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Marketing Medicare Advantage Plans

Effectively marketing Medicare Advantage plans requires a multifaceted approach that combines an understanding of your audience, educational content, digital marketing, community involvement, and strong partnerships. If you use the strategies outlined below, you can reach and connect with your target audience and provide the best individualized healthcare coverage through Medicare Advantage plans.

It is important to adapt to industry trends as well as regulatory changes.  This will help you maintain a competitive edge in the Medicare market.  If you are both dedicated and current with your approach, you can provide Medicare clients the best plan options as well as build a successful business.

Understand your audience:

Before diving into marketing strategies, it’s crucial to understand your target audience.  The beneficiaries of Medicare Advantage plans are either Seniors aged 65 and over or other individuals with qualifying disabilities.  It is important to remember, within this demographic, there are distinct segments with varying healthcare needs and preferences. It is extremely important to tailor your marketing efforts to resonate with each segment.  This applies whether you are selling to either active seniors seeking fitness benefits or those with specific chronic conditions.

Client education is key for a successful agent:

Keep in mind, Medicare can be complex and overwhelming for many clients. Agents should create educational content that simplifies the process of choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.  There are several ways you can explain the MA plan benefits to potential clients.  Make use of any tool you have including; blog posts, infographics, and videos (YouTube) or side by side comparisons of plans. It is important that clients understand; coverage options, enrollment periods, and any recent changes to their plans.

Click here for Best Medicare Sales Meeting Questions

Digital marketing is important:

In the digital age, a strong online presence is vital for marketing success. It is a good idea to use various digital marketing channels to engage with your audience:

1.  Social Media: People of all ages use online platforms such as; Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These platforms are very useful to share many things including, educational content, updated plan offerings and so much more.
2. Email marketing is another good choice for some agents.  Personalized emails about plan updates, AEP reminders or whatever you think will engage either existing clients and/or prospects
3. You may wan to invest in paid online advertising on place like YouTube, Facebook or other various pay-per click opportunities.
4. If you have a website, be sure to use SEO optimization to drive visitors to your website and increase visibility with organic search results.

Partner with carrier representatives and healthcare providers:

We cannot stress enough how important it is to create a good relation ship with your local carrier reps.  These people offer a wealth of information as well as access to applications and marketing tools that may include marketing dollars.

If possible, form partnerships with local healthcare providers and medical facilities.  This is a great way to increase brand awareness and referral opportunities.

Community involvement:

Any opportunity to be at a public event will help to establish your brand and let people know you are happy to provide guidance.  Places to help out include; soup kitchens, local health fairs hosting educational events at your local senior center or church group.  The opportunities are endless once you look around.  You may also want to host seminars or webinars to educate seniors about the importance of Medicare Advantage and how it can fit their specific needs.

Happy clients can be very helpful:

Positive feedback from satisfied customers can make a big impact on potential clients. Encourage your clients to share their experiences with your business with their friends, family and  co-workers or through online reviews.  These referrals can bring in clients for years to come and truly expand you Medicare book.  If possible, have clients go to your social media page and write a review.  This helps build trust and credibility.

Keep in mind; The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) is a critical time for marketing MA plans.  Be sure to reach out to your clients and check for plan updates to be sure they are happy with their coverage.  It is imperative to maintain your book of business and keep clients happy by letting them know you will make sure their healthcare needs are met.

What are MA commissions for 2024

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Medicare Open Enrollment Period

Because there is some confusion as to what the Medicare Open Enrollment Period actually is, we will take a few minutes to explain it.

Many people confuse the term Medicare open enrollment period or OEP and the term Medicare Annual Enrollment or AEP.  It important to understand the differences between these two enrollment periods.

The Medicare OEP, Open Enrollment Period:

This enrollment period takes place each year from January 1 to March 31.  Anyone who is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) can use this enrollment period to go over their current MA plan and make changes if they are necessary.

What can enrollees do during this time:

• Change from one MA or MAPD (Part C) plan to a different MA or MAPD plan.
• Drop your MA/MAPD plan and go back to Original Medicare (Parts A & B).
• If you go back to original Medicare, you can Enroll in a Medicare PDP prescription drug plan (Part D).

The new plan starts on the first day of the month following the submission of the member’s application.

Please note; the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is for Medicare Advantage plan members only.

Beneficiaries on Original Medicare cannot switch to a Medicare Advantage plan at this time. If that is what they want to do,  they must wait for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. 

