Insurance Agent Forum

[somarco]

I will be attending a meeting for the Humana Broker Council on Wednesday and have been asked to provide feedback on what they do right and where improvement can be made. They want us to focus on

1-Underwriting

2-Billing

3-General product design

Suggestions appreciated.

[moonlightandmargaritas]

It's not on the list -- naturally -- but they could speed up their comp. Way too slow.

[healthagent]

I don't write with 'em but the issues I've heard are

Slow comp
Slow comp
Slow comp
And....
Slow comp

[patch36]

I get paid direct and it seems like I have a deposit every couple weeks. Some companies pay almost instantly upon issue, but I have no problem with the frequency. It seems like it is like the 10th and 25th of each month according to my online statement.

To those who don't know, you can request to be paid direct even if you are with a FMO. It is a form and a direct deposit request and in a couple weeks the checks start going to the bank direct from Humana.

[somarco]

I get paid twice a month like clock work. It was a little slow at first but seems to be running smoothly now.

They don't pay until the offer is accepted and the policy is issued.

Now if you want to talk about slow, let me introduce you to Aetna, BX, KP . . .

[bill3173]

Originally Posted by somarco

I will be attending a meeting for the Humana Broker Council on Wednesday and have been asked to provide feedback on what they do right and where improvement can be made. They want us to focus on

1-Underwriting

2-Billing

3-General product design

Suggestions appreciated.

1. HBP rate up is too high and out of line with other carriers for similar cases. They need to loosen up on the ht and wt requirements and their rate ups on this are also too high and out of line.

2. No problems

3. They need to add a $5K deductible to the Monogram Plus RX product.

[chp]

1. Agreed, HBP rate up is too high.

2. No problems

3. In addition, they need a 5K deductible on the Portrait Share Plus RX unlimited plans. This is huge. They lose a lot of business from me, when a family wants a traditional plan and all I can get them is a 2500 deductible.

I hear that they are going to redo their entire website, which will be nice. Also, would be nice if they would ADVANCE, or speed up their pay!!

Other than that, I like working with them, and they are priced right in my area (SC). chp

[somarco]

They recently changed their rating criteria and now rate according to the price of the med. Early on my BP clients usually got a 10% rate up. Now it seems like they are hitting them 39% unless they are on generic meds.

This is something I planned on addressing. Appreciate the feedback.

The Autograph has a $5k & $6k deductible with copays. I rarely sell copay plans, but why not use Autograph for the higher deductible?

[bill3173]

Originally Posted by somarco

The Autograph has a $5k & $6k deductible with copays. I rarely sell copay plans, but why not use Autograph for the higher deductible?

The Monograph plan seems to strike a chord with the clients that have reviewed their plans with me, but a lower deductible on the Autograph, with the 100% coinsurance would be a good offering. If you can influence them to make this change, I would consider it a personal favor, particularly since you compared me to Golddoor on a different thread. I had no clue as to who you were talking about since that was before my time. I read some of the archived posts, and that was a spooky insult. I mean really...

[mcleanbr]

1. Nothing
2. Billing has been good.
3. I would also like more options for the Monogram plan. They should have options to select up to $5K or even $10k. The office visit limit is not a good option

I would like to see commissions level or less of a drop in the subsequent years. An advance option would be nice too.

Thanks for the help,

Bruce

[somarco]

I have had client issues with the initial billing. Unless it has changed and I am not aware of it, they send out a bill before the policy is issued.

The first bill is for the full premium and does not reflect the money paid with app. Then a few weeks later they send a corrected bill.

Will mention other deductible options on Monogram.

Just curious. How many clients have you had that exceeded the 6 visit limit? You do realize later visits are at the negotiated rate, typically $50 - $60 and apply toward the deductible, right? Or if they have met their deductible they only pay 20% of the negotiated rate.

When talking with prospective clients, I ask how many times they go to the doc. Usually the response is 2 -3x per year.

If they tell me a dozen times they are probably not going to pass underwriting.

lower deductible on the Autograph, with the 100% coinsurance would be a good

May I suggest the new Coventry plans. They have 100% after the deductible.

[somarco]

Just a quick update on the broker council meeting. Some of the following changes are happening right now while others will roll out on a state by state basis.

New, shorter app with 17 questions. The online version will be less repetitive and more intuitive.

The shorter app will eventually (target 1st Q 2009) allow a significant number of apps to be auto-issued without underwriter involvement. Clean apps will be cross-checked against MIB and Intelliscripts. If there are no hits the app will be approved and issued.

Effective 8/1/08 they are changing from Ingenix to Intelliscripts for tracking Rx history.

They are in the process of hiring an internal medical director.

Some things on the drawing board . . .

Online, immediate access to enrollment cards. Clients will have the option of downloading the fulfillment package as well rather than waiting 2+ weeks for the policy.

Easier bill pay options including the ability to draft a credit card beyond the first months premium.

Possible expansion of ancillary product lines in addition to the current life & dental. The current dental plan may be replaced or enhanced with a network dental option. Also under consideration is a $5,000 accident benefit integrated with the deductible. Another possibility is lump sum cancer and/or critical illness.

Things coming soon include . . .

Relaxed underwriting for over age 60 clients. I asked for a review of an offer made to a 64 yr old in June. They agreed to reduce the load for meds from 49% to 27%.

The ability for the underwriter to make counter-offers on more liberal terms.

The current product line will have soft changes for now. The 80% HSA and 70% PPO plans will still be available but will not be as prominent.

There is a possiblity of expanding the Portrait series to $3500 and $5,000 deductibles.

That's about all I have. Could be something I missed. A lot of ground covered.

[healthagent]

Wow...so they're only a few years behind Assurant.

[TXINSURANCE]

Their company wide issue rate is only 60% according to them.

Our issue rate was even worse and this is on HIGHLY screened and pre qualified clients.

The silly e-signature needs to go away (it is redundant). I have seen parameds and a lot of goofy requests I finally threw the towel in.

To me the issue rate is very counter productive.

[Senateguy]

Assurant sucks. They suck with paying claims. I have to hand it to Humana - they are really crushing the market here in Florida.

They only crappy part of their Humana One plan is that the network is only in 11 counties in Fla. So if you leave the major metro areas you are out of network. That sucks. Especially if you live on the boarder of a out of network county.

Plus - the University of Florida hospitals are not in the HumanaOne Network. So shands - which is a great specialist hospital for kids is no good.

But they issue fast - have good premiums - have competitive copay plans and cover all the preventive care like mamograms and annual checkups.

4 stars. I would give them 5 stars if their network didnt' suck

[TXINSURANCE]

I would give them an extra star if their renewal commission didn't suck.

[somarco]

Their company wide issue rate is only 60% according to them

That contradicts figures given at our meeting. 11% of apps submitted to Humana are declined. My figures are much better . . . just under 2%.

I have seen parameds and a lot of goofy requests

Only 1 paramed. Of course, I don't do the volume you do.

Only a handful of APS'.

They are moving toward fewer APS' and parameds. The streamlined underwriting process will allow their underwriters to only deal with cases where medical issues need review.

Someone mentioned Time (Assurant). Are they still in the business?