Introducing our new monthly Medicare blog filled with training, new sales ideas, diving deeper into helping you best serve your clients. Topics to look forward to:
- Providers and how they are contracted
- How to help when over spending for a drug
- IRMAA
- Rapid Disenrollment’s
- Access and other assistance programs
- Social Security
- Community Health Plans
- Using Medigap Tools
Marketing in the Medicare Open Enrollment Period
Congratulations! You survived the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), but are you ready for the newly restored Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP)? If you have been in the Medicare sales market for a while, you may remember the OEP prior to 2011... But this new OEP is not the same, so it is important to be aware of the new rules relating to this enrollment period.
Read more.
UnitedHealthcare | Your Guide to the Open Enrollment Period and Changes to DSNP SEP for 2019
2019 is almost here, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced important changes - Open Enrollment Period (OEP) will be reinstated for 2019 and changes have been made to the Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP) Special Election Period (SEP). Read more.
Highmark's NEW Medigap Rate Schedule
In an effort to provide premium rate consistency during the Medicare shopping season, Highmark has elected to utilize an off-calendar year rate renewal cycle for Medigap Blue. Read more.
Thrivent | ALERT - Premium Accounting Issue
It has come to our attention that a system’s error resulted in premium payment being withdrawn from Thrivent Medicare Supplement contract holders’ bank accounts twice. Read more.
Companion Life | ALERT - Premium Accounting Issue
It has come to our attention that a system’s error resulted in premium payments being withdrawn from Companion Medicare Supplement policy holders’ bank accounts twice. Read more.
Mutual of Omaha First Quarter 2019 Broker Bonus Program
Earn extra cash on your Medicare supplement and SELECT business. Read more.
We bring you Thrivent's Agent Incentive Program!
Become one of the top 10 producers of Thrivent Medicare supplement insurance by January of 2019 and embark with us on an all-expenses-paid home building trip to Sebring, Florida! Read more.
Medicare cuts payments to nursing homes whose patients keep ending up in hospital
The federal government has taken a new step to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions of nursing home patients by lowering a year's worth of payments to nearly 11,000 nursing homes. Read more.
Medicare could overpay billions for lab tests
Spending on lab tests could exceed what the agency paid before 2018 due to some of the changes to the reimbursement formulas. Read more.
Most Medicare value-based hospitals will get more money in 2019
The top performing hospital in 2019 will receive a 3.6% net increase, and the lowest performing hospital will incur a net decrease of 1.59%. Read more.
Medicare Part D Coverage Gap Proposal Would Not Reduce Drug Spending
Manufacturers’ plan would shift costs to the government and beneficiaries. Read more.
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief Special Report: Medicare Advantage in the Spotlight
Americans deserve access to quality, affordable, and comprehensive health care that improves outcomes. Read more.
TENET, CIGNA INK MULTI-YEAR DEAL
The new multi-year contract will allow Cigna members in-network access at Tenet facilities. Read more.
‘Medicare for All’ Gains Favor With Democrats Looking Ahead to 2020
More and more Democrats, fed up with private health insurance companies, are endorsing the goal of a government-run, single-payer system like Medicare for all Americans. Read more.
Drugmakers begin 2019 with price hikes: report
Americans woke up Tuesday to higher pharmacy costs as more than three dozen pharmaceutical companies raised their prices on hundreds of drugs including generic medicines, according to a study first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Read more.
Reminder: CMS Change to LIS/Dual Special Enrollment Period Effective January 1, 2019
In 2019, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will make an important change to the ongoing Special Enrollment Period for Low Income Subsidy or Dual Eligible beneficiaries (LIS/Dual SEP). Read more.
Why URL Should Be Your FMO
As you're gearing up for the Annual Enrollment Period it's time to re-evaluate your relationship with your current Medicare FMO. Watch our video.
