Mutual of Omaha Sells Medicare Advantage Plans to Essence Healthcare

A message from Mutual of Omaha:

 

Today we are announcing that Mutual of Omaha has reached an agreement in principle for Essence Healthcare, the sister company of Lumeris, to acquire Mutual of Omaha’s Medicare Advantage plans.

Since 2018, Mutual of Omaha and Lumeris have forged a strong relationship, collaborating with healthcare providers in five select markets to introduce Medicare Advantage plans that bring together payers, providers and patients.

As we evaluated our enrollment experience and changing market dynamics, we determined that an acquisition of our Medicare Advantage plans by Essence Healthcare is in the best interest of our customers, our networks and our company.

This change in ownership will allow our current MA policyholders to benefit from Essence Healthcare’s longstanding reputation for providing high-quality, affordable plans, while also ensuring a smooth and seamless transition for our customers by offering the same core plan functions. This also allows Mutual of Omaha to take a step back and reassess the company’s strategic approach to MA, as we seek to meet the holistic healthcare needs of senior consumers.

Mutual of Omaha will work with Essence on a definitive sale agreement over the coming months and we expect the transaction to be completed mid-year.

There are no immediate changes for you and your distribution. We will continue to keep you updated as the change in ownership becomes finalized. For now, it’s business as usual.

It’s important to note Mutual of Omaha remains firmly committed to meeting the healthcare needs of senior consumers. We have been a leading provider of Medicare supplement insurance for more than 50 years and we will continue to offer Med Supp, dental and vision coverage, as well as our new Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

 

Click here to find an FAQ to help answer some of your questions.

 

Contact your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative for more information.

 

CSM Service Team Introduces a VALUE-ADDED process!

NEW!  One email for all service issues!

Effective March 2, 2020, brokers can begin sending all service related questions or action items to one specific email address:  service@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com

Incoming emails are delivered to a shared folder managed by the entire Cornerstone Senior Marketing service team. The goal is to reduce delays in responses, share management of all issues, and help cover team members when they are out of the office.

Important.  Brokers retain their personal service rep, assigned based on our long-standing alpha-split system, and may continue to contact their rep by phone for situations that do not extend to service issues best communicated and managed by email.

Senior Service Team Alpha Split – BY BROKERS LAST NAME

Jim Meyer, Service Specialist (A-F) | Call: 513-629-2395 | Email:  service@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com

Lila Sohnly, Service Specialist (G-K) | Call:  614-763-2263 | Email:  service@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com

Patrick Wiley, Service Specialist (L-Q) | Call:  614-763-2264 | Email:  service@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com

Lisa VanSuch, Lead Service Specialist (R-Z) | Call:  614-763-2258 | Email:  service@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com 

SureBridge News

Important Point of Sale (POS) Tool Impacts

Updates to the Surebridge Point of Sale tool will begin around 7 PM CST Thursday, February 20 which could cause the system to be temporarily unavailable.  Email Proposals sent prior to Friday (2/21) will not be able to “Apply” for the new application after Thursday (2/20).  If the application is not started by the customer before Thursday (2/20), a new Proposal must be created.

In addition to the revised Application** and product revisions in Maryland, the following updates will be made to the POS Tool:

  • Accident Disability Direct Changes
    • All Benefit Levels will now be considered Guaranteed Issue (GI); subject to eligibility questions such as citizenship, occupation and salary
    • All Elimination Periods and Duration options will now be available for all Benefit Levels
    • Simplified Issue (SI) commission levels will be paid for all Benefit levels
  • The Citizenship Question on the application has been revised to allow the selection of “DACA (Deferred Action Childhood Arrival) Recipient”
  • Now Allowing Prior Dental Coverage Credit for the PPO Dental Premiere and Senior PPO Dental Premiere – Waiting periods may be waived on the PPO Dental Premiere for new customers previously covered under “full dental coverage,” provided such prior coverage was in effect for at least 12 consecutive months with no gaps in coverage greater than 63 days prior to their application date. The applicant will be required to provide their prior dental coverage information on the application. Partial credit will not be allowed.
    • “Full Dental Coverage” is defined as coverage that includes Types I, II, and III covered expenses, such as restorative, endodontic, periodontic, prosthodontic, and oral surgery. The PPO Dental Basic or Bronze Dental plans do not meet this definition and will not qualify for the waiver if upgrading to the Premiere.

