Good News! Wellcare Worbench Addition: Policy ID & Commission Statements

Sourced from Wellcare Broker Bulletin communication from 6/28/22:

 

To ensure we continue to provide you with tools and resources to aid in your success, we will be evolving Centene Workbench on an ongoing / as-needed basis.

We are excited to announce that Centene ID (formerly known as Policy ID/Sub ID) has been added to different areas of the portal – please review the breakdown below.

  • Centene ID” has been added at the end of the Book of Business, Payment History, and Commissions Statement (where applicable) extracts.
  • The MBI search option field has been updated to “MBI / Centene ID” enabling search functionality for either ID.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your CSM Service Rep.

June 2022 Compliance Corner: 2023 Certification Season – Are you Ready-To-Sell?

Becoming Ready to Sell for 2023

In order to be eligible to sell Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans each year, agents are required to go through annual certification!

These educational requirements are just starting with many carriers set to release their certifications these coming weeks!

  1. First thing you need to do is make sure you are Health Insurance licensed in the state in which you intend to sell.
    1. For more information on becoming licensed, please visit your resident’s state department of insurance
  2. Second thing you need to do is make sure you are appointed with the carriers you wish to represent
    1. Cornerstone Senior Marketing offers a wide variety of carriers in multiple markets. A full list can be found on our website www.cornerstoneseniormarketing.com
    2. Be sure to reach out your local sales rep or email us at contracting@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com to request a new carrier appointment
  3. Next you will need to complete the 2023 Medicare and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training.
    1. There are multiple ways to complete this training:
      1. The most popular is America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
      2. National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) also offers a way to complete this annual training
      3. You only have to do this once and Cornerstone Senior Marketing recommends checking with the carriers you are appointed with to determine which training will meet their requirements.

IMPORTANT!: If you are completing your training through AHIP, we recommend you access this training through a carrier’s certification. Most carriers will offer a $50 AHIP discount by certifying through their portals.

 

4. Next you will need to complete all of your carrier MA/MAPD/PDP specific 2023 trainings

  • Each carrier has their own certification process
  • Links to carrier certifications, guides, and tips can all be found on our website. Simply go to www.cornerstoneseniormarketing.com click on resources then click on 2023 Medicare Certification

 

After you complete your carrier certifications, keep an eye out for communication from the carrier letting you know that you are 2023 Ready to Sell!

If you become RTS early, most carriers will also open a pre-ordering window for you to obtain Plan Year 2023 supplies sent to your place of business!

 

Accessing Resources

Effective Immediately- Wellcare Paper Application Update – PLEASE READ!

Important Update: Wellcare Broker PID Discontinued

IMMEDIATE ACTION FOR WELLCARE PAPER APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

 

Effective immediately, Wellcare is requesting when submitting paper enrollment applications to please discontinue the use of the 6-digit Wellcare PID. Use ONLY your NPN on the application.

IMPORTANT!   Failure to use your NPN will result in you not receiving credit for the enrollment. 

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your CSM Service Team.

service@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com

614-763-2255

Lumico News: Upcoming Lumico Med Supp rate adjustment on 8/1

Upcoming rate adjustment for Med Supp

Effective August 1, there will a rate adjustment for our Med Supp policies in select states.

  • For policies underwritten by Lumico Life Insurance Company: AZ, GA, LA, MI, MN, MT, OH, SC and TX.*
  • For policies underwritten by Elips Life Insurance Company: AR, AZ, DE, GA, IA, IL, LA, MI, NC, NE, OH, OK, SD, TX and UT.

There will be a 30 day cut-off period for applications written in these states, from 7/1 – 7/31/22:

  • Applications signed and received on or after 7/1, with a requested effective date on or after 8/1, will be subject to the new rate.
  • Applications signed and received on or before 6/30, with a requested effective date on or after 8/1, will receive the current rate.
  • Applications requesting an effective date prior to 8/1 will also continue to receive the current rate.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Michelle Kapp

CMS 2023 Agent Broker Compensation Guidelines

CMS has released the 2023 Agent Broker Compensation Guidelines that govern the maximum allowable first year and renewal compensation for agent level MA and PDP commissions. There is a significant increase in compensation for 2023.

 

 

These new rates reflect, roughly, a 4.9% increase in both initial and renewal compensation for MA and Cost Plans. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have an increase closer to 4.3%.  For PDPs, there is a 5.7% bump on initial and 4.5% bump on renewal commissions.  CMS also reaffirmed the standard referral fee limitations for MA/PDP plans at $100/$25, respectively.

 

Plan sponsors were reminded that compensation schedules must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET, July 20, 2022.

 

CMS also reminded plan sponsors of their obligation to ensure agents and brokers selling Medicare products are trained annually on Medicare A, B, C, and D, as well as on plan-specific information.  CMS annually publishes the testing and training requirements, including a sample test each year for guidance.

 

If you have questions about what these compensation changes mean for you, please reach out to your team at Cornerstone Senior Marketing.

Anthem Ohio Medicare Update – Sydney Health and PHE Guidance

In This Week’s Updates:

  • Sydney Health Member Flier
  • PHE – Guidance and Clarification

 

Sydney Health Member Flier

Medicare Advantage members can access their benefits easily on their mobile device by downloading and registering on the Sydney Health app. The app is free and can be downloaded anytime from the Google Play or Apple App store.

NEW!  A member flier is now available to provide to your Medicare Advantage members! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD! 

How can the Sydney Health app help Medicare Advantage members?

  • Provides quick access to their health plan information, including a digital version of their member ID card.
  • Helps members easily track claims and confirm benefit coverage.
  • Members can search and locate in-network doctors.
  • Members can even request a new prescription or refill an existing prescription.

Quick Tip: If a member has already registered online by creating a username and password on the online portal website, there is no need to register again on the Sydney Health app. Members will use the same username and password on the app.

Encourage your Medicare Advantage members to download the Sydney Health app by sharing the member flier with them!

 

 

PHE Guidance and Clarification

According to our CMS Account Management team a few weeks ago, there is no valid SEP in place related to the COVID PHE (last renewed 4/15/2022). We were also informed at that time CMS has been reviewing/investigating carriers releasing information; however, we have no ETA on resolution (i.e. retraction).

New Updates for The Health Plan Agents

THP Broker communication from 5/27/22:

The Health Plan has three important updates for our agents!

  1. Those of you taking advantage of our Health Risk Assessment (HRA) surveys for new MA enrollments are reminded to send them to THP in a secure fashion.
  2. After June 1st all HRA surveys must be submitted within 3 days of THP receiving the member’s enrollment form.
  3. Anyone moving a THP Medigap member from a higher to a lower benefit plan, (ex: Plan F to G); please use the updated form available here. These changes are no longer limited to once per year at renewal.

 

If you have any questions please reach out to your CSM Sales or Service Rep.