Is the traditional brokerage dead?
December 17, 2015 1:29 AM
Overview
Plenty of big news impacted employee benefit brokers this year including multiple mergers and carriers cutting commissions which produced some of the most memorable responses from sources.
Here are the top quotes of 2015:
To view this in article format,click here.
[Image: Fotolia]
Here are the top quotes of 2015:
To view this in article format,
[Image: Fotolia]
No one is immune to consolidation
Consolidation eventually reaches every industry and its our time for major disruption from every angle the products, the carriers, the distribution, the advisers, the networks, the providers no one is immune.
Wendy Keneipp, a partner and coach at Q4intelligence, on the Aetna-Humana merger
Why the Aetna, Humana merger is a lesson for brokers.
[Image: Fotolia]
Wendy Keneipp, a partner and coach at Q4intelligence, on the Aetna-Humana merger
[Image: Fotolia]
Loss of commission incredibly concerning
To the extent that agents are not adequately compensated, are they going to be able to continue to provide service to consumers? That is incredibly concerning to NAIFA and its an issue we continually work on making sure that agents are fairly compensated in order to ensure that consumers have access to professional advice.
Diane Boyle, vice president of federal government relations for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, on Assurant Health eliminating commissions
Assurant Health eliminates commission on new business.
[Image: Fotolia]
Diane Boyle, vice president of federal government relations for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, on Assurant Health eliminating commissions
[Image: Fotolia]
Zenefits chose an unsecure and indirect approach
"We have never integrated with Zenefits in any sense and have never authorized their method of extracting data from our RUN payroll system. They gained access to our systems by convincing clients to give them administrative access to our platform. Despite having many legitimate ways to integrate with ADP properly, Zenefits chose an unsecure and indirect approach.
ADP statement on the defamation lawsuit filed against Zenefits
Zenefits, ADP dispute heats up with defamation lawsuit.
[Image: Fotolia]
ADP statement on the defamation lawsuit filed against Zenefits
[Image: Fotolia]
They are specifically angling to say they have absolutely no obligation to pay us
They are specifically angling to say that we do not represent them, that we would be engaged by the customer and that therefore they have absolutely no obligation to pay us.
Elena Merino, president and CEO of the Meridian Group, on Aetna eliminating commission for small-group business
Is Aetna eliminating commissions on small-group business?
[Image: Fotolia]
Elena Merino, president and CEO of the Meridian Group, on Aetna eliminating commission for small-group business
[Image: Fotolia]
Zenefits will be extremely good for this industry and extremely good for brokers
One of the things that I really believe is that Zenefits will be extremely good for this industry and extremely good for brokers themselves.
Parker Conrad, co-founder and CEO of Zenefits
Why Zenefits isnt anti-broker.
[Image: Fotolia]
Parker Conrad, co-founder and CEO of Zenefits
[Image: Fotolia]
Recruiting efforts will have to match changing industry
What we look like today
we will not look like five years from now. The way you prospect a business may be completely different, and I think our recruiting efforts will have to match that.
Susan Pietrucha, chief HR officer for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., on producer recruiting efforts
Top brokerages tackle the industrys succession problem.
[Image: Fotolia]
Susan Pietrucha, chief HR officer for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., on producer recruiting efforts
[Image: Fotolia]
The notion of traditional brokerage is dead
I think the notion of traditional brokerage is dead. I think out of the ashes of the hyper-responsive transactional renewal centered broker will rise an adviser who brings the best of both worlds the resources and expertise of a national consultant and the intimacy, proximity and service commitment of a local agent. The value yard stick will focus less on the renewal and more on the myriad activities and services required by the employer to manage their healthcare spend.
Michael Turpin, executive vice president at USI Insurance Services, on the Anthem-Cigna merger
Brokers must become an aggressive sentinel in wake of Anthem-Cigna merger.
[Image: Fotolia]
Michael Turpin, executive vice president at USI Insurance Services, on the Anthem-Cigna merger
[Image: Fotolia]
Misleading data or a lie?
Mr. Counihan, either the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services intentionally gave misleading information to insurance companies across the country or you lied to me.
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), asking for data on those re-enrolling in the federal healthcare exchange
Healthcare.gov CEO grilled in Congressional hearing, warned he is damaging debate on ACA.
[Image: Fotolia]
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), asking for data on those re-enrolling in the federal healthcare exchange
[Image: Fotolia]
