UHC: Earn $$$ When Members Take the Health Risk Assessment

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It’s important to help Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP) and Chronic Special Needs (CSNP) members take full advantage of their UnitedHealthcare plan. One way for them to do that is to take a Health Risk Assessment (HRA). Starting this spring, agents will be able to earn a one-time payment—$50—for  every DNSP- or CSNP- member completed HRA.

You still have time to sign up for the initial start of the program! Don’t Miss Out!!

Before you start, Read this FAQ.

How to get started

  • You must be an appointed, licensed and certified Medicare Solutions agent. Go to www.uhcJarvis.com to complete certifications.
  • You must complete the required 2019 Health Risk Assessment Training to be eligible for this program. Log on to Jarvis >Knowledge Center>Training>Certifications. In the ‘Electives’ section of LearnSource, choose 2019 Health Risk Assessment Training.
  • Once you complete the training, you will be auto-registered into the HRA website. You will receive an email from a company called ‘Revel’ with your registration login and password.

Once you’re registered

  • After completing a DSNP or CSNP enrollment application with the consumer, you can go to the Health Risk Assessment survey page on Jarvis.
  • Log on to the HRA and help the member take the 3-5 minute assessment.
  • Watch your email in the coming weeks for additional information.

Benefits for Members and Agents
Members: The HRA has several benefits, from providing a health summary that members can share with their primary care physician (PCP) to helping identify people who may be eligible for UnitedHealthcare programs that assist members with managing their health. It’s important to note that results from the HRA do not impact Medicare eligibility or costs.

Agents: Agents are invited to assist individuals enrolling in a DSNP or CSNP in completing an HRA. UnitedHealthcare is offering to pay agents a one-time $50 payment for each HRA completed when enrolling individuals in a DSNP or CSNP.

As always, complete a thorough needs assessment to ensure you are recommending the most appropriate UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan for the consumer.

Disclaimer
Not all DSNPs or CSNPs are eligible for this HRA payment program. If a member becomes ineligible due to a non-qualifying chronic condition, DSNP ineligibility or other reason, you may not be eligible for payment.

 

If you have questions about your specific market plans, please contact your CSM Sales Representative.

Important Enrollment Form Update from Anthem- Please Read!

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We recently received important information from Anthem regarding the submission of PAPER applications.

For agents that are NOT using mProducer to submit their enrollment forms, please include BOTH your encrypted TIN and Cornerstone Senior Marketing’s encrypted TIN on all paper applications!

Cornerstone Senior Marketing’s Encrypted TIN is:

CKHJQPKSMY

Below are examples of how the agent page of the enrollment form should be completed if you are submitting paper applications.

Agent Page of MS Enrollment Form: 

Agent Page of MAPD Enrollment Form:

 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact your CSM Representative.

Kettering Health Network & Kettering Physician Network’s Contract Expiring

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Kettering Health Network and Kettering Physician Network’s contract with Cigna is expiring in June.

One of the largest healthcare networks in the region is set to end its relationship with a health insurer in June, if new terms aren’t reached.

Kettering Health Network and Kettering Physician Network’s contract with Cigna (NYSE: CI) will be expiring June 14. If the parties cannot reach new terms by this date, Kettering Health Network hospitals and Kettering Physician Network providers will be considered “out of network” with all Cigna plans beginning June 15, according to a letter from the health network to patients.

“For an extended period of time, Kettering Health Network and Kettering Physician Network have been in discussions with Cigna regarding new contract terms for the care we provide to our patients who have Cigna insurance coverage,” the letter reads. “We believe you have a right to know about how your access to care may be affected so you can make informed decisions about your health care.”

If this agreement expires, patients covered by Cigna can still receive care from the network’s nine area hospitals, 12 area emergency centers and more than 700 physicians and practitioners. But, beginning June 15, these patients could experience reduced benefits from Cigna. In addition, patients set to receive ongoing care or have already scheduled future treatment from the health network may be able to receive care from their physician by requesting approval for continuation of care through Cigna.

Cigna is a global health service active in 30 countries and jurisdictions, with more than 95 million customer relationships across the world. The health insurer also staffs more than 40,000 employees, according to its website.

Kettering Health Network is one of the region’s top companies with a 2018 revenue of $1.75 billion. The network staffed 8,909 local employees and 9,647 employees total in 2018, according to DBJ research.

