On behalf of the Medicare Offerings Department and the entire URL Family, we would like to say “THANK YOU” to all of our agent partners and carrier partners for an extremely successful 2017 AEP Medicare Connections Conference. It is our sincere hope that you were provided all of the information needed to help you have a successful AEP. Please let us know if there is anything that we can assist you with as you gear up for the season.
All available certification links can be found on our website. They are updated as certifications are released, check back frequently.
Certification Links Now Available
*Update on 2017 IBC certification release
We are committed to providing a smooth certification process for you, our brokers. Due to issues with our external vendor used for agent certification and onboarding, and challenges you might have experienced through other carriers using this vendor, we will provide 2017 Medicare Advantage Product training as a webinar with an on-line assessment to launch by next week. Read more.
**2017 CBC Training Certification
Capital BlueCross is pleased to announce that the 2017 Capital BlueCross Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) Training will be released on September 6, 2016. Read more.
***2017 Highmark Medicare Sales Training and Certification - UPDATE
We recognize that agents are still experiencing problems going through the Gorman Sentinel Elite system. Please see the attached memo from Gorman – they are aware of issues and are planning fixes over the weekend. Read more.
9/8 - Vibra Health Plan First Look at 2017 Plans
Join URL and Craig Hayden, Vice President & Chief Marketing Executive of Vibra Health Plan, to learn about their new $0 Medicare Advantage plan set to disrupt the market in 2017! Read more.
9/13 - UPMC for Life First Look at 2017 Plans
UPMC for Life is now offering Medicare Advantage plans in Eastern Pennsylvania! UPMC for Life is part of UPMC Health Plan – owned by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Join us for a webinar on Sept. 13th to find out why you need to offer UPMC for Life in 2017. Read more.
First Look: Highmark Agent Field Guide
Highmark has created an Agent Field Guide as a valuable resource for our Agents. Please note that the Field Guide is for Agent Use Only and is not to be used with a beneficiary. However, we do recommend bringing the Agent Field Guide with you when meeting with a beneficiary in case you need to reference the information included. Click here to reach out to a member of the Medicare Offerings department for access to benefit information.
First Look: Aetna/Coventry 2017 Individual Medicare Products
Register for a local training to learn about the Aetna/Coventry 2017 Individual Medicare products. Read more.
First Look: Gateway Health Plan - 2017 AEP Kick Off
Learn about 2017 plan offerings, including: MAPD plans, Chronic Condition Special Needs plans, and Dual Eligible Special Needs plans. These are for agent use only and are not to be shared with beneficiaries or the public. Click here to reach out to a member of the Medicare Offerings department for access to benefit information.
First Look: 2017 Geisinger Gold
The race to AEP has started, and Geisinger Gold is excited to share our 2017 product sneak peek with you! Read more.
First Look: EnvisionRxPlus Broker Training Only - 2017 Benefit Plan
New information on the 2017 EnvisionRxPlus product. Read more.
Americo Med Sup Rate Reduction in PA and New Application Reminder
Effective immediately, we will be reducing rates in the following Pennsylvania area zip codes: 150-154, 156 and 189-194. Zipcodes 155, 157-188, and 195-196 will remain the same. Read more.
Mutual of Omaha 2010 Modernized In-force Only Rate Adjustment
Upcoming rate adjustments for PA, WY, and ID. Read more.
Highmark ShopPRO Access and Highmark Agent Field Guide
With AEP quickly approaching, we would like to ensure that all agents have access to ShopPRO so you can order Highmark's 2017 enrollment kits and marketing materials when they are released. Read more.
Companion Life Pennsylvania Medicare Supplement Rate Update
Premium rates for Modernized Medicare Supplement policies will be changing as of October 1, 2016. Read more.
Coming Soon: 2017 Rate Information for AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans!
The rate change announcement for AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, is quickly approaching! Read more.
United HealthCare Medicaid Status Verification
In an effort to provide as hassle free experience to both the agent and the consumer, we are excited to announce an update to the Medicaid status verification process. Read more.
Aetna/Coventry Local Market Training Invite
Excited for AEP? We are too. Make sure you’re ready by completing all of your ready-to-sell requirements, including 2017 certification. Read more.
You're Invited: Capital BlueCross New Program Webinar - Healthy Rewards
Catch the excitement as we demonstrate our new Healthy Rewards platform and explain program options for 2017. Read more.
Managing the Complexities of Prescription Opioid Abuse: New Policies and Implications for Medicare Part D Plans
Preventing prescription drug abuse is a top health priority for state and federal policy makers, and one that requires a comprehensive approach. Read more.
CMS data show elevated rates of high-risk med Rx for elderly in South
Health care professionals in the southern states -- from Arkansas to North Carolina -- prescribed high-risk medications for elderly patients at 27% to 52% higher rates than the average for the nation in 2014, Medicare Part D claims data showed. States with the highest antibiotic prescribing rates were in the Midwest and the South. Medscape. Free registration. Read more.
‘America’s Other Drug Problem’: Copious Prescriptions For Hospitalized Elderly
Dominick Bailey sat at his computer, scrutinizing the medication lists of patients in the geriatric unit. Read more.
As Temps Rise, So Can Your Earnings with UnitedHealthcare
Now you can make your summer even better with the New-to-Medicare Application Bonus! Read more.
Earn the Most for Medicare Business
When you become a GEMINI partner all of your Medicare business entitles you to our exclusive third quarter bonuses all while earning top commissions! Read more.
Top 4 Compliance Mistakes to Avoid during the AEP and Beyond
CMS takes the monitoring of Medicare agents seriously in order to protect seniors from unscrupulous agents trying to take advantage of them. With all of the hustle and bustle of the busy selling season, it can be easy to make simple mistakes or take short-cuts on your appointments leading to compliance mistakes. Unfortunately, these mistakes or oversights can cause a wave of damage that many times cannot be mended. Read more.
Compliance Note: Consultation Fees
We’re just around the corner from the 2017 AEP. As you prepare your advertisements, please remember that it is against CMS guidelines to charge a beneficiary a consultation fee for a review of their Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan. Read more.
Agent Websites Must Be Submitted for Review
Reminder-All client facing websites must be submitted to CMS for Review. Read more.
Under 65 Medicare Underwriting Quick Reference Guide
Find out which carriers accept an Under 65 and disabled application if it’s not a “guarantee issue”. Read more.
