They Want Enrollers, Not Agents

[John Galt]

"Its as easy as buying a plane ticket"

Obviously, we sell ourselves to some extent. They can use us or an 800 number. But I've had it with the FFM issues. Most of my FFM clients are "paper subsidy" clients who can afford the premium. Starting next year, I am going to sell them on buying on the FFM, not taking the subsidy and getting the money back at tax time. My biggest issue right now are the clients who ignored the letters from the FFM (despite my pleading to not ignore their emails) and their premiums skyrocketed this month because their subsidy was removed.

I will continue to focus on moving to a more balanced approach by adding Med Supps, so that if by 2017 decent commissions on Indy business is DOA, I'm covered.

Are you gonna add FE as well?

 

[TN_agent]

Can you point me to where it shows a person who purchases coverage off exchange (hc.gov) can receive a subsidy at the time of filing their taxes for the prior year? Everything I've read states to receive the subsidy, coverage must be purchased on the exchange.

I certainly don't know the law inside and out so I'm asking, not challenging.

Right, off-exchange is not eligible for subsidy, although I think that should be changed. Some of my clients who are (barely) subsidy eligible prefer not to go through the exchange because it is so much easier to deal directly with me and/or the carrier. Or it is just a matter of principle with them.

I am starting to advise other clients who have variable income and can afford to pay the entire premium to use none or only a little bit of the subsidy they are eligible for but still go through the exchange so they can get the tax credit back next year. They are mostly self-employed people whose income could vary thousands of dollars.

 

[MaryDallas]

Right, off-exchange is not eligible for subsidy, although I think that should be changed. Some of my clients who are (barely) subsidy eligible prefer not to go through the exchange because it is so much easier to deal directly with me and/or the carrier. Or it is just a matter of principle with them.

I am starting to advise other clients who have variable income and can afford to pay the entire premium to use none or only a little bit of the subsidy they are eligible for but still go through the exchange so they can get the tax credit back next year. They are mostly self-employed people whose income could vary thousands of dollars.

Yes, I know what you mean: however, when I also let them know they will have to pay $682 more per month in premium ... the back peddle starts. Then, it does not seem so much work to send in documentation, which would not be so awful if it were ever 'really' processed and credited. It is all just over the top.

 

[kgmom219]

Are you gonna add FE as well?

Nope! But I appreciate you asking!

Y...I had a couple whose tax bill was lowered by the subsidy they didn't take. But no refunds.

 

[sman]

Right, off-exchange is not eligible for subsidy, although I think that should be changed. Some of my clients who are (barely) subsidy eligible prefer not to go through the exchange because it is so much easier to deal directly with me and/or the carrier. Or it is just a matter of principle with them. I am starting to advise other clients who have variable income and can afford to pay the entire premium to use none or only a little bit of the subsidy they are eligible for but still go through the exchange so they can get the tax credit back next year. They are mostly self-employed people whose income could vary thousands of dollars.

I guess I misinterpreted your earlier post. I thought you were saying you are advising clients to go off exchange and get their subsidy at tax time.

 

[Yagents]

We did thy this year for 2015. Client issued $400 mom tax credit. Only took $10 of it. Income documents required. They just took away the $10 credit

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We did that this year for 2015. Client issued $400 month tax credit. Only took $10 of it. Income documents required. They just took away the $10 credit

 

[AllenChicago]

The FFM is pulling the trigger (cutting off subsidies) faster this year, aren't they.

 

[MaryDallas]

The FFM is pulling the trigger (cutting off subsidies) faster this year, aren't they.

Yes; faster and faster.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

It's pretty clear to me, based on the way insurance companies are treating agents (limiting their access to information, not allowing us to take care of certain things, like payments, that we have in the past) as well as the FFM that the new model for agents is supposed to be as enrollers, not trusted advisors. We are being paid much less, have new rules (like the FFM directives) that limit the scope of your activities, and generally have been marginalized in this market.

You guys remind me of a bunch of whiny little girls.

First of all, is someone holding a gun to your head to sell health insurance? Secondly, you've only had about five years notice that the whole thing was goin' to hell.

 

[FLM2]

You guys remind me of a bunch of whiny little girls.

First of all, is someone holding a gun to your head to sell health insurance? Secondly, you've only had about five years notice that the whole thing was goin' to hell.

If you stopped selling health insurance 5 years ago and are doing something else why do you care about what the rest of us are saying, is anyone holding a gun to your head to read this forum?

I made more money last year (and will this year) than I made in 2009 with health insurance, this is far more about my own job satisfaction than anything else.