** Please review the new application carefully as some of the questions may have changed.

Additional Point of Sale (POS) Tool Update                              

Improvements to the Voice Signature Process

All required disclosure verbiage will now be displayed on the UI screen.  You will no longer have to open each document to read and acknowledge separately.  Simply scroll down to read what is required, acknowledge at the end, then move to the next step.

In addition:

  • We have adjusted verbiage throughout to read “Do you” instead of “I”.

Only the required verbiage for applicable plans will display.  For example: The Pre-existing disclosure for Disability plans will not display if the customer is not applying for a Disability plan.

 

Other News

  • EyeMed: Changes to Participating Retail Providers
  • In Case You Didn’t Know
  • Producer Support is here to help!

Click here for details regarding these topics.

Don’t Miss a Thing!

  • See the Commonly Asked Questions about Prime DVH.

 

Want to order printed SureBridge brochures?  Take advantage of the SureBridge Supply Storefront

Aetna’s MAPD and DSNP 2020 OTC Catalogs Now Available

Aetna’s 2020 OTC catalogs are now out on Producer World and can access directly.

Here’s the direct link to the OTC catalog page on PW: https://www.aetna.com/producer/Medicare/otc_catalogs.html. Or here’s the path/instructions for how to find them on your own:

  • Login to Producer World: https://www.aetna.com/producer/Login.do
  • Click “Individual Medicare,” which is in the black navigation bar in the top-right corner of the page
  • Click the Product tab.
  • Click “2020 OTC catalogs”
  • Next, from the OTC catalog page, select a state from the dropdown menu, and then select the applicable OTC catalog.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your CSM rep.

UCT’s Dental-Vision-Hearing Plan Updated Rates Effective 3/1/2020

UCT will be adjusting their rates effective 3/1/2020 for their DVH plan. Click here to review new rates.

Please note anything effective before 3/1/200 will receive old rates or present ones.

If you have any questions please reach out to our Cornerstone Senior Marketing rep.

Attend Humana’s DSNP Trainings – Schedule Below

DSNP Trainings

Please join Huaman for a deep dive into the dual eligible Medicare/Medicaid Market to learn more about product offerings that can help improve your clients quality of life and grow your Medicare business year round.  For 2020 Humana has Dual-Eligible plans statewide in Ohio with many exciting benefits including a $25 monthly food card in many areas! Each meeting will run roughly an hour.

 

  • Wednesday, 2/19 – Toledo – 10am – Hilton Garden Inn, 6165 Levis Commons Blvd. Perrysburg, OH –Register
  • Tuesday, 2/25 – Cleveland – 10am – Holiday Inn, 6001 Rockside Rd. Independence, OH –Register
  • Wednesday, 2/26 – Columbus – 10am – Humana Office, 485 Metro Place S. 5th Floor, Dublin, OH –Register
  • Thursday, 2/27 – Canton – 10am – Hyatt Place Canton, 5421 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton, OH –Register
  • Tuesday, 3/3 – Cincinnati – 10am- New Humana Office, 3252 Geier Dr. Cincinnati, OH –Register
  • Wednesday, 3/4 – Dayton – 10am – Staybridge Suites, 10110 Landing Way, Miamisburg, OH –Register
  • Thursday, 3/5 – Youngstown – 10am – Fairfield by Marriott, 801 N Canfield Rd. Austintown, OH –Register

 

For more information or questions please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing rep.

 

SureBridge: Updates on Producer/Agency Emails & DocuSign

SureBridge has some changes that were recently made to their Producer and Agency Welcome emails and DocuSign Account Activation Reminder emails.

Welcome Emails

  • Users will now receive 2 emails:
    • The first email will be the same Welcome email they receive today, with the exception of “Your password will be delivered in a separate email” replaced the Password line.
    • The second email will contain their temporary password.
  • Welcome email will CC the immediate reporting authority and BC the top level agency and Producer Onboarding.
  • Password email will only be sent to the activated user.
  • Welcome email will be sent from NoReply@SurebridgeInsurance.com.

DocuSign Account Activation Reminder Emails

  • Email will no longer CC the immediate reporting authority and BC the top level agency. It will only be sent to the activated user.
  • Reminder email will be sent weekly to any account with the status ‘Activation Sent’.
  • Email will be sent from SureBridge@surebridgeinsurance.com.

