2020 WellCare Updates for Aetna Legacy Book of Business
As we jump into 2020, we wanted to highlight some topics related to the agent and membership migration. Learn more.
Highmark Senior Markets Update
Highmark and UPMC reached a 10-year agreement in June after it appeared the two health-care giants, for the most part, would no longer accept each other's nonemergency patients. Learn more.
Lumico Medicare Supplement Rate Adjustment (Pennsylvania)
The following rate adjustments are effective March 1, 2020 for new and in-force business in Pennsylvania. Learn more.
JarvisWRAP for January 24
Make sure that only the individual completing the enrollment application – the Medicare beneficiary or their authorized legal representative (e.g., Power of Attorney) – signs the enrollment application. Your most efficient enrollment process is always through LEAN – whether in-person or via remote digital signature. Learn more.
WellCare and Centene Combination
We are pleased to announce that Centene has completed its combination with WellCare. With the completion of this transaction, we have created a premier healthcare enterprise focused on government-sponsored healthcare programs and a leader in Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Learn more.
Thrivent Rate Change Update for the state of Pennsylvania
Applications signed and dated before March 1, 2020, and received by March 9, 2020, will be issued at the current rates prior to this premium increase. Learn more.
Aetna Medicare Producer News Individual MA/MAPD: January 22, 2020
Survey | Retention tips | OEP rules | Smart videos | Plan summary worksheet. Learn more.
Cigna | The Ins and Outs of OEP
In addition to ringing in a new decade on January 1, this year’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Medicare Advantage plans kicked off that day as well. OEP existed prior to 2010, but it was re-introduced in 2019. Learn more.
Highmark Update: OEP Reminders
The Open Enrollment period (OEP) is in effect January 1 through March 31. During this time, individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan are able to switch to another eligible plan. Learn more.
Medicare Advantage rates to increase by less than 1%
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is giving Medicare Advantage plans a rate increase of less than 1%, which is less than half of what they received last year. Learn more.
U.S. government proposes higher payments to Medicare insurers in 2021
The U.S. government on Wednesday proposed an average 0.93% increase in its payments in 2021 to the health insurers that manage Medicare Advantage insurance plans for about 22 million people aged 65 or older or disabled. Learn more.
Why Home Health Care Is Suddenly Harder To Come By For Medicare Patients
The decision came out of the blue. “Your husband isn’t going to get any better, so we can’t continue services,” an occupational therapist told Deloise “Del” Holloway in early November. “Medicare isn’t going to pay for it.” Learn more.
Here’s why dropping Medicare for employer coverage may come with snags
For retirees on Medicare who head back to work, the move could provide the option of employer-based health insurance. Learn more.
Beware Medicare’s Part B Premium Penalty And Surcharge Traps
Sue has learned an extremely painful lesson, which, in her case, will materially lower her living standard for the rest of her life. Learn more.
CMS: Medicare Will Cover Genetic Diagnostics For Certain Cancers
Medicare will now cover Next Generation Sequencing for beneficiaries with inherited ovarian or breast cancer in order to improve their precision medicine treatment options, CMS announced. Learn more.
Medicare Advantage Gains Enrollee Share
Medicare Advantage coverage providers have started the year with 24 million enrollees, or about 9.2% more than they had a year ago. Learn more.
Medicare to Pay for Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has given its seal of approval for a procedure that U.S. physicians have traditionally viewed with suspicion: acupuncture. Learn more.
CMS Administrator Seema Verma: Home Health Compare Overhaul Is on Its Way
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Thursday that users of Home Health Compare — its consumer-facing database of home health provider quality information — can expect to see a major revamp. Learn more.
CENTENE-WELLCARE MERGER RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL, DEAL SET TO CLOSE
The two insurers announced plans for a $17.3 billion megamerger in March 2019. Learn more.
MEDICARE OVERPAID FOR POSTOPERATIVE CARE BY $2.6B IN 2018
Less than 40% of postoperative visits paid for by Medicare were provided following major surgical procedures. Learn more.
The Medicare Part D Drug Plan Donut Hole Is Closed. What Does That Mean?
Just about every Medicare beneficiary has heard about the donut hole in a Medicare Part D drug plan. Many will admit they don’t understand it but they all know it means drugs will cost more. Learn more.
The March of the Boomers: Daily Armies of New Seniors Swell the Medicare Ranks
We’ve been hearing the figure at least since 2011, when the first baby boomers turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare: Each day now, 10,000 Americans cross that threshold and switch their coverage to the federal program. Learn more.
Researchers Investigate the Novelty of Costly Drugs
A new study from Harvard Medical School researchers found that of the 27 active ingredients in 25 brand-name drugs with the highest Medicare spend in 2017, 11 (41%) of the ingredients had previously been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in other formulations or products. Learn more.
Close the Social Security Claiming Delay Medicare Trap: Hearing Witness to Congress
Congress should help keep older workers from making painful Medicare Part B enrollment mistakes, a Medicare enrollee advocate said today at a hearing on Capitol Hill. Learn more.
CMS proposes risk adjustment updates to Medicare Advantage: 5 things to know
CMS released its first round of proposed updates to Medicare Part C and Part D payment policies Jan. 6. Learn more.
Aetna | New year, new chance to earn a bonus
Submit qualifying applications of Medicare Supplement and ancillary products between January 1 - March 31, 2020 to earn a bonus. Learn more.
Announcing Cigna Medicare Advantage Incentives for 2020
As if the quality of our 2020 Medicare Advantage plans isn’t enough, here’s another great incentive for our AEP 2020 customers. Learn more.
2/14 Humana Webinar: PA Med Supp Opportunities
Learn about PA Med Supp Opportunities. Register now.
2/21 Humana Webinar: Vantage Business Center & More
Learn about Vantage Business Center & More. Register now.
2/26 2020 Gateway University
Join URL and the #1 DSNP plan in PA, Gateweay Health Plan, for an educational seminar at our office on February 26th at 10am to identify Special Needs prospects and find out how to close sales. Register now.
2/28 Humana Webinar: Working with Veterans
Learn about Humana Webinar: Working with Veterans. Register now.
3/25 Aetna Senior Supplemental & Ancillary Training
Join us for a seminar at our office on March 25th at 10am with Aetna Senior Supplemental to learn about their vast portfolio of products to better serve your clients. Register now.
Medicare Offerings Video Archives
MedicareNow!
Our new Medicare Advantage enrollment platform, MedicareNow!, enables you and your clients to enter and save medication lists, as well as update lists anytime to see how adding and deleting prescriptions will affect them financially—without sharing any confidential usernames and passwords. Learn more.
