JOIN PPO AGENTS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to switch my existing contracts to PPO AGENTS?

No, you do not have to change any of your existing distribution networks because…

PPO AGENTS is a targeted National Marketing Organization, offering you unique, niche-specific products that work in conjunction with products you already offer.

PPO Agents will help you diversify and increase your income — by attracting and keeping, self-employed clients.

What is your definition of self-employed?

Generally, you are self-employed if any of the following apply to you.

You carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or an independent contractor.

You are a member of a partnership that carries on a trade or business.

You are otherwise in business for yourself (including in a part-time business or as a gig worker).

Learn more here.

What are the 11 questions for simplified underwriting?
 CLICK HERE for the 11 simple questions.

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P.S.  For experienced agents/brokers this next part goes without saying…

Why it is important that clients be honest when answering the 11 questions (and about being self-employed)?

Retroactive Rescission:

The PPO company verifies the truthfulness of these answers, especially for large claims.

If a member misrepresents their eligibility or health status, the PPO plan may be rescinded retroactively.

This means coverage would be canceled as if it never existed, leaving the member responsible for all past medical bills.

Financial Burden:

Facing a health issue can be stressful enough.

A retroactive rescission could result in significant financial hardship for the member, potentially jeopardizing their business or personal finances.

By carefully reviewing eligibility and health questions with potential members, you can:

Ensure a Smooth Enrollment Process:

Understanding eligibility upfront helps avoid application delays or denials.

Protect Your Clients:

By explaining the consequences of misrepresentation, you help members make informed decisions and avoid potential financial setbacks.

Maintain a Positive Client Relationship:

Transparency builds trust and strengthens your relationship with your clients.

Remember, the online application is a legal document.

By clearly explaining the eligibility requirements and underwriting questions, you can help your clients avoid a potentially devastating financial situation.

Encourage your clients to be honest and transparent during the application process.

If they have any pre-existing conditions or concerns about eligibility, you can guide them towards alternative plan options that may be a better fit.

 

How can you offer a PPO for the same price as an ACA HMO?

The level-funded PPO can be offered at a lower monthly premium than the marketplace HMO because of two key features:

1. **Underwriting:** Unlike HMOs in the marketplace, this plan allows underwriting, which means they can assess applicants’ health risks through a questionnaire. This allows them to accept only healthy individuals, leading to lower overall claim costs and lower premiums.

2. **Data-driven cost control:** The plan leverages anonymized member data to two ends:
* Selling it to data analytics companies generates revenue, reducing plan costs.
* It allows them to identify areas for cost savings and potentially negotiate better rates with healthcare providers.

Group Plan via LLC Membership:

This plan operates as a level-funded group health plan offered through a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

By becoming a member of the LLC, individuals gain access to the group plan benefits.

There is a Joinder Agreement that is signed as a part of the Member becoming a Working Owner of the LLC.

Each member receives a unit of the LLC, essentially becoming a *working owner.  

(*Members complete activities via their Personal Health Dashboard. Activities such as periodically watching a health related video, completing surveys or filling out questionnaires.)

This unique structure allows the plan to offer group plan rates to self-employed individuals who wouldn’t qualify otherwise.

Established Level-Funded Approach: This level-funded PPO is built on a well-established strategy.

Millions of Americans across various sectors, including private companies, public institutions, and unions, rely on level-funded group health plans.

This widespread use demonstrates their acceptance as a reliable and cost-effective approach to health insurance.

Why is it important to expose ALL healthy self-employed clients to this Nationwide PPO option?

Once your clients understand the benefits – even if in some cases where a PPO may cost them a bit more than an HMO – they are going to love you!

While price is important, your clients should consider the value of choice.

Unlike HMOs, our Nationwide PPO plan allows your clients to visit any in-network doctor or specialist without a referral. Or even out of network at a reduced level of coverage.

This flexibility is crucial if they develop a future health concern or need to see a specialist quickly.

You are offering your client peace of mind knowing they have options when they need them — which is priceless.

Even with a small tax credit/subsidy, joining the PPO is a strategic move.

It provides nationwide access to top-tier medical centers, ensuring quality care during unexpected health challenges.

Health conditions can change unexpectedly.

Imagine facing a major illness like cancer or heart disease.

PPOs allow nationwide access to top-tier centers of excellence medical centers.

These “centers of excellence” specialize in complex treatments.

Encourage your clients to join now — while healthy and they still can — before a health crisis necessitates access to specialized care. 

What are the age restrictions?

Members must join before age 65.  

Of course as you know at 65 they will join Medicare.

Who is PPO AGENTS? Who is America's Choice Health Plans?

-PPO AGENTS is a targeted National Marketing Organization, offering you unique, niche-specific products that will help you diversify and increase your income — by attracting and keeping, self-employed clients.

The PPO AGENTS team headquarters is in the heart of healthcare innovation, Houston, Texas — but don’t be fooled by our zip code — we deliver coast-to-coast excellence.

With over 100 years of collective experience in the health insurance and marketing trenches, our team isn’t just knowledgeable, we’re battle-tested.  

We understand the challenges you face and are laser-focused on empowering you to succeed.

At PPO AGENTS we understand that the self-employed and their families have unique health insurance needs.

Traditionally, your self-employed clients have been limited to HMO plans through the marketplaces. In partnership with America’s Choice, we’re changing that.

America’s Choice, a division of US HealthCenter, is a top provider of comprehensive risk management, insurance, and employee benefit advisory services.

America’s Choice and its third party administrator (TPA) subsidiaries serve thousands of employers across the country with various components of managed care including but not limited to, Utilization Review, PPOs, HMOs, EPOs, POSs, HSAs, HRAs, RBPs, VBPs and more.

When you join PPO AGENTS you will have the option of enrolling clients in any of the 44 states where we are currently doing business — as long as you are licensed in those states. 

Your clients can access PPO coverage in their home state, and if needed — for example while travelling — or for specialized care — they can access coverage in all 50 states. 

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For states where clients can enroll please click here.

 

What is the refund policy? What is the free look period?

The Plan offers a 10-day free look period, after your effective date, the refund will be issued after 60 days, provided no claims have incurred.

As we know you know…

If the plan has not effectuated they are also eligble for a full refund which will be issued after 60 days.

Regarding Blue Cross Blue Shield of PHCS -- does it matter where potential clients live?

 You will be able to offer either Blue Cross Blue Shield or PHCS to clients in the states where you are licensed.

To be eligible your clients need to live in one of the 44 states listed.

States where clients can enroll: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY.

However, even though we are not currently selling in 6 states, (CA, HI, NH, OR, VT, WA) your clients are still eligible for care in all those states, if they are traveling or need to go to a center of excellence in any state.

NOTE:  Through our contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, we have access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association companies and their combined 1.7 million providers, hospitals and other facilities along with more than 55,000 retail pharmacies.

PHCS has over 1.4 million providers and facilities.

What is the funding arrangement?

This is a level-funded group health plan and is built on a well-established strategy.

Millions of Americans across various sectors, including private companies, public institutions, and unions, rely on level-funded group health plans.

This widespread use demonstrates their acceptance as a reliable and cost-effective approach to health insurance.

Getting appointed is quick and easy. There's no cost, no setup fees.