tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24360096044594221402024-03-14T08:12:45.269-04:00Benefit Profiles IncAgent Solutions from Benefit Profiles Inc!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-27850803218094771032014-08-19T15:14:00.000-04:002014-08-19T15:29:46.824-04:00Skinny Plans--A Solution for Play or Pay<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span _mce_style="font-family: 'Arial',' Helvetica',' sans-serif';">If you are a member of the Health Underwriters, you may have noticed a recent article entitled </span><a _mce_href="http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/nahuw/issues/2014-08-15/2.html" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/nahuw/issues/2014-08-15/2.html" linktype="1" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Large Employers Like Skinny Plans.</a><span _mce_style="font-family: Arial, ' Helvetica', ' sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> Skinny plans, or Minimum Essential Coverage plans are indeed one legitimate solution to the play or pay dilemma facing large employers this Fall. </span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Arial',' Helvetica',' sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Due to a loophole in the law, employers can offer a stripped down benefit for right around $55 monthly and avoid the $2000 penalty. But there's definitely a catch. Employees who refuse this product offering can still go to the exchange and if they access subsidized coverage, the employer will realize the $3000 fine. Those who stay will satisfy the individual mandate however the benefits are well. . . skinny. In most cases the benefits are limited to the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByYDGYMjD0UCTGJza0pLSXZreTA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">preventive benefit</a> under the ACA. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The carrier we use to quote these plans is Century Healthcare. Century has been in the limited medical benefits field for fifteen years. Their biggest clients include Steak and Shake and Chik Fil A and they are underwritten by Companion Life on A+ paper. We like CHC because they are easily the most flexible in the marketplace. They will write the MEC only apart and they can write it mixed with limited medical plans. Some other details include:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Fully customized Limited Benefit Medical plans that we can build from $50 to $500 on the EE only rate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• No medical underwriting, the limited benefit medical & MEC plans are guarantee issue.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Only 25 employees needed to enroll; we do not ask for a wage & tax report.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• All of our plans pay first dollar benefits (NO deductibles & NO co-insurance).<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• The plans are COBRA eligible and we administer COBRA free of charge.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Century Healthcare pays a level 10% commission on both 1st year and renewal.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• PHCS PPO network.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• The product is written on “A+” paper from Companion Life Insurance Co.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Available to full-time employees, part-time employees and 1099 contractors. The employer defines eligibility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The industries to target include: nursing homes, home healthcare, restaurants, hotels, salons, staffing firms, janitorial firms, security guard firms, retail, manufacturing and any industry that employs large numbers of hourly workers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are certainly more details to discuss when it comes to these plans but here are some resources to get you started:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.benefitspro.com/2014/03/05/skinny-plans-gain-traction-among-employers" target="_blank">Benefits Pro Magazine Overview on Skinny Plans</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324787004578493274030598186" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal Article on the Plans</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByYDGYMjD0UCRFZmZFN1QndVUDA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Overview of Century Healthcare</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please give me a call and we can either discuss our options or meet face-to-face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dominic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">616.481.8675</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-46296569807535437682014-08-19T12:48:00.001-04:002014-08-19T15:18:05.198-04:00Pediatric Oral Benefit--Specifics of the Companion RenewalsGood news! The State of Michigan has approved Companion Life to be ACA Certified Effective 1/1/2015. Companion is working toward a process through which it will transition its groups to the pediatric oral benefit as requested. In the meantime, here are some strategies that have worked so far to navigate the pediatric benefit while retaining Companion dental in groups: <br />
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1. If it is a Blue group, you can write the pediatric oral benefit for the children with the Blues offering and keep the Companion with the adults. It would be ideal to remove the children from the Blue coverage come 1/1 when Companion is certified but we realize this could be difficult depending on the current environment for group wide change scheduled allowances per year. <br />
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2. Another idea is to use Delta Dental as a plan offering alongside a full Companion plan. Delta offers stand alone pediatric and does not require a minimum enrollment so you and the group can offer employees the option of purchasing the pediatric benefit. We've done this quite a lot for groups who might not have dental currently and it seems to go rather well. <br />
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3. Finally, you can write the pediatric oral benefit with the Blues or Delta and write the brand new <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByYDGYMjD0UCbVdtU0xYQWZJQ0sxaGtJV2x1OERnWDVOazF3/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Companion Plus Wrap</a> product. It 'wraps' around the pediatric oral benefit. The summary of this plan is below but in a nutshell, this still covers the children for benefits the pediatric benefit leaves out while covering the adults with a full dental plan. This is a very cost efficient solution and allows adult members to continue their Companion coverage with no disruption to deductibles, etc. <br />
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4. Finally, it is an option to replace the Companion plan with Delta Dental, MetLife or the MMA who are all ACA certified this year 2014. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-11249550118543040322014-07-01T16:09:00.002-04:002014-07-01T16:09:16.982-04:00Planning Your Fall--Plans to Manage Your Small Groups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It certainly has been a ride with the pediatric dental benefit in Michigan this year and this fall looks to be the pinnacle of the activity. I'll begin my conversation with the Blues and possible plans to manage pediatric dental in these groups. The HMO's and self funded groups offer quite a bit more flexibility and the Blue groups tend to take up most of our conversations as we consult with our agencies here at BPI. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">As it stands right now, Met, the MMA and Delta all remain pediatric dental certified for 2014 and 2015 so any groups you have with them currently will be completely fine and you can feel comfortable signing the Blues' attestation form this Fall. </span></div>
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Companion Life and Kansas City Life have not gotten the official word but both feel confident they will be certified and ready to go 1/1/2015 with compliant plans. But that will only be January 1, 2015. Groups that renew this fall will still pose a problem, even if for a few months. </div>
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The simplest solution will be to move those groups to an ACA compliant dental plan. But what if your group is satisfied with their current carrier or many of the employees have met a lifetime deductible? We have seen this time and time again this year already. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In some of those cases, the group actually added the pediatric portion to the Blues and continued the dental with Companion or KCL. Sometimes they removed the children from the dental plan in effect making the Companion or KCL plan an 'adult only' plan. This did offer a suitable solution but it still does leave some holes in coverage, orthodontia being the biggest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Companion Life has filed a 'Pediatric Wrap' option to add to this adult only plan that will allow you to leave the children on the plan but it will cover only items like orthodontia and other items excluded by the pediatric oral plans. The rest of the dental plan will be covered by the Blues. We don't have exact pricing and details on this but we'll shoot it out as soon as we have it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">When it comes to Priority, the other HMO's in the State and the self funded solutions for small group, there really remains different options. If a group 'grandmothers' or stays put with a pre-ACA plan, they don't have to worry about pediatric dental and they can continue with whatever plan they'd prefer. If a group moves to a self funded arrangement, they don't have to worry about the 10 essential health benefits and they can avoid the pediatric dental. If a group moves to an ACA compliant plan in an HMO, they'll have to go through the same steps as above. </span></div>