The Medicare AEP,  Annual Enrollment Period:

During this enrollment period, it is wise to review your client’s Medicare coverage and make any changes they decide on.  The AEP runs from October 15th through December 7th each year.

What can beneficiaries do during AEP:

Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or vice versa).

If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and want to add benefits such as; prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, OTC and more, you may wan to try a Medicare Advantage plan.  On the other hand, if  you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan and want the flexibility of Original Medicare, you can return to it.

1. Change Medicare Advantage Plans: If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn’t fully meet your needs, you can explore different plan options in your area.
2. Enroll in a prescription drug plan (Part D): If you don’t have credible prescription drug coverage through your current plan or are in Original Medicare, you can join a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to help manage medication costs.
3. Enrollees can either switch or drop prescription drug plans: Beneficiaries already enrolled in a Part D plan should compare prescription drug plans each year to ensure they have the most suitable coverage for their needs.
4. Review Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) Policies: Although Medicare Supplement plans are not part of the Annual Enrollment Period, it is a good idea to review these plans annually to assess whether they offer the best coverage for your needs.

Why are the Medicare Open Enrollment Period & Annual Enrollment periods important:

The significance of these enrollment periods is that they allow beneficiaries an opportunity to reassess their healthcare needs as their circumstances change.  This gives them a chance to potentially save money on premiums, deductibles, and copayments or purchase additional coverage.

Anyone who fails to take advantage of this window may be stuck in an ineffective or expensive plan for another year.  This can result in less coverage than they need and higher medical costs.

Tips to Help Clients Make Informed Choices:

1. Assess Current Coverage: Review your client’s current plan to identify any gaps in coverage or services they require. Consider their healthcare expenses over the past year and anticipate any potential changes in healthcare needs for the upcoming year.
2. Compare Plans: Use your resources through connecture or sunfire to compare the various plans available in the area. Look for plans that cover your specific medical needs, including prescription drugs, doctors, and hospitals.
3. Check for Plan Changes: Insurance providers can make changes to their plans each year.  This includes adjustments to premiums, drug formularies, and networks. Be sure you understand how these changes impact coverage and costs.
4. Consider Future Needs: While it’s essential to address current healthcare needs, try to anticipate possible medical events or changes that may require different coverage choices in the future.

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Cigna PDP Commissionable 2024

Original Medicare covers many healthcare necessities, with both medical and hospital insurance being included automatically. However, one of the missing pieces of original Medicare is prescription drug coverage.  In the past, Cigna did not pay commission on part d plans.   Now, Cigna PDP commissionable 2024.

To remedy this, many carriers offer Medicare Part D, or prescription drug plans (also known as PDP). Cigna is one of these carriers. They have a large network of healthcare providers and their plans are available in most areas of the country. Even more exciting, for the 2024 Annual Enrollment Period (or AEP), Cigna has made their prescription drug plan commissionable in all 50 states. Cigna is expanding to make their PDPs commissionable for all their contracted brokers and distribution partners, which they hope will support their “No Wrong Door” portfolio selling strategy. A “No Wrong Door” approach means that, whichever way potentials and beneficiaries approach the carrier’s plans, brokers are able to support them through the system in a way that ends with them getting the plan they most benefit from. There is no wrong way to enter, so to speak.

For some time, brokers were giving Cigna feedback that they were ready to earn commission on Cigna’s products just like their competitors’ products. Cigna is ready to capitalize on their positive sales momentum.   Three Cigna PDP drug plans are commissionable in the upcoming AEP. With this new ability, brokers can meet their customer’s individual needs and wants by presenting any combination of Cigna Medicare Advantage, Cigna prescription drug plans, Cigna Medicare Supplement, and other Cigna Supplemental Health and Life products. Maximum broker commissions for prescription drug plans have increased for the coming AEP from $92 per member per year to $100 per member per year, and are the same for all states, which is different than other commission rates that are different depending on location. The ability to earn commission on all of these plans will bring value to both the brokers and the beneficiaries.

Medicare agents

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Maximize Your Facebook Business Page

A Facebook business page can be a very useful tool for agents and brokers to give people easy and quick access to a snapshot of their business. They are easy to use, free to create, and simple to maintain. However, once an agent or broker has one, there are two vital steps to maximize its usefulness and reach as many potential clientele as possible.  Maximize your Facebook business page.

