Insurance Agent Forum

[James]

If people want to blame the perceptions of others as the real problem than one doesn't have a clue what is going on. I can easily sit here and suggest these people have a point. They pay taxes and had their wages taken with little choice that end up lining the pockets of corporations and health care carriers for years in the tune of billions, so why shouldn't they expect cheap health insurance? Is it them that screwed up the system? Is it them that came up with FICA and the way we fund medicare and medicaid? Was it them that sat in corporate offices and decided to use health care and now qualified savings accounts as a tool to entrap people within any employment arena? No it wasn't them that screwed it up but we all ended up paying for it. Till you fix that there really isn't a cure now is there?

[www.SimpleHealthQuote.com]

The only reason health care costs have gone up so much is because demand is high. There is no crisis it's simply that everyone wants the best care.

An easy way to curb demand is to take away the incentive for businesses to offer copay plans. People would be much less likely to abuse the system if they had to foot the bill for the first few thousand dollars before the deductible was met. They wouldn't go unless it was medically necessary and would shop to make sure they were getting reasonable prices. And they would tell their doctor / hospital that the insurance makes them pay the first dollar costs and hence ask for a better rate if they did need treatment.

It is times like these when Hillary and Obama politic their way into the white house and don't care about the better good that I HATE politics. Why are people so ready to trust the government to take care of them???

I get reminded how bad nationalized health care would be every time that I walk into the post office and the DMV.

[www.SimpleHealthQuote.com]

This guy seems to know what he is talking about.

http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1908

[somarco]

The only reason health care costs have gone up so much is because demand is high

If only it were that simple . . .

Demand is high, particularly because most consumers (84 - 86%) are covered by insurance and insulated from the full cost of care. When someone else pays, price is no object.

DTC advertising, particularly from pharma has helped to push the claim share for meds from 6 - 8% of claims paid (20 years ago) to 15 - 26% now. No one wants generics or older meds unless they are paying the tab.

Med mal is another issue. Consumers are at war with providers and lawsuits are a national pastime. The cost of defending against suits + med mal insurance rates are pushing the cost of health care (and insurance) even higher.

Over-utilization is out of control, particularly in rich benefit plans where the consumer pays $10 to see the doc and another $10 for Rx. Total cost to the carrier for the visit & Rx is $200+. Guess who pays?

Cost shifting by providers from those who cannot pay (uninsureds and under-insureds) and those who can but will not pay a fair price (Medicare, Medicaid) means those with insurance and the ability pay share a higher portion of the total cost.

Add in fraud and govt mandated benefits and you have another layer of cost that factors in the equation.

Fixing the cost of insurance is not so simple.

[www.SimpleHealthQuote.com]

Originally Posted by somarco

If only it were that simple . . .

Demand is high, particularly because most consumers (84 - 86%) are covered by insurance and insulated from the full cost of care. When someone else pays, price is no object.

DTC advertising, particularly from pharma has helped to push the claim share for meds from 6 - 8% of claims paid (20 years ago) to 15 - 26% now. No one wants generics or older meds unless they are paying the tab.

Med mal is another issue. Consumers are at war with providers and lawsuits are a national pastime. The cost of defending against suits + med mal insurance rates are pushing the cost of health care (and insurance) even higher.

Over-utilization is out of control, particularly in rich benefit plans where the consumer pays $10 to see the doc and another $10 for Rx. Total cost to the carrier for the visit & Rx is $200+. Guess who pays?

Cost shifting by providers from those who cannot pay (uninsureds and under-insureds) and those who can but will not pay a fair price (Medicare, Medicaid) means those with insurance and the ability pay share a higher portion of the total cost.

Add in fraud and govt mandated benefits and you have another layer of cost that factors in the equation.

Fixing the cost of insurance is not so simple.

All of that is true but if employers stopped offering benefit rich copay plans then:
1.) People would shop around.
2.) People wouldn't buy as much of the brand name drugs if they had to pay for them.
3.) There would be less lawsuits because utilization would go down.

So if you take away incentives to offer high benefit low deductible copay plans and take away the stupid government mandated benefits the problem of skyrocketing health care would be largely diminished.

[James]

Originally Posted by www.SimpleHealthQuote.com

All of that is true but if employers stopped offering benefit rich copay plans then:
1.) People would shop around.
2.) People wouldn't buy as much of the brand name drugs if they had to pay for them.
3.) There would be less lawsuits because utilization would go down.

