Universal American Financial Corp. (UAFC) - New online system easing agent appointment

Project Scope

Universal American Financial Corp. (UAFC) is a specialty health and life insurance holding company which sells numerous health insurance and managed care products for the growing senior market.  The company needed help in appointing and licensing agents for its many products sold in various states throughout the country.  IdeaStar, a full-service Web development firm which designs, programs, promotes and manages leading-edge Web sites and e-business applications for the insurance industry, developed a solution.

The Challenge

UAFC was caught in time-consuming paper-based agent appointment. The process would take too long, with incomplete or inaccurate paperwork extending the wait.  The need for a Web-based system was needed to make enrollment easier for agents and employees alike.

The Solution

IdeaStar called upon its experience in developing multi-agent licensing systems, and applied a custom solution for UAFC subsidiary, Pennsylvania Life as a pilot project.  The new registration system allows agents to submit appointment applications online. Inaccurate or incomplete information is instantly scrubbed and highlighted for the agent to fix.  And, there is NO PAPER to deal with.

The Results

Agent information can now be efficiently submitted and processed in two to five days. UAFC has expanded the solution to include other subsidiaries and products. The online process has now become the only way an agent can become appointed or contracted to sell UAFC subsidiary products. And, UAFC has enhanced its leadership position and competitive advantage in the senior market. 

The Client Says

“IdeaStar performed flawlessly in launching this high-profile, high-quality, online system within a fifteen-week period. We now provide our agents the ability to complete contracting documents for up to 12 different programs,” David Burke, UAFC SVP Agent Licensing and Commissions, said.

IdeaStar Says

Mike Wise, VP of Insurance Technologies at IdeaStar, said “Our partners in this project view the UAFC agent  appointment site as truly ground breaking.  IdeaStar’s new technology essentially links together:

• The insurance carrier’s appointment process
• The agent certification and sign-off
• The licensing piece
• Background and Vector checks
• and the final licensing department agent-approval process.

The process also sets the stage for agents to use more online processes, like preparing quotes and encouraging clients to use e-signature-based product enrollments.  UAFC has once again set the standard for the rest of the industry!”