Post new social media content daily

While this may seem excessive for the uninitiated, posting often and consistently is one of the easiest ways to move search traffic to that page. An active page is a visible page. Agents can post things like information about educational and marketing events that are coming up, updates on the business, promotions that they know about and have access to, and other valuable content related to their business and the insurance field in general. Even articles such as “How does Medicare Advantage Work?” can generate web traffic through keywords and consistent posting.

Use paid ads

Paid ads are a surefire way to reach a wider audience with a business page and drive even more web traffic to the business page. Here is a brief explanation of how to use paid ads on Facebook

• On the business page, click the top right corner “create” button and select “create an ad”

• The objectives to choose from will be “boost your posts,” “promote your page,” and “send people to your website.” The agent will have to choose the option they think is most beneficial at the time.

• Select the target social media audience. Age, location, interests, and other demographics are very important to think about because they will determine who will see the ad. If the ad is to get into the right hands, it has to reach the right people. An obvious choice would be to choose people over the age of 65, and, in particular, people who are six to eight months away from turning 65. Most seniors start researching Medicare up to eight months before they are eligible.

• Choose the budget and schedule for the ad campaign. Most ads can be affordable with a reasonable start and end date.

• Create the ad by choosing a compelling video or picture, and create a title that uses meaningful keywords.

• Review and submit the ad for approval. Facebook will review the ad before publishing it to make sure it meets their advertising requirements. Once it is approved, the ad will run, driving much needed web traffic to the agent’s chosen location.

Social media is a powerful tool.   By utilizing these two steps, an agent or broker can make sure that their information is reaching as many potential clients as possible. Posting valuable content and using Facebook’s built-in paid ads feature will create a more visible business page.

Medicare agents – Click here to see what Crowe and Associates has to offer 

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Create a Facebook Business Page

Now more than ever, if a business does not have an online presence, it may as well not exist. Prospective clients and customers in all fields need to have immediate and easy access to information about a business or service via the internet or they will quickly move on to a different source. Not only is basic information necessary to have online for customers to find, but it is also important for a small business to be able to interact appropriately online. For many brokers and agents, this takes the form of a Facebook page for their business.  This post includes the instructions to create a Facebook business page for selling insurance:

One of the reasons that Facebook business pages can be so useful for agents and brokers is that they can increase their contacts and even gain new clients through natural interaction and promotion of their services.

How to Start – Create a Facebook business page

From a personal Facebook page, click on the three lines on the top left corner of the page and select “create.” From the “create” tab, select “page.”

Choose the type of page. Some options are “local business or place,” “company, organization, or institution,” and “brand or product.”

Then, simply enter the required information for the business. This usually includes things like the name and address of the business and how to contact them, as well as what services they provide.

Click “continue”

Optimize the page for maximum visibility

In order for the business page to actually generate business, people have to see it. Here are some tips to maximize the visibility of the page:

Fill in the “about” section with as much clear information as possible about how an independent Medicare agent does business. Most clients will be over 65 and may not know how any of this field works, particularly with newer technology.

Use keywords in the page’s description – things like Medicare, agent, insurance, etc. This will make it more likely that people will find your page during their searches.

A call-to-action is vital. This can be a “call now” button or a “contact us,” or even a “shop here.” Any way that the prospective client can be driven towards the registration page or even attendance at the next educational or marketing event.

A business page on Facebook can be a very useful tool for publicizing an agent or broker’s business and giving people access to quick information about what services they can provide.

Medicare agents – Click here to see what Crowe and Associates has to offer 

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Maximum Medicare Advantage Commissions 2024

Being a Medicare Advantage insurance broker can be a rewarding and lucrative career. Rewarding because a broker is able to help their clients access the healthcare that is right for them and their families, thus helping to increase their quality of life, and lucrative because there are commissions for doing so. Commissions are always paid on top of salary, as they are in return for services rendered or products sold. In the case of Medicare Advantage, the insurance carriers are the source of the commissions. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sets the maximums for commissions each year, and released the following information for the coming insurance year, 2024.

CMS has increased their maximum commissions for the ninth year in a row for Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans, also known as prescription drug plans or rx plans. It is important to remember that insurance carriers are not required to pay the maximum commissions to their brokers, but will release their commissions rates individually.

For Medicare Part D, the maximum broker commissions increased from $92 per member per year to $100 per member per year. This is an 8.7% increase from the previous maximum.

For Medicare Advantage, the maximum broker commissions are broken down by state, because they consider cost of living in that region.

Other States

In California and New Jersey, initial Medicare Advantage maximum commissions increased from $750/member/year to $762/member/year. For renewals, the commissions increased from $375/member/year to $381/member/year.

In Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and DC, initial Medicare Advantage maximum commissions increased from $678/member/year to $689/member/year. Renewals in these states increased from $339/member/year to $345/member/year.

In all other states, initial Medicare Advantage commissions increased from $601 to $611/member/year.   Additionally, renewal commissions went up from $301 to $306/member/year.

The territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have their own rates, which increased for initial enrollments from $411 to $418/member/year. Their renewal commissions also increased, from $206 to $209/member/year.

Medicare agents – Click here to see what Crowe and Associates has to offer 

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Diabetic supply assistance for agents

Many seniors who have diabetes experience problems getting their Medicare approved diabetic supplies.  This usually leads to unhappy calls from clients.  We have great news; there is a company offering diabetic supply assistance for agents.  This will cut down on the confusion over payment at the pharmacy.

Here’s the program flyer – English

View the program flyer – Spanish

Take a look at some of the benefits ADS (Advanced Diabetes Supply) provides:

ADS provides service and support to agents and their clients.

Agents receive marketing support that helps them provide clients with everything they need to manage their diabetes.

They will set up home delivery of your client’s diabetes supplies before their new plan starts.  This helps ensure a stress free transition into the new plan.

Clients continue to use their chosen pharmacy to fill prescriptions and the diabetes experts ensure they will receive their supplies without interruption.

In the event a client loses or breaks their glucometer, ADS provides a replacement.  This is something no other pharmacy does.

Your clients receive exceptional customer service on your behalf.  This ensures they have a personal, reliable source for diabetes supplies.

They offer the latest technology for effective diabetes management.  This includes several types of Continuous Glucose Monitoring supplies that do not require “finger sticks”.

ADS confirms that all supplies are covered through insurance before they ship to the client.

If you want more information about how this program works; view a slide presentation of the ADS AGENT SUPPORT PROGRAM 2023

Click here for more benefit information – English

For more benefit information in Spanish; click here

Please contact Crowe and Associates either by phone at 203-796-5403 or by email teal@crowendassociates.com.

If you are either a new agent or an agent not already contracted with Crowe and Associates:

Use this link to fill out an online contract with Crowe and Associates.

If you are currently under another upline and plan to move under Crowe:

Click here for intent to move instructions.   Please note; these instructions do not include all carriers.   Call the office for carrier instructions not listed.

Agents who are already appointed with Crowe and Associates that wish to add a carrier or state:

Click here to add a carrier or state to your current contract.    You can also use this link to order carrier supplies.

If you are an agent who wants to take advantage of this service; feel free to contact ADS using the information below.

Agents can contact the ADS, Specialty Diabetes Pharmacy either at northcoastmed.com/agent-support-program or by phone at 1-877-868-9856

Medicare Card Numbers

Medicare is a national service that provides healthcare and medical coverage to any citizen over the age of 65 and some younger with certain disabilities. As one might imagine, there are many, many people who benefit from this service. At last count, in September of 2022, there were over sixty-five million people on Medicare in the United States, which was an increase of over one-hundred thousand since the previous year. Because of the staggering amount of people who are enrolled in this service, it becomes imperative to have a system to keep track of everyone’s personal information. There are two different numbers that are important to know for agents looking for help work with perspectives and manage their insurance enrollment.  What are the important Medicare card numbers?

Medicare Card Numbers – Medicare Beneficiary Identifier

This  number  is important!  The Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, or the MBI, is a randomly-generated personal identification number.  Each person gets a unique number. That means spouses and families will have different numbers, one for each individual person. The MBI is an 11 digit mix of numbers letters, much like the Health Insurance Claim Number, or HICN.

Beneficiaries will find their MBI on their Medicare ID card. If the card is not available, there is an alternative way of finding the number.  Login to Medicare.gov to create an account or call 1(800)Medicare. The Medicare Beneficiary Identifier is important to protect as it lets the beneficiary receive their benefits. Any doctor or healthcare services will require the patient’s Medicare card for their MBI. It is also required to access any of the additional assistance that can come from the federal government, like grocery assistance.

Medicare Card Numbers – National Provider Identifier

The National Provider Identifier, also called the National Provider Identifier Standard or NPI, is the other number that agents may need to access. The NPI is a unique identification number for covered healthcare providers who participate in Medicare. All covered doctors and providers must use their NPI in financial and administrative transactions under HIPAA regulations. The National Provider Identifier is a 10 digit number that can be looked up on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website. By entering the provider’s name and location, the database will be able to access their NPI.

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