Health Insurance/Open Season Shops

Has anyone seen these yet? They usually start mid October, so we usually know around the beginning of October.
TrendSource comes to mind as an MSC with these clients.
It's fairly regional, so I don't see any reason to be concerned about disclosure.

Life was passing like a hand waving from a train I wanted to be on

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

I have seen some Trendsource Medicare shops posted in the past week. Most are the time specific meetings in front of a grocery store or at a food bank in an area I would not want to travel to at any hour.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2025 04:35PM by Fatlady.
An email from (what I still - and will continue to - call) Second to None showed a bunch of scenarios but when I logged in and searched the whole state there was nothing. Go figure.
The Source has plenty of them, I have yet to get certified to do them as it just seems like a pain and has never fit in with my other work so far (having to be at some morning meeting 30 miles away ... yeah no )
Is anyone happy doing these, is the report worth the pay they provide?
When I completed my first Medicare Advantage shop, I was paid $55+ mileage. according to my log, of .40 cents per; that was in 2007. I do not recall the client's name and that of the MSC has faded over the yrs., but I think the owner of the company's first name was Mark or Marc.

Edited to add--By employing the lead pencil trick, I was able to retrieve enough of the MSC's name to refresh my memory; it was Person 2 Person. I took the above action, due to today's companies paying $15 to $20. I do NOT criticize their desire for profit, but I also empathize with the needy. There should be a common ground where each party is rewarded for their efforts. In the case of Medicare work, we have billion dollar insurance companies required to regulate their employees/ICs, but the shopper only receiving a pittance.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2025 03:43PM by shopperbob.
I’m seeing them listed at $10 in CA, with a certification required.
Not inspired to pursue at the rate and estimated time and costs of doing the work.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2025 07:06PM by SBP.
I have been unable to locate any of the Medicare shops in NC. Used to see them on The Source and Second to None, but there is nothing yet this year. Person to Person does not seem to exist any longer. I know that Service with Style has them in Florida.
There are a bunch of them in my area but they were all kiosk shops. The description on the shop looked like their estimate for time to finish the job was over an hour. Of course it may take longer than they say. Add in my travel time and parking even to a relatively close one (5 miles) and it will take me close to 2 hours. The pay then becomes $7.50 an hour. I know we are independent contractors but minimum wage in this city is around $17 and for some jobs like restaurants and hotel cleaners it is $20 to $25 an hour. There is a reason they need to pay people here so much for the minimum wage. I might consider a meeting format in a restaurant where I get to have bfast or lunch. Those used to pay much more but I did not see any of that type.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login