What About Becoming a Consultant?

[Crabcake Johnny]

I believe the NAIC is wrong. The current bill specifically states that not only can agents sell inside of the exchange but also help people apply for the subsidies.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Actually, the NAIC did not say we can not sell inside the Exchange. Granted, the wording is vague. Maybe they want it to be.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

All I know is it specifically states in the legislation that we can sell inside the exchange and help clients apply for the subsidies.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

That's good enough for me right now.

 

[Dave020]

It's covered here:

http://acscan.org/pdf/healthcare/implementation/application-insurance-reforms.pdf

PPACA (P.L. 111-148)

NAHU here from Janet Truatwein:

The new law specifically includes health insurance agents and brokers as the marketing force for the purchase of private health insurance coverage both inside and outside the new exchanges (§1312(e) of the PPACA (P.L. 111-148)). Although subsidies will only be available to individuals who purchase coverage inside the exchanges (clearly an unlevel playing field which we strongly lobbied against), HHS will establish procedures under which a state could permit insurance agents or brokers to enroll individuals and employers in an exchange plan and assist them in applying for premium and cost-sharing subsidies.

Moreover, agent and broker commissions and compensation will continue to be established in the marketplace with state oversight―through negotiations between agents/brokers, insurance carriers and those for whom they provide services, based on the particular services involved and the competitive environment. Government regulators will not set agent commissions and fees, as was initially proposed in the Senate legislation.

It's also covered under PPACA 1312(e) here (page 16 and 34)

https://securews.bsneny.com/wps/wcm/connect/cfcc46804271bcd0ab53fbb68f905d47/BCBSA_Detailed_Reform_Summary_MASTER_04-22-10.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=cfcc46804271bcd0ab53fbb68f905d47

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Dave...Would you like to move to Ohio and run for office? You da man!

 

[Dave020]

CHOICE Administrators

An overview of exchanges provided by Word & Brown (CaliforniaChoice) for your viewing pleasure.

CalChoice/Choice Administrators have been approached by CA and several other states to help with their state exchanges. Just FYI.

 

[AllenChicago]

Opinion/Gut Feeling...

The "new" policies and procedures for paying commissions
seem to be exactly how things are done now. The
insurance carriers will calculate our value to them and
pay us what they think we're worth. In the case of
Blue Cross, we won't be worth much, because they
(at least in Illinois) have enough name recognition and
"star power" to market direct and totally bypass the
agents.

The policies sold to families outside the exchange will pay
the most commission because those plans will not be
burdened with all the constantly changing and oppressive
government regulations. Those regulations will make the
HSA red-tape look like child's play by comparison.

Since the subsidies paid to consumers will be phased out
as incomes increase, with a family earning over $80K a year
getting nothing from Uncle Sam, these will be the people
who will buy outside of the exhange, in my opinion. Policies
within the exchange will have lower deductibles and much
higher premiums due to the government-imposed burdens.

.

 

[Dave020]

Direct sales persistency by the Blues is horrid. They know it, too.

GI environment with a very weak mandate will still require carriers to evaluate and maintain a "balanced" book of business. No carrier wants to be the carrier GI insuring only the sickest people, while other carriers cherry pick GI on the healthier risks. Bad mojo.

 

[ABC]

Opinion/Gut Feeling...
Since the subsidies paid to consumers will be phased out
as incomes increase, with a family earning over $80K a year
getting nothing from Uncle Sam, these will be the people
who will buy outside of the exhange, in my opinion. Policies
within the exchange will have lower deductibles and much
higher premiums due to the government-imposed burdens.
.

I have already heard the NAHU is working on getting the tax subsidies lowered. They are going to have to or the entire group market will crash.

Until its determined how comp is going to treated in MLR no body has a clue on broker comp. Right now the MLR is everything for the existent of brokers and agents.

There is going to have to be repeals of certain aspects of the reform. If there is not the entire system will collapse.

The reform is universal health care being smashed into an employer based system. It will not work.