Anthem communication as of 10/24/22:
Provider Network Expansion – More dental providers for your Medicare clients!
A network arrangement between our existing commercial participating network of dentists and LIBERTY Dental provides an expanded network for Medicare Advantage dental products effective January 1, 2023. Note: Network expansion will not include NJ and NV.
Sourced from MOO broker communication from 10/17/2022:
Mutual of Omaha Rx℠ is committed to helping you find the right Prescription Drug Plan for your clients. We recently identified a pricing issue on specialty drugs on Plan Finder, which shows costs too low. Until the Plan Finder pricing files are updated, the mail order costs will show up incorrectly.
We are looking into the error and the Medicare.gov schedule is set and will be updated on October 24, 2022. We are working with Connecture and Sunfire to see if pricing can be updated sooner.
Pricing Issue Highlights:
• This only impacts mail order pricing
• This only impacts a subset of specialty National Drug Codes (NDCS)
• Plan Finder pricing will be updated on October 24, 2022
Clients who purchase a Mutual of Omaha Rx plan, while the pricing is incorrect will receive notification from us.
Sourced from Aetna/Think Agent Email Communication from 10/13/2022:
Introducing more tools for you this AEP!
On 10/15, we have one fantastic delivery we’d like to share with you – NEW! Profile & PURL.
For those interested, we’re delivering the following new features this AEP & including the below training to help you learn how they work!
Profile – You may have already found the “Profile” button in Think Agent and found it to be inactive. Well, we’ve been hard at work developing this cool new feature to share with you; and we’re excited to announce it’s ready!
PURL – Never heard of such a thing? PURL stands for Personalized URL and it’s a unique feature of Think Agent you’re going to like!
*An email notification will be sent directly to you from communication@email.thinkagent.com only when the ‘Free Quote’ feature is used on your PURL, and the prospect has indicated they wish to learn about products where you are currently RTS (based upon state).
To learn more about these exciting new features of Think Agent, please see our trainings here:
Coming soon, on October 14th, 2022….
Initial payment processed at time of issue, starting Oct. 14
Due to overwhelming agent demand, initial payments will be processed at the time of issue for The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company (CLICO) applications signed and submitted on October 14 and after. This will apply to all states and all CLICO products.
Why take payment at time of issue?
Processing payment at time of issue will help ensure your clients have no issues with their payment method helping to avoid delays in activating the plan on the effective date.
• Your clients can feel confident they have secured coverage with payment and will seamlessly start their plan on their effective date.
• It will allow us to pay earned commissions as soon as possible, which we know is especially important during AEP/OEP.
What if my client’s application has already been submitted?
Applications received before 8 p.m. Oct. 13 will have initial payment processed on the effective date or issue date, whichever is later.
What if I have clients who want initial premium taken closer to the time of their effective date?
If you are unable to help your client appreciate the benefits of applying now with initial payment taken for a future effective date, then their application will need to be submitted much closer to the desired effective date of the plan. This will allow the initial payment taken at time of issue to be nearer the plan effective date. Please be sure to communicate the payment expectation to your customers, so they are prepared for funds to be taken at time of issue (which for most products is 1-2 days after application submission).
Guaranteed Issue HospitalWise launching in 10 more states Oct. 14!
SureBridge is excited to announce,10 more states will soon have the SureBridge branded HospitalWise product with guaranteed issue availability! On October 14, the guaranteed issue offerings will be available in AK, IA, ID, MT, ND, OR, SD, UT, WV, WY.
Now your clients, especially those with Medicare Advantage or ACA Marketplace plans, can apply for supplemental hospital coverage with no underwriting*. Even better, the plan premium and agent compensation will remain unchanged. That’s right, your clients can still access our competitive rates even if they purchase the guaranteed issue version of the plan!
Quoting the new guaranteed issue option is easy. Simply choose a base benefit and rider benefits that fall within the thresholds found in the GI column.
Remember, HospitalWise GI has already launched in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI.
If you’ve never considered offering HospitalWise to your clients, this guaranteed issue offering presents a great opportunity to start! View this highlight sheet to see what HospitalWise has to offer.
If you have any questions – reach out to Michelle Kapp with CSM.
Sourced from Aetna’s Medicare Solutions Broker Email from 9/30/2022:
President Biden’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) marks the beginning of implementing many years of substantial change to the Medicare Part B and Part D programs.
The two most imminent changes, which take effect January 1, 2023, include:
• Limiting the member cost-share of covered insulins to $35
• Introducing $0 member cost-sharing on Part D vaccines
We’re updating materials to convey this information to members. Members will receive information by mail, and information will also be available in enrollment kits and on our website. In addition, we’re working to operationalize these changes by January 1, 2023, as required.
Please use the information below to help answer your clients’ questions this AEP.
How does the IRA impact 2023 Medicare Advantage plans (MAPD) and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)?
It limits the member cost-share on covered insulins to $35.
It eliminates member costs and improves access for Part D vaccines.
Our 2023 plans will cover most Part D vaccines for a $0 cost share, even if a plan has a deductible that hasn’t been met.
What information will members receive?
Member materials are being updated in accordance with CMS guidance to ensure members are properly informed of the changes.
