News and Updates
Are You Being Out-Hustled?
If there’s one thing that’s 100% within your control, it’s your effort. You control how hard you work. Not your manager. Not anyone else. No one can, or will, stop you from working hard. The effort you make is yours alone. If it isn’t enough, it’s all on you. You...
Heart-Failure Deaths▲, Life Expectancy▼
Deaths from heart failure, one of the nation’s biggest killers, are surging as the population ages and the health of younger generations worsens. The death rate from the debilitating condition rose 20.7% between 2011 and 2017, and is likely to keep climbing sharply,...
In-Home Care, LTC: A Lot More Expensive
A new interactive survey by Genworth Financial found the fastest-rising long-term care cost is not for the most skilled care at a nursing home or assisted-living facility, but in-home services. Genworth reported the cost of homemaker services – in which an aide helps...
No Isn’t Really ‘No’ Until the 5th ‘No’
If you’ve identified a good prospect – and if you know you can create value for this prospect – you need to be the first to invest in that relationship. Instead of straight pitching, do some value-creating first; make some deposits in the deal that’ll make it easier...
Part D Out-of-Pocket Costs to Spike in 2020
Part D beneficiaries could see their out-of-pocket costs go up next year before they reach the catastrophic phase of the benefit, new analysis shows. Kaiser Family Foundation found the catastrophic threshold is set to increase substantially, leading to higher...
Do One Thing. Do It Well. Then Move On
The proliferation of tools, apps and modern business practices has increased the number of distractions that interrupt your work all day long. In years past, the phone or an open door were the only ways you might be distracted from your work. The new currency of...
Household Spending Decreases With Age
Household spending decreases with age, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s study of the Health and Retirement Study and the Consumption and Activities Survey for older Americans between the ages of 50 to 64; 65 to 74; and 75 and older, between 2005...
Consumers Using Technology to Enroll
Technology is playing a greater role in AEP, and though 39% of consumers welcome the digital access, more than half still want to speak with an insurance agent or a customer service representative for questions or to resolve an issue. When it comes to assistance, 66%...
Winning During AEP: It’s a State of Mind
You can’t win if you’ve already lost in your mind. If you’ve given up and accepted defeat before you’ve even tried, you’ve eliminated the possibility of winning. AEP is a slog, a marathon. Beginning the 7-week challenge with the mental certainty that you can’t win...
Medicare Advantage Market Is Still Stout
The Medicare Advantage market remains strong with continued opportunity for growth, according to Mark Farrah research. As of June 30, M/A saw membership increases of 742,000 since last year, with more and more beneficiaries choosing an M/A plan over Traditional...