USHA is a Great Company. Great Products. Agent Training Only So-So.
Pros
* Formal required training for state license was straightforward and not done by US Health but via third party - so no conflicts of interest. US Health covered a significant portion of the cost to take the training - great benefit when starting out as a new agent. * Excellent health plan options. * Creative approach to current health care mess. * Especially loved the very affordable options that can reduce out-of-pocket costs to near zero. * Great camaraderie in teams. * Excellent and very fair compensation for agents. * Additional options for company stock, if desired. * Great cash and travel incentives for top performers. * Great back-office support for current brochures, admin, etc. * Independent contractor status - straight commission (no "hourly grind." You get out of it what you put into it.) * Great agents - most of which are very successful - knowledgeable, experienced and professional in their demeanor and polished in presenting health plan options.
Cons
* I was referred to USHA by a friend. When I approached management they felt I would be a good fit and began a presentation designed for potential agents to see. What I did see looked good and I was excited to get started, so instead of finishing the presentation we moved right to the on-boarding process with instructions on how to get started with studying for the state licensing exam, etc. I don't know what was missed, but if I had it to do over again, I would insist on seeing the full presentation. (Lesson: Don't shortcut the new agent presentation and ask questions) * Sales quotas. No one to blame but myself, really, but I was unaware of having to meet a specific quota each month or I was out. If I was told about it, I don't remember ever hearing it. If it was in my sign-on agreement, I don't remember seeing it. If so, my bad. Buyer beware kind of thing, I guess. (Lesson: Read and remember the fine print) * Why are there any quotas at all when you are an independent contractor? Perhaps back-office overhead is more than I realized and even as an independent there may be costs to the sponsoring agency that you need to cover. * Independent contractor status - straight commission (no typical job security. You get out of it what you put into it.) * Brochures at no cost to agent, but almost all advertising and customer contact initiatives at agent cost. I guess that's normal when you are an independent contractor, but it adds up. * Training on plan options and how to present them: Materials were very good. How to properly present them was usually done as a group with minimal opportunity for individual attention to individual training needs. * Management was usually responsive to requests for assistance, but were NOT pro-active in seeking you out to see what assistance you might need and providing it. When asked, they tended to remind you of materials already given and to work harder on getting familiar with them. Minimal direct, personal assistance on developing technique and a professional, polished delivery.