AHCP Blog (34)

Time to Brush Up on HSAs

Published: January 11, 2016

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) first hit the scene back in 2004, and since that time they’ve grown at a steady pace. Every year, more and more brokers get on board with consumer-directed health plans and HSA plans in particular. Still, not every agent is a fan. It’s not easy to create conscientious healthcare consumers. Americans have shown an unwillingness to save their money, and, without up-front copayments, some people go without needed care.

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Understanding the ACA’s Cost-Sharing Subsidies

Published: December 28, 2015

A lot of emphasis has been placed on the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits over the past couple years—and rightly so. The Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) makes it possible for millions of Americans to purchase health insurance; without the financial assistance, many would likely remain uninsured.

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What’s going on with commissions?

Published: December 8, 2015

In what seems like a strange move to most brokers, some carriers have stopped paying commissions on their most desirable plans, those with larger provider networks and out-of-network options. Why in the world would they do this? Do they not value the agent anymore?

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This Year, Agents are More Important Than Ever

Published: November 30, 2015

It’s funny to think that, just a few years ago, many of us were worried that the government was creating a do-it-yourself, Travelocity©-like website that might eliminate the need for health insurance agents altogether. Boy, were we wrong.

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Spread Out Your Pitches for More Sales Success

Published: November 10, 2015

Are you striking out when trying to sell supplemental and ancillary insurance? Maybe it’s because you’re trying to cram all of your sales efforts into a single call or appointment. There are three big reasons why this may not be a good idea.

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3 Open Enrollment Tips for Brokers

Published: November 2, 2015

It’s that time of the year again—open enrollment. The 2016 individual open enrollment period begins November 1 and ends January 31, which means that brokers who specialize in individual coverage will be very busy for the next three months. To help make sure this is a successful selling season for you, we thought we’d share a few quick thoughts.

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This Fall’s Hot Topics

Published: October 4, 2015

A lot of the brokers who work with AHCP focus on both group and individual health insurance. Sure, most of you also market a full range of voluntary and supplemental products to your clients and prospects, but there’s no denying that health insurance is at the top of everyone’s priority list.

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Be Aware of the Subsidy Trap

Published: August 3, 2015

The Affordable Care Act’s advance premium tax credit (APTC) has been wildly successful. It’s helping millions of Americans pay for health insurance purchased through the individual Marketplace. However, something that’s been confusing for many is the fact that it is an advance. The tax credit is based on the estimated amount that an individual believes they will earn in the coming year. This estimate must be made at the time of the insurance purchase, and, of course, the actual amount earned could ultimately be more or less than anticipated.

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4 Ways to Get Set For Open Enrollment

Published: August 3, 2015

It's August (already) and that means that Autumn is just around the corner. This season of change brings with it multi-colored leaves, harvest festivals, a crispness in the air and . . . the next open enrollment for consumers in the insurance market.

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New Bill Would Permit Defined Contribution for Individual Health Plans

Published: July 23, 2015

Some people dabble in health insurance. Others specialize. Those who dabble may sell it as a courtesy to

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