War on agents

[EckoRomeo]

I saw 98% somewhere . But 94.8% is still 12-14% above what's considered good . Theres no debating these carriers under incredible margin pressure and scrutiny of over billing. We'll see how this translates to the Agent aep 2026. Aca no commissions was 2017 9 yrs ago when 85 % of lower income uneducated people ( low income is easily 70% plus of aca ) weren't online . Now there online and it's very easy to sign up so without the agent there would be little falloff in todays environment .

Yes, 94.8 is still high but a lot of the increase is temporary. UHC's was 85, which was its highest since Covid started.

I doubt your 85% stat is close to accurate. Internet penetration rate in 2017 was like 87%. Most of the 13% without internet were Medicare eligible.

And in my market only BCBS is widely accepted but most of the lower income population in my market are UHC and AMBETTER. Plans that are almost exclusively sold by brokers. The vmajority of T65 that I write that were enrolled in UHC or Ambetter weren't able to see a PCP while on their plan. If what you say is true these people would have gone online and enrolled in BCBS.

 

[DonP]

Yes, 94.8 is still high but a lot of the increase is temporary. UHC's was 85, which was its highest since Covid started.

I doubt your 85% stat is close to accurate. Internet penetration rate in 2017 was like 87%. Most of the 13% without internet were Medicare eligible.

And in my market only BCBS is widely accepted but most of the lower income population in my market are UHC and AMBETTER. Plans that are almost exclusively sold by brokers. The vmajority of T65 that I write that were enrolled in UHC or Ambetter weren't able to see a PCP while on their plan. If what you say is true these people would have gone online and enrolled in BCBS.

I've been working heavily with low income for 15 plus yrs . I'm telling you in 2017 few over 65 were on the internet . In the last 8-9 yrs almost all are on there as their child or grandchild put them on facebook . Every time i get a friend request or see people i might know I'm amazed the person that could barely sign their name is doing it . We can sit here and argue all day long but the bottom line if the gov't clamps down on mapd and Aca And profitability stays down something's got to give and commission levels at the least ill be one . Your dreaming if you think everyone will feel some pain except the agent

 

[AgentGeneral]

Yes, 94.8 is still high but a lot of the increase is temporary. UHC's was 85, which was its highest since Covid started.

I doubt your 85% stat is close to accurate. Internet penetration rate in 2017 was like 87%. Most of the 13% without internet were Medicare eligible.

And in my market only BCBS is widely accepted but most of the lower income population in my market are UHC and AMBETTER. Plans that are almost exclusively sold by brokers. The vmajority of T65 that I write that were enrolled in UHC or Ambetter weren't able to see a PCP while on their plan. If what you say is true these people would have gone online and enrolled in BCBS.

I like the logic and youre correct. I was in the group conflating healthcare with health insurance. Thanks for tipping me back upright.

 

[annon123]

I doubt your 85% stat is close to accurate. Internet penetration rate in 2017 was like 87%. Most of the 13% without internet were Medicare eligible.

Those without internet are spread across the age groups concentrated on lower income (now that ACP - free internet - is gone) or rural. When you look at seniors it was the oldest in that group that was less likely to not have internet. Don't lump all or most seniors into that group. The more cognitively impaired people are less able to use it even if they have it and that group obviously needs agent (or other - family member, whomever) help. Being a senior does not mean you will end up cognitively impaired, only some are.

 

[EckoRomeo]

I've been working heavily with low income for 15 plus yrs . I'm telling you in 2017 few over 65 were on the internet . In the last 8-9 yrs almost all are on there as their child or grandchild put them on facebook .

Think you're mixing up topics. You were saying the lack of enrollment in ACA was due to lack of internet. 65+ weren't enrolling in ACA. The target market for ACA were heavily online in 2017.

We can sit here and argue all day long but the bottom line if the gov't clamps down on mapd and Aca And profitability stays down something's got to give and commission levels at the least ill be one . Your dreaming if you think everyone will feel some pain except the agent

Well of course if your doomsday scenario transpires commissions would likely be significantly affected. But that is assuming you are right. I don't think you are. CMS clamped down on insurers THIS year. My income was not affected. Hell, had the proposed ban on marketing money went through I would make more money this year.

And I'm not even worried about a cut in commissions. I'm an established agent with a decent book and monthly production. A cut in commissions would simply make it harder for new agents to survive and close a lot of call centers. So, my commission per sale may go down but I'd likely right and retain more because there would be fewer agents and call centers.

 

[EckoRomeo]

Those without internet are spread across the age groups concentrated on lower income (now that ACP - free internet - is gone) or rural. When you look at seniors it was the oldest in that group that was less likely to not have internet. Don't lump all or most seniors into that group. The more cognitively impaired people are less able to use it even if they have it and that group obviously needs agent (or other - family member, whomever) help. Being a senior does not mean you will end up cognitively impaired, only some are.

1) The conversation is about ACA in 2017.
2) Internet penetration rate in 2024 was 91%
3) The 9% is not evenly spread across all age groups. Seniors comprise the largest share of that group.
4) Your post was in no way related to any point I made.

 

[somarco]

100% of my clients have internet access and most computer savvy. Mostly white collar with some blue collar mixed in. All of them had to use a computer for work.

My first direct exposure to a computer in the workplace was in the early 1980's. The carrier I worked for sent desktop computers to all the offices. We had to set it up, learn how to use DOS and dBase.

 

[AgentGeneral]

we can dig in with at least a semblance of logic

A. Not even a year ago marketing money and overrides was on the chopping block--Giant FMO fought back and won over CMS.

B. Trump said "hey I'm gonna get back on this and try to follow it through to cut costs ("it" being the chopping of Mrktg $ and overrrides).

So if A and B, then C---we are back we we started mid 2024. Enter middlemen, not agents, on the chopping block.

Art of the Deal will ensue.

The only thing I can logically come up with.

We still know squat.

 

[AgentGeneral]

Too general to think how many can or cannot use internet. I'd say the gubberment must know it's hard for many. There are places here in MI without any service still.


I wish they all could, never fails I have to drive 120 miles tomr round trip bc of no internet ability. Today was great though, managed to get scopes and enrollments done without driving.

I do think there will be a weeding of agents though come 2026.

The gatekeeping was sorely lacking for a long time. I noticed awhile back our state slowed the new licensing down. Posted a note on website along the lines of delays in processing, which came to almost a halt of processing.

Gatekeeping is going to happen at the very least and a good thorough weeding.

 

[WinoBlues]

100% of my clients have internet access and most computer savvy. Mostly white collar with some blue collar mixed in. All of them had to use a computer for work.

My first direct exposure to a computer in the workplace was in the early 1980's. The carrier I worked for sent desktop computers to all the offices. We had to set it up, learn how to use DOS and dBase.

Dang! You are old..

Wait, 80s?
Same here.