So if you take away incentives to offer high benefit low deductible copay plans and take away the stupid government mandated benefits the problem of skyrocketing health care would be largely diminished.

Not really but you would force natural market pressures on prices which today is absent in the equation. The laws of supply and demand too work if all facets of control is there including pressures on prices. Not the complete fix but a good start if we could do that as a society.

[www.SimpleHealthQuote.com]

I guess you're right. It won't fix everything but it will definately help.

[Jdiddy]

Originally Posted by www.SimpleHealthQuote.com

I agree. People shouldn't be able to choose a MEGA or a United American Flex Gaurd plan as their lawfully required health coverage. In fact, those plans are so deceptive that they shouldn't be legal anyway except maybe as a supplement to other coverage.

hello, I am not out there knocking your health plans. Everyone here is married to the insurance industry in one form or another and should take great pride in their products, but to say that my products are junk and should be illegal is just ridiculous. They were constructed to appeal to a specific market and that is what they do. Hmmmm..... 60 years in the buis and now we are junk...... lol; cute. I am not trying to spark up controversy but when you attack me and my livelihood it instigates unhealthy responses. Thank you for your wondrous insight into legalities since you seem to know what the definition of libel is and seem to ignore it any way.

Justin

[STIBROKER@AUSTIN.RR.COM]

Originally Posted by Jdiddy

They were constructed to appeal to a specific market and that is what they do. Hmmmm..... 60 years in the buis and now we are junk......Justin

YEA....about maybe 5% OF THE MARKET....and of that I would still look hard at the risk pool....and I have a funny feeling you are talking about the co and not you being in biz for 60 years....

Originally Posted by Jdiddy

but when you attack me and my livelihood it instigates unhealthy responses. Thank you for your wondrous insight into legalities since you seem to know what the definition of libel is and seem to ignore it any way.
Justin

Well if you feel that we are attacking you come back with some facts that justify your livelihood.....or you might want to think about taking your livelihood in another direction.....

[healthagent]

Originally Posted by Jdiddy

hello, I am not out there knocking your health plans. Everyone here is married to the insurance industry in one form or another and should take great pride in their products, but to say that my products are junk and should be illegal is just ridiculous. They were constructed to appeal to a specific market and that is what they do. Hmmmm..... 60 years in the buis and now we are junk...... lol; cute. I am not trying to spark up controversy but when you attack me and my livelihood it instigates unhealthy responses. Thank you for your wondrous insight into legalities since you seem to know what the definition of libel is and seem to ignore it any way.

Justin

I've found that almost without exception any company that doesn't post rates and plan details online has something to hide. If they don't have anything to hide why not allow clients to chance to review the research the plans and rates before meeting with you?

Celtic, Assurant, Aetna, Blue Cross, Golden Rule, etc...all posts everything online so the client can reseach. Mega Life and United American don't. Wonder why?

[Jdiddy]

I am not sure that I find it a necessity to get into a pissing match. I just find it interesting that one should attack me, and I mean me as a representative of my company for which I am proud of, with no basis. If I run across someone that is looking for a more comprehensive plan I refer them to some of your carriers that you represent. Like I said prior we all have our niche in the market and knowing that and finding the person that the product suits is the objective. To put someone into a plan that is not suited for their needs is not what I am about and suffice it to say is not what United American is about as a whole. There is a large market of people that are looking for a basic hospital plan in which our "flexguard" meets all their expectations and needs. Not everyone wants what you want them to and that is why there is such a diversity of plans out there.

Justin

[healthagent]

Listen, don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. I worked for Mega for months and I know the drill - which applies to UA.

The market is people want good comprehensive coverage. You create your own market by bad-mouthing those plans and talking people out of them. If you referred everyone out who was looking for comprehensive coverage your closing percentage would be 5%.

You're not in your UA crowd when you're on this board. You're here talking to health insurance experts and we know the drill. Fool yourself all you want but you make a living ramming products up people's asses that most simply don't want.

Stop trying to bullshit bullshitters. You can choose to schedule appointments with unsuspecting people then hard-close 'em for a living then be my guest. Just don't expect us to buy the crap.

