Any Experience with Health Choice USA?

Larryinpa · 01-08-2009, 02:42 PM

Is anyone familiar with this company? Is it worhwhile for new agents or just agents with experience? Or, not a good vehicle for anyone, LOL?

Larry

CPACINS · 01-08-2009, 03:03 PM

Do you mean Health Choice One?

moonlightandmargaritas · 01-08-2009, 03:09 PM

Never heard of "Health Choice USA". Is it an agency? Do they have a website?

Larryinpa · 01-08-2009, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by moonlightandmargaritas

Never heard of "Health Choice USA". Is it an agency? Do they have a website?

Yes. healthchoiceusa.com

Larry

magagent · 01-08-2009, 03:55 PM

It does not look to bad, just make sure you ask the right questions before you sign anything. Find out what commission schedule you will come in at, anything less than .20% is an insult and waste of your time. Make sure you get in writing that they will release you if this does not work out for either parties. If they will not move on! Ask how much are the leads if you plan on purchasing them. "Discounted leads" does not tell very much.

It does say you are contracted directly with insurance companies and vested from day one so that is very good.

somarco · 01-08-2009, 03:59 PM

What was the hook?

The ability to earn $300,000 from home or the $10,000 challenge?

I notice they still promote the AHCO maternity card. Apparently they don't care that AHCO has been sued by the AG in several states and had to change their name in order to continue ripping people off.

Yeah, these folks look like a class act . . .

Expat · 01-08-2009, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by somarco

What was the hook?

The ability to earn $300,000 from home or the $10,000 challenge?

I notice they still promote the AHCO maternity card. Apparently they don't care that AHCO has been sued by the AG in several states and had to change their name in order to continue ripping people off.

Yeah, these folks look like a class act . . .

Sour grapes. You are just pissed off because you aren't making $300,000 per year by sitting in your office with your feet on the desk.

moonlightandmargaritas · 01-08-2009, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by somarco

Yeah, these folks look like a class act . . .

Yeah but come on somerco - they work with the top 1% of independent health insurance producers!

Most of the ones I know use direct contracts.

somarco · 01-08-2009, 04:22 PM

You are just pissed off because you aren't making $300,000 per year by sitting in your office with your feet on the desk.

Keep it up, Limey.

I'll show you where I can put my foot.

armydad · 01-10-2009, 01:58 PM

Hey Larry, I asked that same question a couple of weeks ago in the individual health section. Do you live close to Indianapolis? I moved to Indiana a few months ago from MO. I have seen their ad on craigslist & even talked with them. I think I'd rather sell fe. The guy did seem sincere.

Speaking of craigslist, there was an ad on there this week for agents to sell life & annunities at a call center. Said it would pay $1,000 a week plus comm. My wife quoted the old phase, "if it sounds too good to be true"

Larryinpa · 01-11-2009, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by armydad

Hey Larry, I asked that same question a couple of weeks ago in the individual health section. Do you live close to Indianapolis? I moved to Indiana a few months ago from MO. I have seen their ad on craigslist & even talked with them. I think I'd rather sell fe. The guy did seem sincere.

Speaking of craigslist, there was an ad on there this week for agents to sell life & annunities at a call center. Said it would pay $1,000 a week plus comm. My wife quoted the old phase, "if it sounds too good to be true"

Nope. I lve in Bucks County, about 40 miles north of Philly.

armydad · 01-12-2009, 10:09 AM

The flag under your name, kind of looks like Indiana's state flag. They are pretty small, makes it hard to read. Plus, Health choice usa is located in downtown Indy. Are you still talking with them?

Larryinpa · 01-12-2009, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by armydad

The flag under your name, kind of looks like Indiana's state flag. They are pretty small, makes it hard to read. Plus, Health choice usa is located in downtown Indy. Are you still talking with them?

I'm not talking to them yet; still doing research. As a newbie, I first need to figure out:

What products to sell/markets to serve
If I can make the kind of money I need to make (i'm currently a six figure earner in my current industry)
How I can scale the business

Then I can figure out who to work through...

Ron Van D · 01-12-2009, 11:29 AM

I just went through their powerpoint and noticed the earning potential. Is it odd that they show the producer writing $98,000 in advanced commissions and only increasing renewal commissions by $300 from year 2 to 3? It seems it would be more than that.

armydad · 01-13-2009, 09:43 AM

Larry, what industry are you in now, if you don't mind me asking? Why are you thinking about switching?

Ron, other than the renewal commissisons, what did you think?

SportsNut · 01-13-2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Ron Van D

I just went through their powerpoint and noticed the earning potential. Is it odd that they show the producer writing $98,000 in advanced commissions and only increasing renewal commissions by $300 from year 2 to 3? It seems it would be more than that.

Indicates a lot of re-writes to another company. It could also indicate poor retention, but woudln't happen in real life... :->

Larryinpa · 01-13-2009, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by armydad

Larry, what industry are you in now, if you don't mind me asking? Why are you thinking about switching?

Ron, other than the renewal commissisons, what did you think?

I'm in the computer industry - software sales. I make a fine living by most accounts. The reason why I'm considering a switch is:

I'm burnt out on the industry. been at it for 20 years - time for a change
Too much travel. The older I get, the more I hate plane and overnight travel. I'm tired of it
Asshole bosses
I started researching the insurance industry a couple of years ago and really like it

How's that for reasons? I won't switch completely overnight; too many bills (and alimony) to pay. But I'm getting licensed this quarter and will go from there.

armydad · 01-15-2009, 10:21 AM

Those are some pretty good reasons. It sounds like you won't miss your bosses when you leave. Good luck!

Larryinpa · 01-15-2009, 10:35 AM

Thanks! It should be interesting; getting licensed, determing my market focus and getting ramped up before I pull the plug on this. I wish I can start off full time, but my time is very flexible since I work from home anyway.

Larry

indyagentone · 01-16-2009, 06:17 PM

Wow, I am suprised at the response regarding Health Choice USA.

As an agent with them and have been for close to a year now, and they have recently changed their name to Access Health America.

I can answer all of your questions:

1) Its a good vehicle for any agent. Although the top guy will tell you that if you have little experience its a steep learning curve and that in fact you may be better with a local agency that can help you more directly.

2) I don't know any agent that is on 20%. Most are higher. FYI mine is 28%

3) You do not have to purchase leads through them, they do however offer a few discounted programs. My Netquote leads we $7 a lead, through them I pay $5.

4) Vesting is from day 1 and you are paid directly from the carrier.

5) I know personally of his top agents. Yes they make that amount of money. In fact their best producer is a 23 year old female. I saw her commission statement. Yes its possible.

6) I am a local agent and got started with their program. They paid me $1,000 per month, not per week. W2 for 3 months then 100% commission 1099

7) We don't sell any GR.

8) Yes we are in downtown indy. Nice office's actually.

9) Their top guy told me renewals in health insurance was largely non existent. He told me the business is fuelled by new business, and so far he is right. Most of his agents are making money from new business sales.

I know there are a lot of agencies out there, all offering similar types of deal, but this guy told me straight, exactly how it was and so far so good.
What inspires me about this guy is that he treats his agents with respect. Those that are local go to BW3 on friday afternoon. He picks up the entire tab. Which is nice for us locals.

What was strange was his mantra of "Larry Winget". He makes all his agents read his books, we all love it, and would not be anywhere else.

Yes, he is a grumpy old English git sometimes, but he really does help his agents, and I have yet to see anyone be negative of his approach.