Exam Info

Failure, Success, and Victory

"Failure is only postponed success as long as courage coaches ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory."

Herbert Kaufman, writer

posted by Jim Huffman @ 3:48 AM 0 Comments

Giving Up

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try one more time."

Thomas Edison

posted by Jim Huffman @ 4:12 AM 0 Comments

Should We Have One Exam Company?

This is my response to an examiner's suggestion (on a discussion board) that examiners seek to create one exam company which would make insurance companies toe the line.


"One company? It's called a monopoly. And it's almost impossible to maintain unless the government's enforcing it. (Think first class mail service).

The closest we had to a monopoly of this sort was not that long ago, when a few companies such as Portamedic (not to pick on them) basically had all of the business. It was not a great time for examiners. And, to be frank, not a great time for our clients, the insurance companies.

There was no innovation. Low pay. And a take-it-or-leave-it mentality sometimes: both to the insurance company customers and examiners. (Not always, thankfully).

Why are there discounts? Because an exam company wants the business and is willing to cut their price to get it. If an examiner doesn't want to do the business at that price, it's their call.

Why are there set requirements? Because it's easier that way: for us, for the company, and for the agents. An underwriter doesn't have to make a judgement call on every case. And I can say for certain what a given policy will require at a given amount for a given age.

Why different forms? For a number of reasons. Different companies want different information. In many cases (think especially HIV/AIDS related questions) the forms reflect a given state's insurance commissioner requirements.

Haggling over bills? I have to speak frankly that I seldom get a question over an exam I've done. It happens maybe a couple of times a year, and I do thousands of exams a year. Sometimes it's a mistake I've made. Sometimes the insurance company makes a mistake. But to be honest, it's just not worth fretting about. Sure, it's irritating, especially when there's a charge-back. But here's a suggestion: do your job well, and there won't be many. And if an examiner goes into orbit because an insurance company occasionally questions a charge, the examiner might want to re-consider whether being independent is really for them.

The bottom line is that we are here to be of service. I genuinely like what I do, and try to remember that I'm here to serve: the person being examined, the insurance agent, the insurance company, and whatever exam company I'm working through on a particular case.

A monopoly's not going to happen. Because if by some sad miracle, one came into place, someone would start up a competitor. Competition is not a bad thing, it's a good thing. Competition keeps us on our toes, makes us more nimble, and does a better job."

posted by Jim Huffman @ 10:33 AM 0 Comments

For Men Only

If you're a man, you need to identify yourself to your clients.

Because the enlightened times in which we live, the folks you're seeing will not assume that you are a medical professional.

Women don't have to deal with this. The assumption will always be that a woman who's doing this is a nurse, lab tech, or whatever. Not for men. I can't tell you the number of times I'll be into an appointment, and the individual will say something that indicates that they think I'm an insurance agent.

I try to be nonchalant about this. But it's something I try to do with everyone. I usually weave it into the conversation by saying something like, "When I was a hospital nurse, blah, blah, blah ..." In other words, I'm letting the individual know that I'm a nurse, that I'm trained, that I didn't start doing this last week.

I once wore a lab coat. I quit that pretty quickly, and don't recommend it. People get nervous when they see a lab coat, and their neighbors talk. I wear what is often called "casual professional," clothes that are slightly dressy, but comfortable.

But by not wearing white, or scrubs, or whatever, I take away the visual identification. Everyone doing this needs to make your appointments aware of who you are, and why you're doing what you do. But us guys just have to bear this cross, and specifically let them know: who you are, what you do, and why you're qualified to do it.

posted by Jim Huffman @ 3:39 PM 0 Comments

Positive Thinking, Positive Lives

"You will find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy."

Lydia M. Child, 1802-1880, writer and abolitionist

posted by Jim Huffman @ 6:01 AM 0 Comments

Forgiveness

"As long as you don't forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind."

Isabelle Holland,

author

posted by Jim Huffman @ 5:07 AM 0 Comments

Dealing with Know-It-Alls

So what do you do when someone thinks they know how to do your job better than you do?

You know the type. The ones who argue about fasting, the ones who tell you that you shouldn't do their blood pressure "like that," the ones who presume to inform you about how HIPAA works, etc.

(Not surprisingly, these folks never have the professional qualifications that should make them experts in these matters. Not that everyone who's an expert has the qualifications -- some folks are self-taught -- but that's rare).

When someone does this, I play dumb. (There are some who think that's not difficult for me, but that's for another day : )

I usually say something like, "Oh, this is the way we have to do it. We have things we have to do." Because you're not going to persuade someone who thinks they know it all.

I'm not talking about someone who has a genuine question. I'm happy to answer questions, explain, and teach. But those who are self-styled experts aren't persuadable, and probably aren't really interested in what I might say. What they want is a small soapbox, and me to be their audience.

So I smile, play dumb, repeat my line above about having to do it a certain way, and remind them that I have to be on my way, because I have others to see.

Just don't argue with such people. You can't win the argument, and you'll make them mad. It's easier to just past the situation.

posted by Jim Huffman @ 9:54 AM 0 Comments

Help With Scheduling

Have you ever scheduled appointments too close together?

I have. But here's a way to help avoid that.

I use an appointment book. But this will also work for computer appointment settings.

The secret is this: when you enter an appointment, besides the name, enter a note about the applicant's location. I usually write down the name of the city where the individual's located.

This allows me to quickly know if I can get to another appointment in time, without having to look up the first appointment's contact information. Not to mention that it prevents me from making, for example, an appointment at 9 a.m. that's 50 miles from a 10 a.m. appointment.

Scheduling appointments can be a major headache in this business. Little tricks such as this can lessen your headaches.

posted by Jim Huffman @ 7:56 AM 0 Comments

Attitudes and Change

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

Maya Angelou, poet

posted by Jim Huffman @ 3:51 AM 0 Comments