In the spirit of transparency and
to help you plan for Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP),
please be advised that Cigna-HealthSpring will not pay broker commissions
for new Maryland customers in 2019.
Despite our best efforts in
Maryland, we have struggled to offer Medicare Advantage products
to customers and the community that provide desired value. We’ve
experienced difficulty remaining competitive as we’ve been
challenged by various factors, including increased medical
utilization and reimbursement levels that do not cover the cost
of care and providing benefits above Original Medicare. As you
know, several other Medicare Advantage carriers have experienced
similar Maryland challenges.
What does this mean for you?
· Maryland is not a Cigna-HealthSpring growth market
for 2019.
· We will continue to pay new business commissions for
new Maryland customers written with 2018 effective dates.
· We will not pay new business commissions for new
Maryland customers written with 2019 effective dates.
· As long as you complete all certification
requirements for 2019, you will continue to earn renewal
commissions for existing Maryland customers that remain enrolled
in Cigna-HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans in 2019.
· We will continue to pay new business commissions for
customers that reside in Delaware and the District of Columbia.
What does this mean for your
Maryland customers?
· 2019 benefit changes may include increased cost
shares or changes to covered benefits.
· We will continue to work closely with our aligned
provider partners to ensure our customers are provided with
quality, efficient, coordinated care.
· We expect no significant network changes for 2019.
Therefore, customers should experience little to no change with
their provider networks.
· Our 2019 Maryland plan information will be available
on Medicare.gov and on the Cigna-HealthSpring website. However,
the public will not see normal AEP marketing such as
Cigna-HealthSpring direct mail, television commercials or
billboards in Maryland.
· Current customers will receive all customer
communication, including the Annual Notice of Change.
It is important to note that this
shift does not change our commercial or individual strategies in
the market in any way. Also, our approach to Medicare Advantage
in Pennsylvania, Delaware and the District of Columbia will
remain unchanged from previous years.
We appreciate your understanding
of this complex decision. As valued partners, we pledge to
support you and your customers in every way possible. Meanwhile,
please contact your local Cigna-HealthSpring broker
representative or your agency representative with any questions
you may have.
