. I spent the better part of AEP writing 2 apps on each. One med supp and 1 Part D.

 

[kstein]

The thing that bugs me is the lack of conversation about managed care and pre auth. What % of mapd sales do you think have had that mentioned?

 

[Travis Price]

The thing that bugs me is the lack of conversation about managed care and pre auth. What % of mapd sales do you think have had that mentioned?

Well, I'm quiet sure that MAPD agents sell it as similar to their current employer based plan.

Medicare Supplements are definitely a superior product, but if you go in with the mindset it's easier to sell MAPD, it's pretty easy to say, "It works really similarly to what you have now, without the premium."

 

[Randy Foulds]

Thank you everyone for the excellent comments and feedback. I should have mentioned that there are many $0 MAPD plans in my area. The biggest differing factor is access to care. We have only two small doctor groups in our area that accept the HMO plans. These physician groups are overloaded with patients. I hear the same horror stories repeatedly from new clients about trying to find a PCP or specialist.

To make it even worse, the perceived, “better” hospital and doctor group in our area doesn’t accept any managed care plans. When I am asked, “can I see my doctor at Eisenhower hospital on this MAPD?” The answer is no. But, they are not told that by the MAPD salesperson.

California has a sever doctor shortage. Here in Coachella Valley it is even worse with our high concentration of seniors.
Access to care anywhere in the US that accepts Medicare is an incredible benefit. I can’t imagine why anyone would give that up for an HMO.

 

[sshafran]

To make it even worse, the perceived, “better” hospital and doctor group in our area doesn’t accept any managed care plans. When I am asked, “can I see my doctor at Eisenhower hospital on this MAPD?” The answer is no. But, they are not told that by the MAPD salesperson.

Nice blanket statement.

How many presentations have you sat in with agents who sell both mapd and med supps, and personally witnessed this?

Just wanting some statistics...

I can't stand agent bashing - but clearly, you are better than the rest of us lowly, non-compliant, and irresponsible agents [um, let me rephrase that - MAPD salespeople - we don't deserve the title of "agents"]. We pay homage to you - the only competent one.

 

[Randy Foulds]

Sorry you feel slighted to the point where you need to be defensive and sarcastic. of course I dont sit in on other agents presentations. of course there are no statistics.
I certify each year for at least 3 different MAPD insurers. I know what they tell their agents. and after 10 years of hearing seniors say, "he didnt tell me that." I feel we cant blame it 100% on the clients.

UHC is the worst. their area rep loves to says, "tell them they can always return to traditional medicare during disenrollment period." no mention of Med Sup underwriting.

If you feel you are representing your clients best interests, now and in the future, then obviously you are doing your job well.

 

[goillini52]

no wan din the future

Could you please translate this? I no speaka yo language.

 

[Randy Foulds]

Could you please translate this? I no speaka yo language.

why whatever could you mean? (fixed it)

 

[LostDollar]

Sorry you feel slighted to the point where you need to be defensive and sarcastic. of course I dont sit in on other agents presentations. of course there are no statistics.
I certify each year for at least 3 different MAPD insurers. I know what they tell their agents. and after 10 years of hearing seniors say, "he didnt tell me that." I feel we cant blame it 100% on the clients.

UHC is the worst. their area rep loves to says, "tell them they can always return to traditional medicare during disenrollment period." no mention of Med Sup underwriting.

If you feel you are representing your clients best interests, now and in the future, then obviously you are doing your job well.

(Caveat, not an agent.)

I can't see his posts, but if I could, I would just say you have to excuse him. He gets pretty grumpy sometimes. (It is my hope he has sold himself a critical illness policy for the coverage he will need when forum stress manifests in his physical body.)

 

[Randy Foulds]

(Caveat, not an agent.)

I can't see his posts, but if I could, I would just say you have to excuse him. He gets pretty grumpy sometimes.

I understand. I am new here, playing nice in the sand box. But I can go "blasters on full" at the drop of a hat. my twitter is known for that.