REALTORS® Insurance Place Helps NAR Members Navigate Healthcare Options During Open Enrollment and Beyond

by the National Association of REALTORS®’ REALTOR Benefits® Program Team

Health insurance options have become ever more complex, and, particularly for the self-employed, this has made choosing the right coverage increasingly challenging and time-consuming.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) developed REALTORS® Insurance Place as a resource for its members to address these issues; it’s a place for trusted advice and access to an array of coverage options, with competitively priced plans from top-rated insurance companies and providers.

Does the name sound familiar? Originally introduced as REALTORS® Insurance Marketplace, the newly re-named REALTORS® Insurance Place better reflects the ever-growing menu of exclusive insurance products and creative coverage solutions available to NAR members and their families. And, it makes clear that plan options are in no way limited to ACA Marketplace plans.

Here, NAR members will find health, dental and vision coverage, plus telemedicine and a variety of wellness solutions—all with unique benefits for REALTORS®. Members will find plans for all stages of life, and even an offering that extends to their pets!

No matter what a member’s unique needs may be, licensed benefit specialists are available to help navigate their options and identify cost-savings strategies.

REALTORS® Insurance Place is made available through NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program and is administered by SASid (Smart And Simple Insurance Development), Inc., a trusted, long-term NAR partner.

REALTORS® who want to learn more about this member resource can visit REALTORSInsurancePlace.com or call 1-877-267-3752.

Open Enrollment Season: Get Started Early, Find Help During open enrollment season—in full swing right now—it’s vital to get an early start and rely on trusted advice to make informed decisions about healthcare plans. Mark the following dates: • Medicare Open Enrollment is

Oct. 15 - Dec. 7, 2020

Major Medical Open Enrollment is Nov. 1 - Dec. 15, 2020

Through REALTORS® Insurance Place, NAR members have access to the private Members Health Insurance Exchange, offering ACA plans from top-rated insurance carriers. Here, it’s easy for members to consider multiple options. Once they’ve explored the qualified health plan options available through the Exchange, it’s then simple to crosscompare plan solutions with the supplementary and alternative coverage options available. Layering of select plans is an option members might consider if breadth of coverage and cost is a concern.

Members also have access to the private Members Medicare Exchange, which provides access to supplemental Medicare insurance options.

No matter what kind of coverage is needed, free personal assistance in navigating the exchanges is a key member benefit: benefit specialists provide expert guidance via phone to help NAR members choose the policies that best fit their needs.

TeleHealth: Trustworthy Health Advice, Delivered Safely and Conveniently This is the year to embrace virtual health care. Members TeleHealth provides an efficient, cost-effective way to address non-emergency medical conditions, when and where you need it.

This innovative health coverage solution gives NAR members access to MDLIVE, a leading telemedicine provider. MDLIVE’s network of more than 2,300 U.S. state-licensed and board-certified physicians is accessible 24/7/365 by phone, web chat or email.

Telemedicine has become a popular alternative to traditional in-person doctor’s appointments or emergency room visits. According to a recent report, “Telehealth— A Technology-Based Weapon in the War Against the Coronavirus, 2020,” by research firm Frost and Sullivan, “demand for telehealth is steadily rising and is expected to soar during the next five years.”

Originally introduced as REALTORS® Insurance Marketplace, the newly re-named REALTORS® Insurance Place better reflects the ever-growing menu of exclusive insurance products and creative coverage solutions available to NAR members and their families.

Members Telehealth is offered as a monthly subscription service and is an appealing option for NAR members looking for trustworthy health advice with flexibility and affordability. Members receive a discounted monthly group rate of $7, which covers members and their immediate family members. Through NAR’s program, the enrollment fee is also waived, and the monthly payment covers unlimited consultations and no copay.

One NAR member who used TeleHealth twice in one month said, “I got immediate relief and avoided the outrageous costs and inconvenience of using urgent care. My insurance deductible is $6,700, and without MDLIVE, I probably would’ve delayed treatment. It was a lifesaver.”

