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2 minute read
With the increasing need for real-time time, connected systems, and regulatory compliance, selecting the right software partner for insurance distribution and commission management is a critical strategic decision. These systems impact operational efficiency, revenue optimization, and market competitiveness across all tiers of the distribution ecosystem. If you decide to buy versus build, below are the top 6 things to evaluate when choosing a software vendor.
1. Connected, Scalable Systems
Most carriers have a tangled mess of legacy systems. A distribution management solution should be able to connect the data from these systems and provide scalable, reliable, cloud-based solutions that include:
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- High-performance processing capabilities for handling complex commission calculations across diverse product lines
- Real-time data synchronization that ensures accurate producer compensation and policy tracking
- Security protocols that meet HIPAA compliance requirements and protect sensitive healthcare data
- Seamless integration across all levels of the distribution hierarchy from individual agents to large broker networks
- Commission calculation capabilities that can manage complex calculations transparently and in real time
2. Data Analytics and Reporting
In the data-driven insurance landscape, robust analytics capabilities are non-negotiable. Your tech partner should offer:
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- Comprehensive reporting tools with customizable dashboards, real-time analytics, and predictive modeling
- Commission forecasting and trend analysis
- Book of business analytics
- Downline distribution analysis
- Revenue and profitability optimization insights
3. Implementation Excellence
A major advantage of purchasing software is outsourcing scarce IT capabilities, enabling your Technology team to focus on day-to-day responsibilities rather than building and maintaining core systems.
Ensure they have a structured implementation methodology with clear timelines, milestones, and resource requirements, as well as the resources to execute ad hoc fixes and on-going maintenance. Your tech partner should provide collaborative, ongoing support that works with your IT team, including:
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- Dedicated account management
- Comprehensive training fostering adoption and engagement
- Continuous system updates and enhancements
- Rigorous testing protocols and contingency planning
- Ongoing user communication and training about new features and functionality
- A collaborative partnership with a focus on Customer feedback and responsiveness.
4. Compliance and Risk Management
Building software that is certified HIPAA compliant is inherently complex but an absolute necessity. Ensure any software is SOC1 and SOC2 certified and manages encryption for PHI between all parties in the insurance distribution system. Your tech partner should provide:
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- Regulatory reporting with audit trail functionality
- PHI compliance
- Ongoing software updates to ensure regulatory compliance
- Security protocols that meet all healthcare regulatory requirements
5. Market Presence and Innovation
If one thing is constant in the health insurance industry, it’s change. Any software vendor you select must be committed to continuous innovation within the health insurance industry. Consider the vendor's market position and track record in healthcare insurance, including:
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- Client portfolio
- Industry-specific expertise and certifications, particularly in regulatory compliance
- Commitment to leveraging new technologies such as artificial intelligence, predictive modeling, and machine learning
- A track record of innovation such as unlimited hierarchies for commission management
6. Market Presence and Innovation
For most health insurer carriers, replacing antiquated legacy systems is a necessary expense. A SaaS model can distribute the expense while minimizing expensive upfront, self-build costs. On the cost side, it’s important to understand initial implementation costs and ongoing fees, including software subscription, training, and upgrades.
Beyond cost, it’s essential to understand how vendors can demonstrate ROI, including:
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- Increased distribution and sales
- Reduced administrative costs
- Improved commission accuracy
- Enhanced agent and broker satisfaction
- Faster time-to-market with new products
Finding the Right Tech Partner
Success in today's competitive insurance landscape demands more than just functional software – it requires a strategic technology partnership that drives operational excellence and market differentiation. Selecting the right partner for insurance distribution and commission management requires careful evaluation of technological capabilities, implementation methodology, and ongoing support infrastructure. If you are ready to start exploring options for a tech partnership, contact us
