Brokers Health Insurance Newsletter
Managing General Agent for Individual, Group & Senior Products January 2009
In This Issue
Visit exotic locations with Great Lakes/Brokers Health
Delphi Card - Group Medical
American Community Field Bulletins
Online Health Quote
Assurant Health Communications
ATTENTION Senior Agents
Golden Rule announcement
SEC Rule 151A
MAIA Seminar
Visit exotic locations with Great Lakes/Brokers Health! 
tropical photo
 
Sun drenched beaches await qualifying agents for a week of fun with Great Lakes/Brokers Health! Airfare on American Airlines, accommodations by Hyatt Hotels, transfers, breakfast and dinner with drinks included!
 
YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR OUR TRIP AND for American Community, Assurant, World and Colonial Life's trip.
 
Great Lakes/Brokers Health is the only brokerage where you can earn double credit.
 
January 2010
 
SIGN UP TODAY - We're leaving sooner than you think!

Quick Links
:: info@brokershealth.com

Happy New Year from everyone at Great Lakes Insurance Management/Brokers Health Insurance Services!

Great Lakes/Brokers Health offers a world-class quiver of products and services to assist our agents with unparalleled support.  Let us know what we can do to increase your book of business in any way.  Thank you!  
 
Great Lakes/Brokers Health values your privacy so we will never share your email address with anyone.  Contact us anytime with any questions, comments or ideas you may have - Thank you.
 
Group Medical Savings with the Delphi Card
AGENTS - if you haven't heard about this revolutionary new product broadcast in recent emails by Great Lakes/Brokers Health, click here for an overview.  If you already have, let us show you specifically how the Delphi Card can work for your groups today.
  • Are your group renewals going up?
  • Do you want to save 15%?
  • Have you heard of the Delphi Card?
  • Great Commissions available.

Contact the Great Lakes/Brokers Health Team today for more information on how agents can benefit from this revolutionary new product.

American Community Field Bulletins AC logo
American Community has been busy updating agents and brokers - In case you missed some important ones:
  • AC's 2009 Bonus Program
    • Individual New Business Bonus
      • Earn cash based on the number of policies you sell.  There's a 15 policy activation minimum to qualify, but there is NO MAXIMUM.  Your cash bonus will be determined by the number of policies (excluding Short Term and replacement business) activated from January 1 through March 31, 2009Contact us today for more information.
  • A Shortened Application for Re-writes AND A Simplified Process!
    • States:  AZ, AR, IL, IN, IA, MI, NE, OH, OK, TN, TX, WI
    • Effective:  IMMEDIATELY
    • American Community now offers an abbreviated Re-write Application for our individual health products.  This shorter, simplified application will ease the process for in-force/certificate holders who request a product or benefit change.
    • Applying for a New Health Insurance Product or Different Benefits, Effective Date Guidelines for Re-writes, Where to get Re-write applications - Contact us today!
  • 2009 Guidelines for Health Savings Accounts 
    • States:  ALL
    • Effective:  January 1, 2009
    • As Issued by the Treasury Department and the IRS
    • The Treasury Department and IRS issued new guidance on the maximum contribution levels for HSAs and out-of-pocket spending limits for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) that must be used in conjunction with HSAs.  These amounts have been indexed for cost-of-living adjustments for 2009.  American Community will increase the current deductibles and out-of-pocket minimums included in our policies as a result of this increase. 
      • Call us for the 2009 levels, updated marketing materials and policyholder notification details
  • Medalist II - Discontinued for New Business
    • States:  Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas
    • Effective:  December 28, 2008
    • American Community will soon be launching CommunityFlex product for individuals and families, giving your clients the freedom to choose an insurance plan best suited for their personal healthcare needs and budget.  Consequently, American Community will discontinue marketing the Medalist II product for new sales based on your state.
      • Call us to get the chart today!
  • Website Passwords Just Got Easier 
    • Relaxed criteria simplifies your connection to AC 
    • All you need are seven characters to log on to the secured section of AC's website.

Please call or email us for more detailed information on any of the above items.

Online Health Quote in Two Easy Steps!!

Great Lakes Insurance Management/Brokers Health Insurance Services has added the functionality to our website to give visitors health insurance quotes in two easy steps.  By filling in basic info and a personal profile - all industry best secured - numerous quotes are provided.  UPDATE - we have upgraded the interface to make it even easier to get and review quotes - try it today!