 

— Dayton Business Journal

Important Message from Humana & Aetna: Members Who Requested to Have Premiums Withheld by SSA/RRB in 2019

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FROM HUMANA MARKETPOINT: 

  • Humana has taken action for our impacted members and worked quickly to re-trigger deductions with a 6/1/2019 effective date (next available date).
  • Members were sent a letter on 5/9 (verbiage below) that states we have requested a future date (6/1/19) due to a SSA delay and the amount they owe – letter contains a remit slip.
  • Customer Service has been ramped up for potential calls and no collection actions will take place due to them being on SSA/RRB.

Please see the letter verbiage below. Members should call our Customer Care Team at 1-800-457-4708 if they have questions.

Thank you for choosing Humana for your Medicare coverage.

You asked us to deduct your monthly premium from either your Social Security (SSA) or Railroad

Retirement Board (RRB) benefit check. Your request could not be processed in time for the next

premium payment. We requested your premium deduction to begin with the next available premium

payment for 06/01/2019. It can take SSA or RRB up to 90 days to process this request. At that time,

you may see up to three months of premiums deducted from your check.

You are responsible for paying the monthly premium(s) due prior to 06/01/2019. Please make a

payment for the amount due of $.

To PAY YOUR PREMIUM:

Go to Humana.com/pay or use the MyHumana mobile app

Detach and mail the payment slip below with your payment

Call our Customer Care Team at 1-800-457-4708. If you use a TTY, call 711.

FROM AETNA: 

We want to notify you about an issue affecting all Medicare members who elected to pay plan premiums from their Social Security Administration (SSA) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) check.

Background

Normally, when members select this premium payment option, the SSA/RRB withholds funds from members’ SSA/RRB checks to cover their plan premiums.

Unfortunately, due to a system issue, this did not occur for two or more months starting February 1, 2019. This issue affected all carriers, not just Aetna. Although the system issue is now fixed, the SSA/RRB cannot retroactively deduct premium payments from members’ checks.

What do members need to do?

Because these members now have past-due accounts, their premium payment method has changed to direct billing, effective February 1, 2019. This means they now need to pay any past-due premium amounts to Aetna directly.

Member communication

Members will receive a letter explaining what happened and what they need to do later this month. Letters are being mailed in waves, between May 10-24, so members will receive them over several weeks. View the member letter.

What happens next?

  • We’ve already submitted a new request to restart SSA premium deduction for the affected members, effective June 1, 2019. If the request is accepted by SSA, they will send members a letter of approval. Please be aware this can take up to 90 days.
  • Please explain to your clients that SSA will only deduct future premiums from their Social Security check as of the effective date noted in their approval letter, so any balances owed up until that effective date must be paid to Aetna directly. Members need to pay premiums directly to us for any months the SSA or RRB doesn’t cover.

While these members are not currently at-risk for termination due to nonpayment, they do need to begin making payments to ensure their plan does not face termination for nonpayment in the future.

 

 

 

Please contact your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative if you have any questions.

Anthem’s MS Bonus Extended Through Dec. 2019!

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Anthem’s Medicare Supplement Bonus Program has been such a success, they are extending it through December 1, 2019 effective dates! We want to help you maximize your earning potential; along with 21% commission (years 1-6; 4% years 7+), you can earn up to $250 per Medicare supplement application per month. Below is an overview of each tier and earning potential. Full details can be found here.

Anthem’s July 1, 2019 rates were released last week and will be available to quote on https://shop.anthem.com/medicare/ on May 11th. Kits are available to order on Custom Point

How Does it Work?

  • If you sell 3-4 approved Medicare Supplement plan enrollments, you’ll receive an additional $100 bonus per sale!
  • If you sell 5-9 approved Medicare Supplement plan enrollments, you’ll receive an additional $150 bonus per sale!
  • But if you sell 10 or more approved Medicare Supplement plan enrollments, you’ll receive an additional $250 bonus per sale!

 

If you have any questions please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.

MeridianCare and WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Consolidation

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As previously communicated, MeridianCare became a subsidiary company of WellCare, and as of 1/1/2020, the companies will be fully integrated and operating under the same platforms. Going forward, email communications regarding the WellCare and MeridianCare transition will be on new co-branded template.

What’s Next?

