What difference does it make if they are paying claims or not?
If the product is not properly filed with the state DOI (which it is not), and all attempts to track it back to a carrier or real business address, why would you want to sell it?
I'm not defending the plan, I hardly know anything about it. From what I have seen of it and the brochure, they are making it very clear what it is and what it is not. Since I operate in a state with virtually NO options for the uninsurable, I am at least keeping an open mind.
------------------------------------ You can do this if you try................Ronnie VanZant
There are tons of agents in Fla and Ga who are listed on the AIM site, under "locate an agent". Call them up, see if they do sell it, and how well the claims are paid.
I've had a couple of issues regarding claims with the AIM plans. One dealt with some services rendered outside of the country, another dealt with a colonscopy not being covered, which, if I remember correctly, had been a pre-existing condition.
The AIM plans are underwritten by American Medical & Life Insurance Co. In the states that AMLI holds no certificate of authority, Guarantee Trust Life is the carrier. I received this information firsthand from AMLI. Both carriers are rated B+ by AM Best. There are four states in which the plans are not available, which are (and I need to reconfirm this) NJ, VT, WA, and MA.
The reason the carriers are never listed is because the AIM plans are handled through a third party administrator. Is it confusing doing things that way? Perhaps. Does it raise some red flags? I'd say, at first glance...yes. But after working with these guys for some time now, it's a legitimate, solid operation that provides one of the richest mini-meds in the country.
This plan will honor a Certificate of Creditable Coverage, as well as issue one upon leaving the plan. As a broker, if in doubt as to whether a certificate would be honored, you would have to go to the carrier. The best place to start would be by calling your state's high risk pool, if there is one and ask them if they would honor it.
Look, no one wants to sell these types of plans. In an ideal world, we'd all sell major medical, no one would ever be turned down for pre-existing conditions, claims would always be paid in a timely matter (keep in mind it's not just mini-meds that have claims issues), and my health insurance would cover my gym membership. But that isn't how it is.
I exhaust ALL options (see the Guaranteed Issue FAQ on our website) before I sell AIM, and that includes major med, state high-risk pools (if one exists), group health, COBRA (if available), HIPAA, conversion plans, and inquiring if the potential client is a business owner with two or more employees. A lot of the time, when one or more of these options ARE available, the cost is just too high for them.
By the way, if you do still have a hang-up selling these types of plans, the disclaimer signature/sign-off form is a great idea - just for your own peace of mind. Hopefully, however the insured will be well aware of the limitations of these types of plans before they purchase.
Look, no one wants to sell these types of plans. In an ideal world, we'd all sell major medical, no one would ever be turned down for pre-existing conditions,
This is not my ideal world. I do not want everyone to be accepted, that model is a complete failure.
Take a state like Texas that has a great High Risk Pool and you wonder why a person would not just go there if eligible and have real coverage?
Maybe there is a market in non risk pool states. Some states still have not created a pool, they do not "get it" and it is not politically correct to segregate the unhealthy.
This is not my ideal world. I do not want everyone to be accepted, that model is a complete failure.
Take a state like Texas that has a great High Risk Pool and you wonder why a person would not just go there if eligible and have real coverage?
Maybe there is a market in non risk pool states. Some states still have not created a pool, they do not "get it" and it is not politically correct to segregate the unhealthy.
I suppose I mean, in an ideal world, there would not be people without major medical health insurance. There is, however, a market in risk pool states AND non-risk pool stated.
In California, there is a four month wait to get on the state's plan, and Arizona has no plan at all - only a low income plan (and I mean LOW INCOME). I don't know what the wait is like in TX for the pool, but if it was 4-6 months and you could get your client on a mini-med that would offer continuation of coverage until the state plan kicked in, would you still not sell it?
Association For Independent Managers, Inc.
1384-54th Ave Ne
Saint Petersburg Fl 33703
I pulled this up on Google maps and it looks like a residential house. I'm looking for their corporate address.
Actually, the address you gave me is Jack Winebrenner's house who created AIM. Again - not looking for Jack's house - although it looks nice - I'm looking for their corporate office.
------------------------------------ Health Insurance Agents: Training, Support, Discounts, E&O for $440 www.ihiaa.com
Last edited by healthagent : 08-12-2008 at 07:01 AM.
I pulled this up on Google maps and it looks like a residential house. I'm looking for their corporate address.
Actually, the address you gave me is Jack Winebrenner's house who created AIM. Again - not looking for Jack's house - although it looks nice - I'm looking for their corporate office.
As I recall (could be a little fuzzy, it was about two years ago) when I chased down the marketing entity IRG - Insurance Resource Group, it was a guy working out of his house with a cell phone in
Valhalla NY.
Dishes clanging, kids yelling, dog barking.
------------------------------------ Don't steal - the government hates competition.
If I'm going to recommend or sell any type of mini med I'm looking for an established corporation complete with officers of the company and a customer service department since obviously policy holders will need to be walked through their benefits and helped out to ensure network repricing and to receive the benefits stated.
I don't know how many times I've asked and have yet to receive their corporate address.....as in the building where all the employees show up to work every day.
I don't know how many times I've asked and have yet to receive their corporate address.....as in the building where all the employees show up to work every day.
That would lead you to believe that they don't have one?
Not going to argue with you on that front - it's $159 to $220 for an individual and gives basic benefits - it's available in my opinion when everything else has been exhausted.
They do not claim to be creditable coverage, they do not advance commissions, the schedule of benefits is written in plain English on their site and it's a legitimate corporation.
I will say they are working on something that will make this more attractive but it's up to them to announce it when it's established.
but if it was 4-6 months and you could get your client on a mini-med that would offer continuation of coverage until the state plan kicked in, would you still not sell it?
I do not believe Texas ever had a wait, we do things rather efficient here. It is amazing that people would be angry at agents and carriers when it is the legislators with their head up their $##@!. How could you have a 4 to 6 month wait on a government pool? How is this acceptable?
People need to be angry with the people they are electing not the private business trying to make a profit.
A risk pool is really a simple concept and pretty easy if you cut through the red tape. I still think a national pool is a great idea to explore - but this might be against the law right now.
Re: AIM Guaranteed Issue Insurance
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