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Make no mistake though, pediatric dental has caused more consternation than it was meant to in the State of Michigan. We'll be constantly communicating this Fall with the goal to give you solutions to make it as easy as possible. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-61535391316894081012014-06-07T08:19:00.001-04:002014-06-07T08:19:33.474-04:00Qualifying for the Companion Trip--Here's How You Do It! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtu40GVJBL5DvNygoFqS1jYkR5RiNPfFYiFQeOSOhAK8MwWTV2CWic9UlBrqYEgpyT4kNjM-fMPZo2t-X8P8JszP0ulYsf73V8KVC4ggJ3vh4aXuUMBsKs5si7Z6HCY0ViQZg4ThAY9Wq2/s1600/Ritz_KapaluaMaui_00108_920x518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtu40GVJBL5DvNygoFqS1jYkR5RiNPfFYiFQeOSOhAK8MwWTV2CWic9UlBrqYEgpyT4kNjM-fMPZo2t-X8P8JszP0ulYsf73V8KVC4ggJ3vh4aXuUMBsKs5si7Z6HCY0ViQZg4ThAY9Wq2/s1600/Ritz_KapaluaMaui_00108_920x518.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Qualifying For
Maui!!!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Ritz
Carlton, Kapalua, June 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Airfare for <u>one</u> with room and
accommodations for two:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZboJ8Se9wA_NOcIwWTyLVrQnm1iRxROQ3cxFukpAWHeegb3vBojhk6XPA_rHYLLPpVhLxQ22LEDxqyQiFS6lhbi3d_u0PNvdf_dYivTbDS-y-mIahzuK-Lhhrt1sZDiym3ZtbTlsiF8M/s1600/Ritz_KapaluaMaui_00175_920x518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZboJ8Se9wA_NOcIwWTyLVrQnm1iRxROQ3cxFukpAWHeegb3vBojhk6XPA_rHYLLPpVhLxQ22LEDxqyQiFS6lhbi3d_u0PNvdf_dYivTbDS-y-mIahzuK-Lhhrt1sZDiym3ZtbTlsiF8M/s1600/Ritz_KapaluaMaui_00175_920x518.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">$85,000 in
annualized premium<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Airfare and accommodations for <u>two:</u></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">$110,000 in
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Airfare, accommodations and three
extra nights on Companion’s dime:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">$170,000 in
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
Details</span></u><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Dental, Vision and LTD count for $.50; Life,
STD $1.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Qualification
is for effective dates before January 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Voluntary,
voluntary, voluntary! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Agent sells a $100,000
dental case. Counts for $50,000. He sells a small case but four lines for
$30,000. The life and STD count for full
and the LTD and vision is half. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">BPI calls the agent and
reminds her she is close! She sells a
$35,000 voluntary STD case and qualifies! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-50784114255675182462014-03-26T16:46:00.002-04:002014-03-26T16:46:58.543-04:00Term to 100 Life Insurance from AllState: The affordable whole life hybrid <div _mce_style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
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Studies have shown that more Americans purchase life insurance through their employers than they do as individuals as has traditionally been the case for generations. This has placed a much bigger onus on employers and agents to answer this demand with the very best in voluntary life contracts and carriers. </div>
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What are the very best voluntary life benefits you sell? The answer is easy, they must include:</div>
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1. The ability to port or convert the life insurance if/when employment terminates (for whatever reason)</div>
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2. Limited benefit reductions as a member ages</div>
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3. Generous guarantee issue amounts</div>
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4. The ability to buy up each year at open enrollment</div>
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5. A competitive price</div>
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I find there are times the very best of our voluntary life contracts become an issue. Employees don't always understand the benefit they thought they had purchased has reduced 35% to 50% just as it has increased significantly in premium. </div>
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This Term to 100 product offers employees the chance to purchase true long term protection they can rely on well into retirement. </div>
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To learn more, checkout the <a _mce_href="http://www.benefitprofilesinc.com/#!allstate-resources/c1qsr" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.benefitprofilesinc.com/#!allstate-resources/c1qsr" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">flyer</a> here. </div>
</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-69453481539562524522014-03-26T16:36:00.002-04:002014-03-26T16:36:51.426-04:00Thinking Critically About Voluntary Benefits--- Still not convinced you should sell CI and Accident? <div _mce_style="text-align: left; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="left" style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4nSiW-uaQMk-H9WZgyaeRQb1UjjaTB_cCA868aICq4EUQ1XzX5xaBKzwPAZ90GVsI79jK1y1mIHuMXtnXOPz3uGwjhP1y4X0nzXp1XKypJ9H9oIKfFNNmhCTRmlR3Pz8O2_BbYegv40W/s1600/snoopy+studying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4nSiW-uaQMk-H9WZgyaeRQb1UjjaTB_cCA868aICq4EUQ1XzX5xaBKzwPAZ90GVsI79jK1y1mIHuMXtnXOPz3uGwjhP1y4X0nzXp1XKypJ9H9oIKfFNNmhCTRmlR3Pz8O2_BbYegv40W/s1600/snoopy+studying.jpg" /></a><span _mce_style="line-height: 16.866666793823242px; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">I have admitted many times before that I am a work in progress when it comes to critical illness and accident policies. Frankly, there was a time in my career when I thought they were a rip off. </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="line-height: 16.866666793823242px;" style="line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">The past few years, I have seen the power of the pay out of critical illness and how it can really help someone in the time of need. I have seen the power of the revenue and what agents have done to supplement enrollment services for their clients. And finally I have seen the 'stickiness' of clients to their agents who consult from a holistic approach in all facets of a benefits plan. </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="line-height: 16.866666793823242px;" style="line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">If you are someone who can't get past the idea that these products are an unnecessary expense to the working folks struggling to pay their employee contribution, the latest trend study from MetLife is a great read. The fact of the matter is this--you may feel those products aren't necessary but employees do not agree. Study after study reveals that employees do indeed crave those benefits and agents and employers will do well to deliver these benefits in an organized and structured environment. </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="line-height: 16.866666793823242px;" style="line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">Here is a <a _mce_href="https://benefittrends.metlife.com/benefits-breakthrough" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://benefittrends.metlife.com/benefits-breakthrough" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">link</a> to the article and here is a brief <a _mce_href="http://data.emailtransmit.com/b3n4/pdfs/MetLifeAccidentCriticalIllnessWhitepaperInfographic.pdf" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://data.emailtransmit.com/b3n4/pdfs/MetLifeAccidentCriticalIllnessWhitepaperInfographic.pdf" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">recap</a>. I hope you find it useful! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-22117240745213670872014-03-22T08:45:00.000-04:002014-03-27T10:33:30.224-04:00Telemedicine--Solid ROI for Employers, Benefits Satisfaction for Employees, Slam Dunk for Agents! <div>
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Benefit Profiles Inc is dedicated to offering outstanding solutions for agents and I'm proud to report we've found a new one--telemedicine. </div>
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Telemedicine has been most sold through TPA's in the jumbo group space or bundled with discount programs direct to consumers in voluntary or individual enrollment platforms. It has really remained on the fringe of the benefits spectrum however til just recently. </div>
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Ultimately it's a way to access real, board-certified, American (even Michigan) doctors over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The most common ways we see the service is through a phone consultation about typical items addressed in the PCP or urgent care center. However members do consult through the web app using Facetime or Skype or they even consult over a secure email system. </div>
