Insurance Agent Forum

[craig_ritter]

I just heard that tonight CMS will be sending a letter to health plans that they are suspending the June 5th guidance and will be issuing new guidance shortly on the payment of initial commissions to brokers who have replaced Original Medicare and PDP with a Medicare Advantage product.

I posted some more details on my blog.

Looks promising!

[GreenSky]

Thanks Craig. Just another reason why I recommend you to eveyrone looking for an FMO.

Rick

[kdover]

Craig,

Many thanks for your support. Other FMO's need to take lessons.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by GreenSky

Thanks Craig. Just another reason why I recommend you to eveyrone looking for an FMO.

Rick

I write for companies through Craig. I'd recommend him.

Looks like agents may finally get what they were promised!

[MedSuppPro]

When it comes to FMO’s, Craig Ritter stands tall above the fray. He’s passionate about the senior health insurance market and fights for the agent’s that serve this vulnerable population. He’s simply unique, in a world of; fast buck, no service, high turnover, and contract pushing, FMO’s. I wish I had ALL my contracts with Ritter and will seek him out for future contracting needs.

All of my FMO’s are silent on this most basic and important issue of how we agent’s get paid. I’m not sure if they are afraid to rock-the-carrier’s boat or they are so a-washed in renewal cash that they could care-less about the few hundred dollars we agents were promised to get. But, for agents, isn’t this were the rubber meets the road?

I’ve got to come clean with all my InsuranceAgentForum friends and confess I’ve had an addiction to higher commission contracts and have steered away from this deserving FMO (Ritter). I have USED Mr. Ritter’s web site to get my carrier updates and downloaded sales materials. I have found the Ritter web site to be my primary source of CURRENT information for several of my carriers (my other FMO’s lack this support). Yet, all the while, Mr. Ritter was and has been the only AgentForum FMO that posts informatively -- without trying to bottom fish or push a hidden recruiting agenda - ever. It is all about relationship sales and Mr. Ritter has proved to me his worth. Well Mr. Ritter you’ve got my attention. Thanks!!!

PS Oh, and watch after the CMS ruling how ALL the other FMO’s and carriers will make it sound that all along they were fighting for us and how they helped get this issue resolved. I’m not buying that and none of us should! The only carrier that I know of that truly made a public disclosure of fighting for the agent was Universal American (American Progressive, Pyramid, a.k.a. Today’s Options (("Thanks Mac" )) ).

[Newby]

I 2nd what MedSup Pro said. Craig Ritter is a class Act.

[Mega producer]

Originally Posted by craig_ritter

I just heard that tonight CMS will be sending a letter to health plans that they are suspending the June 5th guidance and will be issuing new guidance shortly on the payment of initial commissions to brokers who have replaced Original Medicare and PDP with a Medicare Advantage product.

I posted some more details on my blog.

Looks promising!

Are there any new updates on this issue please ?

[kennethbroyles]

Originally Posted by Mega producer

Are there any new updates on this issue please ?

Nothing from UHC.

[policy doctor]

Originally Posted by kennethbroyles

Nothing from UHC.

Let's call them up and scream "I WANT MY MONEY!!"

[MrMack]

UHC Update Letter:

June 29, 2009

Dear Agent:
We want to give you a quick update on the request UnitedHealthcare (UHC) made last week to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to review the guidance provided on June 5 regarding Part D to Medicare Advantage enrollments.
CMS has [COLOR=#000000]indicated[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]that [/COLOR]it agrees that its November interim final rule and issued guidance was not as clear as intended. CMS is rethinking that policy/strategy and is considering issuing a new compensation file that addresses this issue.
While this continues to look positive, it is important to note that CMS has not made any final decisions at this time nor has it promised us what its final decision will be or when that decision will come.
In order to be prepared, UHC has plans in place should CMS decide to issue a new file, and we will be prepared to make payments as fast as possible should CMS rule that way.
Thank you for your continued support and business. We will continue to send updates as we have more information on this developing situation.
Sincerely,

