UHC ICA Leads Questions

Hello AttillaTheOne,

I couldn't respond back to you because I don't have enough posts so I will respond here.

Are you working for an FMO or IMO or directly contracted as an ICA?

ICA

If anyone, even a manager at a 7-11, store blew off your questions about compensation, I would have major worries.

I do, thats why I am posting here getting the straight scoop on my options. Anything else I can do?

Working in this field of sales can be very rewarding BUT unless you have a trust fund, you have every right to make sure exactly what you will be making.

I totally agree with that!

We had a 43 page contract when I signed up which showed commission structures on EVERYONE in the country.
You need to push the issue and find out if you are really contracted DIRECTLY with UHC, do you have a DW or a DP writing number?

Isn't ICA a direct contract?
Are there different types of ICA contracts?
What does DW & DP stand for?

If your manager won't discuss such imprtant questions with you NOW, come November you might be working your butt off for a lot less than you expected.

I hope not how can I specifically avoid working for less than expected?

Thanks!
 
CALTCAgent




To answer your questions:

So, what are the advantages then of being an ICA instead or working on the FMO side? (leads I am assuming?)

It depends on how many leads an FMO can provide, and if they are free to you or not.

You will get leads from UHC, but don't expect tons of leads, or even quality leads. Follow the advice of thhe other posters: work your leads and clearly update the lead tracking system, so they know you are working them.
Then you might get more leads.
Also, it depends on how many ICA's are in your area, the more ICAs the fewer leads. I know in some markets they hire too many agents. So, there are few leads.




According to the ICA contract if you replace any business they can void your renewals. This worries me as maybe its in the clients best interest to replace in the future and I could see a scenario where you need to walk away from that business to keep the rest of your renewal business with them. Am I correct on this in the ICA contract?

If you have an ICA contract, you can only sell UHC MA products. If you think it is in the best interest to replace the UHC MA. I imagine that you are either referring them to an other agent. Or, you have appointed with another MA provider (which would void your contract with UHC)

In terms of renewals. You keep them, even If you no longer do business with UHC. Now if you replace the MA with another company, they will know, by CMS disenrollment. And you will not receive renewals, because there is no renewal of the policy.


If this is the case, why be an ICA as opposed to working with FMO?
I don't know if FMO's on this forum are baiting you to join them or not. But, I can tell you, I am not an FMO. I am an Independent agent. From our perspective, you have to ask them what they offer you. Don't give into "for support" only, ask specifically for lead programs, discounts on leads, commission structure, do you keep the renewals if you leave them, and are your appointment with carriers locked in (If you want to switch FMO's what is the process)

The perks of an ICA is full commission rate, vs FMO's share commissions with their brokers.

I just thought about this: Ask the manager from UHC these questions about the benefits of an ICA, and let me know.


Or does the contract say the same thing on the FMO side as far as replacments?
Depends on the FMO

Somebody mentioned if you do it at renewal they won't know, is this true?
[FONT=&quot]No, not true, see above.[/FONT]
 
Hello,

Thanks for that info, very helpful!

I guess I will have to reschedule my appointment and go to the training, the manager said there was not another training for ICA for a month. Except for AARP training that combines FMO and ICA agents.


Just testing out this previously posted by thingy ...
 
According to the ICA contract if you replace any business they can void your renewals. This worries me as maybe its in the clients best interest to replace in the future and I could see a scenario where you need to walk away from that business to keep the rest of your renewal business with them. Am I correct on this in the ICA contract?

If you have an ICA contract, you can only sell UHC MA products. If you think it is in the best interest to replace the UHC MA. I imagine that you are either referring them to an other agent. Or, you have appointed with another MA provider (which would void your contract with UHC)

In terms of renewals. You keep them, even If you no longer do business with UHC. Now if you replace the MA with another company, they will know, by CMS disenrollment. And you will not receive renewals, because there is no renewal of the policy.


If UHC provides the lead, you must sell an UHC product either advantage, med sup or drug plan.

You are an Independent Career Agent. You may sign up for any other companies you want. If you get referrals or other leads you may sell those people anything you want. If you are a dedicated employee, then you become captive and are given salary and quotas.
 
