Posted on Fri, Jul 01, 2011
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It's our Independence Day!
A day for BBQ, for fireworks, for family. And of course the great decision that every community in our area has to make is whether to have our fireworks shows due to fire danger from our extended drought! Those decisions are important to us - but there were some decisions reached with great courage in Philadelphia, on July 4, 1776, when fifty-six men signed their names to a document that would bring freedom to all Americans. But it could have just as easily left every one of them hanging from a gallows!
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Have you ever wondered what happened to these 56 men?
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Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. |
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Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. |
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Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had
two sons captured. |
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Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. |
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What kind of men were they?
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Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners. |
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These were not wild-eyed terrorists. They were not politicians. They were hard-working, well-educated, and respected in their communities. |
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When they signed the Declaration of Independence they knew full well that they would hang if they were captured. |
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They left to us a free and independent America ... at a great cost. So, take a few minutes as you celebrate this weekend, and thank God for these patriots.
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Tim Allen
Regional Sales Director
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Posted on Mon, May 02, 2011
For many Health Insurance professionals across the country, this morning began with a fresh cup of hot coffee and a seat in front of the computer. They begin by checking emails; filtering through messages from lead vendors promising the best lead program on the internet. They read information on new products, product updates, and industry news. One email that many agents would love to see in their inbox is:
Date: April 21st, 2011
To: Senior Health Insurance AgentFrom: AetnaSubject: “CMS FINALLY LIFTS SANCTION FROM AETNA.”
Last April, Aetna was issued a sanction by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services). This governing party is responsible for overseeing marketing and compliance for Medicare Advantage companies like Aetna. This sanction came after Aetna failed to provide accurate information on its’ 2010 prescription drug formulary. This unfortunate mistake kept Aetna from marketing to and enrolling new members for the 2010 enrollment season.
Insurance companies take advantage of Aetna’s sanction:
With Aetna sitting on the sidelines for the entire 2010 selling season, this opened up opportunities for several Medicare Advantage companies. Companies like Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, and Healthspring/Bravo Health Plans were available and willing to take advantage of this ‘time-out’. Some companies made huge strides in 2010 through acquiring other health insurance companies and making strategic partnerships.
Healthspring, a Tennessee based health insurance provider, made a favorable move by purchasing Bravo Health Plans in 2010. This acquisition made Healthspring the seventh largest Medicare Advantage provider in the country adding over 100,000 members and over 250,000 prescription drug plan members as well.
Humana also took a giant leap forward by positioning themselves with retail-giant Wal-Mart. In 2010 Humana used in-store kiosks as a way to educate and enroll members in select Wal-Mart stores. Humana also pulled off a genius marketing initiative by co-branding a stand-alone prescription drug plan. This national drug plan is currently a very cost-effective plan that offers additional benefits to members who pick up their prescriptions at a Wal-Mart Pharmacy.
Aetna’s sanction effects on the Agent and broker community:
This Aetna sanction effected independent insurance agents and brokers who were certified to sell Aetna’s Medicare plans. Agents rely on large companies like Aetna to consistently develop benefit rich plans for the agent to market. Agents also rely on brand recognition to act as a marketing tool. Seniors like to deal with products they know or are familiar with. Most independent agents do not have the budget for a large marketing campaign. Especially one that would compete against the millions of marketing pieces mailed to seniors by the large insurance carriers. Agents have to rely on things like the senior recognizing the company name to help them compete in an already competitive market. Unfortunately Aetna, who is a household name to seniors in many parts of the country, was not available in 2010.
Most agents utilize partnerships with Brokers to help them achieve success in the field. Brokers may have additional marketing budgets for agents to utilize. However, Aetna’s sanction forced brokers to shift marketing efforts to other insurance providers. Usually brokers will become notified first regarding marketing initiatives like in-store kiosk opportunities or leads given to the brokerage from insurance carriers. Insurance companies like working directly with brokers and rely on the brokers to train and offer a line of support to the agents. This hierarchy is pretty common and can be very resourceful to independent agents looking to get into the Medicare Advantage market.
