SureBridge: Change in Payment Vendor for Credit Cards

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In preparation for SureBridge’s transition of payment vendors ALL in-flight applications using credit card as a payment method will need to be submitted prior to 8 PM on May 15.

Starting from 8 PM on May 15 through 8 PM on May 21, any application started or submitted using a credit card will require the New Business team to contact the applicants directly and recollect their credit card information. Applications started but not submitted during this timeframe could be impacted up to 30 days from the date the application was started, creating additional work for both New Business and the customer.

To reduce this impact, and the need to contact the customer, please close as many of your in-flight applications prior to 8 PM May 15 as possible; and where feasible do not select credit card as a method of payment for applications from 8 PM May 15 through May 21.

Applications started on or after May 22 will process as normal under our new payment vendor.

Also, please be aware that the Self Service portal, for credit card processing, will be unavailable from 8 PM on May 15 through 8 PM on May 21, for both you and your customers.  For urgent issues, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-815-8535.

 

If you have any questions – reach out to your Cornerstone representative

UCT’s Website & Agent Portal Open Longer Hours

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UCT is open for business now more than ever!

Read full update on their flyer here

 

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

Aetna Appointment Updates

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Agents that had appointments with First Health Life Insurance Company, Coventry Health Life Insurance Company or Coventry Health Care of Florida will be receiving a Termination of Appointment notice in the mail for these entities. See sample.

This is being done in an effort to streamline Aetna MA processes and reduce the number of appointments in their system.

This will not impact agents’ current Producer Agreement or any appointments for our other products, such as Medicare Advantage or Commercial, for the other Aetna entities.

Please note that many Medicare plans previously marketed under the Coventry brand are now marketed exclusively under the Aetna brand name starting in the 2020 plan year. The termination of appointment on the entities listed above DO NOT affect the Aetna Medicare and Commercial plans previously marketed under Coventry brand. Your current appointments for Aetna Commercial and Medicare products remain valid and those products will continue to be marketed under the Aetna brand name.

 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact your CSM rep

Medical Mutual Updates: FDA Removals & Alerts

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FDA Requests Removal of Ranitidine (Zantac) from Marketplace Due to Potential Elevated Cancer Risk
Applies to: Individual; Small Group (1-50), 51-99, 100+, MEWA; All Medicare Business
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested the withdrawal of all forms of Ranitidine (Zantac) from the U.S. market due to a determination that the NDMA (N-Nitrosodimethylamine) in some ranitidine drug products increases to an unacceptable level over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests.

Member Communication
Members who have recently filled a prescription for this medication will receive a letter notifying them of the FDA’s decision and recommending they talk to their doctor about alternative medications or other ways to help alleviate symptoms without medication.
 
 
FDA Issues Alert Regarding Possible EpiPen Auto-injector Malfunction and User Administration Error
Applies to: Individual; Small Group (1-50), 51-99, 100+, MEWA; All Medicare Business
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a product alert regarding potential errors with Mylan EpiPen 0.3mg and EpiPen Jr 0.15mg auto-injectors, and the authorized generic versions. These errors could either delay or prevent emergency treatment when needed.

Member Communication
A letter will be sent to members to make them aware of this issue and to provide instructions for obtaining a replacement device. There will be no cost for members or groups for replacement EpiPens.

SureBridge – Hottest Products

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Connect with your Cornerstone Senior Marketing Rep today to talk about the SureBridge product line-up!

HospitalWise

  • Pays a daily benefit if the client is hospitalized
  • Optional emergency care rider –if the client is not feeling well and goes to the ER, the benefit pays, even if they are not hospitalized.

DVH

  • Preventative benefits available immediately at 100% with no deductible.
  • Major Services (vision and hearing hardware) have a 9 month waiting period.  Now is a great time to start the plan and have everything ready to go once dentists open back up.

GetWell Medical Assistance

This is NOT an insurance product. However, it does have 24/7 consultations via phone or web with physicians, who can also prescribe medications – consumers who can’t go to a doctor right now for minor issues find value in this product. Read more: SureBridgeGetwell

 

Aetna Electronic Enrollment Guide for Agents

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Resources you can use to assist your client’s remotely!

