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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Are you looking for the right FMO – click here to see why we are a good fit
Do you need a scope of appointment – click here
Visit our YouTube channel for free training videos
To view more images by this artist; click here
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
Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here.
Ready to contract? Begin here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We provide weekly training and informational webinars.
Check out the latest Crowe and Associates events and information.
Click here to view more images by this artist
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
Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here.
Ready to contract? Begin here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We provide weekly training and informational webinars.
Check out the latest Crowe and Associates events and information.
Click here to view more images by this artist
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
Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here.
Ready to contract? Begin here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We provide weekly training and informational webinars.
Check out the latest Crowe and Associates events and information.
Click here to view more images by this artist
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
Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here.
Ready to contract? Begin here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We provide weekly training and informational webinars.
Click here to view more images by this artist
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.
Medicare agents – Click here to see what Crowe and Associates has to offer
Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here.
Ready to contract? Begin here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We provide weekly training and informational webinars.
Click here to view more images by this artist
United HealthCare Jarvis Updates
Technology is more important than ever for building a successful agency or brokerage. The technology that is readily available now includes multiple portals, comparison tools, and platforms for enrollment. Some insurance carriers offer specific platforms to their agents, and some even offer access to their agencies as a whole. The 2023 United HealthCare Jarvis updates include the following.
One of these platforms is called Jarvis. Jarvis is a strategic online platform for brokers and field sales agents. Those who use it get full views of plans, benefits, and multiple other tools and functionalities to manage their accounts. Jarvis is the platform used by UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest carriers.
Recently, the company put out a statement to their agencies announcing that they will offer Book of Business access on Jarvis for their agency partners as well as their agents. This move will give agencies a convenient way to access member information. Access to member information is vitally important to support retention efforts, outreach, marketing, and general business planning.
United HealthCare Jarvis Updates – More Information Provided
-
Find a Medicare member’s information if they are receiving commissions from their interactions with that member
-
View up to 2,000 records, search for specific members, and export detailed reports using Microsoft Excel
-
See upline and downline hierarchy information
-
View a member’s profile page in order to assist with servicing them (actions like ordering ID cards, etc.)
Solicitor agents will not be granted access to the Jarvis Book of Business under this new move. All partnered agents and agencies must still adhere to the permissions to contact requirements from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Future effectives will only appear in the Jarvis Book of Business once their initial agency commissions are paid or when they are an Agent of Record (AOR).
While this statement from UnitedHealthcare only refers to Medicare membership, this is an exciting development as this technology and access will likely help many agencies consolidate and view information that can help them provide service for their potentials and clients alike.
Medicare agents – Click here to see what Crowe and Associates has to offer
Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here.
Ready to contract? Begin here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We provide weekly training and informational webinars.
Click here to view more images by this artist
Silver Sneakers versus Renew Active
Previously, there was one major fitness program for seniors that was accessible when they signed up for Medicare insurance plans. It was Silver Sneakers. Then, in January of 2019, one major insurance carrier dropped Silver Sneakers and replaced it with Renew Active. Renew Active quickly became a reasonable competitor to Silver Sneakers. The following is a comparison between the two so that agents and beneficiaries alike can determine the best plan for their needs.
What is Silver Sneakers?
Silver Sneakers is a fitness and wellness program for seniors (aged 65 and older). It includes free local gym memberships across the country, including over 16,000 gym facilities that participate in the program. If a beneficiary is part of a Medicare Advantage plan that uses Silver Sneakers, they can access any of those gyms at zero cost to themselves. They can use as many of the facilities as they like, as well, instead of being obligated to their local facility.
Silver Sneakers also offers online fitness classes for those who work out at home or away. This is also convenient for beneficiaries who may not live close to one of the partnered gym facilities. Additionally, Silver Sneakers has an app for smartphones that helps keep track of fitness goals and plans, as well as locating participating locations.
What is Renew Active?
Renew Active is also a fitness and wellness program for seniors (aged 65 and older). It is part of the UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage insurance plans. Renew Active also offers standard access to local gyms across the country, which is very similar to Silver Sneakers. They also offer at-home options for those who are working out at home or too far away from their participating locations.
However, there is one thing that Renew Active has that Silver Sneakers does not have: brain training. Renew Active partners with BrainHQ and provides an app that has games and tools meant to keep the brain sharp as it ages. This BrainHQ service is available at $8-$14 a month, which is affordable for most beneficiaries and would seem like a no-brainer (no pun intended).
Silver Sneakers versus Renew Active – The Results
While both Silver Sneakers and Renew Active have thousands of locations, only Silver Sneakers has online streaming classes, a phone app, and multiple insurance carriers that include the benefits with their Medicare Advantage plans. While Renew Active is a reasonable comparison to Silver Sneakers, particularly with their online brain games feature, they do not have an app or online streaming classes and they are only carried by limited insurance companies. It is likely that Silver Sneakers will remain the more common benefit for seniors.
Medicare agents – Click here to see what Crowe and Associates has to offer
Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here.
Ready to contract? Begin here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We provide weekly training and informational webinars.
Click here to view more images by this artist
Best Medicare FMO For New Agents
Having a good field marketing organization (FMO) can be a huge boost to an agent’s career. Crowe and Associates is one of the best Medicare FMO for new agents. They can offer access to lead money, free training programs, enrollment platforms, and support from the people who have already done the task of building an agency. Crowe and Associates can provide agents with access to Medicare in all 50 states in the country, as well as access to other lines of insurance businesses such as life, annuity, final expense, health, indemnity products, and long-term care.
One of the reasons that Crowe and Associates stands out from the crowd of other FMOs is that they started as literally one agent without a single Medicare client. They have built themselves from the ground up, and understand all the steps and missteps that new agents and agencies are likely to take as well as the support they will need to succeed. Their agent programs are designed on the real-life experience of their founder, and they are still independently run and now backed by Pinnacle Financial Services.
Services that Crowe and Associates offer agents and agencies who join them.
The Turn-Key Turning 65 Seminar Program
This is an educational seminar that Crowe and Associates provides that averages at more than 50 attendees per session. They also provide sample seminars, hands-on training, and guidance from start to finish. Crowe and Associates can also cover 50% of the first seminar for new agents and up to $500 of the cost for future seminars.
Monthly Medicare Lead and Marketing Reimbursement
Every agent who works with Crowe and Associates has access to up to $500 in monthly lead and marketing reimbursement, without decreasing their commissions. Agents send in their receipts and Crowe and Associates will send them up to $500 a month in support.
Access to Connect4Medicare Online Enrollment Software
Agents with Crowe and Associates can access Sunfire, Connecture, and MyMedicarebot for quotes, comparisons, and enrollments at no charge to them. This can lead to direct sales and enrollment without even a need for a face to face meeting, increasing agent’s commission easily.
Free Website, Graphics, and SEO for Agents
Crowe and Associates will also provide a free URL for agents. This URL is CMS-compliant. Quote and enrollment platforms are built right in. Again, this is at no cost to the agent. There is also support and guidance available for SEO and advertising on sites like Youtube, Google Ads, Facebook, and more.
Support and Training
Full-time, in-person support is provided at both the CT and PA locations of Crowe and Associates. They provide training for day-to-day sales, online training programs from both locations, and their favorite activity is helping agents and agencies build their business and their revenue.
Medicare agents – Click here to see what Crowe and Associates has to offer
Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here.
Ready to contract? Begin here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We provide weekly training and informational webinars.