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The real key though that excites employees is the doctors can prescribe medications like antibiotics, low grade pain killers or even emergency fills for a maintenance medication. Employers like it because they can see real data about utilization and how many office, urgent care and emergency room visits they are eliminating from their experience. </div>
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I am a member and the last time I used the service I sent an email through my web login describing my condition an indicated I wanted to talk to a doctor. My phone rang, I talked to a Michigan-based doc for ten minutes who diagnosed my issue then sent a script to my pharmacy. The entire transaction took me fifteen minutes. </div>
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The service through Benefit Profiles is Teladoc (see the video), the nation's leader in telemedicine. It has been around the longest and has the most members. The cost for this service is $3.50 PEPM for groups below 500 and $3.00 PEPM for groups above 500. For this rate, members and their families can access doctors 24/7 <b>with no extra copayments</b>! </div>
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I think you'll agree that with the rapidly changing plan designs driven by cost of medical and the ACA, a value packed PEPM that can positively affect a group's actual claims experience but also the experience of the members to their benefit package is indeed a solid solution. I'd love to talk more about this and the several other ideas we have about structuring a holistic approach to employee benefits. Please don't hesitate to contact me to learn more! </div>
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<a href="mailto:dominic@benefitprofilesinc.com" target="_blank">Dominic Siciliano</a></div>
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616-719-4600</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Interested in further study on telemedicine? </b></div>
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Check out this very good <a href="http://www.benefitspro.com/2013/12/06/the-rise-of-telemedicine?t=core-group" target="_blank">article</a> from BenefitsPro magazine. You'll notice the article highlights a telemedicine firm out of Chicago that sells the service fro $6.00 PEPM. That seems to be a common price across the market. </div>
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Our <a href="http://www.benefitprofilesinc.com/#!teledoc-resources/c1n1e" target="_blank">BPI webpage </a> on telemedicine features marketing items and flyers regarding the benefit.</div>
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This video from Teladoc outlines the 5 reasons for employers to consider the benefit:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/p9MoHZ5IVzo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-46259936735953118062014-02-05T14:27:00.000-05:002014-02-06T12:58:36.800-05:00Dental, Vision and The Health Industry Fee<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhUrjYmPexzybWauDC2GG-5IYl2IaP5Z-wqn1iQ6E24zkASGR-hfBjeTmhAHpnmg9nAfNf-UF3EPygJ-vpD9vY6rXCVrwb5v6kaiP_b7IeL1fqUSFN2ZqCUl63fWhrMZW9dZPripIa8cs/s1600/iStock_000011463563Small-300x249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhUrjYmPexzybWauDC2GG-5IYl2IaP5Z-wqn1iQ6E24zkASGR-hfBjeTmhAHpnmg9nAfNf-UF3EPygJ-vpD9vY6rXCVrwb5v6kaiP_b7IeL1fqUSFN2ZqCUl63fWhrMZW9dZPripIa8cs/s1600/iStock_000011463563Small-300x249.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/17px verdana; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dental, Vision and
The Health Industry Fee <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m sure I don’t need to educate you on the many varied fees
associated now with the PPACA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
some of you may have experienced a phone call from Companion clients asking
what the new line item is that has showed up in their January bills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dental and vision plans are considered part of the health industry and therefore they are responsible for an industry fee just
like the health carriers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fee is based on each carrier’s share of the overall
premium base and it is assessed relative to insured plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each carrier calculates a bit differently
what their share is they have to pay and how this will be reflected in
rates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below is an outline of our dental and vision carriers, their fees and how this will be passed on to the members. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Companion
Life--</b>Companion has separated its industry fee as a separate line item on the bills. However, its renewal and new business proposal rates include the fee so there are no surprises when the final bill arrives. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-indent: -0.25in;">The </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-indent: -0.25in;">Michigan Medicaid Claims tax is a separate line item on the Companion bills aside from this ACA industry fee. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kansas
City Life--</b>Both the ACA and Michigan Medicaid Claims Tax are included in KCL's rates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MetLife/MMA--</b>The ACA industry fee is included in new business and renewal rates. The Medicaid tax is billed separately every quarter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delta
Dental--</b>The ACA industry fee is included in new business and renewal rates. The Medicaid tax is billed separately monthly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clear as mud huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you have any further questions or want to discuss these fees over a coffee,
sandwich or a fifth of whiskey and pitcher of beer, contact <u><a href="mailto:dominic@benefitprofilesinc.com">me</a></u> and I’ll
be happy to come see you! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-22226434847528533492014-02-05T08:00:00.000-05:002014-02-06T13:01:19.369-05:00Those Pesky Kids and Their Mandated Dental Plans. . <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPc63kMeBheq5Yv4zjuM91J5WHffAS0BP7fId-xz1muRArZTbUC-e1UFNDO5TleWxvKziJGtwl68kOqZbN-FXvylIPcxoOr5PtAZfV9YIPr56Iu313KdVnc_HGdnWT6CmOwsqDYhZROSN/s1600/canstockphoto2376935_babywithtoothbrush1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPc63kMeBheq5Yv4zjuM91J5WHffAS0BP7fId-xz1muRArZTbUC-e1UFNDO5TleWxvKziJGtwl68kOqZbN-FXvylIPcxoOr5PtAZfV9YIPr56Iu313KdVnc_HGdnWT6CmOwsqDYhZROSN/s1600/canstockphoto2376935_babywithtoothbrush1.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those Pesky Kids and
Their Mandated Dental Plans. . . <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, it’s been about five months since BPI embarked on a
fact finding mission to figure out the pediatric dental benefit and how it
relates to our dental plans and small group clients here in Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m proud to say we’ve really been able to
offer great solutions to our agents in the small market to satisfy this
requirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To give you an update, our wheelhouse carriers to satisfy
this requirement so far have been Delta Dental, MetLife and the MMA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have used Delta to offer child only dental benefits down
to as low as a group of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems like
a lot of administration to cover one kid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was worried about this ,too, but Lena and Bobbie have found the process
quite easy to complete with Delta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re
also finding Delta is a great takeover benefit for current dental plans who are
not currently compliant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delta’s rates
are very competitive in the small market and their plan designs are flexible so
it’s an easy fix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Y</span>ou can typically leave
the life, disability and vision with the current carrier and address the bigger
issues of the medical renewal without too much interruption on ancillary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">MetLife and MMA have been great options as well to replace
non-compliant carriers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their rates are competitive and they offer the convenience to replace a full ancillary
suite with their robust offerings of life, disability and VSP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re seeing success with Met, especially with
the dental HMO or MAC plans ,as the rates are very attractive and the Met PPO is
so strong in our regions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t believe
me on that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Access their network <u><a href="https://www.metlife.com/individual/dental-insurance-center/index.html?WT.mc_id=vu1219">here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With both Met and Delta, we have the ability to quote the
plans in our office and we can turn them around quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need something in a pinch, contact <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="mailto:bobbie@benefitprofilesinc.com">Bobbie</a>. </span>Phone is best if you need a rush. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As for your business with Companion Life and Kansas City
Life, they are still not certified to sell the pediatric benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they both have assured me they have
begun the process to be certified for 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So if you’re nervous about your renewals the middle and end of this year,
