UHC Launches a Smaller, ‘very Very Different’ Insurer

[AllenChicago]

I got pd from Harken for Jan so far

As for contracting, I called UHC's broker line (I've been contracted with active biz with them for years) - the gal added Harken with a click. Took effect the next day after nightly data dump

That's how I contracted too. Today, I found my Harken clients! They were removed from the UHC section of the agent portal, and placed in a new section called "Harken Health".

Tomorrow I'll complete and fax the UHC Direct Deposit form. My UHC commissions are paid now to IHC Health Solutions, who pays me.

I really miss the old days (pre 2011), when health insurers communicated useful information/updates, and tried to make their agent portals as intuitive as possible.

 

[steven2244]

That's how I contracted too. Today, I found my Harken clients! They were removed from the UHC section of the agent portal, and placed in a new section called "Harken Health".

Tomorrow I'll complete and fax the UHC Direct Deposit form. My UHC commissions are paid now to IHC Health Solutions, who pays me.

I really miss the old days (pre 2011), when health insurers communicated useful information/updates, and tried to make their agent portals as intuitive as possible.

I got an email today saying Harken is taking Atlanta comms to 2% and Chicago to 0% for 7/1/16 new biz forward (we'll get paid on 1/1/16 biz the rest if the yr)

I then asked abt the next OE: "We'll see" was the answer

Another nail...

 

[AllenChicago]

I got an email today saying Harken is taking Atlanta comms to 2% and Chicago to 0% for 7/1/16 new biz forward (we'll get paid on 1/1/16 biz the rest if the yr)

I then asked abt the next OE: "We'll see" was the answer

Another nail...

Sure Enough.. This is the first e-mail I've ever received from Harken. And maybe the last, since they're most likely losing a lot of money too.

"Beginning with 7/1/16 new business effective dates for our individual product, both on and off exchange, we will reduce agent commission in Chicago to 0% and in Atlanta to 2%. These commission changes only impact new Harken Health individual policies written with 7/1/16 effective dates and beyond. Existing Harken Health individual policies with January 1, 2016 - June 1, 2016 effective dates will continue to receive the current commission levels. This is one of several things we're doing to make sure our business will be sustainable for our members.

We'll continue to evaluate our commission structure going forward and communicate changes to you when they are available.

Thank you for assisting us with the launch of Harken Health.

With respect,

Marcus Robinson
VP of Sales, Harken Health"

Harken is a victim of the same benefits-pricing strategy that has caused our Land of Lincoln Co-Op to falter so badly. Wonderful PPO Network & Benefit structure, but priced 70% lower than should be.

 

[steven2244]

I found out Harken in IL will be moving to a narrow network and making clients/patients go to one of their 'clinics' 1st for referrals to specialists for 1/1/17. Uhhh, aren't they filed as a PPO with state? Sounds very HMO to me!

BIG change

What do I with all the people I placed with them that really need the better hosps?

Depends on comp. Some are eligible Grps, the rest, its going to be a scream fest. Coventry rumored to also go narrow network meaning no broad network avail in IL for any Indiv biz on or off exch, assuming Land of Lincoln goes down for 12/31 as expected - or earlier

I've been busy focusing on Grp - have added 100 belly buttons in 2 months

Walk & talk, referrals... old school works

In another area of the Forum someone mentioned their going to have phone turned off for OE - I hear that!

 

[Yagents]

I can promise next year:

Less carriers
Smaller networks
Higher prices
Lower comp

Really expensive crap is what we sell

 

[AllenChicago]

I found out Harken in IL will be moving to a narrow network and making clients/patients go to one of their 'clinics' 1st for referrals to specialists for 1/1/17. Uhhh, aren't they filed as a PPO with state? Sounds very HMO to me!

BIG change

What do I with all the people I placed with them that really need the better hosps?

This is indeed BAD news, but not unexpected. UHC-Harken should have looked at what happened to Land of Lincoln Health Co-op and learned from their mistakes before duplicating the same configuration. Best PPO Network, Simple Co-Pay for E.R., Great Rx... all for a premium that was/is the lowest of any Illinois PPO.

This benefit package was typical in the Free Market before ObamaScrew beat it into submission. Today, it's suicide unless the premium is doubled. But that would be suicide too. Companies simply can't do what's best for customers as long as the ACA remains law of the land.

 

[Rick441]

This article about Harken entering Miami in 2017 quotes the CEO as saying they have "one of the largest networks of specialists and facilities available. Period."

I can't post links so Google:
miami herald new insurer to offer obamacare coverage in south florida for 2017