What the FCC ruling means   

The FCC has ruled to ban agents working on healthcare accounts and from earning commissions. In response, a number of prominent Technology Service Distributors and direct selling agencies created the Technology Channel Sales Professionals (TCSP) in 2020. 

The TCSP is a government watchdog that represents agent interests related to the Rural Health Care Program. The hope is that, with TCSP’s work, future federal legislation and regulations will be made with fairer rules around how agents can operate in the channel.   

What does the ruling mean for agents?  

By preventing agents from working within this part of the channel, this means a significant income and commission loss for many agents. It also means that end customers are missing out on having expert sales agents working closely with them to find the right solutions for their business.  

Unfortunately, the ruling was not widely public knowledge. There was no forum to discuss the issue before it was put into law, and the ruling caught many by surprise.  

However, the aim of TCSP is to ensure that the channel agents and agencies have more of a say in how the legislation will impact their businesses.  

What TCSP plans to do 

The TCSP is a non-profit trade association that is attempting to petition the FCC to reconsider the ruling. Under Darcee’s leadership, TCSP has been making progress in fighting for agent representation on industry and channel issues. 

TCSP is also providing a self-certification program to comply with providers’ requirements when selling to USCA-subsidized customers. Training programs are also available on a number of business concerns to agents to help them navigate their careers.  

President Bill Power urges other agents to get involved with TCSP’s efforts to make legislation fairer. By increasing numbers, this puts some weight and financing behind TCSP’s work. 

To learn more about the FCC ruling, you can read about it here or tune in to the full discussion.