Hello,

According to the UHC/ICA contract if you replace MA or med supp from any leads they give you, they will cancel all of the renewal on any other business you have written with them. The key being any other business. So lets say you have 25K in residuals and say half 12,500 of that business loses benefits or gets raised premiums, you have a choice, replace it and lose your 12,500 renewal from UHC or let it go and keep your remaining 12,500 renewal from UHC?

Is this correct?

If so, how likely and how much of business written through UHC will be a candidate for replacment in the future?

If there is much then the contract really handcuffs you as you have to let people go to competitiors and you are really hoping company is competitive in the future a big unknown. Is this correct?

I would see a clear advantage if replacment is needed in the future in going with an FMO, assuming they don't have the replacement clause. The disadvantage with an FMO is less or no leads and reduced commission for UHC products, am I correct?
 
Hello,

According to the UHC/ICA contract if you replace MA or med supp from any leads they give you, they will cancel all of the renewal on any other business you have written with them. The key being any other business. So lets say you have 25K in residuals and say half 12,500 of that business loses benefits or gets raised premiums, you have a choice, replace it and lose your 12,500 renewal from UHC or let it go and keep your remaining 12,500 renewal from UHC?

Is this correct?

Yes....But, if you are an ICA you are captive with their MA plans, so, how can you replace the policy? You can't. Unless you refer them to a broker. Then ofcourse, you would lose the renewals.

And, I don't know about your state and counties you will work; I know in Florida, UHC has the best PPO plan (better then most HMO's cost wise). Since a PPO is better then an HMO I wouldn't replace anyone in Florida.

If you think another MA company has a better plan (quality plan like a PPO or Med Supp), then maybe you should work for another company or contract under a FMO with all carriers.




If so, how likely and how much of business written through UHC will be a candidate for replacment in the future?

I don't know your market. I can't answer that. In my Market unlikely, UHC hasn't raised their co-pays much, and has a MAPD $0 premium PPO, the only company in my area that offers this, other companys charge $56-$120 for a PPO with higher/similiar co-pays. No need to replace that.



If there is much then the contract really handcuffs you as you have to let people go to competitiors and you are really hoping company is competitive in the future a big unknown. Is this correct? You are correct. Although UHC has a superior plan in my area. In my opinion, they are behind in marketing. As a result, they did NOT have the most enrollments locally.

Humana for example, in my opinion had a horrible HMO with no Out-of-Pocket protection and high co-pays for an HMO. However, a day did not go buy were I didn't see a Humana commercial. And every week I was forced to come across a Humana ad in the Newspaper. Humana had the most enrolees, although probably the worst HMO (Iin terms of cost and lack of Bene protection) in my area.

I would see a clear advantage if replacment is needed in the future in going with an FMO, assuming they don't have the replacement clause. The disadvantage with an FMO is less or no leads and reduced commission for UHC products, am I correct?

You might get more leads with an FMO. But, you may have to pay foor them or not. I heard some FMO's offer free leads. It all depends on the FMO. But most if not all have discount lead programs.

The bottom line is that there are no guarantees. You can't rely on anyone to feed you in this business. You have to look out for your self, ask the company's and FMO's what they offer you. Because believe me, most are looking to get the most they can from you.
 
Hello AJAX,

Thank you for that response! Very informative and helpful. I think I have more research to do. This has been an extremely complicated area to add to my business.

Thanks again!
 
How many applications can be written a year as a UHC ICA?

Nov 15 to Dec 31 -

Jan 1 to Mar 31 -

April 1 to Nov 14 -

What percentage are new to medicare?
 
I am relatively new to the Medicare Advantage market and was looking at using UHC Med advantage program. I am in eastern PA. After reading these posts, I am wondering if the lead program is available if appointed with UHC? Anythoughts? Any extra leads are always welcome.

In Eastern PA there are other companies that could very well be a better fit for you. Visit my site and send me your contact info and I can point you in a few different directions that might help.
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This is a good question. Does anybody know?

How many apps can you write is a pretty vague agents. Some agents are luck to get an app/week and others can right 5/day. It depends on a lot of things, but odds are if you're asking this many questions about the program and the manager doesn't think you need to earn a living, it doesn't sound like you'll get enough leads to eat on.
 
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