Wellpoint looked at using MIB years ago and what they found was there was not a lot of useful information to be obtained.
I find it very rare that Health companies use MIB because the information is not consistent - no one is required to report to MIB. MIB is also a two way street you have to notify them I believe when you pull data, and I also believe you have to provide a MIB report at the clients request.
A private agent who apparently took it upon himself to fill out the application for this client (supposedly).
I have never filled out an app for a client. With online apps, I will start them based on a faxed, written app from the client, but they are required to review, finish & submit.
Some carriers prohibit agents from completing the app.
Agents who complete an app for a client are playing with fire.
When something is mandated you don't need brokers.
That's odd. As I understand, something like 45 states mandate auto coverage. I believe there are auto agents still in the biz in those states.
rare that Health companies use MIB
In my area, used by Aetna, Time, Golden Rule, Humana & World. Blue relies on their internal database as does KP.
MIB is not comprehensive but is useful to pick up things like major health issues, prior declines & rate ups (like for tobacco).
Although it's true that auto agents are all over the place it's also true that in GI states it's near impossible to make a living as an independent health agent.
I get $100 flat for selling MD's GI plan.
------------------------------------ Health Insurance Agents: Training, Support, Discounts, E&O for $440 www.ihiaa.com
4 states have GI. Only one (MA) has mandated coverage.
Of course the problem in MA is affordability. When you mandate coverage and require carriers to take all comers you have a recipe for disaster.
For some reason, health insurance is unique in requiring carriers to issue guarantee issue plans.
What if auto were the same way? No one would buy auto coverage until AFTER the accident.
Mandated coverage is not the culprit. It is all the other idiotic rules that go along with it like community rating, guaranteed issue, coverage for pre-ex.
Mandating coverage without allowing for affordability issues is a problem. MA originally wanted full coverage with low deductibles & OOP for less than $200.
Of course the carriers laughed at them.
Eventually the state capitulated and allowed for limited benefit plans but still the overall plan is in the tank.
Free market is the only thing that works. Requiring coverage would certainly help. About a third of those who are considered uninsured qualify for taxpayer funded plans such as Medicaid but fail to sign up.
Guess you can't do anything about stupidity.
Another third earn in xs of $50k but simply opt out.
At least some states allow agent comp for selling risk pool or HIPAA conversion plans. There is no such provision here. I would gladly take $100 for selling a state GI plan. Beats a sharp poke in the eye.
Agree - it's the GI part that trashes commissions. If we get national mandated coverage and it's GI we're looking for other work.
Apparently carriers have little use for agents when no underwriting is involved. If Obama or any other candidate really did get mandated GI coverage off the ground what we'd find is there would be three 800 pound gorilla's left standing when the dust settled.
Take your pick - these would be mine:
UHC
Blue's
Aetna
We'd see a lot of buy-outs and mergers as smaller carriers got scooped up. Brokers would absolutely be out of the loop.
Selling MHIP gives me a look into why carriers don't pay commish. MHIP is unbelievable affordable and "come one come all" if you have ANY pre-ex condition.
Go tell a 40 year old diabetic they can get comprehensive coverage for $160 a month. I normally have the app faxed back to me within the day - maybe 2. There's just no work involved at all. None. THEY pester ME:
"John, I'm just making sure you got my MHIP application? Did you get it? I tried to call and got your voice mail? Please call me. Here - let me give you 4 alternate numbers so you can reach me. When will my plan start? Did you get my app? Please get back to me!!!!"
When there's no selling, no underwriting, no anything involved what exactly am I getting paid for? Just to let them know it exists?
Ohio has a near-GI product (Open Enrollment). Rates are double the norm with less coverage. I never write it. Oh. I forgot one thing. There's no commishh paid, not that it would influence anything...
Got this lead through my site this morning - just called her. Divorce - hubby's dropping her and he has depression but looking to increase or change her meds - not currently working for her.
Insurable? Hell no. Just got off the phone with her and we went to the MHIP website - she's $246 for a $1,000 deductible PPO plan. While on the phone she downloaded and started filling out the app - said she'd have it over to me within the hour. Well, that was 10 minutes of work:
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
juliet@in********* on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 07:56:10
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Almost 95% of all people to request a quote through my site want dental/vision. I hate selling those crap dental discount plans but I will at least explain them.
I've use three of 'em so I know how they actually work. When my wife comes home screaming at me after trying to use these shitty products I know not to recommend them to my clients.
Interesting to note that she submitted a quote through my site from a flyer she had at her business months ago that she kept. She owns some type of golf range and offered me free lessons. I passed - I'm golf-challenged.
Thanks for the insight Dave. Based on your information, I decided to run with it (above). Don't suppose you have links to other sources that flesh this out.
Mortgage companies no longer did any checking at all. Brokers or clients simply filled out applications and the mortgage was approved just based on the app.
No credit history is pulled, no employment verification - nothing. Now you have a mortgage and start making payments. If you make payments on time everything's honky dory.
However, upon missing your first payment you go into "mortgage review." THEN they pull your credit and start asking for stips. If they find any problems with the app you're evicted.
Mortgage companies no longer did any checking at all. Brokers or clients simply filled out applications and the mortgage was approved just based on the app.
No credit history is pulled, no employment verification - nothing. Now you have a mortgage and start making payments. If you make payments on time everything's honky dory.
However, upon missing your first payment you go into "mortgage review." THEN they pull your credit and start asking for stips. If they find any problems with the app you're evicted.
I disagree. It's why uneducated agents shouldn't fill out apps. I do all my apps for my clients - I do a much better job then they could. When I fill out an app for my clients claims review is discussed and in the front of my mind. I fill out apps for my clients with the same diligence as when I did the app for my family.
To each their own, I guess. I find people read a lot better than they listen. I would be hoarse after doing one application having to read all of that stuff out loud.
In my view, I don't believe any applicant actually hears all of this times 20 different questions:
"Heart/Circulatory - such as chest pain, angina, high or low blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, heart murmer, palpitations, valve replacement, pacemaker, defibrillator; or blood clot, phlebitis, varicose veins, enlarged lymph nodes, blood/bleeding disorder, anemia, rheumatic fever, Raynauds".
That is just one question on my CA Blue Cross application - there are about 19 other questions just like it and just as detailed. Maybe you have simpler apps in MD, but no way I trust someone to pay full attention and sit through the 20 mins it would take for me to ask all of the things on the application.
And, all you gotta do is miss one--"Raynauds, I thought the agent said Rayguns, we thought he was being funny".
This would be a reason I fill out the app. They zone out after reading the 60th condition.
Although I do ask about specific conditions I also ask questions like "how many times in the past year did you seek any type of medical attention - even for a cold."
Then I go back year after year. I'll also ask questions that aren't on the app - like chiropractic or psychological visits.
But what I can do better than any client is being thorough. You think a client's gonna write this about HBP?
"Diagnosed during a routine physical in 2005 with initial readings of 142/95 and placed on 10mgs of Cardizem taken once daily. Last readings were January of 2008 with 118/85. Stable on medication, no ER trips or hospitalizations, no recommended changes in medication or dosage."
Some carriers, notably BX & KP, tell the agent they are not allowed to complete the app.
Online apps with GR, Humana, Aetna have to be at least completed & submitted by the applicant.
My clients are told to complete an app & fax to me for review & prescreen BEFORE submitting to HO. With GR I can go in & view the app before submission (and I do quite often).
Re: HealthNet
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