Affiliated Marketing Group Newsletter Archive



		Continuing Education
	Affiliated Marketing Group 2925 Briarpark, Suite 155 Houston, Texas 77042 713.977.0611	HIPAA/HITECH CE Credits We wish to express our gratitude to HAHU and thank those who participated in our recent presentation of the one hour CE course on HIPAA/HITECH. As promised, there is a link on the front page of HAHU that provides a course outline as well as information on the various software and procedures adopted by AMG to comply with this new law. The credit for completion of this course will be upload to the State of Texas Insurance Board this week and you will be receiving your certificates shortly.
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	Visit Our Web Site	LTC The Texas State Board now requires that agents marketing Long Term Care insurance must complete an eight hour CE certification course. This course MUST be taken even if you have been grandfathered from other CE requirements. With Texas becoming part of the LTC Partnership Program June 17th, this product has very strong legs and should be part of your portfolio. If you are not familiar with the Partnership Program, in a very simplistic description it allows individuals with a qualified LTC policy to offset assets for consideration of Medicad Assistance by the amount of the "pool" of money provided by the policy. For more details contact Steve Gresso at 713.977.0611.

	We have everything you need in one place Group Life Dental Vision Disability Income Worksite Products Long Term Care Annuities Agent Websites CE XRAE Advanced Underwriting Quote Engines Forms 24/7 Case Status Marketing Assistance
		Annuity As with LTC, agents are now required to complete a CE certification course before discussing or marketing annuities. It is NOT grandfathered for agents who are otherwise exempt from CE. In addition there is an ongoing requirement for additional CE before each license renewal.
		Health Care Reform
		Carriers Get Relief on Child Only Guaranteed Issue Policies Lead by United Healthcare and Wellpoint (BCBS) carriers fought for and received new guidance from Health and Human Services that will allow them to offer coverage plans to children with pre-existing medical conditions through open-enrollment periods for the plans according to respective state laws. Prior to this change, insurers after Sept. 23rd would have had to honor all applications for child-only coverage, allowing parents to enroll their children when they got sick. Parents then could stop payments when they no longer need coverage, which would have driven up medical costs and made insurers' financial risks unmanageable. Some carriers who had previously announced that they would no longer market these products are now reconsidering their position. Although at least one major carrier has announced that no agent compensation will be paid on these policies, it is important that you are aware of the mechanics as your clients will look to you for guidance and assistance.
		Group
		Grandfathered Health Plans On June 27th HHS released rules on what constitutes a "Grandfathered Group". Generally speaking, plans that eliminate or decrease benefits after March 23, the date the reform law was signed, will lose their grandfather status. Likewise, employers cannot significantly decrease their contributions to worker health plans without losing grandfather status. The Benefits of a Grandfathered Plan: Grandfathered plans are exempt from some, but not all, of PPACA's requirements such as the Act's mandate for plans to offer certain free preventive health services. The extension of rules prohibiting discrimination in favor of highly compensated employees. The prohibition against pre-authorization requirements for OB/GYN and emergency services. New Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") reporting requirements regarding plan efforts to improve participant health, safety and wellness. New HHS reporting requirements regarding claim payment policies, enrollment/disenrollment, claim denials and certain cost sharing. In addition, grandfathered plans have delayed compliance deadlines for several of the Act's requirements. Contact Angela Moore or Heather Matias for more information.
	Volume 18 Issue 8 August 2010
	EZ Life Sales System The Best Way To Write Term Insurance The Same One Page Application For All Carriers Web Based Submission Full Commissions
		Carriers Changing Agent Commissions Starting on May 1, Independence Blue Cross of Philadelphia, Pa., stopped paying small-group agents a percentage commission and instead switched to a monthly flat fee for each contract sold. The company's small-group medical loss ratio is 85%, which is comfortably in line with the new regulations, but it wants to keep agent outlays flat amid rising medical costs, said Jim O'Connor, director of small group sales at the insurer, which covers about 380,000 small-group members. Janet Trautwein, CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters, which represents insurance agents and brokers, predicted that "eventually there won't be any more percentage commissions."
	Need A Website To Promote Your Practice? At AMG We Have Web Sites Available For Our Valued Producers
		Sales Ideas
		A Story About Guaranteed Issue Group Life An Agent recently told us that two years ago, he had installed a group guaranteed issue life policy for one of his clients. Since it was written, two claims have been paid totaling $100,000. The economic benefit to the families involved, the employee's goodwill toward the owners for providing this benefit and the agent's enhanced relationship with the group have all been positives. This is a product that you should consider showing to your group health clients.
	Affiliated Marketing Group EXPECT SOMETHING DIFFERENT
		Generate Leads with New middle 15 Consumer Letter The new middle consumer letter makes it easy to generate additional term sales. With accelerated underwriting, the middle 15 program allows qualified candidates to receive up to $1 million of 15-year guaranteed level term coverage without a full medical exam. For more information, contact Steve Gresso or click Here.
		Deferral Alternative Bonus Plan: A Good Fit in a Tough Economy While the need to retain and reward key employees remains strong, a truly effective executive benefit is sometimes elusive. Similar to finding a shoe that's a good fit, it's difficult to match the desires of the employer with the goals and ambitions of a high achieving executive. In the right situations, the Deferral Alternative Bonus Plan may be that perfect fit. Contact Steve Gresso or Click here to read the full Sales Solution.

		Policy Review One of the best sales ideas is also one of the oldest. Reviewing the policies of existing clients will serve two purposes; it is a "touch" which is critical to retaining clients and you will find in many cases that the existing policies are either not performing as proposed or the clients needs have changed either of which will afford the opportunity for a new sale.

For Producer or Broker/Dealer Use Only. Not for public distribution nor intended to be used as financial or tax advice.