The benefits of working with a Blue Cross agent

When Blue Cross opened their Duluth center in 2016, Jude Collins was evaluating health plans and stopped in to learn what offerings were available.

A long-time Blue Cross member during her working years as a psychology professor at Lake Superior College, Collins tried another provider in retirement, but was interested in exploring options that better met her needs. As the recipient of a pacemaker following a struggle with atrial

fibrillation (AFib), she wanted to be sure to enroll in a plan with benefits that would cover what she needed for her heart. Tammy Kausch, Health Plan Advisor Sales Lead at the Duluth center, helped Collins evaluate her choices and select a plan that provided better coverage than what Collins was previously receiving.

“I’ve stayed with the plan ever since, and it’s been a godsend,” says Collins, who is 79 today and still visits Kausch in person each month. “I’m on some very expensive medications and it covers most
of it. And more than that, Tammy advocates for me, she points things out. So when I go in there, I don’t feel like I’m just floating in the ocean. I feel like I’ve got a trusted companion to help me navigate these waters.”

Developing a relationship

A key benefit of working with an agent is the development of a one- on-one relationship that makes understanding healthcare and the intricacies of your plan easier.

Once you enroll into a plan with an agent, that same agent remains your primary point of contact. They get to know your health history, your challenges and are able to discuss plan benefits or other resources that can help.

“We know the right questions to ask and what types of things to consider when helping you choose the most suitable plan,” says Drew Wolf, manager of direct channel sales, who oversees the Blue Cross centers in Duluth, Edina and Roseville. “We can also check on enrollment, billing and other things behind the scenes — make sure that everything flows smoothly and really provide peace of mind. We just want to educate, help people understand their benefits, and get them the right plan so they feel good about their health plan.”

Kausch, Collins’ agent, does a thorough plan review annually to make sure Collins is getting what

she needs and is happy with her health plan. But the two see each other monthly, as Collins is a firm believer in the value of personal relationships, and Kausch is happy to chat, whether it’s about plan benefits, gardening or anything
else that is going on. Collins has also referred friends to Kausch, who has helped them find plans.

“Tammy is very thorough and points out nuances that I don’t pick up on,” Collins says. “She’s also just very relatable and compassionate. “I want to keep that relationship with Tammy and everyone else in that office, so when I come in, they know who I am, they know what my needs are and they take care of me.”