When Chris Westfall mails policies to clients (which is required in certain states like LA, WV), he does so in a “priority express” envelope that gets special treatment/perception by the client, but costs no more than first-class postage. These envelopes do not require Priority or Express postage – mere first class stamps!
See the video explanation:
You can get these priority/urgent envelopes here:
http://3dmailresults.com/product-category/express-envelopes/
Back in September, 2015, Chris shared his epiphany of late that selling the “cheapest” possible plan is not always in the client's long term best interest. Today, we're shown another example. When you sell plans that are very small, and even…
Over the years, Chris has learned the difference between just being busy for busy sake vs. doing things that will achieve the best, possible results for our time investment in this business.
Many agents still believe that writing applications all day is their only mission, and they'll write an application on anyone that says, “Yes.” Those anxious folks that are very eager to get going with you should be the ones you spend the most amount of time trying to find out why they are disqualified from the beginning.
The art of asking the right questions, in this case – all of the health questions, before moving into an application setting AT ALL, is critical if you want to have enough time to spend with those that are qualified.
How anyone can get a Medicare Supplement without underwriting “hypothetical scenario”. CSI E-app Update that you need to know! Transamerica E-app Tip that will save frustration AETNA Underwriting tip saves days off U/W time & Change to AETNA's New State…
This was the update going from 2015 to 2016: Update since the video.. the 2016 budget deal will make the Part B deductible $166 for all. Updates since the update: The 2017 Part B deductible is $183. Action from seniors,…
One of THE most common objections we face, when setting someone up with an electronic application, is that they hesitate to give out their banking information because they do not trust other people to have access to their bank account….
Updated August 7, 2015: Manhattan Life’s eApp now features an expedited underwriting feature that enables you to complete the underwriting process while your applicant is on the phone. The new expedited underwriting feature is available only for underwritten cases. Here’s…
Important briefing on the GE Retiree healthcare situation: Video addressing this opportunity: Chris' video comparing exchange rates vs. independent market Document showing they can buy EITHER the Med Supp OR the Part D plan through the…
The recent report by the Medicare trustees is currently being evaluated by HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, who is expected to make a final decision October 2015 to impact Medicare beneficiaries in 2016.
The trustees recommend increasing Part B premiums charged to seniors monthly some 52% starting in January 2016. This would mean going from $104.90 to $159.30.
The report states that this would impact 30% of all Medicare beneficiaries and would be again tied to their income, targeting those with incomes over $85,000.
The other, more impactful recommendation is a change to the Part B deductible to $223 instead of the current $147. This would impact ALL Medicare beneficiaries and is sure to cause outrage by the senior lobbyists on K street. There will be much pushback to such an increase.
CSG Actuarial is analyzing the impact on carriers and on seniors with Plan F and Plan G. The initial analysis is that the Plan F rates will, after accommodating for the higher built-in cost in the premiums of Plan F which will absorb the new Part B deductible, need to increase 4% due to more claims. Plan G, however, would see less claims and actually justify a rate reduction. How carriers would choose to implement the change is still up in the air.
We will continue to monitor this recommendation's impact on seniors and whether or not it will be adopted.
Stay tuned!
-Chris Westfall
CIGNA has started rolling out their substandard rate classes in various states. They are also starting to offer spouse discounts (upon both being approved, 7%) and Silver & Fit wellness program (but it's not free). See the video from July…
Today it was officially announced that CIGNA and Anthem have struck a deal to become, for now, the largest health insurer in America. The terms of the final deal finally having weathered the storm of a two-month long negotiation, the deal is said to be worth $48 Billion to CIGNA for its acquisition into Anthem.
The independent market is still waiting to hear how this will impact the Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage distribution channels. The deal might take two years to get through regulator's approval.
As always, we'll have the specific news when it's available as to how this will impact the individual agent. – Stay tuned!
-CW
See the announcement:
Effective 8/1/15, Oxford Life will no longer pay full commission on guarantee issue cases. (Open Enrollment will continue to be paid at full commission, as with all carriers.) Oxford had been one of the last remaining companies in the country…
Over the 4th of July weekend, I received an e-mail offering a comparison of all of the Medicare Supplement rates in my area for ONLY $49!
This was such a deal because their usual cost is $99 for an unbiased quote of all Medicare Supplement plans in my area.
What a deal, right?
Wrong. I'm often asked by potential clients what my service costs.. for me to look up the rates and also provide them the background on the companies listed in the results. Very happily, I tell them that our service costs them nothing, as it is included in the cost of the premiums, whether they went direct to the carrier OR used the service of an experienced agent. No extra cost!
I did a video about my reaction, and show the e-mail from the company offering the $49 Medicare Supplement quote.
Chris Westfall
If you have written any Stonebridge Life Medicare Supplement business, your clients are receiving the following documents in the mail, talking about the transition to Transamerica Premier. Unlike most name changes, though, here they are being given an opportunity to…
Chris was vacationing in a cabin up high on “Ski Mountain”, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The first day, the family went whitewater rafting. It was a great experience, the first for the entire family, and it quickly was recognized as a metaphor…
This is the latest demonstration of the CIGNA Electronic application. This covers CIGNA, ARLIC, and Loyal American (all the same company). The colors in this webinar they did are horrible, but you can still get the gist of the webinar!…
This is the latest IAC (Individual Assurance Corporation) webinar on their electronic (and voice) application process. Watch video here: Timeline for video: 2:50 State Availability of IAC and their Household Discounts 4:04 Company competitive analysis 14:45 How…
Can you really use direct mail for effective Med Supp sales by telephone? Yes you can, but it will cost you a fortune to obtain each new client. Advice from Chris: DO NOT USE DIRECT MAIL FOR MEDICARE SALES. Here is…
Susan is said to be the top producing agent of Medicare Supplements in the entire State of California. She was one of the presenters at the 2015 Nat'l Medicare Supplement Sales Summit in Orlando, Florida and Chris spent some time…
CIGNA has agreed to purchase Sterling Life from Wellcare See the video: April 24, 2015 CIGNA has entered into an agreement, pending regulatory approval, to purchase Sterling Life Insurance Company from its current owner, Wellcare. Wellcare purchased the fledgling Sterling…
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