Insurance Agent Forum

[liquidblue33]

So Coventry has completed the acquisition of Vista here in Florida. They do have an e app. www.chcflorida.com. Any thoughts or opinions? Is it worth getting appointed with them?

[somarco]

Can't speak for FL but can tell you what they have done in GA. I doubt you will find much variation from state to state.

They came here 1.5 yrs ago and hit the ground running. They targeted Blue as their competition and introduced Blue look alikes at rates 30% or so below Blue. They even hired a bunch of folks away from Blue which means the problems at Blue followed over to Coventry.

They still have kick butt rates out of the shoot but now they put them through the meat grinder in underwriting.

Initially they were approving anyone who could fog a mirror. About 90 days later they started to get religion and were declining or rating up for hangnails.

They finally gave their rates to Norvax about 6 months ago and Quotit 2 months ago.

They are still not on eHealth.

They are supposed to roll out an e-app any day now.

Underwriting sucks.

Customer service sucks.

I stopped using them a year ago. Even though they are still competitive (pre-underwriting) putting up with their service issues wasn't worth the hassle.

[jbage007]

[quote=somarco;112448]Can't speak for FL but can tell you what they have done in GA. I doubt you will find much variation from state to state.

. . . .

They still have kick butt rates out of the shoot but now they put them through the meat grinder in underwriting.

[quote]

Ummm, actually it's a chute.

[healthagent]

They hit MD with indie plans just over 2 years ago. Initially it was accept/reject with 20% comp - no online apps.

With apparently next to no business coming in they just reached out to the agent community by reducing the comp - still no online apps.

I'll check in with them to see how that's going in a few months.

[somarco]

actually it's a chute.

Well shoot!

Guess I should wait until the caffeine kicks in before responding.

[healthagent]

I'm not allowed to start typing until my 3rd cup

[somarco]

next to no business coming in

AFAIK they are writing a fair amount here, even with paper apps. There are a couple of agency's that blanket the newspaper every week with ads and they are writing quite a bit of business.

Coventry subsidizes those ads and pays them a nice commission for the business. The agency's quote, take apps, move on. If the client takes the offer, great. If not, no big deal. They will turn in another 30 apps that day to cover the loss.

In the meanwhile Coventry has had 100%+ turnover in underwriters in the last 18 months or so. Billing is staffed by morons.

Renewal's haven't been bad . . . around 18% but they introduced a new line in August. That will allow them to ramp up renewal increases on the first block.

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Next up for Florida: Cigna. Wonder if it'll be called "CignaOne"?

[somarco]

Next up for Florida: Cigna. Wonder if it'll be called "CignaOne"?

When Obama-care comes out it will simply be . . . "The One"

Or possibly, That One.

[Peelerinsurance.com]

Geez... Coventry sounds just like CIGNA here in Texas....Cigna has become a joke... Im sorry... A BIG FING JOKE!!! Rates changed in underwriting with no rhyme or reason, then a flunkey calling to tell them they raised rates and will now order MR and try and talk the client OUT of the policy. In agent support they lie lie lie and will not give a str8 answer,

You just never know where a case is at with these people. Underwriting is WORSE than a meat grinder.
Arragont attutide toward agent and client.
I got into a verbal fight with 3 of their underwriters so far.
Rates not on NORVAX, so you log on and run the rate which is nothing short of an arse beating.. then if you are gonna send out info u have the Norvax file and then the Cigna file... just a joke

I could go on but why, i just decided to move on and forget them for a bit.

ALSO***** Right after my surgery they had a user agreement that had to be "Signed" to contuine logging into their site to run rates and see your business... it said... and I quote......"it is cond. of use that U do not post ...threating, abusive,..defamatory of any kind.. or post any harrasing or deliberately offensive comments... U also agree that Cigna, at its sole decreation determins wheather u transmitted any of this....

OK, so now I have violated my contract... come and get me

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Originally Posted by liquidblue33

So Coventry has completed the acquisition of Vista here in Florida.

Any thoughts or opinions? Is it worth getting appointed with them?

Coventry actually completed their acquisition of Vista Healthplans some time back, they've just been slow getting this rolled out.

I've taken some time to break their product down...

Network is large here in Florida, one of the better ones. Lots of good quality par providers.

Pricing is average. Nothing special, but not awful either. Clearly not as competitive, premium-wise, as H1 for most risks (in most markets).

Product design is fine - everything that should be in there is. "Contract" year deductible vs. calendar.

Comp is quite average. They do have some sort of a bonus going on with their roll-out. As earned (20% fy, 5% renewal on original premium) available on a direct contract (advances available after 75 apps placed), or thru an FMO/IMO with whatever deal they offer. Comp paid on entire premium, not just base.

When they called me about their Q3(?) '08 rollout at the beginning of the year, my fear was that it would be just another "me too product".

That's just what it is.

Not a bad product to have in the bag of tricks, but certainly not something you can't live without either.

Somarco's got me nervous about the underwriting and back-office...