CMS Newsroom
News updates from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read more.
More Americans Choosing Medicare Advantage Plans Amid Pandemic
A 9% year-over-year increase was observed in the number of US Medicare beneficiaries who enrolled in a Medicare Advantage health plan in 2020, with the increase in enrollment influenced by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and its related effects. Read more.
Medicare for Transgender-Related Health Care
Over 1.4 million adults in the United States identify as transgender. Gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapy can be an essential part of a trans person’s transition, but those procedures can be costly, and many private insurance plans don’t cover them. For the relatively small number that qualifies for Medicare coverage — just 0.7% of transgender people are Medicare beneficiaries — Medicare can provide significant relief. Medicare ensures that medically necessary care is covered, including some gender confirmation procedures. Read more.
Medicare Buy-In for Older Adults Could Cut Health Costs, Increase Coverage Value: Urban Institute
When implemented alongside the Affordable Care Act, a Medicare buy-in option could result in more generous coverage and lower out-of-pocket spending for beneficiaries, according to a new Urban Institute brief. When implemented alongside the Affordable Care Act, a Medicare buy-in option could result in more generous coverage and lower out-of-pocket spending for beneficiaries, according to a new Urban Institute brief. Read more.
Biden Picks Another Obama Veteran to Oversee Medicare and Medicaid
President Biden has selected Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, filling a major role in his health-care leadership team, according to four people who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the decision. Read more.
Humana to Pilot Chronic Care Program Supported by Microsoft, Salesforce Tech
Humana is piloting a new care management program that focuses on coordinating care for some Medicare Advantage members who have chronic conditions. The program is called Humana Care Support. It was formerly known as the Enterprise Clinical Operating Model. Read more.
Sanders-Commissioned CBO Report Finds Medicare Part D Pays Nearly Three Times More Than Medicaid for Prescription Drugs
The Medicare Part D program pays far more than any other federal health program for prescription drugs, according to a report released today by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The report, “A Comparison of Brand-Name Drug Prices Among Selected Federal Programs,” commissioned by Senate Budget Committee Chair, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), found that on average Medicare Part D pays nearly three times more for brand-name drugs purchased at retail pharmacies than Medicaid. Read more.
MA Members Could See High Out-of-Pocket Costs For COVID-19
High out-of-pocket costs may dissuade some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries from seeking COVID-19 care as payers eliminate cost-sharing waivers, according to a new American Journal of Preventive Medicine study that calls for legislation to mandate insurers cover hospitalizations from the virus. While most payers currently cover COVID-19 hospitalization costs in full for Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries, some insurers have started to roll back cost-sharing waivers, which may suggest that coverage for COVID-19 hospitalizations is on its way out. Read more.
Lower Spending Drives Senior Satisfaction with Medigap Policies
Seniors who choose Medigap policies have high rates of satisfaction with their choice, particularly due to reduced out-of-pocket healthcare spending, according to a survey that America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) commissioned. Read more.
AmeriHealth Caritas | Broker Newsletter Feb 2021
See updates including; Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period; Medicare Eligibility Verification Process; 2021 OTC Catalog; Telephonic Enrollment Process and more. Read more.
ManhattanLife | Medicare Supplement Rate Adjustment in Virginia
A rate adjustment for Virginia has been approved. There is a 9.0% rate increase for all Plans A, C, F, G & N. Read more.
UnitedHealthcare | 2021 Rate Information for AARP Medicare Supplement Plans
Great news! Annual rate change information for 2021 AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans from UnitedHealthcare® is now available for the state. Read more.
UPMC | Request Medicare Part B Applications through Cavulus!
To your clients, you are the gatekeeper to all that is Medicare. And as you know, that typically includes answering their questions about Original Medicare. UPMC for Life wants to make sure that you can continue to be the resource for your clients by giving you access to Part B enrollment information. Read more.
UPMC for Life | Special Needs Program Direct Mail
By now, you know that our UPMC for Life Complete Care (HMO SNP) plans provide great coverage and important extra benefits for our members. To help us spread the word about our SNP plans and their competitive benefits, we use direct mail. The SNP direct mail campaign is sent out to Medicare and Medicaid eligible prospects on a quarterly basis. Read more.
WellCare | Digital Resource Center
We are excited to share a great new tool that provides all the information you need to meet with beneficiaries at your fingertips. Plus, materials are available in multiple languages! Read more.
Central States of Omaha | Big Incentives For Only One Issued Case!
Start strong with the industry's top bonuses. CSO’s unlimited incentives can make the first quarter of 2021 your best to date. Read more.
Lumico | Start Off Your Year With This Huge Incentive!
Lumico's benefits are clear. So are the rewards. Our unlimited incentives could make this your best quarter ever. Valid now thru March 31st, qualify with just three applications in a month. Read more.
Manhattan Life | Continuing Adding To Your Wallet With Our Agent Incentive
Peace of mind for policy holders. Well-earned rewards for you. Get a strong start to 2021 with unlimited incentives. Read more.
UnitedHealthcare | 2021 Blast Off Incentive
Earn $100 to $300 cash from UnitedHealthcare on commission-eligible, accepted and paid applications for AARP Medicare Supplement Plans F and G for ages 65+ that are underwritten or within their Medicare supplement Open Enrollment period. Read more.
Cigna Health Spring | Updated 2021 Training Schedule
Please join Cigna Health Spring's, Debra Bartush for a webinar or telephone presentation to learn more about; What can CARL do for you?; Navigating Custom Point; Ancillary Benefits; Selling Medicare Advantage to Baby Boomers; Provider Lookup Tools; New Enrollment Tools and Options and; 2021 Cigna Medicare Advantage Benefits Pennsylvania. Register now.
3/25 Medicare Workshop: Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage Plans
Join Christy Wilbert (Medicare Offerings VP) for a webinar on March 25th at 10am EST as she dives into the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage Plans. It's your job as an agent to present both options and educate your clients. Key topics: How Medicare Supplements work; How Medicare Advantage Plans work; Researching providers; Researching formularies; What plan should I be suggesting? Register now.
4/29 Medicare Workshop: How to Sell HMO's and SNP'S
Join Christy Wilbert (Medicare Offerings VP) for a webinar on April 29th at 10am EST to take a closer look at Medicare Advantage HMOs and Special Needs Plans. We hear a lot of questions on this topic, so we'll be discussing the similarities and differences between the two plans. We will have live Q&A to help clarify your understanding on the benefits of a SNP. Register Now.