know these carriers will be fully compliant by January 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">As the year goes on, we'll continue to update you on our progress with these benefits and to make it fairly painless for you and your small groups to comply. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still playing catch up with this portion of the essential benefits and what it means?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please reference our </span><u style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://benefitprofilesinc.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2014-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=16">previous blogs</a></u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> on the topic.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-46696902148179514762014-02-04T16:00:00.000-05:002014-02-06T13:09:10.859-05:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maui!—Enough Said<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This has been the kind of winter season that only Midwesterners can handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the kind of cold that hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I know it’s hard to do right now, but I’d like you to try to picture yourself lying by the pool or on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s 80 degrees and a gentle breeze rolls off the Pacific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You take a sip of a refreshing beverage of your choice, lay back and relax. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That is the type of experience we’d love to enjoy with you at the Ritz in Kapalua, Maui in June 2015!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Companion is famous for hosting the best getaway incentive trips and they aren’t too tough to obtain.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find all the details </span><u style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/file/d/0Bydy70H1quZ-ZjFLSXJHSmw3WTQ/edit" target="_blank">here</a></u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You certainly can see the pictures here in this blog but if you’d like to get a feel for the resort, click </span><u style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KapaluaMaui/Default.htm?utm_campaign=TBPSUSEGPB173&src=ps&pId=rztbppc">here.</a></span></u><br />
<u style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></u>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KapaluaMaui/Default.htm?utm_campaign=TBPSUSEGPB173&src=ps&pId=rztbppc" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KapaluaMaui/Default.htm?utm_campaign=TBPSUSEGPB173&src=ps&pId=rztbppc" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE4Lp_yNiXOSPOUfipGws5WB23mKK5K4DR6u1NeOJ3LvQvKOlBhHi6U0ROEpqzUuvRlN9pPopJK4xbabKXwB0OwmrhcFYPeFdugsp4d4to6KOjzJYrAixRa6qEp-DTYJDo-gHMVdgElHk/s1600/Ritz_KapaluaMaui_00173_920x518.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wondering how you could get there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider voluntary!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We find voluntary dental, std and life have really helped agents achieve the necessary credits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contact <a href="mailto:dominic@benefitprofilesinc.com" target="_blank">me </a>and we’ll meet to discuss a strategy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-5993096054648548142014-02-04T15:09:00.001-05:002014-02-05T09:00:17.185-05:00An Enhancement to all Metlife Group Life Products<br />
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<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An Enhancement to all Metlife Group Life Product</span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Effective January 1, 2014, MetLife's new grief counseling service will be available on all basic group life insurance programs, for new and existing customers, at no additional cost to your clients or their employees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To help individuals with difficult emotional challenges, MetLife's grief counseling service provides employees, their dependents and beneficiaries with counseling to help cope with grief following the death of a loved one or a major life change such as divorce, loss of employment, or financial hardship. Employees and their dependents may consult with a highly-credentialed counselor up to five times per event either in-person or via phone, depending upon their preference. Find out more information <u><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/file/d/0Bydy70H1quZ-N2EwQjh6YWpiYms/edit" target="_blank">here</a></u>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJp162MXwYKRwkmgUbx_-7UDPraQjO_Vu5v5vxxKeH0YDE3VMqYWvd_5U4dg31XLkhNbBpY5oEmVJNEo_wKTOrB79rMgI425VSSQvn6bSMD0ImYd5oliJAccuUn20BY7Dj-lJfH-VU-Ob/s1600/46724b6b970dce1b11f6cc8e54da850a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJp162MXwYKRwkmgUbx_-7UDPraQjO_Vu5v5vxxKeH0YDE3VMqYWvd_5U4dg31XLkhNbBpY5oEmVJNEo_wKTOrB79rMgI425VSSQvn6bSMD0ImYd5oliJAccuUn20BY7Dj-lJfH-VU-Ob/s1600/46724b6b970dce1b11f6cc8e54da850a.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-69452486312742743682013-11-05T06:55:00.000-05:002013-11-05T06:55:17.906-05:00BPI is Your Pediatric Dental Solution! <div class="MsoNormal">
Just as your early 12/1 renewals are winding down and you
can finally take that giant deep breath, relax and do some light reading on the
progress of Healthcare.Gov (I’m being facetious), out of nowhere comes a new test
for your experienced benefits mind—<i>pediatric
dental in small group! </i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been out doing quite the road show lately regarding
this little wrinkle in the law and no doubt this thing came up on all of us out
of nowhere. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I trust by now all you have a working knowledge of the
situation but if you’re still at the 101 level, you can access a recent <a href="http://benefitprofilesinc.blogspot.com/2013/09/pediatric-dental-dissecting-issues-and.html">blog
post</a> of mine that outlines it here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’ve moved past the point of needing to understand it
to the point of trying to figure out a strategy, Benefit Profiles Inc has you
covered. In the articles below, we will
give you sound and outlined answers to this pediatric dental test starting with
a very BIG announcement!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Benefit Profiles Inc,
New GA for Delta Dental! <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
I
am pleased to announce BPI has entered into an agreement with Delta Dental to
distribute its products as a General Agent in Michigan. This is a great fit for many reasons:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Benefit Profiles Inc’s pedigree and expertise
in distributing small to medium sized group ancillary benefits, especially dental.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Delta’s
recent development of a small market strategy which includes very competitively
rated </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">certified EHB dental plans as well as the benchmark stand alone pediatric
dental plan in Michigan.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those of you who work with Delta in the small group know
that right now you can utilize a generic inbox to procure quotes and submit new
business. Now with BPI we can send you
small group quotes in a day utilizing an online quoting system. We can aid you in placing new business and in
ongoing service and none of our services will add cost in commissions nor your
groups in rates. Delta sees our
involvement as a win-win both in extra administration for them as well as the
ability to reach further into the agent community with our footprint. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Solution for
Pediatric Dental <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What further makes the addition of Delta so exciting to us
at BPI is, much like you, we need a stand- alone pediatric dental carrier. It’s become very apparent in the past few
weeks that there are three distinct scenarios for dental in the small group
following 1/1/14:</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Group
has Blue Cross but no dental and needs to find a solution to comply--</span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByYDGYMjD0UCRHVqRUpSVzdxX00/edit?usp=sharing" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">View
our Solutions Chart!</a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Group
has PH but no dental and needs a solution--</span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByYDGYMjD0UCX2hva25zNlc5Q1E/edit?usp=sharing" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Solutions
Chart</a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Group
has a fully-insured medical carrier and a stand-alone non-compliant dental
carrier and would like to co</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">me into compliance with the EHB--</span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByYDGYMjD0UCQ042TS1DSC0yTGs/edit?usp=sharing" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Solutions
Chart</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scenarios 1 and 2 are fairly simple with apparent
solutions. But Scenario 3 is causing
consternation for all of us involved in distributing small group dental simply
because most of the dental carriers are not certified EHB carriers for
1/1/2014. This includes Companion Life
and Kansas City Life! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what are the solutions?
