TECH TIP: “Safe” Email Attachments

You may already be aware that you should not open email attachments with an extension such as “.exe”, but did you know that even PDFs or Word Documents can be rendered unsafe to open? Opening these attachments from senders with malicious intent can cause your computer (and any networks to which you are connected) to be compromised, hacked or even riddled with ransomware.

What are the unsafe file types to look out for?  This question is better answered by listing file types that are generally considered to be safe to open. The truth is that most file types are at risk of being “booby-trapped” to attack your computer or device. The general rule is to NEVER open any email attachment if you do not know who it came from or why you received it

You should always be on guard with any email attachments that are not .TXT files. 

How can I tell if an attachment is safe to open?

  • Ask yourself: Was I expecting to receive this attachment, and did it come from who I would expect it to come from? Check email addresses for any “red flags” that may indicate the email address has been spoofed or faked.
  • Never open an email attachment if you don’t recognize the sender that it came from.
  • If you recognize the person or email address sending you the file, but it was still unexpected, contact them first through a different form of communication (such as by phone) to ask them if they intended to send you the file.

Let’s stay safe out there!

Stop, Look, and Think.

 

Lumico, CSI Life, & Union Security Q1 Bonus!

Check out Lumico, CSI Life, and Union Security first quarter bonuses to earn extra CASH!!

LUMICO & CSI LIFE

Issue 3 or more cases of qualifying business in a calendar month
Earn $100 per underwritten case, $50 per non-underwritten case*
And there’s no limit on how much you can earn!

UNION SECURITY

Issue 3 or more cases of qualifying business in a calendar month
Earn $150 per underwritten case, $75 per non-underwritten case*
And there’s no limit on how much you can earn!

If you have any questions or not appointed with any of these carriers and are interested please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing Sales Representative.

MMO Med Supp Guaranteed Acceptance through Dec. 1, 2019

Medical Mutual is extending their guaranteed acceptance for Medicare Supplement insurance plans through Dec. 1, 2019. This extension provides you more time to discuss the option of enrolling in this plan with your clients. MMO has already helped many Ohioans keep their SilverSneakers® fitness benefit with their competitively priced plans.

MMO has created this approved document to help share information about this exciting opportunity.

As a reminder, this opportunity is available for current Medicare Supplement members enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan with a carrier other than Medical Mutual and allows them to switch to a Medical Mutual Medicare Supplement Insurance plan without answering medical questions.

MMO’s online enrollment tool, available on MyBrokerLink, now grants immediate approval to these applicants.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Features:

  • Highly competitive rates throughout Ohio
  • Variety of plan options, including Plans A, C, F, High-deductible F, G and N
  • SilverSneakers fitness program included with all plans
  • Additional products to meet your clients’ needs, like competitive stand-alone dental and vision plans

Don’t Forget About MMO’s Competitive Commissions!
They offer competitive commissions when you sell their Medicare Supplement plans. Based on your sales volume, you can earn commissions of up to 26 percent on first-year business and 18 percent on renewals.

If you have any questions please contact your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative today.

Cornerstone Senior Marketing 2020 Rewards Trip | Location & Dates Announced!

WE ARE SAILING YOU AWAY IN 2020!

Cornerstone Senior Marketing is excited to announce the locations and dates of our next rewards trip in 2020!

We are sailing away to the Bahamas on a 4-Night Royal Caribbean Cruise! 

April 20 – 24, 2020

 Qualification Period: All NEW Medicare business written under CSM between 1/1/19 -12/31/19.

 

Register HERE for the trip

 

For more information or questions please contact your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.

Dental Care Plus’s LIVE webinar

Learn more on how to round out your client’s health care needs with DCP’s strong dental products! Join DCP for a live webinar.

Wednesday March 6, 2019 @ 10:00am EST

RSVP to mmcgill@dentalcareplus.com by Tuesday, March 5

A Glimpse at the Agenda:

  • Review the quality, affordable dental plan options available for your clients in OH, KY and IN
  • Review the value add discount programs
  • Learn how easy it is to enroll your clients
  • Review the marketing materials available to help grow your business with dental
  • Q & A

Why partner with DCPG?

  • 10 percent commission for new sales and renewals
  • Personal individual product consultants to assist with product knowledge and guidance
  • Personalized URL for enrollment – and automatic email notification of enrollment when your Personalized URL is used
  • Strong network of dentists
  • No age maximum

For more information contact your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.

Mutual of Omaha Compensation Update

The following is information regarding the payment of compensation for Mutual CareAdvantage (HMO) (MA) and Mutual of Omaha Rx (PDP) sales.

Medicare Advantage Compensation

  • Payment will be made beginning January 2019
  • Compensation Schedules – can be found on Sales Professional Access (SPA), click on the Profile icon in the upper right-hand corner.  Choose Communications and filter on company – Mutual of Omaha Medicare Advantage Company and access your contract packet which includes your compensation schedule.
  • Compensation Statements –  can be found on the Medicare Advantage producer portal by clicking on the ‘Commission’ icon. A link to the portal is found on the Medicare Advantage product page on Sales Professional Access (SPA) www.mutualofomaha.com/broker.
  • For questions:  Call Producer Support at 877-259-8657; or  Email: producersupport@lumeris.com

Prescription Drug Plans Compensation

  • Payment will begin April 2019
  • Compensation Schedules – Can be found on Sales Professional Access (SPA), click on the Profile icon in the upper right-hand corner.  Choose Communications and filter on company – Omaha Health Insurance Company and access your contract packet which includes your compensation schedule.
  • Compensation Statements –  can be found on Sales Professional Access (SPA) under Reports beginning in April.
  • For questions: Call Compensation at 800-475-4465; or Email:  broker.compensation@mutualofofmaha.com.
  • Click for details on PDP Compensation

TECH TIP: Phish vs. Spam?

