Do your clients know the benefits of buying health insurance outside of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) marketplaces? Until the Affordable Care Act, people with pre-existing conditions had the opportunity to buy healthcare. It’s important that independent agents not let this opportunity slip by, so we need to get the word out that if you are looking to buy healthcare insurance, especially if you have a pre-existing condition, you may get a much better healthcare plan from an independent agent than through the exchanges.
Independent agents can find each client a plan that is right for them, including keeping their previous doctor.
Appealing to the uninsured
The one weapon we have against our competition are the many options that we can provide our clients. For all the pros of the ACA, the one big con is that the plans on the exchange are limited. That means compromise. For clients who do not want to compromise with their healthcare plan, working with an agent will ensure that they are getting the best plan for them, not the best plan that the insurance company has put on the exchange.
Picking and choosing doctors and specialists
One of the main grievances that people had with the ACA is that their doctor or specialist was not covered by their new plan. When you work with an independent agent, we can scour all the health plans available to make sure that you can keep your doctors or see certain specialists. For clients with pre-existing conditions, being able to choose the doctors, specialists, and hospitals that they are comfortable with, that they trust, or that are close to their home is a big deal. Only independent agents can provide service that puts the clients needs first.
Make sure you are getting the word out that when you work with an independent agent, you don’t have to compromise on your healthcare plan. Make sure your clients know that when it comes to buying health care, independent agents don't work for the government or the insurance companies, so we are an impartial party and a more trusted source of information. We work for the best interest of our clients. Period.
Independent agents work for the best interest of the client, not the government or the insurance companies.
Be a part of the healthcare conversation
There is so much information floating around it's hard for an insurance industry outsider to make out what is right and what is wrong. You need to position yourself as someone that your clients can trust to give them the right information. Look at it this way: when the ACA and the insurance providers are fighting, you need to be the people that everyone comes running to, to get impartial and honest information. Independent agents need to be the voice of reason in the very loud, hard-to-follow health insurance conversation.
Be a thought leader in your industry
If you can position yourself as a thought leader in your industry, clients will naturally seek you out when they are ready to buy health insurance. Your expertise will attract new clients, and the many options you can provide a client will keep them coming back.
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