August 2019 Monthly News & Updates
The Brokerage Resource
Are you ready for the BUSIEST time of year?

Visit our AEP page and go over our AEP checklist for pointers for a successful season.

Review what your clients can do during AEP and understand the differences between Open Enrollment and Guaranteed Issue.

Request your customized AEP fact sheet to send out to your clients.
September 15th - 21st is Medicare Education week. It's the perfect time to hold a seminar for seniors in your area. United Healthcare has an Event Playbook you can download to help you plan your event (more details below).

If you'd like assistance with creating/designing a post card/mailer for your event, please reach out to Carolyn Portanova.
MACRA goes into effect on January 1, 2020.

​ What is MACRA?
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) is a federal law that affects plans that can be sold to newly-eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
Effective January 1, 2020, newly-eligible Medicare beneficiaries will NOT be able to purchase plans that cover the Part B deductible.

What does MACRA mean to my clients?
For current Medicare Supplement policyholders –
  • Their Medicare Supplement policy does NOT change.
  • NO action is required.
  • They can purchase a plan that covers the Part B deductible (Plans C, F, and High Deductible F).
For those who are Medicare-eligible on or before
December 31, 2019 –
  • Their Medicare Supplement options remain the same as today.
  • They can purchase a plan that covers the Part B deductible (Plans C, F, and High Deductible F).
For those who are Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020
  • Their Medicare Supplement options will change.
  • They cannot purchase a plan that covers the Part B deductible (Plans C, F, and High Deductible F).
  • The guaranteed issue plans that will be available to them are Plans D, G, and High Deductible G, which is a new plan.
  • They are referred to as “newly-eligible” under MACRA.
​ Who is considered “newly-eligible”?
Newly-eligible are those who first become eligible for Medicare due to age 65, disability, or end-stage renal disease on or after January 1, 2020.
​
What can I do now?
For your clients who are current Medicare Supplement policyholders or are Medicare-eligible prior to January 1, 2020, reassure them that their policies and/or plan options do not change. They can keep their existing coverage.
Marketing Tip:

Make sure your clients add your phone number and email address to their phones. If they need to call you in a month, or a year, it's handy to have your contact info easily accessible.
Are you familiar with ALL of the tools and resources on our website ?
The Underwriting page - review underwriting guidelines.
The Forms & Materials page - access thousands of carrier forms and paper apps here.
The Marketing page - access numerous tools to help you market yourself and grow your business. Be sure to access the sub-menus beneath this page too.
The Quoting page - run quotes for all of our products.
The Education & Training page - get info on AHIP, E&O coverage and Continuing Ed.
The Carrier Selection page - each logo is linked to the carrier's agent portal, giving you access to your book of business and carrier tools.
The Webinars page - updated monthly with carrier webinars.
The Tips of the Trade page - get tips on building and growing your business.
The Electronic Apps page - get instructions on how to do e-Apps and login to the agent portals and submit them.
Aetna
Download the new Quotes on the Go app to quote all of Aetna's products. The app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.
3rd quarter incentive kicks off! Submit qualifying underwritten applications and receive a $100 bonus, and $25 bonus for Open Enrollment applications. To receive a payout, you must submit a minimum of 5 signed applications (underwritten, guaranteed issue, open enrollment) and policies must be issued by October 15, 2019
Cigna
Express App 2.0 offers you an all-inclusive platform to quote, enroll and provide all necessary pre-sale materials to your customers! It will include Cigna's entire product suite, including the new Hospital Indemnity product.

Sign up for a webinar to learn more.

August 12, 2019 - 2:00 p.m. EDT
 
August 14, 2019 - 11:00 a.m. EDT
Hospital Indemnity is now available for sales in 45 states and D.C. Plus, you can earn up to a $2,500 bonus in the month of August! Learn more about the contest details  here .

Gerber
Gerber is hosting a product webinar for our agents on August 21st at 2pm EDT. Join us and learn more about the life products you can offer your clients. Click the green links below to join.