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Scenarios 1 and
2—Blue Cross or Priority Health Groups with No Dental Currently<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The easiest way to solve this issue is to add Blue or Delta
Pediatric Stand Alone dental to the plan.
This costs roughly $25-$33 a kid and it maxed at three kids so $25 to
$90 monthly tacked on to a double or family rate. Yeah, just like that. Fun huh?
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Given we know the group has to purchase pediatric dental and
we know the stand alone options are expensive, BPI would like you to consider
finding solutions that might stretch those dollars. If we gulp down hard and accept the fact that
employees in small groups will have this new burden of cost, isn’t it our jobs
as agents to see where the best value lies for the money? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this vein, we would urge you to look at Met or Delta’s
value plans. Met offers a great MAC
(Mandatory Allowable Cost—In Network Only Plan) option that can get family
rates below $90 monthly. The idea here
is if the cost is going to be $90 for three kids, why not find a plan that will
cover the parents at the same price? The
in-network only is a pain but Met’s network is bigger than Dentemax and
remember, these folks have no dental today.
Something is better than nothing! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Delta offers 50/50/50 or 80/50/40 plans that could get to
this price point as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Scenario 3—Blue Cross
or Priority Health Group with A Non-Compliant Stand Alone Dental Plan<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
This
is a stickier situation than the previous two scenarios: the group has already
established a dental plan like Companion Life who has not been certified to
sell an EHB plan in Michigan. What are the
options?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
The
first way to handle this is to simply add a stand-alone pediatric option from
either Blues or Delta to satisfy the EHB requirement. This is expensive but many agents are doing
this just to ensure everyone is in compliance.
The question remains then, what to do with the Companion Life. The first thing you could do is to leave the
Companion in place. The kids would be
double-covered, Blues or Delta would be primary and Companion secondary. And the Companion would offer pediatric ortho
and some other benefits the pediatric option would not. The other option would be to carve the kids
right off the Companion plan and do an adult only plan. The final choice would be to do a ‘wrap’ option
with Companion whereby the adults are covered on a full dental plan but the
children under age 19 have certain benefits the pediatric only doesn’t cover
like orthodontia. Simple huh? This option is clunky but it does very much
satisfy the EHB requirement so some agents are strongly considering it for some
groups especially where the stand alone dental plan is voluntary already. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
The
second way to handle this scenario is to simply replace the stand alone dental plan
with a certified EHB plan. In this
option BPI would send you only Met, MMA or Delta quotes and we could help you
understand the differences, pros and cons to moving to this type of plan. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
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<b>Want to Talk Further?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Give me a call at 616.481.8675 or shoot me an email and we can cover all of this in person. I'm very proud of the solutions we have developed at BPI to help agents pass this test and I'm happy to drive to see you! </div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-53726617584820013962013-09-18T16:26:00.000-04:002013-09-21T22:48:01.743-04:00Introducing New Staffer, Bobbie Leach<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>By Dominic Siciliano</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBaRaxBsCxw3OonyCxOtWTp6BMFAtnRrmqJ7BQ2nt9fgVQhXAx1fiHx_7IooNINOU0AXEXyyFkXunvoOV0OaS-TC4UB-vISm6Uz0raRresSZputtgAOG3m8pJfT4E2wMViEux0V1MgTuL/s1600/Smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBaRaxBsCxw3OonyCxOtWTp6BMFAtnRrmqJ7BQ2nt9fgVQhXAx1fiHx_7IooNINOU0AXEXyyFkXunvoOV0OaS-TC4UB-vISm6Uz0raRresSZputtgAOG3m8pJfT4E2wMViEux0V1MgTuL/s1600/Smaller.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those of you who work with us closely may have interacted
with our summer intern, Jason Sissing.
Jason has since gone back to school but one thing we learned having him
around was that we definitely need a more permanent position in the role he was
filling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, after a rather extensive search, we are very happy to
report Bobbie Leach has joined our team.
Bobbie is somewhat new to the benefits business, but has extensive
experience in service and small business.