CLICK HERE to see this quoting engine now.
Assurant Health logo 
Assurant Health
 
 
 
 
Contact us today to learn more about:
  • Double Digit rate reductions
  • One Decreasing Deductible
  • New network opportunities
  • Patient Care
  • KeyMed and IMployee...
  • also:
    • Maternity Coverage Enhancements
    • 36-Month and 24-Month Rate Guarantees
    • Extended Deductible Periods
Short Term Medical
Agents call Assurant Health's STM Insurance plan "affordable with a simple application process".  It's one of the reasons why they are a leader in STM sales.  The other reason is they listen to agents who sell it - they've run their business that way for the last 35 years.  Let Great Lakes/Brokers Health show you the STM benefits, flexibility and how they compare to what you now sell TODAY!  Helpful brochures and enrollment forms, among other Assurant Health materials available upon request.
 
 

From Assurant Regional Sales Director Dave Staley:
  • Group Rate Reductions
    • Effective date:  January 2, 2009
    • Rate Reductions in 62 counties in Michigan of 10% and holding trend in balance of state.
The New Small Group - Reference Guide
Assurant launched "The New Small Group" and we've got a handy guide that will help you and your staff submit prescreens and new business to our office.  Contact us to get yours today!
 
Please let Great Lakes/Brokers Health know if you'd like more information.
Brokers Health is your senior products expert! 
ATTENTION INDEPENDENT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT & MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PRODUCERS 
 
WANTED Looking for the seasoned, self motivated, and disciplined Professional Insurance Agents!!!
  • Brand New Companies
  • Top Contracts
  • Top Rated Carriers
  • Trips, Bonuses, Incentives
Please contact Great Lakes Insurance Management/Brokers Health Insurance Services, 800-782-8190 or email: Bev@BrokersHealth.com
 
Golden Rule News 
  • On November 20, 2008, UnitedHealthOne introduces the newest Golden Rule product enhancements in:  AL, AR, AZ, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, MD, MI, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX and WI.  The new products give your clients greater benefit choices that can better meet their needs.  This can give you more opportunities to grow your business.
  • Broker Seminars Help You Get A Fast Start - with all the changes, you'll want to know the details so you can effectively present the products to your clients.  The easiest, quickest way to get up to speed is to participate in one of Golden Rule's onsite seminars in select markets.  50 seminars in 34 markets November 18 through December 18.
  • No seminar in your area or don't have time to attend?  If you can't join us in person for a seminar, attend online!  The New Individual Health Market Products Webinar starts November 24th.  For the schedule and to register, go to goldenrule.webex.com.

Contact Great Lakes/Brokers Health today for assistance with this transition.

 
Rule 151A Adopted by SEC 
From:  American Equity Marketing
To:  All American Equity NMO's & Agents
As many of you know, in December the SEC adopted Rule 151A which purports to classify most fixed indexed annuities as securities subject to federal oversight.  If allowed to stand, the rule would apply to indexed annuities issued on or after January 12, 2011, and would require these products to be registered with the SEC as securities and sold by securities licensed individuals.  Great Lakes/Brokers Health would like to share and discuss American Equity's full statement with you upon request.
MAIA logo 
 
 
 
 
Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) 
On January 14-16, 2009 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, MichiganMichigan MAIA and The National Alliance will be holding a CIC Personal Lines seminar.  This seminar is worth 20 hours of Michigan CE credits.  Topics include:
  • Personal Residential Coverages
  • Personal Automobile Coverages
  • Person Umbrella/Excess Coverages
  • Watercraft Coverages
  • Rental Car Coverages
  • Flood
  • Home-based business
  • Condominiums
  • Farm and Ranch Coverages
  • Mobile Home Coverages
  • No Fault (PIP)
  • Catastrophe/Earthquake/Flood
  • Wind Pools

Please use this link to register:  https://michagent.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=EventList

2009 MAIA Convention
Great Lakes Insurance Management/Brokers Health Insurance Services will have a booth at the 2009 MAIA Convention held Wednesday February 25th at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.  We will have some new products and good ideas for you and your clients.  More information in our February newsletter.
Brokers Health Insurance | 415 Main Street | Saint Joseph | MI | 49085