Now that the energetic pace of Open Enrollment is behind us, it's a good time to take a breather, reflect on the past year and refocus our strategies for a successful 2015. For AHCP the results of this Open Enrollment Period proved to be staggering. Thanks to the hard work of thousands of AHCP agents, January 2015 premium revenue eclipsed January 2014 by more than 300%, owing much to United Healthcare's re-entry into the market.

Although we can count on a trickle of ACA sales throughout the non-open enrollment period for people with qualifying life events, most of us will shift our energies towards ensuring our clients are secured with supplemental and ancillary insurance plans. Accident medical expense and critical illness insurance plans are ideal strategies for minimizing your clients' out of pocket liabilities to which their high-deductible ACA plans leave them exposed. Protecting their assets with final expense and term life insurance is wise financial planning for any client.

For those who still lack a major medical insurance policy we offer industry exclusive short term medical plans through our sister company, National Health Insurance Company (NHIC). Short-term medical (STM) can be an affordable and convenient option for those who are still looking for the protections provided by major medical insurance. It is health coverage designed to cover individuals for a pre-determined length of time ranging from a few months up to a year, depending on your client's needs, and are substantially less expensive than traditional major medical policies.

STM is a great option for:

• Those who missed the open enrollment period
• Individuals waiting for benefits to begin at work
• Students who are leaving parental coverage
• Clients looking for a lower cost alternative to major medical
• And many more

Should your client develop a health issue mid-year, they can switch to traditional major medical insurance during the next open enrollment period.

But what if they don't qualify for the STM because of the knock-out questions you ask? AHCP now offers a guaranteed-issue short term medical plan. Now there is no excuse to leave your client uninsured.

Our IntriumCare STM, Accimed and TrioMed plans all offer simple online enrollment with either voice verification or e-signature. Call AHCP Agent Services to get contracted and receive your enrollment link today or go to NHIC Online to expedite your appointment.

And if you haven't heard about our STM Spring Bonus Program click here. 

Steve Trattner

President | AHCP