CUL launches online enrollment

The launch of the ACE online enrollment platform is now available! Agents interested in participating will need to complete a request form and send it in to BMC Agency. Agents who wish to continue to use the paper applications may do so, the online enrollment is NOT required.

NOTE :: The following states have NOT been approved for the online enrollment as of yet - MO, IN, VA, PA.

NOTE :: there is a detailed vetting process REQUIRED before any multiple entity distribution, call center, or similar marketing entities might be approved for participation. Contact BMC for the mandatory requirements and to request consideration for any types of these groups.

FLIC appointment required for Michigan FirstChoice sales

Please note that the FLIC appointment is required in addtion to the MIG/CUL appointment in order to sell in Michigan. The paperwork for FLIC is only a couple of pages long and can be submitted with the main MIG/CUL paperwork. Also, the application for MIchigan is specifically for FLIC. Please use this application for all Michigan sales!

Pennsylvania and Indiana have been approved for FirstChoice

The application for Pennsylvania has been posted in the Guarantee Issue section. Indiana is soon to follow!

Healthcare Reform, Part Two :The Healthcare Empire Strikes Back

Earlier, we have reviewed the elements leading up to Healthcare Reform, and now is the time to recognize the first identifiable REACTIONS from the Health Insurance carriers.

Now having had some time to read the recent legislation ( I am not certain anyone in Congress did ) here are the modifications taking place as we speak. Also known as "Real changes that you can believe in," as they are already beginning to happen!

1) Companies are beginning to "pull" products that are less than comprehensive Major Medical, citing their 'non compliance' with the recently enacted legislation. Ironically, at least two mid-major player has already announced that they are pulling their entire Health Insurance, suggesting the 'non-complient product' to be an excuse more than an actual reason. Will they reemerge? Who knows. Another has announced a 50% REDUCTION in commissions. At the same time, World feels that the Hybrid plan design will survive, actually THRIVE! There will certainly be more in the days ahead. MESSAGE: Those of you using Major Hospital, Hospital Surgical and similar "base plans' may need to find a Major Med plan, and SOON! ( AND, call to discuss the Hybrid if you don't already have it! ) 

2) With the need to begin underwriting relatively soon while no longer being able to consider Pre-X conditions, and with uncertainty over whether or not agent commissions will be included as acquisition costs in the qualification towards the expanded "loss ratios" demanded in the recent legislation, look for agent commissions to soon drop significantly with all companies organizing an 'exit strategy' from the health insurance arena, and likely, to some extent,  across the board within 8 months.
2a) For those of you currently surviving upon "advanced commissions," several companies have announced reductions, and in some cases elimination of this agent support element. MESSAGE: Agents may no longer be "borrowing commissions" from a future not guaranteed to have any left! 

3)  In a 'best case scenario,' and one that is certainly not guaranteed, companies will have to deal with the additional "cost" associated with no longer being able to decline and exclude  for Pre-X medical conditions, which has been estimated to increase premiums by about 23% overnight! It is illogical to believe that these additional costs will be applied 100% into "new business," so the rate increase trends of the last decade will increase as well. The result will be a necessary rate increase to augment/offset the amounts saved by reducing ( eliminating in a worse case scenario, not likely but still possible! ) agent commissions. MESSAGE: Get ready for the largest single rate increase in individual  Major Medical history.

The "CHICKEN LITTLE, THE SKY IS FALLING" Negative Position : Premiums will soon explode on qualified Major Medical plans, and commissions will be sharply reduced or eliminated. Look for all plans other than Comprehensive Major Med to vanish. REACTION: Sell what you can while transitioning into your new careers, selling Life, CI, DI, or cars for GM ( Government Motors )

"CUP HALF FULL" Optimistic Position: Some Major players in the industry are saying that they feel that there will be little impact to commissions ( Time, AETNA, and others fit this description ) It is even possible that the Mid-term elections this year will swing the balance of power in Congress, where as simple majority is all that would be necessary to turn Healthcare Reform into an "unfunded initiative." Many states have lawsuits in play, with others joining weekly. REACTION: It's way too early to run away from Health Insurance sales, waving your arms like ET. Higher premiums could mean greater commissions.

So, regardless of the outcome, two facts have not changed:

1) Package selling, featuring HDHP's with quality supplements OR less comprehensive plans like World's Hybrid or ANTEX Gener.....OOPS, that one just left the building with Elvis.....coordinated with a quality supplement ( PIC is the best I have ever seen, period! ) is the best, most comprehensive coverage available for a reasonable total premium, and will remain so in the immediate future.

2) Regardless of how "healthcare reform" plays out, #1 above is likely to remain true for a long time to come.

Want information on the best available "components" left in the industry? Call TODAY!
BMC Agency, Inc. 800-357-2342

How To Prosper As A Health Insurance Agent

How would you like to make your practice BULLETPROOF to Obamacare?

Do you want to grow your Health Insurance business, regardless of Healthcare Reform?

Interested in getting a FOUR YEAR HEAD START over most of your competition?

Would you like to see a plan, ALREADY IN PLACE, that most agents will be 'spinning their wheels' for months, waiting for their company to create?

You NEED to read the FREE REPORT click here

How to Prosper As A Health Insurance Agent AFTER March 21, 2010 Click here

Please understand that while I agree with almost all of the messages coming from the health insurance distribution, it is for nearly polar opposite reasons. At BMC Agency, we are already preparing our agents to not only succeed, but to thrive over the years ahead! The message has not changed, and will not change, regardless of the ultimate position/condition of Healthcare Reform!

-- Mike Benke