What's right, what's wrong

[somarco]

The point being (Bob, if you are still with me) is that it is important to cover all the points CMS asks, which takes a lot of study. Any agent that walks into the Medicare Advantage arena without doing his due diligence is asking for a violation.

Yes, I am.

Sort of . . .

I looked at MA plans a couple of years ago when I was getting calls, letters & emails about making $5,000 per week part time writing MA. The money looked easy (it always does) but what concerned me as much as anything was all the meddling by CMS.

Even though I am VERY CAREFUL about what I say, and even more so about what I put in writing, it just seemed like no matter how much I tried I could still get shot out of the saddle for some seemingly minor infraction.

I also didn't like the fact that you are dealing with a market that usually takes a long time to make up their mind, makes irrational decisions, is not always "there" and tends to forget what they agreed to 10 minutes earlier. I figured this was a good way for me to end up in jail with some guy who thinks I am cute so I passed on the Medicare market.

But backtracking here, it seems like CMS does everything possible to further confuse the Medicare beneficiaries and make it difficult for them to get useful information. I have blogged (more than once) on how inadequate and underfunded Medicare is, but this side (supps, MA, etc.) is something I never tried to tackle.

My business is frustrating enough without even more govt intervention.

Sorry for the rant. My hat's off to those who work this market and can make a living.

 

[retread]

...
I also didn't like the fact that you are dealing with a market that usually takes a long time to make up their mind, makes irrational decisions, is not always "there" and tends to forget what they agreed to 10 minutes earlier. I figured this was a good way for me to end up in jail with some guy who thinks I am cute so I passed on the Medicare market.

My business is frustrating enough without even more govt intervention.

Sorry for the rant. My hat's off to those who work this market and can make a living.

This is a good evaluation of the marketing risk... and some haven't thought this through as you have, they just plow in expecting to make a lot of $. Others have recognized the risk but have a sincere desire to help the Medicare community and are dedicated. You usually can tell the money-hungry non-compliant bunch, but you can't tell them much.

 

[somarco]

You usually can tell the money-hungry non-compliant bunch, but you can't tell them much.

Same in my market . . .

 

[sman]

You know what's idiotic about this whole thing? Nearly 20 years ago the government decided the carriers selling Medicare Supplement plans were making it too confusing on the Medicare Supplement buying public so they standardized the plans. It really makes it much easier to compare plans now.

Fast forward to just a few years ago and we have 40-60 Medicare Advantage plans in a given area, all with different benefits and premium structures and we are right back to where we were pre-1990. I understand it's a little more complicated with the MA products since different areas get different amounts paid by CMS, but seems to me we could come up with something standardized in this market as well. But then again, we are talking about the government.

 

[somarco]

The sman weighs in . . .

I imagine you have been keeping busy with your investment clients. Call sometime so I know I am still loved.

 

[Dave020]

You are always loved Bob! Even if we don't call to say so.

 

[somarco]

Gee, Dave.

You never call, you never write. What's a guy to think?

 

[sman]

The sman weighs in . . .

I imagine you have been keeping busy with your investment clients. Call sometime so I know I am still loved.

That's leveled off some. Now I'm covered up with the MA and PDP stuff. And you know you are loved. Maybe not by the Rabbi, but most of us still love you.

 

[Guest]

 

[somarco]

Gosh. You guys are choking me up.