Medicare Blog

what is an fmo in medicare

by Dallin Hirthe Published 3 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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FMO stands for field marketing organization, which is very similar to an independent marketing organization (IMO). FMOs provide independent agents with perks and resources and help them get contracted with carriers to sell plans.

What is an FMO in insurance?

A Field Marketing Organization (FMO) is an organization that handles the marketing side of your business. You know your goal. It’s to find the right Medicare policy for your clients and help them sign up. That means you want to focus your energy on growing your business.

What is a field marketing organization (FMO)?

Agent Pipeline is the nation’s leading Medicare FMO specializing in Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. We are the original Medicare FMO (field marketing organization) and here to provide you with dedicated and individual support with portfolio options, marketing materials, and compliance reviews & …

How do FMOs quote Medicare plans?

NCC is a top Medicare and Senior Insurance Field Marketing Organization (FMO or IMO). We have served independent insurance agents and brokers since 1992. Three years ago, I transitioned from a captive agent to the independent side with no experience and no idea on what to expect. NCC was there to guide and advise me through this transition.

What is the difference between an FMO and Imo?

Medicare Agents: Get Rewarded for Production. Medicare Advisors is a top Medicare and Senior Insurance Field Marketing Organization (FMO or IMO). We have served independent insurance agents and brokers since 2013.

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What does FMO stand for in insurance?

field marketing organizationA field marketing organization (FMO) is basically the same as an independent marketing organization (IMO). FMOs are typically top-level organizations that are licensed to sell health insurance products in most, if not all, states.Oct 17, 2019

How does an FMO get paid?

FMOs are paid an override by the insurance carrier to help provide agents and agencies services. The override and commission an agent/agency makes are separate entities. FMOs experience chargebacks just like you. Team up with a partner FMO to get all the benefits!Apr 20, 2020

What is an FMO vs IMO?

An independent marketing organization (IMO) is basically the same as an FMO. Some agents believe FMOs tend to focus more on health insurance products while IMOs tend to focus on life insurance products, but this isn't always true.

What is a national marketing organization?

FMOs are also commonly called IMOs (independent marketing organizations) and NMOs (national marketing organizations) and vary through the insurance industry, but all have one thing in common: they market, sell, and distribute insurance products.

How do IMO's make money?

How does an IMO make money? IMOs are paid directly by the insurance carriers and pass the full commission on to you. We only make money when you make money. That's right, you keep 100% of your commissions.Mar 18, 2021

How much are Medicare overrides?

Usually, the overrides pay around $50 on the initial payment and $25 on renewals.

How do I choose an FMO?

The top 10 questions to ask when choosing an FMO:How broad is their portfolio?Do they have responsive licensed support staff?Do they provide 1:1 support?Do they know how to sell to clients or just agents?Do they provide FREE online enrollment platforms?Do they provide retail marketing opportunities?More items...•Mar 5, 2021

Can you have more than one FMO?

Can I Have Multiple FMOs? The short answer is yes – you can have contracts with as many FMOs as you want.Oct 28, 2019

What does an IMO do?

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent marine pollution from ships. The IMO sets standards for the safety and security of international shipping.

What are independent marketing organizations?

An independent marketing organization (IMO) is a company established by independent life insurance agents that works as a partnership between insurance carriers and independent agents. By joining an IMO, independent agents can access the insurance carrier's brand name, products, and expertise.

What is a field management organization?

Field service management is the process of coordinating all of the operations conducted by a Field Service organization, such as scheduling service, dispatching technicians, tracking job status, invoicing, and billing.Oct 31, 2019

Medicare Agents: Get Rewarded for Production

Medicare Advisors is a top Medicare and Senior Insurance Field Marketing Organization (FMO or IMO). We have served independent insurance agents and brokers since 2013.

Why Medicare Advisors Should Be Your Medicare and Senior FMO

We don’t trap or trick agents. Our policy is open release. If we don’t do our best to make you happy, you know and we know that you can go elsewhere, so we always do our best.

Why do FMOs spend their money?

FMOs spend their own money to teach agents who to prospect and grow their own lead sources. Year after year, upwards of 80% of MAPD sales originate in the FMO channel. FMOs consistently outperform every other channel (captive, career, and telesales) all carriers also deploy.

What happens if an FMO agent doesn't get service?

If an agent isn’t getting service and support, he will move to an FMO where he can get more assistance growing his business. Most independent insurance agents have 5–20 contracts with various lines of insurance. Unlike a captive or career agent who is employed by a carrier and told what to sell and when to work, FMO agents are 1099 independent contractors who sell what they want, for who they want (a few or a lot of companies) when they want. They may sell only Medicare Advantage plans or they may also sell Life, ACA, annuities, and more. They decide what products they want to sell and the FMO supports their efforts to do so.

What is the NMA in health insurance?