Future of Medicare and Aetna’s fate:
As Medicare becomes a heated topic in the political arena, CMS will continue its efforts to keep a close and watchful eye on the Medicare Advantage industry. This will force Medicare Advantage companies to tighten up their internal marketing and selling guidelines. The form of ‘checks and balances’ will trickle down to the agents who will be held accountable for their actions in the field. Most companies already have a “zero tolerance” policy in place for things like Fraud, Waste, and Abuse which helps weed out unscrupulous agents.
Aetna will no doubt come out of this sanction a stronger organization and will continue to grow as a Medicare Advantage carrier. CMS will eventually lift the sanction and agents all across the country will be able to market Aetna’s Medicare Advantage plans once again. Until then, agents will continue to check their inboxes for the email that Aetna so anxiously anticipates.
Posted on April 26, 2011 by HealthBrokerDirect
Posted on Thu, Nov 04, 2010
For the past few weeks we have been working at getting a video together as an easy way to introduce our office and staff to new agents. Today we went live with this new video on YouTube and our website. Check out our video below and let us know what you think.
Posted on Thu, Sep 23, 2010
Today is the mark of a new era in our health care system and health insurance as we have known it. Under the Affordable Care Act new regulations will take affect in an effort to bring a stop to abuses taking place in the health insurance industry. The goal is to put us as customers rather than insurance companies in charge of our health care.
The following are some of the new changes that will take affect today (click on each bullet point for more information):
Insurers Will No Longer Be Able To:
- Deny coverage to kids with pre-existing conditions. Health plans cannot limit or deny benefits or deny coverage for a child younger than age 19 simply because the child has a pre-existing condition like asthma.
- Put lifetime limits on benefits. Health plans can no longer put a lifetime dollar limit on the benefits of people with costly conditions like cancer
- Cancel your policy without proving fraud. Health plans can’t retroactively cancel insurance coverage – often at the time you need it most - solely because you or your employer made an honest mistake on your insurance application.
- Deny claims without a chance for appeal. In new health plans, you now have the right to demand that your health plan reconsider a decision to deny payment for a test or treatment. That also includes an external appeal to an independent reviewer.
Consumers in New Health Plans Will Be Able to:
- Receive cost-free preventive services. New health plans must give you access to recommended preventive services such as screenings, vaccinations and counseling without any out-of-pocket costs to you.
- Keep young adults on a parent’s plan until age 26. If your health plan covers children, you can now most likely add or keep your children on your health insurance policy until they turn 26 years old if they don’t have coverage on the job.
- Choose a primary care doctor, ob/gyn and pediatrician. New health plans must let you choose the primary care doctor or pediatrician you want from your health plan’s provider network and let you see an OB-GYN doctor without needing a referral from another doctor.
- Use the nearest emergency room without penalty. New health plans can’t require you to get prior approval before seeking emergency room services from a provider or hospital outside your plan’s network – and they can’t require higher copayments or co-insurance for out-of-network emergency room services.
Source: HealthCare.gov
Posted on Wed, Jul 21, 2010
AHIA life and health insurance agent, Richard Garcia in San Antonio, TX just launched his Premier Agent website! Check it out at www.ahiaagent.com/richardgarcia.
Become an agent with us and among your many benefits receive a FREE personalized Premier Agent website including lead generation tools!
Posted on Tue, Jul 20, 2010
Last month Medicare rebate checks began to go out to Medicare beneficiaries as part of the Affordable Care Act to help pay for prescription drug costs during the coverage gap, also known as the donut hole. Unfortunately, some individuals and companies are using the Medicare rebate as a way to get appointments and information from senior citizens. These scam artists are causing seniors to believe they must provide additional information in order to receive the rebate.