She’ll be handling service, claims, and billing issues as well as
quoting groups with two through twenty-five eligible lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The addition of Bobbie is an important step for Benefit
Profiles. Our commitment is to make
working with us the most pleasant thing you experience throughout your benefits
day. A big portion of that will be that
we are quick to respond when you need us and Bobbie is essential in upholding
that standard.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can reach Bobbie through our office line 888.313.9571 or through her email at Bobbie@benefitprofilesinc.com. </span></div>
</span></div>
<div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-17226328297046635232013-09-18T16:25:00.002-04:002013-10-01T21:49:38.174-04:00Pediatric Dental --Dissecting the Issues and Laying Out the Plans for BPI<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>By Dominic Siciliano</i></b></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokzaze_mzpFYWq6qci_SOhCvxe9TR8nqmd6uZrtRtLvhGEgymQViab9sTb3WUbFlTtuW6jtg0CZZx-6zOgOkfXk1oNXEs6vXEWFvJ35BORZqidYyW2Qp5O0e7zpQ_t-E5kccDk3_qHCNi/s1600/image4511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokzaze_mzpFYWq6qci_SOhCvxe9TR8nqmd6uZrtRtLvhGEgymQViab9sTb3WUbFlTtuW6jtg0CZZx-6zOgOkfXk1oNXEs6vXEWFvJ35BORZqidYyW2Qp5O0e7zpQ_t-E5kccDk3_qHCNi/s1600/image4511.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the spirit of full disclosure I have to admit that up until a few months ago I was very much in the dark about the pediatric dental benefit under the essential benefits with PPACA. We knew it was going to be part of the essential benefit requirement and we knew the medical carriers would have to offer some option as part of the Essential Benefits, but we really didn't know how this would look and how our dental carriers would handle it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
If you are playing catch up with this portion of the bill and what it means, this <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/file/d/0ByYDGYMjD0UCT1hyMTN1eUN3UkE/edit">fact sheet</a> and <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/file/d/0ByYDGYMjD0UCSVJTSXlJa0FpbE0/edit">PowerPoint</a> from the National Association of Dental Plans are a great study.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a nutshell, PPACA dictates that medical carriers in the small group and individual markets starting in 2014 must offer a pediatric dental benefit. The benefit must follow a benchmark set out from the state or HHS depending on the makeup of the Marketplace in the state. Michigan’s benefits are based on a Delta Dental Chip program plan, found <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/EHB_Comparison_Dental_and_Vision_393337_7.pdf">here</a>. It is a basic dental plan complete with Type 1, 2 and 3 services. Notice it does not include medically necessary orthodontia. We’re one of only two states who will not require it in the EHB (Essential Health Benefits).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The issue facing small groups is how to administer this new benefit. Will it be through the medical carrier or through a stand-alone dental like the ones we offer here at BPI? And what is the group's liability if they choose to ignore the mandate altogether?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Some medical carriers will 'embed' the pediatric dental. Others will offer it as an add-on or as a bundle. Embedded pediatric dental could be problematic. It will add expense to the family medical rate and the medical deductibles will apply to Type 2 and Type 3 dental services.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Medical carriers who choose to 'bundle' pediatric dental most likely will offer the option for the group to decline. The group who declines will have attest that it is fulfilling this portion of the EHB through another facet of the benefit package--most typically through a stand-alone dental carrier. This attestation will resemble closely the HRA attestations you see from certain carriers. The group will have to provide the medical carrier 'reasonable assurance' that the pediatric benefit is taken care of.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Interestingly though, if the group attests it has pediatric dental but does not, they are not liable in any way. Remember this is small group. There is no employer responsibility to offer coverage. The liability to provide the benefit falls back on the carrier. It is the carrier's responsibility to ensure they offer a full benefits package in the eyes of HHS. Hence, the attestation situation.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Priority Health are two carriers who will not embed but rather bundle. The Blues will offer Blue Dental as an option while Priority will offer a 'soft handoff' to Delta Dental to its clients.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Those dental carriers who wish to have a certified EHB plan must be certified both by the state and HHS. Most of the carriers who certify will simply enhance their current family coverage with the pediatric portion. It will cost a bit extra, but generally much cheaper than the medical offerings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We’re excited to report MetLife along with the MMA will be an exchange certified dental plan. All small group policies will automatically be updated with the pediatric benefit 1/1/2014. The cost of about 2% in overall spend will be added at renewal. To learn more about how Met will be handling this, click </span><a href="http://app.emailtransmit.com/util/view.php?a_i=15771888&ac_i=254&t=o&l_i=8208&t_i=104901" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As for our other carriers, Companion Life produced these two very good pieces (</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/viewer?pid=explorer&srcid=0ByYDGYMjD0UCbWs2RVVRRjkxSTA&docid=02c6372ec423faa7e6f7c80317c6f83a%7Ca628a1a6c0156e2ef0bf04815d1ba57e&chan=EwAAALbsheTdbV3TRTGUvhgW3cVHjTylFwFQSOcXObbhI6Wp&a=v&rel=zip;z2;ACA+Dispatch+Letters.pdf" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ACA Dispatch Letters</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/viewer?pid=explorer&srcid=0ByYDGYMjD0UCbWs2RVVRRjkxSTA&docid=02c6372ec423faa7e6f7c80317c6f83a%7Ca628a1a6c0156e2ef0bf04815d1ba57e&chan=EwAAAPoSuibzTAbwCgGwKx8zg%2BcSRl/NkQXyaF9mPjqD0rQQ&a=v&rel=zip;z1;ACA+Q%26A.pdf" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ACA Q&A</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">) regarding the dental benefit. They have chosen to take a wait and see approach for the first few months, but they do plan on filing a plan for next year and hope to have on ready by the second quarter. Kansas City Life similarly has plans to file but will not be certified 1/1/2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s safe to say it will be best to unbundle this benefit from the medical. The benefits will be cheaper and easier to access for the employees and groups. Of our portfolio, MetLife and MMA are certified EHB dental plans. Stay tuned to our email blasts and blog as we continue to update you on new guidance as it comes forth.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-60658050366333857192013-07-25T15:39:00.001-04:002013-07-29T11:10:50.078-04:00Introducing Kansas City Life Group Benefits<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>By Dominic Siciliano</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last summer about this time I came to Lena telling her we
were adding a new carrier. “Shouldn’t be
too much extra work,” I told her. I have
to admit I was kind of wrong when I told her that. Really though, how could I have known how <u>hot</u>
their rates were going to be and how easy they were going to be to work
with?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Indeed, if you’re new to Benefit Profiles Inc or if you’ve
been quoting with us this entire year, I think you’ll agree once you get to
know Kansas City Life as we have, that they are worth being busy with. Why?
Below are some compelling reasons:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Competitive dental rates and flexible plan
designs—KCL can accommodate just about every plan design wrinkle you’d
need. In addition, KCL offers rolling
annual maximums (think Always Care and Guardian) as well as the ability to give
credit for $100 lifetime deductibles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Excellent service—KCL is a boutique, plain and
simple. Your groups are assigned to one
representative who handles its inquiries from service to billing. In addition, BPI has great resources to solve
problems quickly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. An attainable producer bonus program—see the
attached brochure <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/folder/d/0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7TEFlTkR4V2NHdkU/edit?docId=0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7a0Z5b2VZaXhYYkk" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">here</span></a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Flexible LTD contract design—Add or remove
prudent person language, soft tissue considerations; maximum income
replacements to $15K; add or remove maximum capacity; and/or definition of
disability.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. <span style="line-height: 115%;">Compelling Voluntary Life, STD and LTD through
the Abacus series. Learn more <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/folder/d/0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7TEFlTkR4V2NHdkU/edit?docId=0B0wzKkZ_n-YgX0NCS1Q2LUo3TWs"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">here</span></a>!—<b>Will write 1099
employees!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you’d like to learn more click <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/folder/d/0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7TEFlTkR4V2NHdkU/edit" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">here</span></a> or please email me at <a href="mailto:Dominic@benefitprofilesinc.com"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Dominic@benefitprofilesinc.com</b></span></a>.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-87211516579940433072013-07-25T15:39:00.000-04:002013-07-29T11:24:28.954-04:00MMA Offers Voluntary Dental - Now Selling 23 month Rate Guarantees!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>By Dominic Siciliano</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most
of you are familiar with the benefits of the MMA. We’ve been excited to represent this unique
pooled product for about a year now.
