6/16/09 UPDATE – See my most recent update here. . .
June 8th, 2009 UPDATE: I’ve now heard that CMS has pushed out the corrected reports. I’ve updated that here.
I’ve heard this enough places to determine that this isn’t just one carrier. I think CMS messed up all of the carrier files and now is supposed to be working to “re-release” the new files for the carriers. No dates have been given. I know this is ridiculous. I’ve gotten some commission statements and even some payments based on the erroneous information and I waiting to hear if the commissions will be charged back or exactly what’s going on.
Honestly, it makes me sick to have to report this, but, I’m afraid we’re back to an indefinite waiting period on commissions.
I sent a note to the guy at the New York Times who interviewed me about 6 months ago about the changes to the Medicare Advantage system. I doubt this will make the paper, but it is a travesty of justice, imo. It’s plain wrong on so many levels. . .
We need to start a class action law suit to get paid the money that is rightfully owed us. Agents are losing their homes, knee deep in credit card bills, and behind on their children’s school tuiton bills. We need to fight so we can start being treated like the professionals that we are. Also, do not forget that if the CMS pay schedule stands, the renewal year commissions will be no more than half of what was initially paid out.
Rodney, no one shares your sentiments more than me, but I believe there may be a couple of fallacies in your thinking worth consideration:
First of all, I’m not 100% sure of this, but I don’t think you can sue the federal government without their permission. And unless you or someone you know is a heavy duty Obama supporter or a gay lover of Barney Frank’s, I don’t see this happening.
Secondly, a LAW suit implies some adherence to the rule of law, and I’ve seen little evidence of late suggesting that still exists where this administration is concerned. Personally I’ve had to refund commissions that were fully earned even though the associated premiums were NOT refunded… just because CMS said so. CMS routinely changes the rules and applies them retroactively in a world where they have no business in the first place, the world of private companies engaging in free market capitalism. So a bunch of us filing a class action against CMS would probably have about the same effect as a group of Jews filing a complaint against Hitler.
But now an armed insurrection might work!
I work for American Progressive i still haven’t received a check from them….
I have an idea that might get this in the national media…It will take everyone on here to send an email with basic information about our problem. Everyone needs to email GLENN BECK at fox news. He is always looking for stories to run and he likes to see justice. We need to put together a rally in each state on the same day like the tea parties so that this injustice is heard nationally. This is the only way to strike back at the government, to let Glenn Beck run the story and humiliate this administration even more.
Well today is Friday 6/5 and I still haven’t received a check from UHC. There have been no new messages or correspodence about “Corrected Files” either.
If any of you have received a check lets us know from which company, or if not which company.
YOU KNOW THIS IS SO CRAZY ….I GET A LETTER FROM THE I.R.S. SAYING I DID NOT REPORT 17K ON A 1099 FROM AN INSURANCE COMPANY FOR YR. 2007,WELL THEY NEVER SENT IT OUT BUT STILL MY FAULT FOR NOT REPORTING THIS …YES I MADE A MISTAKE SO I GET A BILL FOR $6,800
FROM THE GOVT AGENCY I.R.S. $1500.00 OF THIS 6,800
IS PENALTIES AND INTEREST SO THEY CAN MAKE SOME SERIOUS MISTAKES AND NOT PAY US AGENTS I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD PAY US AN 10% LATE PENALTY AND 10% INTREST ON THE COMMISSIONS WHEN THEY PAY US!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I want you all to think about something. Anyone with an internet connection can log on to Medicare’s website, and with a minimal amount of information, see just exactly what Medicare plan a beneficiary is on. (Hell I saved a copy of everyone I wrote this past season just so I’d know how much money I was getting screwed out of.) This process takes all of 30 seconds with a decent internet connection.
Can anyone tell me why it takes the “authorities” at CMS 6 FREAKING MONTHS to get this figured out? Oh, and then get it WRONG??
I honestly think I could take CMS to court and prove corruption on their part solely on the basis that no one could possibly be that damn stupid!
Anyone know why the media isn’t all over this?
Medicare Advantage is the greatest thing to happen to senior healthcare since the invention of anesthesia. It could easily be the salvation of Medicare and Social Security, and the answer to Medicaid the politicians have been claiming to search for!
But since it’s a Republican program and flies in the face of the Democrat’s socialist agenda, it has to die an ugly death. And senior citizens, and the insurance professionals who serve them, have to suffer.
????????????????????? Does anyone know Obama’s Cell Phone Number? OH-WAIT he’s a Government Employee to!
I spoke with the commissions dept of American Progressive which is a Universal American company today. The person i spoke with said, that as far as he knew, HMO commissions were paid out this past friday. There is no update that he was aware of to when commissions will be paid out on the PFFS plans.
I agree with some of the other posts, in that the same ‘brains’ have gotten the entire Medicare and SS systems in trouble and will now force many good agents out of servicing the clientelle they say they want to help! They continue to make promises to insurance companies and agents that want to service senior clients, but then don’t have the systems in place to manage the recordkeeping and payouts. What a crock!
Like many agents, I count on these funds..and don’t like the last minute notice that commissions have been reduced (like they did last fall) or that the commissions due me are now indefinitely delayed!
If I didn’t truly love working with my senior clients, you can bet I would be out of this business!n Nothing but frustration and broken promises.
It was encouraging to hear some are beginning to receive overdue commissions. Has ANYONE received second-half commissions from any of the Universal American companies? If so, which company, and for which effective dates? Also, if you did, how did they handle paying on those that already had Part D only, but not MA?
I think it would be great if we all send a message to the news reporter. Maybe if this could get out in the open how agents have been taken advantage of then maybe something can be done.