How will insulin and vaccine benefits be displayed on Medicare Plan Finder?
Beginning October 1, the Medicare Plan Finder site (www.medicare.gov) will reflect Part D sponsors’ insulin and vaccine benefits and cost sharing as they were submitted in their 2023 bid and formulary submissions, prior to IRA being enacted. However, new insulin and vaccine drug footnotes and other help features will be displayed to explain the benefit changes resulting from the IRA.
Because of this, CMS is granting a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Exceptional Circumstances to allow beneficiaries to add, drop, or change their Part D coverage if they find a better option after the 2022 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and through the end of 2023. This SEP will be available for all beneficiaries who use a covered insulin product and begins on December 8th, 2022, and ends on December 31, 2023. Beneficiaries may use this SEP one time during this period. To utilize this SEP, beneficiaries must call 1-800-MEDICARE so a customer service representative can process the enrollment change; they cannot use a broker for this SEP. Consistent with current policy, when Part D enrollees change plans mid-year, their True Out-of-Pocket (TrOOP) costs carry over from one plan to the next.
What’s coming in 2024?
Additional IRA requirements that will be implemented in 2024 include:
• $0 cost sharing in the catastrophic phase for Part D
• Expansion of the low-income subsidy eligibility to 150% of the federal poverty line
What additional impacts will IRA have in the future?
Additional IRA requirements will be implemented annually through 2029. We’ll share more information as we approach those implementation dates.
Sourced from THP Agent Newsflash Email from 10/6/22:
The Health Plan is pleased to announce a change regarding Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Effective 1/1/2023, all contracted CCF facilities are in network for both SecureCare HMO and SecureChoice PPO.
(Previously listed as Tertiary-only for HMO).
We are in the process of updating our online provider search and directories to reflect this change.
If you have any questions – reach out to your CSM representative!
MEDICAL MUTUAL OF OHIO BROKER UPDATE:
Date: September 20, 2022
Subject: Updated Medicare Advantage Compliance Addendum and First Amendment to
Compliance Addendum
Topic: Medicare
Applies to: Medicare Advantage
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released new marketing requirements for the 2023 calendar
year that go into effect Oct. 1, 2022. These requirements can be found in the Final Rule in 42 CFR 422.2274(g) of
the Medicare Compliance Addendum
Sourced from WellCare’s Broker Bulletin on 9/23/22:
Attention Valued Partner,
We would like to inform you that due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on August 16, 2022, your 2023 AEP Enrollment Guides, Comprehensive Formulary, and/or Benefit Highlights will now include the following separate standalone documents:
The above separate attachment(s) must be included with all of your 2023 Enrollment Guides, Comprehensive Formulary, and/or Benefit Highlights to prospects. If you did not receive a printed addendum in your order, please print the attachments and provide to your prospects per CMS guidance.
Please note: The above referenced documents will be available for digital download on 10/4/2022 via Custom Point and will be pre-merged into your Digital Download 2023 AEP Enrollment Guides, Comprehensive Formulary, and Benefit Highlights.
Please select the specific attachment for more detailed information.
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Please select the below attachment for more detailed information.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your CSM Service Rep
When completing Wellcare’s 2023 Annual Certification Requirements, agents who are currently contracted with WellCare will receive a new 2023 Recertification Workflow within Centene Workbench to show Ready-To-Sell status.
Completing 2023 Recertification case in Centene Workbench:
Please view the 2023 Contract Recertification Step-Action document for detailed instructions on the contracting recertification process.
All annual certification requirements must be completed by September 30th, to be able to market and sell Wellcare products and avoid suspension on October 1st, 2022.
If the 2023 contracting recertification step is missed while completing training, agents will not be considered Ready-To-Sell nor will they be able to order supplies until this has been completed.
Questions or Issues?
Contact your CSM Service Team for additional help!
SureBridge is offering a Guarantee Issue Hospital Indemnity plan for all ages 0-90 starting September 16, 2022.
There is no underwriting if the GI amounts are chosen, and the premium and commission rates will be staying the same. GI is only applicable when all benefit levels fall within the very competitive GI thresholds as indicated by SureBridge. See the attached highlights flyer for details. Non GI plans will still be available for flexibility of benefit amount selection.
If you’ve never considered offering HospitalWise before, now is the perfect time. Available in 31 states including OH, KY, IN & MI.
AEP and OEP…are just around the corner!As you gear up for the selling season, consider how SureBridge products underwritten by The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company can help you offer the ancillary health coverage that your clients may need! |
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Ancillary products are a great way to help ease potential blows to the budget, especially for costly medical events like a hospital stay. A HospitalWise Hospital Indemnity plan could help with your client’s out-of-pocket exposure, whether it’s a substantial deductible in an ACA plan or the hospital copays in a Medicare Advantage plan.
The HospitalWise plan provides a daily benefit for hospitalization. Designed for flexibility, optional riders can be purchased for additional benefits if other conditions are met, such as an ambulance ride, a visit to the ER, or even a prolonged stay in a skilled nursing facility. Your clients will love the fact that the benefits are paid directly to them; the payments are theirs to use as they see fit.
Questions? Contact Michelle Kapp to discuss the benefits of adding SureBridge to your product portfolio. 614-763-2257