Flexible Term Health Plans NAR members who miss open enrollment, or wish to explore major medical alternatives to ACA health plans, may wish to explore flexible term health plans.

These plans, often called shortterm plans, feature a limited coverage period that ranges from 30 days to 364 days. They are designed to bridge coverage gaps or provide primary coverage for an extended time.

Flexible Term Health Insurance works particularly well for those facing unique circumstances: Some may need coverage for a college student, others may be awaiting the start of open enrollment, and still others may want alternatives to COBRA- or ACA-qualified plans.

Highlights of Flexible Term Health Insurance:

Typically less expensive than traditional individual major medical plans Qualification for coverage consists of answering only a few questions Next-day coverage available, if approved Select a specific number of days for coverage or choose a monthly plan option Many plan designs available (patient selects deductibles and coinsurance options) Freedom to choose any provider (any doctor, hospital, specialty)

More information about Flexible Term Health Plans and Members Telehealth can be found at REALTORSInsurancePlace.com. RE

The REALTOR Benefits® Program is the exclusive member benefits program of the National Association of REALTORS®, bringing savings and special offers just for NAR members. In one year, more than 800,000 REALTORS® gained an edge by leveraging at least one REALTOR Benefits® Program offering, saving $74 million on member benefits from industryleading companies. Program partners are carefully selected and understand the unique needs of real estate professionals. Learn more and save by visiting NAR.realtor/RealtorBenefits.

Working Effectively With Virtual Assistants and Remote Employees

Commentary by Daniel Ramsey

While 2020 is the year of adapting quickly to online operations, are business owners aware of what it takes to lead a productive and effective remote workspace? Here, learn how to work well with a virtual assistant (VA) or virtual team.

Questions to consider: • Do I have a system and process in place? • Is there effective training provided for those systems and processes? • Do I have the right person and talent?

Training Methodology

I believe in what I like to call “compound leverage.” Think of it as a 30x training rule for maximum return on investment. If it takes five minutes per day to complete one task, multiply that time by 30 days. This calculation is the time you need to spend to train on this task—150 minutes. The ROI for your time spent is up to 733 percent. Your assistant now assumes this task for five minutes over 250 workdays, or 1,250 minutes a year!

People take between three and six months to really learn the job. It’s important to be patient, not penalize and keep supporting. Realize that everybody has a different time frame to learn, and once they know it, you’ll get compound leverage—a job you’ve delegated and never need to take back.

Integrating Remote Workers and Virtual Assistants Into Your Existing Operation

Assign a primary person of contact for your new remote workers. This person, preferably someone in the company that is not their direct boss, is responsible for maintaining frequent communication with them and being a buddy. This ensures that you are not unknowingly alienating your virtual assistant and remote workers.

When integrating your VA, make sure they have access to a local phone number for calls and SMS. Use a VoIP service so that their work number is the same as your locale. Equip them with their own company email and some company swag to foster inclusion.

As the supervisor, conducting training via video is important for the face-to-face conversation.

Have weekly meetings to set goals together and find out their needs, including the resources that can drive their success. A great leader will follow up consistently with questions like, “Do you need any support or resources before you do this week’s tasks?”

Envisioning a New Reality for Your Business

Simply put, virtual assistant providers such as MyOutDesk equip entrepreneurs and business owners with tools, strategies and virtual employees. And, when combined, businesses have a competitive edge and find growth while efficient systems and processes are put in place. RE

After several years of working in the real estate industry, Daniel Ramsey—founder and CEO of MyOutDesk—realized that REALTORS® spend too much time doing tasks that are necessary but highly administrative, routine and time-consuming. In 2008, he founded MyOutDesk with a vision to provide REALTORS® with indispensable leverage through real estate virtual professionals to aid them in regaining time and freedom and have the ability to grow their business, all while reducing costs. To learn more, please visit www.myoutdesk.com.