We’re even more excited now to offer voluntary dental. Not as familiar with the benefits of the MMA? See below for a brief overview:</span></span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Michigan
Manufacturer’s Association is one of the oldest and most respected professional
associations in Michigan. Any group that
is not publicly funded can join.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
MMA features pooled products and have boasted static level increases for
years. This is a very predictable
product to budget for. And, if your group
joins now, it enjoys zero rate increase until renewal in 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
MMA features all the benefits of Met’s rich dental contract. Remember, <b><i>no waiting periods for virgin
voluntary dental</i></b>!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">For more information on these new programs from the MMA click <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/folder/d/0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7Q2xLRVFqY1RwblU/edit"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">here</span></a> or give us a call today!</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-70387245278995157842013-07-01T15:40:00.000-04:002013-07-01T15:40:15.573-04:004th of July Office ScheduleWe will be closed July 4 and 5. Our carriers will be closed July 4 but open July 5. Should you have a service request July 5, you can find the following numbers below as a resource for each carrier:<br />
<br />
<b>Companion Life: 1-800-753-0404</b><br />
<b>Kansas City Life: 1-800-616-3670</b><br />
<b>Met Life: 1-800-638-5000</b><br />
<b>MMA: 1-800-842-6513</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-33888408013476837442013-06-28T16:59:00.000-04:002013-07-01T15:26:20.962-04:00A Message Regarding Companion Life and the MI Medicaid Tax Assessment<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>To all Companion Life
Agents and Brokers in Michigan:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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As you are aware, effective January 1, 2012, the Legislature
of the State of Michigan passed a 1% health claims tax imposed on all health
insurance claims incurred by Michigan residents. This includes all vision
and dental insurance claims. Insurance carriers were permitted to collect
this tax directly from their insured employer groups. Companion Life Insurance Company has been
paying this tax each quarter since its inception while we retooled our billing
system to reflect this tax separately. </div>
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Effective July, 2013, Companion Life has added the tax
surcharge to all employer group billing notices in Michigan. The bill will include a tax surcharge of
0.72% of dental premium and 0<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2436009604459422140" name="_GoBack"></a>.74% of vision premium to
estimate the 1% tax due to Michigan on claims.
Companion will then remit the tax to the state as required by Michigan
law. There will be no retroactive charge
to your clients for January 2012 through June 2013 taxes paid.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A letter of explanation has been included in each group
bill. In addition, future proposals will
reflect a footnote that explains that the State of Michigan surcharge is not
included in coverage rates within the proposal.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you have any questions or comments, please contact your
Companion Life representative.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><img alt="Scott sig 6.25.07.JPG" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=a7caa249f0&view=att&th=13f8c8fb3d187eeb&attid=0.1&disp=thd&zw" /></div>
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Trescott N. Hinton, Jr.</div>
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President, Companion Life Insurance Company</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-59627091592201947932013-06-18T15:19:00.000-04:002013-06-25T14:05:05.727-04:00Timely Topics - Summer 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
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</div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Dominic Siciliano</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.benefitprofilesinc.com/#!companion-life-resources/c184b" target="_blank"><b><u>The Companion Trip—Vienna, Austria!</u></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a crazy
year, treat yourself to some European relaxation. Companion really takes care
of you on these trips. Let’s talk about
getting you there! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/folder/d/0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7Y0x1QTVFUnU0aTA/edit?docId=0ByYDGYMjD0UCVFVJeXVvc0ktTGs" target="_blank"><b><u>Companion’s Voluntary Life Age Freeze and Vol. STD/Life Bonus Incentive</u></b><o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Companion’s
STD and Life are both unique for a variety of purposes. The entry age freeze and complimentary AD&D
on the STD is great. In addition, it
will replace worksite carriers’ STD as a takeover with pre-ex waived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://benefittrends.metlife.com/" target="_blank"><b><u>MetLife’s Benefits Intelligence</u></b><o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is their
annual benefit study in a nutshell. I
find it very powerful how employees versus employers comment regarding
voluntary benefits. This piece could be
a compelling add to your proposals as you revise the way your groups look at
employee benefits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/folder/d/0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7OUJBVElyNjNsWkE/edit?docId=0ByYDGYMjD0UCb1JvWC1NOUZWUnM" target="_blank">MetLife’s Complimentary Will Preparation</a></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I think
MetLife, I think great value and this will prep program is not utilized enough
by agents and groups. Free face-to-face
will preparation with a real, live attorney when employees purchase
supplemental life! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Allstate’s small group Critical
Illness</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Guaranteed
Issue down to five lives, in most instances; Aflac takeover with no pre-ex; one
flat rate for all of Michigan. This is a
home run!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-44026159413179142962013-06-18T14:15:00.001-04:002013-06-25T10:09:44.143-04:00You Have a Friend in Us<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Dominic Siciliano</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s been over a year since Agent Alliance closed and
Benefit Profiles began. We want to
sincerely thank you for your business.
We would not be here if it weren’t for your support.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But boy, what a difference a year makes! As I travel into your various agencies, I’m
amazed by the amount of work that faces each one of you to ensure your clients
appropriately navigate this next year of renewals.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We just want you to know that we are here for you. We continue to work to gear up our service
to make dealing with us smooth. You may
have noticed you are receiving emails from a new employee. Jason Sissing has joined us to help with
small quotes and employee adds and deletes.