During the transition, you can expect the following in preparation for 2020 open enrollment period:

  1. Invitation from WellCare Health Plans prompting you to complete the 1099 agent contract
  2. Enrollment into the 2020 WellCare Annual Certification Training (ACT)
    1. This will be replacing the MeridianCare’s Miramar (formally known as Sentinel Elite) annual certification program
  3. Communications regarding 2020 America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) requirement
    1. WellCare does not accept PinPoint or Gorman Health Plan certificates for the Medicare Advantage annual certification requirement.
  4. Transition of the MeridianCarebrand to WellCare (plans and communications)

Please look for upcoming communications regarding all topics outlined above.

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

Oak Street Health Joins Aetna Medicare Provider Network in MI

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Aetna/CVS Health is excited to announce the addition of all Oak Street Health locations to their Southeast Michigan provider network. Effective April 1, 2019, they’re part of Aetna’s existing relationship with Oak Street Health of Chicago, for all Medicare Advantage products.

Aetna Medicare plans offer hometown health care that’s focused on your clients. Aetna works with Oak Street Health to:

  • Address total health needs
  • Make care convenient and effective
  • Maximize Medicare plan benefits

Oak Street Hospital locations in Southeast Michigan:

Cherry Hill
27155 Cherry Hill Rd
Inkster, MI

 Hazel Park
1142 E. 9 Mile Rd.
Hazel Park, MI
Jefferson Village
11260 E. Jefferson Ave.
Detroit, MI

Rosedale Park
18610 Fenkell Ave.
Detroit, MI 

Southgate
13667 Eureka Rd.
Southgate, MI

Need help finding in-network providers?

Don’t forget, Aetna Medicare members have in-network access to over 600,000 PCP/Specialists and 2,900 hospitals across the U.S.

Want a complete list of network providers (including Oak Street Health locations)? Just visit: aetnamedicare.com/findprovider.

 

If you have any questions please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.

Centene/Allwell & Wellcare Agreement Update

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Centene is pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WellCare. The combination of these businesses will create a premier healthcare enterprise focused on government-sponsored healthcare programs and a leader in Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Like Centene, WellCare believes that affordable and quality healthcare is best delivered locally. WellCare brings to Centene a high-quality Medicare platform, increases their exposure to government-sponsored healthcare solutions through its Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, and further extends their robust Medicaid offerings. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare serves more than 5.5 million members nationwide.

Centene takes the lead to build on their competitive strengths and serve the government partners, providers and members.

Some highlights about the combined company:

  • Centene would serve approximately 22 million members across all 50 states, making them the leader in government-sponsored healthcare.
  • Centene will be better positioned to serve members with increased scale and more comprehensive and differentiated solutions to meet their needs.
  • Centene will benefit from leveraging their growing position in the Health Insurance Marketplace to new markets.
  • They will continue investing in technology and programs for the benefit of all stakeholders.
  • Centene will continue to focus on leading the market with affordable, high-quality, culturally-sensitive healthcare services and enhancing robust efforts to address the social determinants of health.

Planning for Integration

Centene expects to complete this transaction in the first half of 2020, subject to various closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Both Centene and WellCare have proven track records in executing these kinds of strategic transactions. While this acquisition is in large part about growth and realizing the benefits of our enhanced scale, it will also be about using their combined strengths, especially in markets where both operate.

Next Steps: Business as Usual

Importantly, until the closing of this transaction, Centene and WellCare will continue to operate as independent companies.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.

Dental Care Plus Group Merger with DentaQuest

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DCPG has entered into a merger agreement with DentaQuest, a key player in the standalone dental insurance industry. In case you missed the announcement from Rebecca Hetzer, Executive Director of Sales, Established Business and Marketing, read it here.

A few highlights to share:

  • DCPG, as a DentaQuest company, will continue to operate business as usual – remaining dedicated to providing the high-touch service our clients have come to expect and appreciate.
  • DentaQuest is growing their commercial group insurance business as part of their mission to improve the Oral Health of All. Acquiring companies like DCPG is part of this strategy.
  • There are no immediate plans to change our network, service model or current operations. These are among the attributes that made DCPG such an ideal addition to DentaQuest’s offering.

If you have any questions please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing Sales representative.

Wellcare Health Plans Inc Agreed To Combine with Centene

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Wellcare Update: Wellcare Health Plans, Inc. has agreed to combine with Centene. While the transaction is not expected to close until the first half of 2020, you may have questions about what this means for you. At this time there are still many questions that Wellcare will not be in a position to answer, but it is important for you to know that nothing will change for now and Wellcare is confident the combination will benefit everyone over the long-term.

For further questions, please download the FAQ.

If you have any questions please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.