Getting Answers from Your Group Benefits Broker
Your group benefits broker should be as a partner in crime would be – someone you can trust and someone you can count on to help you out of a tight situation. Sometimes, this means you need to talk to your broker about difficult topics in order to get the results you want and the results you need. To make sure you’re getting the answers you want, you should employ these time tested techniques with your group benefits broker.
Set Aside an Appointment Time
While we’d like to think that our group benefits broker is going to be available to us at all times, this isn’t always a reasonable request. Since they have other clients and other concerns, you might need to wait until they can get back to you. If this arrangement doesn’t work for you, you might want to set up an actual appointment time or conference call time to ‘meet.’ This way, the appointment is in their calendar and in your calendar, so you won’t have any interruptions. This is especially important when you have a lot to discuss and you feel that that appointment will necessitate more than just five minutes of their time.
Have the Questions on Hand
Instead of trying to remember what you needed to ask, make up a list of questions on a piece of paper to have in front of you when you’re with your group benefits broker. This will allow you to check off things you’ve gotten answered as well as to write down any notes or new questions that come up as you are talking. Make sure that you get all of your questions when you are in the meeting or on the phone call – and if not, follow up with a letter or email that outlines other queries you may have.
Have Documentation Available
If you need to talk to your group benefits broker about something that’s more complicated or pertains to a certain charge, you need to have that bill, your health insurance cards, and any other supporting documentation right in front of you. This will help expedite your question, plus it will ensure that your broker knows exactly what you’re talking about. If you can’t be there in person, photocopy your records and send them to the broker before you talk.
Independent Insurance brokers are self employed. Their business thrives on great customer service and support for their clients. In working with your group benefits broker, you should be able to sort out any confusion you might have about your policy. While most questions are simple, knowing how to work with your broker when you need more detailed information is going to save you time and frustration.
Hodges & Company is a family owned and operated independent insurance broker.
We represent all the major insurance carriers.
Contact us to help tailor a plan that meets your needs and budget, 713.993.9710 or 1.866.993.9710.