[Jdiddy]

Lol, john no need to get all upset and lash out. I think you just called yourself a bullshitter. If you don't want me on your insurance forum then just say so, but I have not said one thing derogatory to you or your forum. I found it rather informative and I like what you guys have to say, other than being attacked. Hey this is your website and you are allowed to do with it as you see fit. I am sorry to have inconvenienced you guys and I wish you all the best of luck. I will satisfy your needs and just read your posts, rather than be interactive, since I am not an "expert". I wish you well and good luck.

Justin

[healthagent]

No problem and obviously we can be a bit brutal. I think you'll see that most of us don't like the concept of captive companies offering limited products going on in-person presentations where the client doesn't get a chance to research or even have time to think it over after the presentation. If you enjoy that then fine.

[STIBROKER@AUSTIN.RR.COM]

Originally Posted by Jdiddy

L I am sorry to have inconvenienced you guys and I wish you all the best of luck. I will satisfy your needs and just read your posts, rather than be interactive, since I am not an "expert". I wish you well and good luck. Justin

welcome to insurance 101.....now this is stright from UA' site.....now if you will note that UNITED AMERICAN STATES.....These plans are designed to supplement current health coverage.....how many people were you able to talk into buying your plans to supplement their current plan.....we both know that this is not happening...then there is the "serve as basic coverage where cost or availability is an issue." you find people that are on old plans that have been on the books for years and the agent has long left....you show a perm. half of what they are paying and say the health insurance industry has gone nuts and this is the best deal out there and has been for 60 years when in reality they can get full major medical at current street rates but you are not telling them this because you will lose the sale and your bills will not get paid.......so if you find yourself doing this do the public a favor and go sell used cars........

http://www.unitedamerican.com/health.asp

Supplemental Health Insurance Policies

United American offers a variety of Hospital and Surgical expense plans for individuals and families. These plans are designed to supplement current health coverage or serve as basic coverage where cost or availability is an issue.
Some of our most popular limited benefit plans include:

FLEXguard Hospital & Surgical
> Issue ages 0-63
> Coverage for individuals or families
> Choice of three benefit levels: $50,000, $75,000, or $100,000.
> Choice of additional benefits: Additional physician charges, critical illness (including cancer), or accident benefit

Good Sense Plan Hospital & Surgical (GSP)
> Issue ages 0-63
> Choice of daily hospital room benefit, intensive care and outpatient hospital expense
> Choice of surgical expense benefit
> Miscellaneous hospital expense benefit of up to $25,000
> Miscellaneous surgical expense benefit of up to $7,500

HealthGuard Critical Illness (CILS)
> Issue ages 18-64
> Choose a Lump Sum Benefit Amount: $10,000; $20,000; $30,000; $40,000 or $50,000. (Benefit amount will reduce by 50% at age 65)
> Guaranteed Renewable to age 80
> First diagnosis coverage – policy terminates upon payment of benefit
> Pays in addition to any other life, major medical or hospital coverage
> Individual or spouse coverage available
> No Pre-Certification requirements

Cash Benefit Cancer Plan
> Issue ages 0-69
> Choose a Lump Sum Benefit Amount: $10,000; $20,000; $30,000; $40,000 or $50,000. (Benefit amount will reduce by 50% at age 65)
> First diagnosis coverage – policy terminates upon payment of benefit
> No physical exam, just a few health questions determine eligiblity

HSXC Hospital & Surgical
> Issue ages 0-63
> Choice of daily hospital room benefit
> Miscellaneous hospital expense benefit of up to $7,500
> Additional benefits for intensive care, surgery, assistant surgeon and more

SHXC Hospital & Surgical
> Issue ages 0-63
> Choice of daily room benefit
> Includes intensive care benefit, surgical benefit and miscellaneous hospital expense benefit

MMXC Hospital & Surgical
> Issued at all ages (not available if enrolled in Medicare)
> Choice of daily room benefit
> Provides hospital room benefits for as long as two years
> Miscellaneous hospital expense benefits up to 20 times daily room benefit
> Additional benefits for intensive care, surgical expense, assistant surgeon and more

UA-250 Accident Compensation Plan
> Issue ages 0-63
> Pays benefits for accidental injury
> Choice of lump sum payment or hospital cash benefit


All United American policies are guaranteed renewable, which means y