As Medicare made known in May of this year it is a fact that there is no action required on your part to receive your tax-free rebate check. Your prescription drug records will indicate if you should receive a rebate and it will automatically be sent to you within 45 days of you becoming eligible.
If you are being told you must meet with someone, purchase insurance, enroll in another plan or provide information to receive your rebate check this is a scam. This practice is a deceptive and illegal way to solicit business and/or steal your identity. If you find yourself in this situation please report the individual or company to Medicare and your state department of insurance.
Posted on Thu, Jul 01, 2010
Happy Independence Day from AHIA! This weekend take some time to reflect on the principles and wisdom this country was founded on and enjoy your freedom and liberty. We would like to wish you all a safe and joyful weekend in this great country of ours!
Posted on Mon, Jun 28, 2010
Recently I had one of my assistants call my loyal existing client base to schedule an Annual Client Review appointment with me, but I didn't expect a few to be unhappy. Since I am always willing to do what it takes to make sure my clients are happy I went out to visit with my first disappointed client (four hour drive) who is 68 years old and lives alone. I also made a few additional appointments while I was on my trip. It was a hot day so I went to this client's home and suggested we go by a nearby café and meet. He had time for lunch so we rode together sharing pleasantries and small talk on our way to the café. After sharing a modest priced meal ($12.00) and visiting a little with each other we discussed his concerns. I addressed his concerns and diffused the discontent he had with me and the policy he has had with me for 8 years. Although I didn't plan on making another sale at that meeting I preserved and retained a good loyal customer.
Another one of my clients, who is 81 years old, and still sharp as a whip, has been with me for about 10 years. She also had a few issues that we cleared up. I visited her this past Saturday and met her at the door with a bag of "pan dulce" (Mexican sweet bread pastries) which cost $4.80. Needless to say she loved the gesture and made me share a campachana (pastry) with her. When I was leaving more family was arriving... darn, I forgot to staple my business card to the bag! :) (joking)
The moral is I understand that our lives may always seem too busy to do these types of things for our clients, but every now and then a little gesture goes a long way. These small gestures can definitely help preserve an unhappy client or a one that may be just lonely. Be ethical and take care of your clients and they will take care of you!
~Joe Chetwood
Posted on Thu, Jun 24, 2010
The number one reason for Long Term Care Insurance protection (LTC) is to preserve your assets for your spouse, your children and grandchildren. In 2008 the [national] average annual rate for a private nursing home room was $76,460. The national hourly private pay rate charged by a non-Medicare certified, licensed home health agency for a home health aide was $19. At that rate, would your assets be sufficient to provide for your care and afford you the dignity and control over your care you desire?
Cost of Loss
69% of people turning 65 will need LTC, 52% for at least 1 year; 20% for more than 5 years. If you knew that you had a 69% chance of your house burning down, getting into an automobile accident or being admitted to a hospital, would you make sure you were covered?
Benefits
- offer care at home, in a facility, or adult care
- allow paid custodial care by friends and family in
addition to licensed professionals, with training of
caregivers available - include a cash benefit for additional expenses
- allow provisions for shared care - if you needed more than
your allotted benefit, you can use your partner's - give you protection against inflation
- include "return of premium"
- are tax free
What Are My Options?
- Spend down all your assets
- Depend on family, assuming they have the skills and resources, and are prepared to end their employment to provide full-time care
- Transfer risk to an insurance company to preserve your assets for future generations, and maintain your independence
- Other ways which could include life insurance with an acceleration of benefits rider, annuities with long-term care provisions, reverse mortgages, viatical settlements, etc.
To learn more about Long Term Care Insurance and your other insurance options, please call us at 1-888-803-3537.
Posted on Thu, Jun 24, 2010
AHIA life and health insurance agent, Lee Martinsen in San Antonio, TX just launched his Premier Agent website! Check it out at www.ahiaagent.com/leemartinsen.
Become an agent with us and among your many benefits receive a FREE personalized Premier Agent website including lead generation tools!
