To run a successful Medicare business, you must decide how to allocate your time between all your important tasks and responsibilities. Building carrier relationships may seem less important than more pressing issues, especially if this takes time out of your busy schedule. However, agents who invest in cultivating strong carrier relationships see many benefits.
Improved Customer Experience
Carrier broker managers have in-depth knowledge of their products and plans. With their help, you’ll enhance the level of service you provide to your clients when questions or concerns arise around policies, claims, underwriting, or customer service. Don’t wait until you have a problem to reach out – establishing a relationship early allows you to build rapport and helps you differentiate yourself from your competitors.
Valuable Learning Opportunities
Take advantage of any carrier-offered training sessions and seminars. These are designed to keep you up to date on any new products, trends, or services. You’ll gain valuable insights by interacting with plan experts. Your clients expect you to be knowledgeable about the plans you offer – there’s no better way to build that knowledge base than by engaging with carrier broker managers whenever you can. Direct communication with carrier reps (even if it is online) helps build familiarity and foster stronger relationships.
Access to Carrier Technology
Carriers offer technology and digital tools to improve the agent and client experience. Online quoting tools and enrollment platforms help reduce errors and streamline processes. Your carrier broker managers can answer any questions you have regarding how to utilize their specific tools.
Resources for Sales Events
Carrier broker managers are valuable resources when hosting Medicare sales events in your community. They can:
- Clarify their policies for event registration and cancellations
- Provide CMS-approved presentation and marketing materials
- Provide in-person assistance and support at sales events
Establish a Two-Way Collaborative Partnership
You have carefully chosen the carriers in your portfolio. It only makes sense to maximize your relationship with each carrier broker manager. This partnership not only benefits you – it may also benefit the carrier representatives. They will appreciate any constructive feedback you can offer, especially from your clients regarding their plans and products. To ensure you remain in regular contact, you should schedule meetings at agreed-upon time intervals. This ensures you stay informed and gives you an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns. Keep notes of what you discuss in meetings and document any helpful information you might want to reference in the future.
Western Asset Protection Makes It Easy
You can easily find your contact details for your carrier broker managers in the Western Asset Protection Health Wealth Engine agent portal – our online platform offers everything agents need for their growth and success.
Have a question? We are here to help. Contact us today.