These changes are really going to be affecting all of us. As an American citizen, I am a little afraid of what these major changes will do to our budgets and economy, but as a broker, it means great opportunity and will mean a great deal to me. Although I can only imagine that once the system is off the ground, the government will try and push brokers away by cutting payments to us, but I think in the mean time we will all be focusing on new innovative ways to make healthcare more accessible and provide solutions to the problems that arise that will keep us employed.
1. Guaranteed issue for everyone. I have an enormous opportunity as a broker to sign up as many people as I possibly can for health insurance. I no longer have to turn people away and when it comes to finding the right plan, it really comes down to which doctors do you want to see, what medications are you on and what is your budget? I really dislike spending hours with a client only to find out they were declined. I make no money that way, because my compensation is based upon the policies that are in force.
2. More confusion=More need for professionals who know what the heck they're doing. With additional laws and information available it will be very important for people to consult a professional. Those who purchase from a good friend who also delivers pizza on the side will probably find themselves dissatisfied and possibly in a world of hurt come tax season.
3. People actually are thinking about this stuff. For once we actually have demand for our services and products and people have a timeframe to make a decision- or accept a penalty. Insurance is always last on people's list. The whole goal of healthcare reform was to create increased demand in hopes to decrease prices. This might actually come to pass. The problem that we don't know about are the initial wave of super-spenders on the plans making it go the opposite direction.
4. New products. I used to be in the electronics industry and I loved every new year when new stuff came out. It is always exciting to see the new innovations and get up to speed on the new toys. This is like a new year of new toys for a health insurance broker!
No comments:
Post a Comment