A little behind-the-scenes look at what happens before Open Enrollment begins.
If you've noticed that your insurance agent is a little slower to respond during August and September, there's a reason—and it isn't because we've forgotten about you!
This time of year is one of the busiest behind-the-scenes seasons for health insurance professionals.
While we're still helping clients with claims, billing questions, coverage changes, new enrollments, and everyday service needs, we're also preparing for the upcoming Open Enrollment season.
Every Year, We Have to Get Recertified
Health insurance isn't a “get licensed once and you're done” industry.
Agents who work with Medicare and the ACA Marketplace have annual training and certification requirements that must be completed before we're able to assist clients with the upcoming plan year.
For Medicare, that can mean completing annual Medicare training along with certifications for the individual insurance carriers and plans we represent.
For Marketplace coverage, agents may also have annual certifications and training requirements for the federal Marketplace and individual state-based exchanges where they conduct business.
And when you work across multiple states and multiple insurance carriers, those certifications add up quickly!
Why Does All of This Matter?
Because health insurance changes.
Plans change. Provider networks change. Prescription formularies change. Benefits change. Premiums change. Enrollment rules and compliance requirements can change, too.
Annual training helps make sure we're prepared to discuss the new plan year and understand the rules we're required to follow when helping you enroll.
It's not just about checking a box—it's part of preparing to properly advise our clients.
August + September = Our "Study Season"
Think of August and September as an insurance agent's version of going back to school.
We're juggling:
Current client needs + annual certifications + carrier training + plan updates + Open Enrollment preparation.
At Willis Advisory & Insurance, we're also preparing our team to serve clients across multiple states and different areas of coverage, including individual and family health insurance and Medicare.
So if an email takes us a little longer than usual or we aren't able to immediately return a call during this season, please know there is a LOT happening behind the scenes.
And Then... Open Enrollment Arrives
All of that preparation is leading up to one of the busiest times of our year.
Before Open Enrollment begins, our goal is to be educated, certified, organized, and ready to help you understand what's changing and what options are available for the upcoming year.
We genuinely appreciate a little extra patience during August and September while we prepare.
Because when it's time to review your coverage, we want to be ready.
Here's to another Open Enrollment season!