How can you choose a health insurance agent that will get you the best-fitting coverage? With the myriad of options available, it can be overwhelming. Health insurance agents worth their salt ask pointed questions to understand your needs, guide you through enrollment, and follow up after the sale.
Before perusing Google (or cracking open the phone book if that’s your thing), know what you’re looking for. Consider your overall health, budget, and must-haves. Get a bird’s eye view of what is available to you, but don’t worry about every little thing—agents will help you compare the details.
Health insurance agents must be licensed and appointed. If something seems off, check their standing. You can verify this information through the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Website. Additionally, consider agents who are members of professional organizations: this indicates a commitment to ethical standards and ongoing education.
Seek out agents with relevant experience in the health insurance industry. An experienced agent is likely to have a deeper understanding of the complexities of health insurance policies and can provide valuable insights tailored to you.
Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues who have recently purchased a health insurance plan or worked with an agent. Personal recommendations provide valuable insights into an agent's communication style, responsiveness, and overall customer satisfaction.
Online reviews can be another form of referral. Pay attention to feedback related to customer service, claim handling, and overall satisfaction. This can provide valuable insights into the agent's reputation and reliability.
Your agent should explain complex insurance terms in a way you can understand. A stellar agent should also be a good listener, but it’s what they listen for that’s key.
Great agents will ask what might seem like personal questions: who is your primary care provider, what medications you might take, your income, and any specialists you might see. If they have something prepared in advance to make sure they hit all those bullet points—even better.
Look for a transparent agent. Beware of agents who pressure you into making quick decisions or are not clear about the terms and conditions of the policies they propose.
If you are in the market for a Medicare plan, be aware that your agent might ask you to sign something called a Scope of Appointment. This is required by federal law, and ensures your agent is on the straight and narrow. Don’t feel brushed off if they ask you to wait 48 hours before they will talk business with you, either—that’s federal law, too. Under 65 shoppers might be asked to sign a consent form for similar reasons.
A reliable agent will provide multiple quotes from different carriers. This allows you to compare coverage options, premiums, and exclusions, helping you make an informed decision based on your priorities and budget.
But on the flip side, don’t let them overwhelm you with too many options. Don’t be afraid to narrow the options for your agent. “I only want to see plans that work with my current doctor,” or, “I travel a lot, I need a plan with a vast network,” is totally acceptable.
Your agent should be easy to get ahold of. They should have convenient office hours, contact avenues that work for you, and snappy response times.
Once it’s all said and done, your agent shouldn’t drop you like a ton of bricks once you sign on the dotted line. “Did you get your card in the mail yet?” “How’s that Silver Sneaker fit?” or touchpoints during enrollment season are the signs of an agent that works for you, and not the commissions.
If all that sounds like a lot of effort, then you could just call on an Action Benefits agent. With over 30 years in the business and an award-winning culture, our licensed and appointed health insurance agents will go to bat for you time and time again. You’ll get coverage that fits, without needing a phone book. Be ready to answer a few questions: we’ll want to get it right.