Family:

1. Provides quality and efficient group and ancillary sales support to new and existing agents.
2. Accompanies agents on appointments for increased new sales and renewals.
3. Implements and instructs group leaders on carrier technology for enrollment and bill payment.
4. Serves as a resource for agent group sales questions.
5. Consults with agents to keep them up-to-date on compliance requirements and healthcare reform as it relates to group and ancillary sales.

It was only September 1^st that the PCIP began the $100 referral program.  The rationale provided by HHS for these changes is that the program’s rapid increase in enrollment (400% growth over a year, including a 25% increase in the last few months) makes the need for additional outreach efforts unnecessary at this time. HHS has commented that this will have no impact on the agent/broker role in the Exchanges in 2014.

We don’t expect all carriers to send out rebates, only those that did not meet the 80% or 85% minimum loss requirement.  We anticipate the rebates to be sent out by August 2012 so be sure and review the FAQ’s.

• To participate and assist in the both the design and implementation of key strategies necessary in the future development of our company.
• To interview and hire qualified individuals that will bring additional talent to our company.
• To provide leadership and direction to our sales administration teams as well as the overall organization.
• To assist in the development and training of all staff as it relates to our changing business model and the “NEW” health insurance environment.
• To cultivate and enhance agency relationships with key carrier representatives to sustain future carrier support.

How long have you worked for the Gilston Agency:

1. I advise agents on a case-by-case basis what is best for their client.
2. I research medical conditions and prescription drugs as part of the pre-screening process.
3. I review applications before they are submitted and notify agents if additional information is needed before submission.
4. I check status during the underwriting process.
5. I resolve any billing issues.

The insurance industry has always been based on the relationship between agents and customers. Behind this is the idea that people only buy from agents they trust and a major component of the development of this process is through face-to-face interaction. The usage of social media has changed this method. The relationship between agent and customer is still quite important, but the type of interaction has changed. Customers now have the ability to find the information they are looking for through the Internet, rather than coming to the agent directly. This creates the question, should insurance agents have a larger presence through social media to better connect with customers? Based on the continuous increase in the usage of social media, the answer very well could be yes. If you haven’t already, take some time and look at some of Facebook’s and LinkedIn’s professional pages as selling techniques. Instead of creating these pages to be more personal, put a professional twist to them. Tell the customer what it is you sell, why they need it and how you can help them get what they want. Although the insurance industry is lagging behind in the world of social media, it won’t be too long before we are forced to catch up.

Family:

1. Assist agents/brokers with quoting new and existing groups.  Also assist agents with group sales questions.
2. Prepare, process and submit new and existing cases
3. Communicate and negotiate with agents and carriers to provide best offers for clients
4. Recommend products/ carriers to agents for their group clients
5. Work on renewal quotes and renewal rate relief

South Carolina, as many of you know, elected to defer to the federal government for the development and implementation of a Health Insurance Exchange. Essentially, we are now at the mercy of the Federal government on an issue that will directly have an effect on our future ability to make a living in this industry. Without NAHU’s representation, we would have to rely solely on the Federal government making decisions without us having a voice at the table.  The Symposium will offer a legislative update from Washington’s Janet Trautwein.  As Executive Vice President and CEO of NAHU, she has been incremental to the U.S. Senate introducing a bill, which compliments HR 1206, to make agent commissions a pass through. Along with HR 1206, the purpose is to preserve the ability of agents to receive commission by removing commissions from the medical loss ratio (MLR). 

I strongly encourage those of you reading this to think long and hard about actively supporting our association. If you’re not a member, you need to join. If you are a member, we need active supporters and strong leadership in our local chapters to bring more professional development programs and gain greater community recognition. Your engagement is important to your livelihood.  Join SCAHU and join the most recognized and respected group of Health Insurance professionals in the state.

Interested in joining or reinstating your NAHU membership? Click here to JOIN!

Interested in attending the SCAHU Symposium March 12^th or 13^th?  Click here to REGISTER!

Chuck Campbell from BlueCross BlueShield also attended and awarded John Murphy (Group Health), Cheryl Randol (Senior Health) and Beth Cavanaugh (Individual Health) as BlueCross’ Top Producers at Gilston. Gilston President, Tom Swayne, also handed out awards to Anita Bryan, Sherman Cohn, Dayle Guidera, Ira Berendt, John Murphy, Ike Ryba, and Anthony Fargnoli for their years with the Agency.

The Gilston Agency would also like to thank all agents that worked with us in 2011.  We look forward to having an even better year in 2012!