 

Mutual of Omaha Updates

|   Life Insurance
iGO e-App Training
New to the iPipeline e-App? Need a refresher on the instant decision process? Take a look at our agent training videos for Living Promise and Term Life Express e-Apps featuring Automated Underwriting – our instant decision process.
Help Clients Understand Their IUL Express Allocation Options
Use our client-approved Indexed Interest Allocation Options flyer to help your clients determine which strategy may work best for them.
Take Advantage of ‘Age Last Birthday’ Underwriting
Don’t make your clients older than they are. With our ‘age last birthday’ underwriting, you’ll help save your clients money and time.
 
|   Medicare Solutions
Prescription Drug Plan Commissions
There has been a delay in PDP Commission and Renewal payments, view the schedule.
New Med Supp Customer eNewsletter
In January Mutual released a new e-Newsletter exclusively for their Medicare supplement policyholders. Learn more.
Spotlight on Dental- Our Product
Our dental insurance may be the answer to your clients healthcare needs.
Rate Release for March 2020
View March 1, 2020 Rate Releases.
Upcoming Rate Adjustment
View upcoming Rate Adjustments.
 
|   Long-Term Care
LTC Commission Timing and No Cash with Application Update
Beginning February 23, 2020, compensation will be paid at the time the first premium payment is received, all PIRs are complete and the case is considered placed. As we implement these changes, there are important dates and details to remember.
Rate Adjustments Effective May 1, 2020
We will be implementing long-term care rate adjustments for Hawaii on May 1, 2020.
 
|   Disability
Save Time with the DI Tele-Application!
Streamline your application process and get paid faster.
 
|   Critical Illness
Walk Through Life Stages with Critical Advantage℠ Products
The Critical Advantage Portfolio has products for multiple stages of your client’s life.

Aetna Med Supp February Updaes

February 2020 Updates:

A few callouts for Aetna Medicare Supplement online quoting and enrollment tool. Here is how it works:

New underwriting process and application tracker

Aetna’s underwriting process will give you faster decisions for underwritten Aetna Medicare Supplement applications. Aetna has not altered their underwriting philosophy in any way. Most applications will have a decision within a few minutes. This exciting change also comes with an updated online application tracker, to give you clearer visibility to those decisions.

Changes: Point-of-sale telephone interview and voice signature option

To help make the underwriting process even easier for you, Aetna will no longer require or offer a point-of-sale telephone interview as of October 1, 2019. We’ll also be discontinuing the voice signature option.

  • If any point-of-sale interviews are still pending after October 1, the phone line will still be available to use until those interviews are complete.
  • Instead of a voice signature, you’ll continue to have 3 easy signature options for your electronic applications: security question signature, in person signature, email signature.

Our new underwriting process

Once Aetna receives your Medicare Supplement electronic application, they will provide one of the following underwriting decisions within a few minutes:

  • Approved
  • Needs further review
  • Declined

Aetna will also provide decisions on your paper applications once they have verified all required information has been included with the submission. This review may delay how soon the decision is displayed on the website.

    • Approved applications will be processed as normal.
    • If an application needs further review, the application will be reviewed by our underwriting staff.  And if necessary, our associates will call your client with targeted questions for clarification. This new telephone interview process will be easier for your client, as we will not need to review all health questions.
    • If an application is declined, we’ll send the applicant (and you) a letter with details about how to get a copy of the information used to help with the underwriting decision. The application tracker on the agent website will show if an application is declined. A copy of the letter will be accessible within 24 hours.

Aetna Med Supp MACRA 2020 has been a huge success thanks to you! They have launched their MACRA 2.0 strategy in 16 states.

August launches for MACRA 2020 – SC, IL, LA, AZ and TN

July launches – AL, GA, IA, MI and MS

September launch – FL and DE

October launches – OH, NC, KS and PA

What does all this mean? Aetna’s plan F rates will be on average within $15-$20 a month of our plan G rates and our plan F rates have been lowered.

Why is Aetna putting out rates that are so competitive on plan F? There are tens of millions reasons why.  After 1/1/20 anyone on a Medicare Supplement currently or Medicare eligible by 12/31/19 will still be able to purchase plan C, F and HIF after 1/1/20.

These clients that would like to receive a very competitive plan F rate with us will need to go through underwriting so this with be a very healthy group of insureds which can mean lower rate increases.

