How to Request and Manage Carrier Contracts on the Spark Platform
The Spark platform provides a streamlined process for requesting and managing carrier contracts. This guide outlines the steps to request new contracts, track their status, and address common issues.
Requesting a New Carrier Contract
To request a new carrier contract, follow these steps:
Log in to the Spark Advisors platform.
Navigate to Back Office > Carrier Contracts.
Click on Request a Contract.
Follow the prompts to submit your request for the desired carrier(s).
Complete the contract request form by confirming the required information.
Upload any necessary documents.
Review all information, check the acknowledgments box, sign the documents, and submit the contract request.
If you are requesting contracts for specific carriers, such as supplemental plans, note that these may have unique contracting processes. Ensure you complete all required steps as outlined in the platform.
Special Cases
Prerequisites: Some carriers require your upline to be contracted before you can submit a request.
State Additions: To request additional states for your contracts, go to Back Office > View Carrier Contracts and click Add a State. Carriers typically process state additions within five business days.
Downline Contract Eligibility: Once you are "Ready to Sell" with a carrier, your downlines can also request contracts with that carrier.
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) State Appointment Prerequisites: The upline must hold both individual and agency licenses and appointments in each requested state before a downline agent’s state appointment request can be processed.
Tracking Contract Status
Onboarding New Agents
To onboard a new agent who does not yet have access to the Spark portal, follow these steps:
Log in to Spark: Access your Spark account.
Switch to Agency View: Navigate to the Agency View.
Access Carrier Contracts: From the left-hand menu, select "Carrier Contracts."
Click on "Add an agent" in the top-right corner.
Generate a Contracting Link:
Choose the appropriate agency level for the agent: "Licensed Only Agent" or "Principal or Above Street."
Copy the personalized URL that appears.
Share the Link: Send the URL to the agent so they can complete their information.
Once the agent completes the form, they will be added to Spark, and the Contracting Team will begin the carrier contracting process.
Once you have submitted a contract request, you can track its progress:
Log in to the Spark Advisors platform.
Navigate to Back Office > Carrier Contracts.
View the status of your contracts and the next steps required to complete them.
Statuses such as "Carrier is processing" may indicate pending certifications or other requirements. If you encounter this, ensure you have completed all necessary certifications or allow additional time for processing.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Missing Contracts
If a carrier contract does not appear in your account:
Verify it is a Spark Supported Carrier.
Verify that your upline is contracted with the carrier.
Ensure all prerequisites, such as certifications, are completed.
Resending Contracting Links
To have a contracting link resent:
Go to Carrier Contracts.
Click the three-dot menu next to the relevant contract.
Select Resend Contracting Link.
If the carrier is not listed under Active Contracts (e.g., status shows Expired or No Longer Interested), switch to the Inactive Contracts tab.
Locate the carrier, click the three-dot menu, and choose Resend Contracting Link or Complete New Contract Request.
Recent Link Requests: If a contracting link was sent within the last 14 days, the option to resend may not appear. Wait until the 14-day window has passed before trying again.
Self-Enrollment Requirements: Some carriers, such as UnitedHealthcare, may require agents to complete self-enrollment. Follow the carrier’s specific process if the Resend Contracting Link option is unavailable.