We’ve already told you the many ways you can remain compliant as an insurance agent. In this article, we want to focus on the “why.” Why should you go about your business in an ethical, compliant fashion? Read on and we’ll let you know!
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Not Doing So Could Be Costly
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services puts a set of rules in place known as the Medicare Advantage & Part D Communication Requirements. One of the main reasons it’s in your favor to remain compliant is because not doing so could have damaging repercussions, such as civil money penalties. Since agents are representing these carriers when offering plans, they are bound by the same marketing guidelines. Carriers are required to oversee their downstream entities to ensure agents abide by all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and requirements.
Additionally, you could potentially receive fines or even lose your license if you are in violation of the applicable state and federal laws and regulations. The consequences of being non-compliant could cost you a significant amount of money and, not only that, but you also risk ruining your status as a reputable agent.
Marketing Is Everything
Word-of-mouth marketing is huge these days. This can help your business just as quickly as it can hurt it. It’s never a good idea to cut corners and try to do things the quick and easy way, especially if it means being non-compliant or unethical. If you do and a client finds out, it’s not good for you or your business.
We believe good things come to those who wait. While it’s great to be an ambitious go-getter, doing things the right way the first time around (and every time after that) will benefit you greatly. In the long run, you’ll most likely make more money and gain more clients, compared to if you would have not been compliant. Having to deal with the ramifications of non-compliance could severely hurt your book of business, and you may never be able to gain it back in its entirety.
If people are talking about you, you want it to be for positive reasons. A great reason for someone to recommend you to a friend is for being a trustworthy and honest agent. Potential clients will be more likely to work with someone they feel they can trust.
Compliance Equals Integrity
More often than not, compliance goes hand in hand with morality. Many of the rules the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services puts in place are so your tactics are fair and not unethical in any way. The Medicare Advantage & Part D Communication Requirements are there to help you go about your business in a moral fashion.
If you’re familiar with the requirements, you know that you shouldn’t use absolute or qualified superlatives at sales events. This is because it wouldn’t be right to say one plan is the “best” just so you can sell that plan to a client. You also can’t use scare tactics to get attendees to fill out enrollment forms because it has to fully be the client’s choice to want to sign up for a plan.
Following the requirements prevents agents from selling plans unethically or for personal gain and keeps agents in check with their moral compass. Remember that your job as an insurance agent is to find a plan that fits your clients’ needs. Skewing your recommendations for any reason other than that is a bad idea, for all of the combined reasons we’ve mentioned above.
We encourage all agents to stay compliant with the Medicare Advantage & Part D Communication Requirements. Ritter Insurance Marketing employs a full-time compliance officer to make sure we, and our agents, operate by the book. Our compliance officer, Van Hang, can answer all of your questions regarding compliance. The team at Ritter is always happy to help! You can register with us today so we can help you help your clients to the best of our ability.
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