[Russ]

Originally Posted by MrMack

UHC Update Letter:

June 29, 2009

Dear Agent:
We want to give you a quick update on the request UnitedHealthcare (UHC) made last week to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to review the guidance provided on June 5 regarding Part D to Medicare Advantage enrollments.
CMS has [COLOR=#000000]indicated[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]that [/COLOR]it agrees that its November interim final rule and issued guidance was not as clear as intended. CMS is rethinking that policy/strategy and is considering issuing a new compensation file that addresses this issue.
While this continues to look positive, it is important to note that CMS has not made any final decisions at this time nor has it promised us what its final decision will be or when that decision will come.
In order to be prepared, UHC has plans in place should CMS decide to issue a new file, and we will be prepared to make payments as fast as possible should CMS rule that way.
Thank you for your continued support and business. We will continue to send updates as we have more information on this developing situation.
Sincerely,

There's nothing to think about. Do the honest and respectful thing and pay agents what their owed.

I get the feeling their hedging.

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Originally Posted by MrMack

In order to be prepared, UHC has plans in place should CMS decide to issue a new file, and we will be prepared to make payments as fast as possible should CMS rule that way.

Thank God. Where would be be without these nice insurance companies like United Healthcare?

[craig_ritter]

I just want to say thanks for the positive comments above, I'm really blown away and didn't want to ignore the feedback without saying thank you!

If this gets resolved and I was, in any way, responsible for a favorable outcome, I'll be satified knowing that I contributed to the cause. I'm sure there will be plenty of self-congratulation to go around and I don't need any parts of that.

Although I don't post much, I do read the board pretty frequently because I want to know what issues you all are interested in and concerned about. To that extent, this board has given me more than I've given back. Where I can, I'll try to make a positive contribution!

Thanks again. I expect the final word from CMS by the end of this week.

[healthagent]

Is it possible that some company with a lot of money told CMS in no uncertain terms that if their current ruling on commissions stood it would be off to court?

[GreenSky]

Originally Posted by healthagent

Is it possible that some company with a lot of money told CMS in no uncertain terms that if their current ruling on commissions stood it would be off to court?

Not a chance in hell.

Rick

[mississippiagent]

Why would they everything is coming up roses for the companies...

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Originally Posted by healthagent

Is it possible that some company with a lot of money told CMS in no uncertain terms that if their current ruling on commissions stood it would be off to court?

At this morning's Medicare Advantage Breakfast Roundtable (at Denny's in Manassas, VA), even though it was somewhat lightly attended due to the holiday this week, most of the CMS and insurance company CEO bigwigs had this to say about the agent comp issue, "f--- 'em where they breathe."

[mississippiagent]

I thouht they had aready done that...

[Russ]

Originally Posted by moonlightandmargaritas

At this morning's Medicare Advantage Breakfast Roundtable (at Denny's in Manassas, VA), even though it was somewhat lightly attended due to the holiday this week, most of the CMS and insurance company CEO bigwigs had this to say about the agent comp issue, "f--- 'em where they breathe."

That sounds real encouraging.

[policy doctor]

Here in Georgia our insurance commissioner is running for Governor and of course, looking for support.,

I fired off a letter to him complaining about CMS and UHC and this big mess of agents not being paid. In other words, we have been LIED to by our Government agency, BAD FAITH on the part of our insurance co's, and CMS, and BREACH of CONTRACT....all items which if YOU committed as an agent....you would be pilloried, fined excessively, probably jailed, and definitely lose your license so you can't make a living.

I got a response from his team. Guess what? I'm the only agent in Georgia who has alerted them that commissions are withheld by these Med Advantage co's. The only one to complain!! Can that be true?

Sure...she acknowledged they have no control over Federal agencies...but they do regulate the licensed ins co's, who are not paying us.

The point is...where are you all hiding! Oh sure, there are a few who have made waves.and complained to our commissioners and politicians....but the rest of you posters are truly "all hat and no cowboy". Even you lurkers should get involved.

(I'm holding back too)