Is Medicare Supplement Sales Seasonal?

defenderzeta · 06-29-2009, 10:00 PM

I was talking with my broker today and he said he got everything set up last year for the team to sell medicare supplements face to face here in Florida but its something you only really do January - March, but those months can make your year. Could someone help educate me if this is true or is it his perception? Is it a year around business flow? I live in S. Florida which is like the senior citizen mecca and medina.

GreenSky · 06-29-2009, 10:24 PM

Medicare Supplement sales are not seasonal in that there is no open enrollment. There are some GI periods but let's ignore them for now.

The reason Jan - Mar can be very beneficial is because people in MA plans can make one change during those months. Starting April 1 no changes can be made.

So, you can be soliciting virtually everyone on Medicare during those months. You can help someone see the error of their ways before it's too late.

Hope that quick answer makes sense.

Rick

Frank Stastny · 06-29-2009, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by defenderzeta

I was talking with my broker today and he said he got everything set up last year for the team to sell medicare supplements face to face here in Florida but its something you only really do January - March, but those months can make your year. Could someone help educate me if this is true or is it his perception? Is it a year around business flow? I live in S. Florida which is like the senior citizen mecca and medina.

Your broker is the one who needs to be educated.

It is only "seasonal" if the agent wants it to be. I sell Med Supps 24-7, 364 days a year. I take my birthday off.

I suggest you find a different source of information. And, there is no way one can sell enough Med Supps in three months to derive enough income to last all year. Especially if you are married to Jacqueline.

If you would more "real information" feel free to give me a call.

Dave020 · 06-30-2009, 12:39 AM

You don't take the goats birthdays off, Frank?

G.Gordon · 06-30-2009, 01:50 AM

It's very seasonal.

I've sold enough in the past that I take whole seasons off now.

somarco · 06-30-2009, 05:46 AM

I didn't realize goats had a season. Amazing what you can learn on this forum.

Frank Stastny · 06-30-2009, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by Dave020

You don't take the goats birthdays off, Frank?

I haven't told them about holidays. If I do that the next thing you know they will start talking about paid vacations and want to join a union. Production will go down, so will quality and I'll have another GM on my hands.

somarco · 06-30-2009, 08:16 AM

If they join a union their health insurance will escape taxation.

defenderzeta · 06-30-2009, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Frank Stastny

Your broker is the one who needs to be educated.

It is only "seasonal" if the agent wants it to be. I sell Med Supps 24-7, 364 days a year. I take my birthday off.

I suggest you find a different source of information. And, there is no way one can sell enough Med Supps in three months to derive enough income to last all year. Especially if you are married to Jacqueline.

If you would more "real information" feel free to give me a call.

Could you private message me? I mostly work minimeds with some major meds mixed in and id gladly do a information/script swap with you if your open minded to a 10-15 minute conversation on where to go and what to do. I just signed up with HealthChoice One as my GA and i hope to get ramped up with them over the next month or two as i transition out of the callroom setting.

Frank Stastny · 06-30-2009, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by defenderzeta

Could you private message me? I mostly work minimeds with some major meds mixed in and id gladly do a information/script swap with you if your open minded to a 10-15 minute conversation on where to go and what to do. I just signed up with HealthChoice One as my GA and i hope to get ramped up with them over the next month or two as i transition out of the callroom setting.

I always have time to talk to another agent. Give me a call and if I'm out please leave a voice mail.

InsureGuy5 · 06-30-2009, 12:21 PM

People are turning 65 everyday and also losing group coverage on a regular basis as well. So Medicare supplements are not seasonal.

magagent · 06-30-2009, 02:18 PM

I think you need a new broker...

MedSuppPro · 06-30-2009, 06:57 PM

I can’t imagine starting up for four months and then boarding-up for the remaining eight months. Agents lose their edge when they start and stop – I know this all too well. Just like taking a dip in the ocean -- It's better to get all the way in rather than half-way.

One could start October 15th to get in front of the wave. Medicare Advantage sales and requests to return to Original Medicare can begin November 15th. Why wait till January? By waiting you will have lost January and a major portion of your potential market (>20%)?

Getting into the Medicare market without proper preparation can be a disaster. This market is very fluid and it is best to buckle your seatbelts with the turbulence ahead. Expect more regulations to appear that will severely handicap the ill informed agent.

Stephen R. Covey said it best when he said; “In these difficult economic times you’ll need a new tool set, mind set, and skill set, in order to survive.”

defenderzeta · 06-30-2009, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by MedSuppPro

I can’t imagine starting up for four months and then boarding-up for the remaining eight months. Agents lose their edge when they start and stop – I know this all too well. Just like taking a dip in the ocean -- It's better to get all the way in rather than half-way.

One could start October 15th to get in front of the wave. Medicare Advantage sales and requests to return to Original Medicare can begin November 15th. Why wait till January? By waiting you will have lost January and a major portion of your potential market (>20%)?

Getting into the Medicare market without proper preparation can be a disaster. This market is very fluid and it is best to buckle your seatbelts with the turbulence ahead. Expect more regulations to appear that will severely handicap the ill informed agent.

Stephen R. Covey said it best when he said; “In these difficult economic times you’ll need a new tool set, mind set, and skill set, in order to survive.”

Are there any trainers you could recommend for Medicare training?

Dave020 · 06-30-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by defenderzeta

Are there any trainers you could recommend for Medicare training?

Frank Stastny. I believe he is offering training right now on Medicare related business.

Adam_JSA · 07-02-2009, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by defenderzeta

Are there any trainers you could recommend for Medicare training?

I also live in SW FL, and if you would like I can sit down with you and help you get up to speed on how Medicare Supplements, MA, and PDP's work. Feel free to call me or email me

Adam Wasmund
800-203-0433
awasmund@jsaonline.com

stormtracker · 07-02-2009, 09:34 AM

Stephen R. Covey said it best when he said; “In these difficult economic times you’ll need a new tool set, mind set, and skill set, in order to survive.”[/quote]

Does this mean we will have to trade in our standard socket set for metric??? Reminds me of an old (stupid) joke: What is the difference between a standard and metric screwdriver? ANSWER: vodka

MedSuppPro · 07-02-2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by stormtracker

Does this mean we will have to trade in our standard socket set for metric???

No -- As you're well aware, today, you need both Metric and Standard.

Please post more facts JSA (FMO) and less bait. I apreciate Ritter because he is not here lurking for leads. At least not with every other post. I think we all want more business. Yet, this Forum is all about knowledge and the sharing of it. When someone asks a question -- answer it. I'm leary of (FMO) posters who asks for a phone call so as to have a private conversation off the Forum. On this post defenerzeta asked for it and that is OK. Yet on another post Jdeasy asked for a simple answer on Family life and you offered a personal conversation. It just looks a little cheesy!

Frank Stastny · 07-02-2009, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by stormtracker

Stephen R. Covey said it best when he said; “In these difficult economic times you’ll need a new tool set, mind set, and skill set, in order to survive.”

Does this mean we will have to trade in our standard socket set for metric??? Reminds me of an old (stupid) joke: What is the difference between a standard and metric screwdriver? ANSWER: vodka[/quote]

I have never found that economic conditions have ever had an impact on my Med Supp sales.

I'm still using the same set of tools that I have been using ever since I began selling Med Supps Even after all of the proposed changes take place, I will still be using the same basic tools. I can see no logical reason to go out and buy new ones when the ones I have get the job done.

I like your answer.

MedSuppPro · 07-02-2009, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Frank Stastny

I like your answer.

No Frank, you just like the Vodka