Cigna: Corrected Updates to the 2024 Medicare Advantage Enrollment Guide

Cigna Agent Communication from 10/5/2023:

Corrected benefits and updated digital copies.

Please review this email before meeting with customers to ensure you are presenting the correct benefit information.

We discovered a few errors in the 2024 Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage Enrollment Guide.

What you need to know:

  • You do not need to order new sales kits. You can continue to use the guides that have been printed and distributed. We just need your help making sure the customer gets the correct benefit information.
  • Corrected copies of the Enrollment Guide have been posted to Producers’ University and CustomPoint. You can find the updated guide in Producers’ University by visiting the Resource Center.
  • To address the correct benefits, please follow the steps below.

How to get the correct benefit information

 

  1. Print and use these corrected pre-enrollment checklists.

These should replace the checklists in your printed guide.

NOTE: You must be logged in to Producers’ University directly or through CignaForBrokers single sign-on to access these documents.

 

2. Review the list of benefit corrections below.

Make sure your customer understands the benefits offered with their selected plan. The benefits listed below are not available with all plans.

Transportation: The benefit for routine, non-emergency transportation was listed as 60 miles instead of 70 miles. Prior authorization is required for trips exceeding 70 miles one-way.

In-home support: Our in-home support program provides a variety of helpful services and companionship virtually through a telephone, smart phone, or computer. This is a change from 2023.

 Services can include help coordinating transportation and meal/grocery delivery. Companionship includes virtual visits focused on social check-ins, games, even art classes and virtual museum tours.

 

  1. Update your training and customer/telephonic scripts with the corrected benefit information.

 

 

Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate your help, and we are sorry for the inconvenience.

Cigna – Commissionable Low Premium PDP for 2024

2024 PDP: Commissionable + Low Premium!

There is still time to get onboard!
All signals point to Cigna’s PDP low premium offerings for 2024 being very (very) competitive and the enhanced plan with extra gap coverage likely to be the lowest priced product in the extra gap coverage segment. Check out the 2024 PDP Premiums and Plan Designs now. If you are not already appointed with Cigna, there is still time!

 

Request Cigna 2024 Plan Premiums and Designs

 

Interested in a Cigna appointment? Click Here

Cigna: New Way To Submit Your HRA’s for 2024

The enhancements will make your selling experience easier than ever before.

Cigna’s Value Based Enrollment (VBE) initiative continues to be a successful and well-received program among Cigna Healthcare agents.

As part of this program, agents can earn $75 or $125 (depending on the plan) for facilitating Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) with their eligible customers, which means more money in their pocket!

New Way to Access HRAs

Cigna has heard your feedback and have worked to make HRA facilitation easier and faster than before.

Starting on September 29, 2023, you will be able to access Cigna Healthcare’s HRA in the following locations:

• SunFire or ConnectureDRX: HRA embedded in each program for agents that are fully integrated into the respective vendor platform.
• Cigna for Brokers: For non-SunFire users and/or non-Connecture agency partners – Use single sign-on to access SunFire HRA via the “Health Risk Assessment” link in the Tools section.
• eEnrollment: Embedded at the end of the customer enrollment process (i.e., via SunFire HRA widget – HRA will be embedded directly within eEnrollment).

 

Current HRA Tool – Icario

You can continue to use the Icario tool to facilitate HRAs with your customers until January 1, 2024. After this date, Icario will no longer be available to facilitate HRAs, but you will be able to use the new tools listed above – SunFire and ConnectureDRX.

What is a Health Risk Assessment (HRA)?

 

The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) is a tool that helps the health plan assess a customer’s needs by asking a series of health-related questions. Answers are used to partner with health care providers and to develop a plan of care.

 

Facilitating an HRA for your customers provides you an additional opportunity to engage with them and solidify your relationship. It also helps jump start the customer’s journey, engagement, and utilization of Cigna Healthcare’s services resulting in increased retention and improved outcomes for the customer.

 

If you facilitate an HRA for your customers, you are eligible to receive payment, which varies depending on the plan they enroll in.

 

What Medicare plan types are eligible for the VBE HRA payment?