They created a new term for the very top of the hierarchy, known as the National Marketing Alliance (NMA). An NMA is an FMO by another name. But wait, they also have an FMO level, which is NOT the top of the food chain, but what was formerly known as the SGA (see chart below). Contrast that with the nation’s second-largest Medicare Supplement producer who calls their top-level partner a Marketing General Agent (MGA) and many ACA carriers call their top-level an IMO or Independent Marketing Organization.

How do FMOs justify their place in the food chain?

FMOs justify their place in the food chain by what services they offer. Everyone (GA, MGA, SGA) in the chain of distribution has to provide services to earn their override commission or agents will leave them. There is nothing holding agents to these FMO relationships. Agents are free to contract with several FMOs or work exclusively with one ...

Why do FMOs trust their agents?

Agents trust their FMO to do that research and make vital recommendations to the agents.

What is an FMO agent?

Unlike a captive or career agent who is employed by a carrier and told what to sell and when to work, FMO agents are 1099 independent contractors who sell what they want, for who they want (a few or a lot of companies) when they want. They may sell only Medicare Advantage plans or they may also sell Life, ACA, annuities, and more.

How many agents are there in an FMO?

Many “FMO” offices are really only General Agents, with 10–50 agents. They call themselves FMOs to recruit the unsuspecting agent who doesn’t yet understand this industry. There is no easy way to discern if you are working with the top of the hierarchy of just a small agency with outsized branding.

What is an FMO in insurance?

A field marketing organization (FMO) offers many benefits to independent agents and agencies. FMOs are also commonly called IMOs (independent marketing organizations) and NMOs (national marketing organizations) and vary through the insurance industry, but all have one thing in common: they market, sell, and distribute insurance products.

Do FMOs have release policies?

It’s important to ask if the FMO has a release policy. Many FMOs may present you with a contract and you become somewhat captive. When you choose an FMO, it’s important to choose an organization offering an open release policy.

Does Agent Pipeline pay commissions?

Competitive Commissions: It’s important to partner with an FMO offering top or full commissions on your sales. Agent Pipeline is one of the few FMOs who does not pay out commissions unless the carrier or insurer requires payment from the FMO. In most cases, carriers pay out commissions directly to the agent or broker.

Can you contract with multiple carriers with one click?

Contracting On Your Time: FMOs typically have a secure online contracting system providing you with an opportunity to contract with multiple carriers with one-click. You can contract on your time and avoid the paper contracting process.

What is an NMO?

National Marketing Organizations (NMOs) or Field Marketing Organizations (FMOs) recruit and train agents to sell various insurance products. Many carriers require agents to contract with an NMO/FMO to sell their plans and then the carriers compensate the NMO/FMO when their agents sell plans.

Do FMO fees come out of commissions?

Although every NMO/FMO has different policies, it is important for you to understand these administrative fees do NOT come out of your commissions. NMOs/FMOs are responsible for providing you the support and services you need to succeed. Not all NMOs/FMOs are created equal and neither is the support they provide!

What is a MGA?

Managing general agents (MGAs) may partner with FMOs, IMOs, or NMOs, though typically as a downline of those top-of-hierarchy organizations. They also have their own downline agents, who they help with their businesses. MGAs earn more commission than a general agent, but less than an FMO/IMO/NMO. They oftentimes have to reach and maintain certain production requirements to keep their status as an MGA. These requirements can vary from one FMO, IMO, or NMO to another, and even from one carrier to another.

How many agents does an FMO work with?

They work with hundreds to thousands of agents and multiple big-name and small-name carriers all across the U.S. Almost all of an FMO’s contracts are direct with carriers, and FMOs are usually able to offer agents contracts that provide higher than street-level commissions.

What is an FMO?

A field marketing organization (FMO) is basically the same as an independent marketing organization (IMO). FMOs are typically top-level organizations that are licensed to sell health insurance products in most, if not all, states.

What is a general agent contract?

General agents (GAs) may contract under an FMO, IMO, NMO, or MGA. This contract typically allows them to have their own sub-agents and likely has production requirements an agent needs to meet to maintain their status as a GA.

Do MGAs earn more commission than general agents?

MGAs earn more commission than a general agent, but less than an FMO/IMO/NMO. They oftentimes have to reach and maintain certain production requirements to keep their status as an MGA. These requirements can vary from one FMO, IMO, or NMO to another, and even from one carrier to another. The MGA term is more widely recognized with life agencies.

Is an FMO an IMO?

In fact, you may hear an FMO or IMO call themselves an NMO. There’s really nothing that sets NMOs apart from FMOs or IMOs. It’s just more of a neutral term for FMOs and IMOs who do business across the U.S., or for those who may sell both health and life products.

Is an IMO the same as an FMO?

An independent marketing organization (IMO) is basically the same as an FMO. Some agents believe FMOs tend to focus more on health insurance products while IMOs tend to focus on life insurance products, but this isn’t always true.

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