Aetna Remote Selling Tools

 

Anthem – Introducing mProducer Electronic SOA Transfer

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Introducing: mProducer Electronic SOA Transfer! 

In these changing times, we have found ourselves in a situation where traditional use of mProducer w/ digital signature is not our first option. In response to that, largely due to the feedback YOU provided, a new capability has been deployed in mProducer to electronically transfer the SOA to the beneficiary to sign. 

What’s New?

  • Agents have the ability to electronically send a Scope of Appointment to the beneficiary
  • Beneficiary needs an email address and a 4 digit PIN to provide to the agent – can be any random numeric digits

When can we begin using eSOA Transfer?

This functionality was released in mProducer is available NOW!  Speak with your Cornerstone Rep for more information.

 

VIEW THE BELOW REFERENCE DOCUMENTS:

Customer ESOA:  https://cornerstoneseniormarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Customer-ESOA-StepbyStep.pdf

Producer Guide:  https://cornerstoneseniormarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/mProducer-eSOA-QRG_Final-1.pdf

 

Lumico is Ready to Help You During COVID-19 Outbreak

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One of the most important things we can do today, is remain positive and hopeful in our mindset and actions. We want to help your business continue to prosper. That means we remain fully operational, and are here to support your organization with agent adoption of our comprehensive digital solutions.

Please visit Lumico’s Coronavirus page on their website – www.lumico.com/coronavirus 

This page includes information about the coronavirus, insurance coverage, and Lumico’s response to your customers’ frequently asked questions. Also, to help ease this transition, your agents can use Lumico’s e-Application to:

• Write new business remotely;
• Leverage voice and electronic signature options; and
• Get paid faster by submitting online applications, using any device.

Please download this flyer, which includes a Med Supp e-App guide and product fact sheet – and keep a look out for additional marketing resources we’ll be sharing in the coming weeks. Just know that we are here for you.

 

UHC’s Advance Renewal Payments- May & June

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UnitedHealthcare wants to continue to support you. Due to a planned system upgrade to the sales operations system, and the financial challenges COVID-19 has presented—UHC will be advancing May and June renewal payments in April.

Renewal Payments
• The April renewal commission payment schedule will remain as planned:
o Medicare Supplement: April 13, 2020
o Medicare Advantage: April 20, 2020
o Prescription Drug Plans: April 27, 2020

Advanced payment of renewals for May and June are as follows:
o Medicare Supplement: April 15, 2020, and April 17, 2020
o Medicare Advantage payments: April 22, 2020, and April 24, 2020
o Prescription Drug Plans (combined payment for April, May, June): April 27, 2020

New to UnitedHealthcare Payments
• New to UnitedHealthcare second quarter payment to agencies is targeted to be included in the April Medicare Advantage renewal payment as normal, April 20, 2020.

UHC is working closely with  IT partners on details of the planned upgrade. More information will be coming soon about what you can expect during this time.

 

NEW! UHC’s Enhanced Underwriting Function for AARP Med Sup Plans

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UnitedHealthcare has made improvements to the underwriting process for AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare® Insurance Company.
Enhanced functionality allows automatic acceptance of certain underwritten applications that qualify for the best eligible rate!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Agents who submit an application through LEAN™ will see a “Processing, please wait” message as the system works to determine if the applicant is eligible to receive the best rate, without further review.

If immediately accepted at the best rate, LEAN will display “APPROVED” on the confirmation page. If not, LEAN will display “PENDING” on the confirmation page. Underwriting will then continue to evaluate the application.

Once received, underwritten paper applications, such as those submitted via US mail or fax, will also be considered for automatic acceptance. Agents may check the status of applications, no matter the submission method, in Jarvis. Simply navigate to Enrollment > Application Status.

Please note the process has not changed for applications that do not require underwriting.

More changes are coming, so keep an eye out for future enhancements!