Update: SilverScript PDP ID Cards

We have received word that there is a delay with members getting their SilverScript PDP ID cards via mail. ID cards are generally taking anywhere from 15 – 21 days for them to be mailed out, plus any delay with the US postal mail delivery also.

AGENTS- you can provide a temporary ID card to give to clients that can be used for ALL SilverScript products in the meantime. DOWNLOAD HERE

    *MEMBER NEEDS TO WRITE THEIR NAME AND ID NUMBER ON THE TEMPORARY CARD AND PRESENT AT THE PHARMACY

To register for Silverscript’s member secure website , go to https://www.silverscript.com/member/members   and the member services number is 866-235-5660.

 

Please contact your Cornerstone Service Rep for more information or questions.

 

Aetna Upcoming Med Supp Rate Changes

Aetna:  Upcoming Medicare Supplement Rate Adjustments February 1, and/or March 1, 2021

Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin

View Rate Change Details 

AETNA Updates: COVID-19 Vaccine, Commission payments, SEP marketing & more

Aetna email update from 12/17/20:

COVID-19 News:

Update on distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

Since CMS is covering the vaccine costs, the COVID-19 vaccination will be covered at no added cost to current Aetna Medicare members. We expect that vaccine distribution will occur in phases, beginning with high-risk health workers, first responders and older adults living in long-term care facilities. It’s expected to take many months to vaccinate the entire U.S. population.

It’s our understanding at this time that the CDC and CMS will determine the eligibility for the vaccine. Aetna Medicare Advantage senior leadership remains in contact with CMS leadership on this matter. While no request from CMS has been made to help identify beneficiaries who qualify, we stand at the ready to help and support them with this effort however we can.

As we learn more, we’ll keep you informed. You can also visit our COVID-19 resource center at www.cvshealth.com/covid-19.

Aetna helps members access COVID-19-related care through new and extended waivers

Through January 31, 2021, we’ll also waive Medicare Advantage member cost-sharing for:

  • Inpatient admissions for treatment of COVID-19 or health complications associated with COVID-19
  • In-network telemedicine visits for specialist visits, which includes mental and behavioral health providers
  • All in-network primary care visits, whether done in-office and via telehealth, for any reason

We’ll also continue to waive member cost-sharing for diagnostic testing related to COVID-19 for Medicare members. Learn more.  

Member Retention:

Open Enrollment Period (OEP) starts January 1

During the Medicare Advantage OEP, beneficiaries who are enrolled in an MA/MAPD plan have a one-time opportunity to change plans. This election period is not available to those with Original Medicare or those enrolled in a standalone Prescription Drug Plan. Learn more.

OEP dos and don’ts: Review examples on how to assist your clients during OEP

During OEP, do: 

– At a beneficiary’s proactive request, send marketing materials, have one-on-one meetings, and provide information on the OEP

– Include general information on your website about enrollment periods, including OEP

During OEP, don’t: 

– Send unsolicited materials encouraging an enrollment change or referencing the OEP

– Specifically target beneficiaries because they enrolled in a plan during AEP

– Call or otherwise contact former enrollees who selected a new plan during AEP

– Engage in or promote activities that intend to target the OEP as an opportunity to make further sales

 

Commission payments start Jan. 4:

Commissions for 2021 plans will start generating the first week of January. You can expect the first payment to appear in your bank account starting the week of January 4.

Review the 2021 commission schedule

Click here to learn how we pay commissions

 

SEP marketing materials available on Studio

You can now customize, download, print and order CMS-compliant SEP materials on the Aetna Medicare Marketing Studio. After you login to the Studio, just click on SEP in the left-hand menu. You’ll find the following SEP materials available:

  • Call for appointment flyer
  • Meeting postcard
  • Full page ad

 

Your client enrolled in an MA/MAPD plan, now what?

Typically, about two weeks after a beneficiary’s Aetna MA/MAPD enrollment application is accepted, they’ll receive:

  • A welcome letter confirming their enrollment and an Aetna member ID card
  • A letter with guidance on how to find the following essential plan documents online and or request printed copies (click here for an example):
    • Evidence of Coverage, formulary (if applicable), a pharmacy directory and a provider directory

 

Aetna Broker Services Department holiday hours:

Just contact the Aetna Medicare Broker Services Department for help at

1-866-714-9301 or brokersupport@aetna.com. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM – 8 PM ET. Please note: Our office will close early on December 24 and December 31, and we’ll be closed on December 25 and January 1, as shown below.

  • December 24: 8 AM – 5 PM ET
  • December 25: Closed
  • December 31: 8 AM – 5 PM ET
  • January 1: Closed

Aetna’s ASCEND iPad User Notification & VBE Holiday Hours

Aetna has also posted this notification on the Ascend message board

Automatic download of the new Ascend app for iPad users only:

There is an Ascend platform wide adjustment due for release at midnight that will prompt iPad users to download the new Ascend app.

