Guiding Michiana Through Health Insurance: Laura Dennison’s Proactive Approach

Guiding Michiana Through Health Insurance:
Laura Dennison’s Proactive Approach

Q&A with Laura Dennison

Q: Can you tell us about your journey to start a business with HealthMarkets?

A: I began my health insurance career when I was recruited by someone I knew, who happened to be a top producing agent in the industry in 2014.  I spent the first few years working with this agent to learn everything I could about HealthMarkets while preparing to build my own agency. In 2019, I transitioned into owning my own agency, and I immediately added staff to support my growth. We’ve been serving clients in our community ever since.

Q: Tell me a little bit more about Health Markets and what you do in your role as an insurance agent.

HealthMarkets is an insurance agency that allows individual agents to be self-employed while still having the support of the company to guide them. As an agent, I help people acquire health insurance on the individual market, particularly those who are self-employed or do not have insurance through their workplace. Additionally, I provide Medicare products for people over 65 or those with certain disabilities. My role involves guiding people through their coverage options for medical, hospital, prescription drugs, and other benefits like life insurance, dental, and vision. When the Affordable Care Act was implemented, it created a large need in the market, and agents, like me, are here to help fill that need.

Q: What sets HealthMarkets and your agency apart from other insurance agencies?

A: At my agency, we prioritize being proactive rather than reactive. My staff is very knowledgeable, and we have established procedures to ensure continuous client care, from follow-up calls to being readily available for any questions. Unlike call centers where you might never speak to the same person twice, we are a local agency with deep roots in the community. We have an established office in Mishawaka, and we will be moving into a new office in Granger this summer.  I prioritize making myself available for face-to-face interactions with my clients as much as possible. It’s my goal to make it known that we are here to help our neighbors, family, and friends.

Q: A question that I hear a lot is which doctors accept certain insurance plans. Do you advise people on that?

A: Yes, absolutely. With the volatility in the hospital systems, having a trusted advisor to navigate these changes is crucial. We help our clients understand which plans will be accepted by different providers, ensuring they receive the best possible care.

Q: Are there any other questions you get regularly?

A: Many people don’t realize that you can have insurance that isn’t through an employer, especially if they’ve had employer-sponsored healthcare their entire lives. So many people get jobs or stay with jobs specifically for insurance. Because of that, there’s often a fear of starting your own business or making a job change. I’m here to tell people that they can go it alone.  They can get health insurance when they’re self-employed or working for an employer that doesn’t offer benefits, and it can even be affordable.

Q: Yes, I’ve seen health insurance deter people from starting small businesses.  It’s great to know there are options for them.

A: Definitely.  When small companies try to recruit or retain employees, saying that they don’t offer insurance is the quickest way to deter hiring. Instead, they can say that instead of a group health plan, they have Laura with HealthMarkets who can help get them set up on the individual market. That’s a much better recruitment strategy.

Q: What challenges have you faced in this business, and how did you overcome them?

A: One of the significant challenges is the seasonal nature of health insurance. Open enrollment periods are incredibly busy, and managing the workload in such a short window was initially difficult. To overcome this, I added staff to ensure I could meet clients’ needs effectively. I have one licensed agent who assists me with the under 65 market, and I have two additional assistants to help with follow-up, phone calls, and appointment setting.

Q: Work-life balance is something that many people are looking for these days. Does the seasonal nature of health insurance provide flexibility outside of work?

A: During open enrollment, my schedule is packed. However, I have more flexibility outside of this season. It’s similar to a CPA during tax season. You have to be willing to put in the hours during the busy season to earn that free time when it’s over.

Q: Can you share a turning point for your business?

A: A significant shift occurred when I transitioned to being 100% on my own in 2019. When I first started out with HealthMarkets, I was assisting another agent and building my own business at the same time.  On top of that, my children were still young, so I was dividing my time in multiple ways. It made a huge difference when I stopped assisting the other agent.  I had more time to focus on my clients, and my business quickly grew. Adding staff and office space further enhanced our ability to serve clients better.

Q: Do you have any future goals for growth or expansion?

A: We plan to add more licensed agents to our team to be able to serve more clients. With our new office opening this summer and a growing number of referrals, we aim to expand our reach and continue providing excellent service. My goal is always to help as many people as possible. Any time you have a life event like losing a job or planning to retire is a great time to discuss health insurance or Medicare plans with me. It’s not uncommon to start planning a year or two before retirement. We are available for consulting throughout the year.

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

A: Know your strengths and work on your weaknesses. You must be honest with yourself about what those weaknesses are. Tackling challenging tasks early in the day can help you focus on your strengths later. It’s essential to understand yourself, admit when something is difficult, and seek help when needed. I’ve been blessed to be part of an organization where support is readily available. Find people you can trust to turn to for advice and let go of what you can’t control.

Q: You mentioned having young children when you were getting started.  Can you talk a little more about having a career and a family?

A: As women and mothers, we have more emotional responsibility to our families. When our children are sick, we have to tend to them.  When they’re hungry, we need to make sure they’re fed. Good mothers want to be the one fulfilling their needs. We find little ways to put our family first and balancing that with a demanding career is an art that takes patience, determination, and strength. It’s important to know that raising children is a season as well, so don’t miss out on doing every little thing for your children.  My children are now in their 20’s, so a new season of parenting is upon us. Of course, I wouldn’t have gotten this far without a supportive spouse. My husband is a wonderful father, extremely supportive of my business and I am very grateful for him.  Entrepreneurship is much more difficult without support at home, someone to bear the load and share in all the responsibilities of family life. I also had an excellent role model.  My mother worked as a nurse for Memorial Hospital for over 40 years, and raised eight children at the same time, so I saw how strong women can be. It can be done. You can have success in both. I find myself mentoring working mothers now because I’ve made it through a challenging balancing act and figured out a thing or two along the way.

Continued Growth and Community Impact

Laura Dennison’s HealthMarkets agency continues to grow, promising to be an invaluable resource for individuals and small businesses seeking health insurance solutions. Her dedication to personalized service and community engagement sets her apart. Follow Laura on Facebook at facebook.com/LauraDennisonInsurance, her website at lauradennison.net, or you can book an appointment by calling the office at 574-440-5556.