CMS Newsroom
News updates from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read more.
COVID-19: Medicare Will Cover Free Over-the-Counter Tests
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to expand Americans’ access to free testing, people in either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage will be able to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost starting in early spring. Under the new initiative, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free. Read more.
Insurance Literacy Influences MA Enrollment Choices
Research published in JAMA Network Open found Medicare beneficiaries who reviewed their coverage options every year and were considered to have high health insurance literacy were more likely to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and more likely to choose MA plans with high star ratings, lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket spending caps of less than $4,000. Read more.
Lawmakers Express Support for Medicare Advantage
A total of 346 House lawmakers signed a letter calling on the CMS to "provide a stable rate and policy environment" for Medicare Advantage plans, noting that MA beneficiaries have fewer preventable acute inpatient hospital stays and greater preventive services utilization than those enrolled in traditional Medicare. Read more.
Medicare, Medicaid Plans See Fast Internet Access as Medical Benefit
Disparities in access to broadband internet and other technology limit access to telemedicine, especially in low-income, rural, and Black and Hispanic communities. Some health insurers are trying to close the gap by informing Medicaid members about the Affordable Connectivity Program or offering low-cost broadband as a Medicare Advantage benefit, which Devoted Health Chief Medical Officer Neil Wagle says may improve patient outcomes and reduce spending. Read more.
Aetna | Broker News
See topics including: The Ascend Virtual Sales app discontinued on 3-31; Get Think Agent training; CMS subsidy changes on two SilverScript PDPs; Retail events can expand your business; Compliance information; Member retention; surveys and more. Read more.
Capital Blue Cross | Broker Blast
See topics including: Member Appreciation Events; Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs and Healthy Food & Produce Allowance; and Producer Support. Read more.
Highmark | Common SEP Questions (and Answers!)
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) can be difficult for clients to navigate. We've pulled some information together to help you help them. Read more.
Lumico | Medicare Supplement Rate Adjustment
The following rate adjustments are effective March 1, 2022 for new and in-force business in Pennsylvania. Read more.
Union Security | Medicare Supplement Rate Adjustment - Maryland
The following rate adjustments are effective March 1, 2022 for new and in-force business in Maryland. Read more.
Wellcare | New Broker Portal - Coming Soon!
Over the last year, the Wellcare Sales Operations teams have been diligently working to bring you, our broker partners, a new and improved broker portal. Read more.
Wellcare | Weekly News
With the new year underway, we wanted to provide information on the following member enrollment opportunities we are sure you will find helpful as you continue to work with your members:
- Medicare Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) - Enrollment timeframe and guidelines for MA OEP
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP) Declarations - Reminder to view active SEPs available
Read more.
United Health Care - AARP | Keep Flying Higher and Earn More for AARP Medicare Supplement Plans! (qualify through 2/28/22)
Keep reaching for the sky! Earn $100 to $300 per eligible application for AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthCare Insurance Company! Read more.
Aetna | Healthy Rewards Program Flyers - Another Great Reason To Enroll In Our MAPD Plans (qualify through 12/31/22)
Yet another great reason to sell Aetna Medicare MA/MAPD/DSNP in 2022! Help members stay healthy and earn up to $200, redeemable for gift cards, by completing eligible health activities by December 31, 2022. Read more.
United Health Care | Join a Live Chat for Pennsylvania for AARP Medicare Supplement Plan Updates and Agent Q&A
Don't forget to join us for Medicare Supplement Mondays for AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans from UnitedHealthcare for Pennsylvania! Register now.
United Health Care | You're invited to a Northeast Open Enrollment Period Training for AARP Medicare Supplement Plans!
Join AARP Medicare Supplement Northeast Regional Sales Director, Nicky Skubal, to learn more about the Medicare supplement Open Enrollment Period for AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans from UnitedHealthcare! Register now.
Webinar Wednesdays: Highmark Senior Markets Broker Trainings
Your local Highmark Medicare Broker Representatives will be offering monthly webinars starting in February and running through July. Register now.
Wellcare | Pennsylvania Dental Benefits Webinar
Please join us on Thursday February 17th, 2022 at 2:00pm, for our weekly webinar. This week we will be discussing our Dental Benefits for our Pennsylvania MAPD products. Register now.
2/22 Medicare Leads
Join us for a webinar on February 22nd at 10am EST. Christy Wilbert, Medicare Offerings VP at URL Insurance Group and guest speaker, Steve Weir from LeadConcepts will discuss how to get the best return on your investment with Medicare Leads. Medicare leads are cheap, if you're willing to put in the work.
We'll discuss:
- Choosing good demographics
- Generic leads
- Mass mailers
- Buying name lists
- Best calling practices and more
Register now.
3/29 Agency Builder: Structuring Your Agency
Now that you've started building your agency, it's time to figure out how to structure it. On March 29th at 10am EST join URL's Director of Licensing & Contracting, Tish Whitesel, along side Medicare Offerings VP, Christy Wilbert for a webinar on this topic.
In this installment of our Building an Agency series we'll discuss:
- Contracting downline agents (licensed only agent vs. independent), and
- Protecting your investment Compensation structure
Register now.
4/5 Lunch & Learn with Wellcare
Join us for an in-house lunch and learn on April 5th at 11:30am EST. We'll meet Wellcare staff and learn more about the benefits they offer.
In this seminar we'll discuss:
- DSNP Lead opportunity
- Relationship between PA Health & Wellness and Wellcare Medicare (Allwell)
- All-star local sales support team
- Helping you grow & diversify your business
- Competitive compensation
- Strong products in DSNP, $0 HMO, and PPO markets
- PA market updates and what’s to come
Register now.
4/19 Agency Builder: Starting an LLC
Join us for a webinar on April 19th at 10am EST as Christy Wilbert, Medicare Offerings VP at URL Insurance Group and a special guest, discuss common questions about setting up a LLC. When you start to build your agency, it can be hard to know where to begin. We've put together a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get started. Come learn how. Register now.
5/24 Get your foot in the door with Medicare
The great thing about selling Medicare is that it’s a need, not a want. You're not pushing or selling a product to your client. You're educating them and becoming a trusted resource in the process. Join us for webinar on May 24th at 10am EST.
During the webinar you will learn:
- Sales techniques
- Cross-selling techniques
- Best processes for retention
- How to get loyal clients
Register now.