Phish or Spam? No, it’s not what’s for dinner! However, it could be a question you struggle with when deciding what types of email to report to your IT department. Potentially malicious emails make it to your inbox every day, so it’s important for you to understand the difference between a Phishing email and a Spam email.

This Email Seems Phishy
Phishing is the process of attempting to acquire sensitive information (such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details) by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. Most commonly, phishing emails will try to lure you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment.

Phishing emails can appear to come from reputable businesses or even departments and users from within your own organization. They often have a sense of urgency to them. Some may even use shock and intimidation to get what they want.

If you come to the conclusion you’ve been sent a phishing email, we strongly recommend that you report the email to your IT department for their review.

Spam Alert
Spam is unsolicited, unwanted email typically sent for marketing purposes. It is often trying to sell you something, such as unwanted goods or services – but, it is not asking you to take specific action. Although spam can be annoying, it is common to receive it in your business email. These types of emails do not typically need to be reported, unless you believe they pose a threat to your organization. In most cases, spam email can simply be deleted or ignored.

Note: Always follow your organization’s policy regarding what type of email to report in case it differs from the above.

Whether a Phishing email or Spam email, you should always be cautious when clicking on a link or opening an attachment. An email should never be considered safe until it is analyzed carefully. Remember, you’re the last line of defense to prevent a phishing attack on your organization. Always Stop, Look, and Think!

Let’s stay safe out there!

You’re Invited: CAHU’s 2019 Expo

Mark you calendars for CAHU’s 2019 Annual Expo on Tuesday, March 5!

WHERE: Hollywood Casino Columbus 

 200 Georgesville Rd, Columbus, OH 43228

WHEN: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Each year the stakes in this industry get higher. That’s why this year’s event is  important to attend. The message this year is BET ON YOUR FUTURE. It’s a fitting message for these changing times. Industry leading experts attending will be showing participants how to:

  • Increase their volume
  • Beat the competition
  • Grow profitability
  • Deliver unparalleled value to clients with solutions unheard of just a few years ago!

All Cornerstone Senior Marketing brokers can receive $10 OFF their registration fee by using the offer code below when registering for the event!

EXPOCORNERSTONE

Code expires 2/20/2019

REGISTER HERE

REMINDER: Humana MP Changes Agent Release Policy

Agents must follow the Humana Release Policy when ending or changing an affiliation. This policy is applicable to agents contracted to sell Individual Medicare, Ancillary and Supplemental benefit products.

Immediate Release Policy:
To receive an immediate release, external agents must secure a release letter from their current upline. It is at their discretion whether or not to release an agent prior to 90 days (see Delayed Release Policy below). The current upline is required to formally communicate the release of the agent in writing using company letterhead, signed by the principal, with a current or future effective date of the release. Release letters must be sent to Humana’s Agent Support at AgentSupport@humana.com.

If the immediate release is accepted it will be processed within 5 business days. Humana will notify the agent via email when the release has been processed.

Delayed Release Policy
In instances where an immediate release is not granted, the agent may request a delayed release. The delayed release will be effective 90 days after the agent’s request is received*. Such requests must be in writing and sent to Humana’s Agent Support at AgentSupport@humana.com.

Agent Release Timeline

Received 90 day Release Immediate Release
1/2 through 7/10 Effective 90 days post request Processed within 5 business days
7/11 through 9/30 Effective 1/2 Processed within 5 business days
10/1 through 1/1 Effective 4/1 Effective 1/2

 

 MGA Hierarchy Release Timeline
Received 90 day Release Immediate Release
1/2 through 7/10 Effective 90 days post request Processed per standard contracting turnaround time
7/11 through 9/30 Effective 1/2 Processed per standard contracting turnaround time
10/1 through 1/1 Effective 4/1 Effective 1/2

*The delayed release will be effective 90 days after the agent’s request is received
*agencies can realign one time per year

Agent’s Status upon Release
Once an agent is released they will be free to align themselves with another upline. (There are specific situations under which an agent cannot align themselves. Please contact your External partner for more information.) The agent must notify Humana in writing indicating what upline they wish to be aligned with. The name of the new upline can be included in the original release request.  It will be the agent’s sole responsibility to maintain all license, training, certification, and appointment requirements with Humana.

Impact on Agent’s Book of Business

  • New: Any business submitted to Humana while the agent was aligned with the previous upline will result in the appropriate overrides and commission being paid as indicated by the contracts and schedules in place.
  • Renewal: Any renewals earned while the agent was aligned with the previous upline will result in the appropriate overrides and renewals being paid as indicated by the contracts and schedules in place.

The release ONLY affects business that occurs after the date of the release.

If you have any questions please contact your CSM Sales Representative.

Anthem OH Medicare Supplement Updates

2019 is in full swing and Medicare continues to be a growing market. Along with Anthem’s MAPD plans, their Medicare Supplement plans continue to be very competitive. Please keep the following in mind when evaluating options for your Medicare Supplement clients:

  • Anthem’s bonus program has been extended through 4/1/19 effective dates (3-4 apps $100, 5-9 apps $150, 10+ apps $250). View flyer here for details.
  • As of 01/01/2019 effective dates, you will earn 21% commission!!! View 2019 agent commission schedule here.
  • All of Anthem’s currently offered Medicare Supplement Plans include Silver Sneakers and provide access to over 13,000 Silver Sneakers Fitness locations across the US.
  • Members have access to a tuition savings program through the SilverSneakers partnership with CollegeSave www.collegesave.org/silversneakers
  • Anthem offers a 5% household discount, a $48 discount for annual payment or a $24 discount for monthly EFT.
  • 2019 Sales Kits are now available on  Custom Point.

If you have any questions please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.