You don't have to tell insurance brokers that it's a time of unprecedented change in the industry. Between the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health care exchanges and changes to Medicare, brokers are seeing a wholesale transformation in the way they do business.

But many brokers are so focused on the revolution unfolding in front of them that they're missing a smaller, quieter revolution that's been happening behind their backs for years. In less than two decades, the Internet has gone from an entertaining distraction to a vital business tool. These days, if you're not connected, you're not relevant — and you're not reaching clients and potential clients.

"Brokers have to be on the Web, period," says Rick Krout, sales executive at Warner Pacific in Denver. "With the new PPACA rules coming down, with the exchanges and things like that, it's all going to be Internet. So these brokers that have maybe shied away from getting their emails and websites, now they're going to have to get on the Web."

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO, part of your ALM digital membership.

  • Critical BenefitsPRO information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.