 

The HRA payment will be made for new Medicare Advantage customers, and voluntary customer plan changes that result in active Cigna Healthcare customers.

 

Agents earn $125 when facilitating an HRA with D-SNP and C-SNP customers, and $75 for all other Cigna Healthcare MAPD customers.

 

Prerequisites and Requirements

To be authorized to facilitate the VBE HRA, you must:

• Complete VBE HRA training via Producers’ University. (VBE HRA training is no longer a separate or standalone course – we have embedded the content as a downloadable PDF in Our Compliance Program.)
• Qualify as ‘Ready to Sell’ to complete the enrollment application with the customer.

After you complete the VBE HRA training, you will receive access to Cigna Healthcare’s electronic HRA within 24-72 hours (if you are ‘Ready to Sell’).

Deadlines to Submit HRAs

You must facilitate the HRA with the customer and submit the completed HRA in the portal, within ten (10) calendar days of the customer’s application sign date, in order to ensure a positive customer experience.

As a best practice, you should obtain the HRA immediately after completing the customer’s application for enrollment. Otherwise, we recommend confirming your next appointment with the customer with the date and time details, prior to making the next outreach.

You’ll have until December 22, 2023 to submit the HRA for any customer applications taken from October 1 – December 7 of 2023.

Cigna’s MA Ohio Network is Growing

Sourced from Cigna broker blast from 7/3/23:

Cigna is constantly working to expand our network to meet the needs of our customers. Some exciting network expansions are happening in your area! Please see below to learn more.

We have recently added the following providers to our network in the Ohio market:

Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Cleveland East Vascular Care LLC

Cardiology
• The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Cardiologists of Greene County LLC
• Kettering Independent Medical Group
• Kettering Specialty Care INC

Clinical Social Worker
• The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Colon & Rectal Surgery
• University Hospitals Medical Group INC

Family Medicine
• Alliance Physicians INC
• Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown Specialty Care LLC
• Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown LLC
• University Hospitals Medical Practices
• Cleveland Clinic Akron General Internal Medicine
• UH Chagrin Highlands Urgent Care

Gastroenterology
• Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown Specialty Care LLC
• Kettering Specialty Care INC

Hematology/Oncology
• The MetroHealth System

Internal Medicine
• The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• MVHE INC
• Valley Medical Primary Care
• Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown LLC
• Dedicated Ohio Holding LLC
• St Vincent Charity Community Health Center

Long Term Acute Care Hospital
• Select Specialty Hospital – Cincinnati INC
• Select Specialty Hospital – Youngstown INC
• Select Specialty Hospital – Northeast Ohio INC Canton Campus

Neurology
• Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown Specialty Care LLC

Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Mercy Health Physicians North Specialty Care LLC
• Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown LLC
• University Hospitals Medical Practices

Occupational Medicine
• St Vincent Charity Community Health Center

Pain Management
• The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Plastic Surgery
• Kettering Specialty Care INC

Podiatry
• Choice Podiatry Associates INC
• Gentle Footcare LLC
• Wound Care Consultants LLC
• Mary Rutan Hospital

Pulmonary Medicine
• Alliance Physicians INC
• Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown Specialty Care LLC

Radiation Oncology
• Kettering Specialty Care INC

Skilled Nursing Facility
• Highland Square Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
• Maple Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

Sleep Medicine
• The MetroHealth System

Sports Medicine
• University Hospitals Medical Group INC

Urology
• University Hospitals Medical Group INC

Vascular Surgery
• The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Premier Health Specialist INC

 

Questions? Please reach out to your CSM rep today!

Cigna’s Value Based Enrollment Program Changes

Sourced from Cigna broker email communication from 5/16/23:

Changes to VBE payments for digital applications starting with June 1 effectives.

At Cigna Healthcare, we believe that the Primary Care Provider (PCP) and patient relationship is of vital importance to drive better health outcomes and increase customer satisfaction and retention.

 

For this reason, we are making changes in how payments are earned through our Value Based Enrollment (VBE) digital application program to further promote the PCP and patient relationship and continue to encourage the collection of a customer email address. This change applies to June 1 effectives and beyond.