 

REMINDERS:

  • AETNA MED SUPP has a new agent services phone number: 866-272-6630
  • Clients can now purchase just the Cancer or just the Heart Attack and stroke benefit separately.
    • Also added a recurrence benefit and changed the look back period from 10 years to 5 years.
  • Aetna now has the ability to refund premiums directly into your clients accounts via EFT. No longer will it take 10-4 days to receive a refund.

 

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

 

 

 

Anthem Ohio Feb. Updates & Reminders

Agent of Record (AOR) Important Reminder:

  • Agent of Record (AOR) changes will not be accepted via a form letter or typed letter. Members requesting an AOR change must send a signed, hand-written letter to Anthem Inc., either by mail, fax or email attachment.  This process applies to Medicare Supplement, Anthem Extras and Medicare Advantage policies, including Part D.The letter must include:The letter must include:
  1. The letter must include:
    1. The member’s name and policy number,
    2. The name and encrypted tax ID or agent ID of the new Agent of Record, and
    3. Must include a signature date indicated in the letter.
  2. Anthem reserves the right to contact the member in order to validate all Agent of Record changes. The AOR request may be denied due to lack of confirmation.
  3. For like-to-like plan changes, such as a change from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan to a different MA Plan, Anthem will maintain the original Agent of Record associated with the new policy, even when a new agent submits the new application.
  4. An exception to item #3 will be made if a member specifically requests a new AOR by submitting a signed Agent of Record letter to Anthem requesting the AOR be changed. Once Anthem confirms the request from the member, the AOR change request will be honored. Remember, form letters will not be accepted.
  5. For unlike plan changes, such as a member choosing to move from a Prescription Drug Plan to an MA plan or an MA plan to a Medicare Supplement plan, the Agent of Record as indicated on the new application will be assigned as the Agent of Record for the member.

View Full AOR Article Here

 

Provider Network Updates:

  • Agreements have been reached with no lapse in network status for the following providers:
    • Emergency Medicine Phys of Cincinnati – ER group at Mercy facilities in Cincinnati
    • Emergency Medicine Phys of Cuyahoga County – ER group at Summa Health facilities
    • Memorial Health System Marietta

 

Blue View Vision Network Change Effective February 1:

  • National optical retail stores Sears Optical, JCPenney Optical and Stanton Optical will no longer be in our Blue View VisionSM eye care plan network beginning February 1, 2020. Clients with Blue View Vision still have access to more than 37,000 eye doctors at more than 25,000 locations nationwide. That includes local independent eye doctors, regional optical stores and national brand stores – Glasses.com, ContactsDirect, 1-800 CONTACTS, LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Target Optical, Eyemart Express and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses. We’ll continue to add new providers to our vision plans throughout the year.

Medicare Supplement 6 Month Rate Guarantee:

  • In several states, Medicare Supplement premiums will not change as a result of their birthday or state approved premium changes for a minimum of six months. View flyer here.
    • The premium guarantee is available to all new enrollments with policy effective dates of 01/01/2020.

View the updated Medicare Supplement Quick Reference Guide

 

2020 Medicare 101 presentations are NOW available:

  • Educational events and one-on-one presentations are a great way to interact and build relationships with prospective members. This presentation showcases your role as a Medicare Expert and provides an easy-to-understand explanation of Medicare. The presentation is concise, compliance-approved, customizable and ideal for those events where your audience is new to Medicare.
  • The updated 2020 Medicare 101 Presentations are available in the Sales Toolkit. Just look in the MA/MAPD or Med Supp sections in the Presentation folder.
  • The presentation can be personalized (slide 35) with your contact information.
  • NOTE: Slide 1 of the presentation includes notes that are required by compliance to be mentioned during the presentation. Be sure to delete the slide before your presentation.

 

Anthem YouTube:

  • Anthem has two new short recordings for our “Anthem” YouTube site:
    • The link: (https://youtu.be/ypPgkjAgXo0)  will link to a 10 minute recorded review of basics of Understanding Low Income Subsidy. It helps to explain the difference between Low Income Subsidy (LIS) and Low Income Cost Sharing (LICS).
    • The link: (https://youtu.be/u_BOlokFo7w) reviews some of the advantages found in many of our plans as a result of our commitment to the Social Determinates of Health benefits program. It lasts approximately 14 minutes