In addition to Jason, we are actively seeking another person to help
service your block.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Never hesitate to call us with anything we can do to take
some pressure off your plate. We look
forward to being the Tonto to your Lone Ranger this fall and we’re excited to work
through it together!</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-16696657844944582732013-06-07T11:20:00.000-04:002013-06-20T09:46:15.579-04:00Thanks for a Great First Year! <b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Dominic Siciliano</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those of you in Michigan may not believe this by the weather but it is June. June is a special month for Lena and I here at Benefit Profiles Inc because it marks the one year anniversary of our new beginning. June 1st is our official start date. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wanted to take a second to say thank you to all of you agents, account managers, and agency staff who have been so supportive to Lena and I. You have been patient with us as we recreated and revised who and what we were this past year. We don't exist without our agent relationships and we live to hear your voices and interact with you on a daily basis, so thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a year, we've seen great growth. You may have noticed our website is much more updated. That is because we hired a marketing intern, Jason Sissing. Jason is a student at GVSU and he is very talented. I'm just hoping that when I'm old and gray he sees it in his heart to remember the 'little people' who helped him get to the top because that's where he's surely heading. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We continue to add carriers and services. Allstate has been a great addition as they have introduced us to so many interesting and innovative firms who can bring brand new services and solutions to your clients. Look for a call from me in the near future to discuss these opportunities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But beyond the business and beyond saying thank you to you, our agents, I find it important to take moments to simply appreciate what we have. After all we've been through in our industry and especially as former MA's, don't we still have to look around and say, 'Man, we have it pretty good." We see so many different groups in our various employee meetings and we see how so many people earn a living. For my money, I wouldn't want to do anything else. Yes, we're in a crossroads in our industry but that just means we have an opportunity to reinvent ourselves. Look at us here at BPI, I think we can be somewhat of a poster child for that theme. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So on that note, I wanted to share two videos with you today to make you smile. The first is the recent Pure Michigan ad that will be running nationwide to a variety of states. It features my hometown, Grand Rapids, MI and it makes me proud. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second is a Youtube video my daughter's second grade class put together. <a href="http://youtu.be/3uwflJiRPvU" target="_blank">Find it here!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This makes me smile. My little Natalie was two days old when I walked into Priority Health on my first day in the insurance industry. Now, she's eight and bouncing around happily with her classmates. Needless to say, we're both doing just fine. Couldn't have been possible without you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cheers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dominic</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-63469982097116822302013-05-13T15:17:00.002-04:002013-06-11T15:50:36.189-04:00The Best Voluntary Short Term Disability in the Market<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Dominic Siciliano</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Former NAHU President, Mel Schlessinger, once proclaimed Companion Life’s Voluntary STD product the best in the market. I happen to agree with him and here are the reasons why:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Entry Age Freeze--once a member purchases this product he/she will always be considered by Companion to be that age. This means simplicity for HR people and no hassle of updating age chart every year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Employer chooses the plan design but the employee chooses the weekly benefits. The employee chooses what he/she can spend monthly from the paycheck and can always buy up.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Guaranteed Issue at initial open enrollment and a waiver of pre-ex in a takeover situations. This product should replace Aflac STD in every one of your groups.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Minimum of 5 enrolled required for a group above 10 eligible and minimum 3 needed for a group below 10 eligible.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Maternity and Mental Health treated as standard disability.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Flat 15% commissions plus a bonus in 2013 for selling voluntary life along side.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Details of this program can be found </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/file/d/0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7X1YyQ2NMOXRDcmM/edit?usp=drive_web" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">here</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> or if you'd like to have a discussion in your office, call 888.313.9571 to set up an appointment.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Consider This. . .</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a 10 person group, let’s say four people enroll in the benefit. Employee 1 purchases a $350 weekly benefit for $32 monthly while Employee 2 purchases $700 for $64 monthly. The other two total another $90 for roughly $182 monthly. You make an extra $27 monthly on the case so your four person group just became a five person group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Multiply this by 10 and you have a 100 person group. 40 people take the benefit for a $2000 monthly bill. You make $300 monthly and $3600 annually on the benefit. That’s just like adding a small group to your book of business.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-58054465261438082772013-05-13T15:00:00.000-04:002013-05-14T15:55:57.294-04:00Lifetime Deductible Takeovers and Credit for Dental Max Rollovers<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Dominic Siciliano</span></i></b><br />
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It is common for agencies in the Michigan market to feature both lifetime deductibles and increasing dental maximums. Companion Life and AlwaysCare were big drivers of the lifetime deductibles while Guardian and AlwaysCare featured the dental max rollover accounts. </span><br />
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But as you know, dental premiums do increase and it is always possible to find a cheaper carrier. It is tougher though to find a carrier who will give credit for lifetime deductibles and rollover maximums. Kansas City Life Group Benefits will do just that. </span><br />
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I know what you’re thinking—Kansas City Who? Kansas City Life is our newest dental partner. They are A rated, very service oriented and relationship driven. They have a solid dental network and they pay at the 90th percentile out of network. They are very flexible with their plan designs and they are interested in takeover business. </span><br />
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For more information on KCL, click <a href="http://www.benefitprofilesinc.com/#!kansas-city-resources/c1pcq">here</a>. </span><br />
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If you quote with BPI, we will furnish you with quotes for Companion, MetLife, MMA and Kansas City Life. If you have a Companion case you are taking to the market, we’d love to see what our other carriers can do to retain that business with BPI. In addition, we can always ask Companion for experience and to review the increase for possible relief.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-89938956484559383802013-05-13T14:49:00.002-04:002013-05-13T15:13:34.472-04:00The Best Kept Secret—Free Will Preparation with MetLife’s Supplemental Life Insurance<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Dominic Siciliano</span></b></i><br />
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BPI is proud to represent MetLife for a variety of reasons. Their dental contract is rich with a huge network and brand recognition, their financials are strong and their local service is top notch. In addition, because Met is so big and services so many mega groups, their products tend to reflect very unique value-adds. </span><br />
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This is notable in their supplemental life insurance program where Met offers free will preparation service for any member who purchases a minimum voluntary life benefit of $10,000 or more. This will preparation takes place with an actual live attorney from the Hyatt Legal Network, a network that Met owns. The benefit allows the member to meet face-to-face with the attorney at absolutely no extra cost. Details of this program can be found <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/benefitprofilesinc.com/folder/d/0B2dnb8Q4Tpb7OUJBVElyNjNsWkE/edit?docId=0ByYDGYMjD0UCb1JvWC1NOUZWUnM">here</a>.</span><br />
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I have been through several enrollments now with Met Voluntary where this benefit alone drove more supplemental life sales and really became a great value to the employees. Remember, voluntary life pays flat 15% commissions and you are doing your groups’ employees a great service in the process. Studies have now shown that the majority of Americans do not carry life insurance and the majority of the ones who do buy it through work more than on their own individually.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436009604459422140.post-8951453369003175782013-05-09T17:01:00.000-04:002013-05-14T16:25:41.233-04:00Worksite Benefits from a Core Guy’s Perspective<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Dominic Siciliano</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">I grew up a Core guy. I cut my
teeth at Priority Health learning Medicare Advantage, t</span><span style="color: #444444;">hen moved
over to Agent Alliance to work with agents' Blue Cross in small
groups. Just as recently as a year ago, I had one thing</span><span style="color: #444444;"> in mind—how do we quote to get new medical groups or
keep the ones we had. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sure
we sold Companion Life and we talked Voluntary Dental—a sale that seemed
natural and easy enough. Medical
benefits are expensive enough, it made sense to me groups would offer the
opportunity to purchase dental as a voluntary add on. And voluntary life—that made sense. Even STD and LTD seemed like a nice, easy way
to offer employees financial protection on a voluntary basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But
what about that other stuff—critical illness or accident? I have to admit, I was skeptical. I saw how expensive the medical benefits were—I
see how agents continued to move and change benefits just to keep plans in
place. How could we ethically recommend
even more spend of the employee’s dollar?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So
I started asking agents about it. Do you
sell voluntary, more specifically worksite?
If so, how do you do it? What
carriers do you sell? The answers were
varied from agents who told me they despise the very idea of it to those who
told me they are experiencing great success and their groups are really enjoying
the benefits. But the process still
seemed odd to me. How does it work? How do they sell it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
began talking to the carriers. The answers
were hard to come by. Some told me they
had to accompany the agent on every sale because they are the experts. No, that doesn’t feel right. Others told me the products ‘sell themselves’
and they just need the opportunity to quote.
That’s not right either. Then
finally I found one who told me their style is to find areas they can enhance
the benefits experience, lower core costs or even solve employer issues through
their varied resources with several enrollment platforms. This started to fit. I finally began to see how it could work—if
through the enrollment process (which is necessary for voluntary benefits) the
agent can solve essential employee or employer pains, then the sale becomes a
solution.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18092241465328582076noreply@blogger.com0