Trouble Joining? Try Skype Web App

Join by phone
 
Conference ID: 78710341 

Get a head start and learn more about Gerber's product offerings by clicking HERE.
Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha is excited to announce a new benefit for their Medicare supplement policyholders. They have partnered with Tivity Health to provide their customers with a comprehensive fitness and wellness offering called  Mutually Well* . This new benefit allows an individual to tailor a fitness and wellness plan to meet their needs.

Customers will have access to:
  • Discounts of up to 30% on healthy living products and services from 20,000+ specialists. Examples of discounted services are chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and nutritional programs
  • Flexible, budget friendly fitness program with access to 10,000+ fitness locations with no enrollment fee or contracts for a low cost of $25.00 a month
  • Free 30-day walking program and personalized weekly planning for their nutrition, fitness and wellness needs

A press release will be sent in a couple of weeks announcing this new benefit, and effective  October 1 , Medicare supplement policyholders will have access to begin using this great benefit. 

*Please note, this will not be available in California or New York.
ALABAMA
Converting from Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company to Omaha Insurance Company
·      Producers can start taking paper apps in Alabama TODAY, with an application sign date of August 5th or later; however, as Mutual has system updates to install later this month, the soonest applications can issue is August 23rd
·      Orders for paper applications may be placed starting today by calling Sales Support team at 1-800-693-6083
·      The e-Application will be available on August 23rd
·      The household discount is 12%
·      Commissions are not changing. New schedules will be available on Sales Professional Access soon 
·      Alabama is included in the Q3 Med supp Broker Bonus program
As of September 30, 2019, they will no longer accept Mutual of Omaha Medicare supplement apps in Alabama   
MISSISSIPPI
Converting from Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company to United World Life Insurance Company
·      Producers can start taking paper apps in Mississippi TODAY, with an application sign date of August 5th or later; however, as Mutual has system updates to install later this month, the soonest applications can issue is August 23rd
·      Orders for paper applications may be placed starting today by calling Sales Support team at 1-800-693-6083
·      The e-Application will be available on August 23rd
·      The household discount is 12%
·      Commissions are not changing. New schedules will be available on Sales Professional Access soon 
·      Mississippi is included in the Q3 Med supp Broker Bonus program
As of September 30, 2019, they will no longer accept Mutual of Omaha Medicare supplement apps in Mississippi    
TENNESSEE
Converting from Omaha Insurance Company to United World Life Insurance Company
·      Producers can start taking paper apps in Tennessee TODAY, with an application sign date of August 5th or later; however, as Mutual has system updates to install later this month, the soonest applications can issue is August 23rd
·      Orders for paper applications may be placed starting today by calling Sales Support team at 1-800-693-6083
·      The e-Application will be available on August 23rd
·      The household discount is 12%
·      Commissions are not changing. New schedules will be available on Sales Professional Access soon 
·      Tennessee is included in the Q3 Med supp Broker Bonus program
As of September 30, 2019, they will no longer accept Omaha Insurance Company Medicare supplement apps in Tennessee  
United Healthcare
Medicare Education Week is September 15th - 21st. United Healthcare has an Event Playbook to help you create a local seminar to inform seniors in your area about their Medicare choices. Login to Jarvis and head to 'Knowledge Center' and then 'Agent Communications' to download (but don't distribute) the Event Playbook.
United Healthcare is giving you a jump start to the 2020 selling season. 2020 Enrollment Kits for AARP® Medicare Supplement insurance plans will be  available in most states on Monday, August 5, 2019 .
 
The new Enrollment Kit* will feature the updated 2020 application, a new 'Your Guide' and more of what you need to sell Medicare Supplement plans with January 1, 2020 plan effective dates and later.
 
*Please note that this kit will include 2019 rates. As soon as 2020 rates are approved, a new Enrollment Kit will become available.

The best way to submit your apps is electronically through the LEAN tool.
We're here to help you grow. Reach out to us if you have questions, suggestions or need assistance. Your success is our success.
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