The app will automatically download as soon as the iPad device is turned on tomorrow.  The download of the new app is necessary for the RATE feature to work.

This will not affect Windows users, only impacts iPad users!

 

Holiday Hours of Operation for VBE and AHD:

VBE Call Center

Christmas Eve – Closed

Christmas Day – Closed

New Year’s Day – Closed

 

Ascend Help Desk (AHD)

Christmas Eve – Open, 8 AM – 11 PM EST

Christmas Day – Closed

New Year’s Day – Closed

Aetna: Tracking Apps & Converting Paper to E-apps

Aetna message from 10/19/20:

Tracking your applications quickly

With everything going on during AEP, we know that timely information is important. Here are two ways to quickly stay in the know about your applications:

And if you have any questions, you can use the new live chat feature on the website.

Save time by converting your paper applications to E-Apps

Did you know that you can enter the data from the paper applications you receive into Aetna Quote & Enroll? There’s no need to fax a paper application after you’ve entered it into the tool.

By converting your paper applications to E-Apps, you can:

  • Avoid time-consuming errors
  • Have faster visibility to your application status
  • Get prompt underwriting decisions
Watch training video for Aetna Quote & Enroll 

Aetna Keeps American Health Network for Ohio!

Aetna and American Health Network have come to an agreement, and contracts have been signed to keep AHN in the network! A retraction letter has already been reviewed and approved by both AHN and Aetna.

There will be no network disruption or gaps in care for your members who received the notice and they should be receiving the retraction notice in a few days that advises them of this, and apologizes for the confusion.

Indiana is currently in discussions with AHN on an in network agreement but their Market is not included in this current agreement. More to come.

 

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

Aetna’s DVH Benefit in Ohio Update

You asked, we listened. We now offer a new $2,000 benefit amount for our Dental, Vision and Hearing plans in Ohio, in addition to the existing $1,000 and $1,500 benefit amounts.

It’s easy to start selling

Get quotes on the go, straight from your phone with our new free mobile app. It’s easy to install the app on your mobile device from both the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store. Just search for “Quotes on the go.”

Ready to submit an application? You can use Aetna Quote & Enroll, our online application tool.

If you prefer to have paper materials, you can order state-specific sales materials.

Aetna Ascend Video Capabilities – Virtual Home Appointments

Exciting news to share – Ascend now has video capability to execute virtual Home Appointments!  View a  process document here that will walk you through this functionality.

  1. Agent will schedule a Home Appointment, will select date and time of the meeting.  The scheduled appointment will show under the appointments list on both the lead detail and appointment screens.
  2. The agent will have the ability to text or email the beneficiary the meeting details.
  3. On date of the meeting, the agent will select the appointment and start the meeting.  A preview of their video will show at that time.  The agent will have the ability to mute, stop video and hang up.
    1. The beneficiary will access the meeting by clicking the link provided and the meeting ID will automatically be populated.
    2. The beneficiary will need to select camera and microphone to allow Ascend access.
    3. The beneficiary is also able to start video, stop video and mute.

More information to come- stay tuned! Questions? Reach out to your Cornerstone rep today.

Aetna Supplemental: NEW Silverscript PDP Options Available for 2021

Have you seen Aetna’s PDP plans?
This Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you have new options to help your clients meet their prescription drug needs.

Cross-selling with Aetna just got easier! They now offer SilverScript prescription drug plan (PDP) as part of Aetna’s Medicare solutions.

 

READ MORE HERE

Aetna Senior Supplemental Email Signature Option Update

Update: Email signature option

Aetna Senior Supplemental is making their email signature process on Aetna Quote & Enroll even easier for you. You’ll see this new feature starting Monday, September 14.

Email signature option temporarily unavailable September 9 – 14

As they update the systems with this new feature, the current email signature feature will be temporarily unavailable for new applications from Wednesday, September 9 at 4:30 p.m. CT until Monday, September 14 at 8 a.m. CT. 

NOTE: During this time, you’ll still be able to use any of Aetna’s other signature options (in person or secure question) for new applications. If you have already started an email signature and sent it to your client, you can still have the client complete the signature and submit it through the “My cases” tab on Aetna Quote & Enroll until September 14.

New email signature process starts September 14

The updated email signature process will be available starting Monday, September 14. After this date, any outstanding email signatures will have to be cancelled in “My cases” and the new email signature option used.

Fewer steps, faster submissions

With Aetna’s updated email signature process, your application will go directly to the home office once your applicant signs the emailed application.

View new email signature process

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Representative.