I recently took part in a carrier's "Advisory Council" for voluntary benefits, which are often referred to as worksite products. The carrier responsible for hosting the meeting gathered a group of more than a dozen voluntary benefits enrollment companies, brokers, a systems person and TPA. As a limited medical person, I was very interested to listen and learn from this group. I was invited because limited medical and worksite sometimes cross paths.

As this council tackled many issues including the delivery of voluntary products, product selection, product design, top-selling programs, enrollment successes and disasters, and marketplace dynamics, I learned a lot about their business and what is important to companies who focus on voluntary markets. I think the carrier will benefit greatly as they develop their vision and set priorities because their strategy will include real input from people in the trenches.

The point I am compelled to share is that one of my long standing opinions was justified before my eyes (which is always a great feeling!) Limited medical plans or "mini-medical plans" are truly a group benefit sale that occurs much more like a group major medical sale than a worksite or voluntary sale. That is not to say that we do not want to work with worksite or voluntary benefits producers. We absolutely love working with those folks and have great, successful relationships with many of them. My encounter included a lot of discussion about limited medical programs and where they are successful. But at the end of the day, the voluntary benefits producers really focus on life, disability insurance, accident and major illness type coverage's.

I was not surprised because voluntary benefits encompasses a much larger audience than limited medical plans. Everyone who has insurance may still want to purchase a voluntary benefit or two, myself included. But hourly employees who have limited income to spend on benefits often do not wish to purchase the voluntary benefits, they prefer to purchase coverage that will help them on a day-to-day basis, such as going to the doctor, having basic tests run, access to emergency care, and help purchasing prescription drugs.

It is with this hourly worker that limited medical really makes a difference. What do you think? Is limited medical a worksite product or should it be a group benefit sale? Write me back and let me know where you think limited medical fits best.

Recently Framework Health Plan / Fringe Benefit Group added Viant’s Beech Street PPO Network to our Standard Security Life backed limited medical plan. Since 2000 this network has saved members over $7 billion. Currently the network has nationwide 5,080 hospitals, 85,676 ancillary facilities, and 562,220 practitioners. On average, members save 24% on a hospital stay, 35% at ancillary facilities, and 36% with practitioners. Clients can utilize Electronic Data Interchange or submit paper claims. Claims are re-priced to industry guidelines exceeding 99% accuracy. Many of our top producers actually lead their presentations with the strength and importance of Viant’s Beech Street Network showing it as essential to a viable limited medical offering. Even if a member has utilized all their eligible benefits in a calendar year they would still receive deep discounts on medical services. Framework Health Plans highly recommends the inclusion of the network in any quote for both the plan member and producer’s benefit. Questions? Contact Bill Henson at 800-551-3424 ext. 867 or visit our website www.frameworkhealthplan.com .

When I was approached to do an interview for the "Raw Bar" I wasn't sure if I was going to talk about limited medical health insurance or raw oysters. While I love to enjoy seafood from the East Coast, especially with my colleague John Conkling, limited medical plans and industry issues are always fun to discuss. Robert Whiddon, the editor of Employee Benefit Adviser, recently discussed Fringe Benefit Group and our place in the hotly contested limited medical marketplace. The only food we discussed was ice cream, much to my dismay. Take a listen by clicking on the following link to find out what flavor. http://eba.podhoster.com/index.php?sid=1026&pid=6558. Then drop us a line to let us know what you think…

I have talked with a lot of agents recently and a frequent topic of discussion is the administration of limited medical plans. Brokers who have previously placed business with multiple vendors are pleased to have found a home at Framework Health Plan where they do not have to worry about administrative issues. Instead, they are now able to focus on growing their business because they have more time to prospect and sell. Less irate phone calls from customers with issues like ‘my employees can’t access their benefits’ or ‘you terminated my employee’s coverage and they should be enrolled.’

We are increasingly seeing administrative issues come up as a key concern in RFPs and HR departments alike. Click over to our News section to read a couple of articles that expand on our administrative success. “Improving Enrollment and Reducing the Administrative Burden of a Limited Medical Plan” and “Slash the Paperwork” appeared in HIU and Benefits Selling. Let me know what you think of them!

Solid administration is found here. We have been administering benefits for hourly employees for over 20 years, including 15 years with limited medical plans. We know what it takes to win and keep business and have proven it for over a decade. Enter the limited medical marketplace now, and do it with confidence. We have the products, service and experience to help you win.

Whether you call them limited medical or mini-med plans, this world is ripe for growth. Brokers are migrating to products and services other than traditional major medical to maintain revenue flow and grow their business.

Why not work with a broker-focused provider that gets “it”.

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