Q: What is SuranceBay and How do I use it?
A: SuranceBay and SureLC can be explained as a 3rd party resource Global Premier Benefits uses to facilitate the Contracting Process with all the Insurance Carriers we do business with. The agents input their information and it is then processed internally at GPB before it is sent off to the carriers.
Q: Is Cigna Medicare the same as Cigna Life & Health?
A: NO – Cigna Medicare is a different entity than its Life and Health Insurance counterpart; the same goes for other carriers. Please ensure you are requesting the correct companies in SuranceBay.
Q: Why does it take so long to get contracted with Medicare?
A: These Carriers follow strict protocols, including internal processing, nationwide background checks, conferring with CMS, and issuing market-specific trainings to you via email. You can expect 3-5 weeks form start to finish.
*Be sure to check your emails frequently throughout your contracting process.
Q: It’s been weeks and I haven’t heard anything; what’s going on?
A: Chances are you have an email from the carrier explaining your next steps. The majority of the time, your upline can see your status in our CRM system and can inform you of exactly that. Each carrier will send you the requirements to complete contracting. This varies between watching videos, completing brief exams to comply with regulations, and other similar tasks.
Please contact your upline with further questions.
Releases
Releases are formal documents allowing a Producer or Downline Agency to part ways with a Topline Agency for a particular contract. The purpose of this practice is to enable the Released party to align themselves under a different organization, effectively utilizing the resources and support of the destination Agency.
Releases can be requested via email and must be signed by the Producer or Agency leaving the Organization & by the Topline Agency for the desired contracts.
At Global Premier Benefits, we implement the practice of a “Reciprocal Release” where in the Agent or Agency leaving GPB signs the form, our Organization signs, and so does the destination Agency. This creates an “Open Door” policy where if the Agent or Agency wishes to return to GPB in the future, then there’s welcomed the opportunity to do so.
Self Release – This is a practice whereby the Agent or Agency can move from under one hierarchy to another without the consent or written peremission from the current upline. Ordinarily, once you’ve submitted an email formally declaring your intent to self release, a 90-day window begins where you are “released” on day 91. In these instances, it is beneficial for the Agent or Agency to use this practice when there is ineffective communication between the Producing party and the upline support.
Blackout Periods
Some carriers issue a Blackout Period in which Releases are not accepted. Typically, in the Medicare Industry, these take effect right before Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and last until the new year. In this case, no changes can be made to a hierarchy for these carriers.