 

New VBE payment amounts

Here’s how you can continue to earn up to $50 per approved digital application for new Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage (MA) customers:

• Earn $30 for including a valid in-network PCP on the digital application.
• Earn $20 for including a valid customer email address on the digital application.

 

For more information on this change to our VBE program, please feel free to review our VBE Program Broker FAQ after logging in to Producers’ University.

Benefits of this program change

Capturing a customer’s valid PCP and email address at the time of enrollment gives Cigna Healthcare Medicare important information to provide better care for your customers.

Better care results in higher customer satisfaction and retention rates, as well as higher net promoter scores (NPS). This means you can spend more time selling and growing your business and less time addressing customer concerns.

Cigna OH Network Updates

Cigna Medicare Advantage Network is Growing in Ohio!

We are constantly working to expand our network to meet the needs of our customers. Some exciting network expansions are happening in your area! Please see below to learn more.

We have recently added the following providers to our network in the Ohio market:

Clinical Social Work
• St Elizabeth Physicians
• Christ Hospital Medical Associates LLC

 

Orthopedic Surgery

  • Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center LLC

 

Plastic Surgery

  • Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center LLC

 

Family, General, and Internal Medicine

  • Van Wert Medical Services LTD

 

As a reminder, you can search Cigna’s online provider directory to view the most up-to-date provider listing in your market. Click here to access the directory.

 

Questions? Reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing Rep!

Cigna’s PDP Plans Are Commissionable in 2024!

UPDATED PDP COMMISSIONS INFOMRATION FROM CIGNA ON 5/3/23:

Important PDP Commissions Update

As reported recently, Cigna Healthcare will start paying commissions on Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) starting in AEP 2024!

We are excited that your agents will soon be able to offer Cigna Healthcare’s full portfolio of products to their customers, including all of our PDP plans.

 For your awareness, we have an overview of how PDP commissions will impact different aspects of the broker experience below. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon. In the meantime, free to reach out to your Medicare Advantage Broker Strategist should you have any questions

 

 

 

 


GREAT NEWS!

Cigna has confirmed they will be paying commissions on their PDP plans for 2024 nationwide!

Here is what we know:

1. Cigna’s PDPs will be commissionable for 2024.
2. Agents already contracted for Cigna’s 2023 MAPD’s will not need to re-contract for the PDPs. Both will fall under the same contract.
3. Agents that are certified for Cigna’s 2023 MAPD’s will not have to complete the “Selling with Integrity” module for 2024. This takes away 1 module for 2024!
4. PDP certification will launch with the MAPD certification for 2024.

Stay tuned for more information to come.

 

Ready to get contracted?   Request Contracting 

Questions?   Contact Us! 

SEP’s for CA, CO, KY, NY, OR & TX

SEP information provided by CIGNA – 3/7/2023

This is an important announcement for agents with customers in California, Colorado, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, and Texas and for those with business in those states. The counties below are under a state designated SEP due to an emergency.

CALIFORNIA

Declaration information New

State declaration: Severe Winter Storms

SEP Incident Date: 03/01/2023 – Ongoing

This SEP declaration is effective: 03/01/2023 – Ongoing

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma, and Tulare

Declaration information Updated

FEMA declaration: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

SEP incident dates: 12/27/2022 – 03/01/2023

This SEP declaration is effective: 12/27/2022 – 03/31/2023

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tuolumne, Trinity, Tulare, Ventura, and Yolo

COLORADO

Declaration information Updated

FEMA declaration: Fuel Supply Chain Risk

SEP incident dates: 12/31/2022 – 05/31/2023

This SEP declaration is effective: 12/31/2022 – 05/31/2023

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All counties

KENTUCKY

Declaration information New

State declaration: Severe Winter Weather

SEP incident dates: 03/03/2023 – Ongoing

This SEP declaration is effective: 03/03/2023 – Ongoing

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All counties

NEW YORK

Declaration information Updated

State declaration: Healthcare Staffing Shortages

SEP incident dates: 09/27/2021 – 04/21/2023

This SEP declaration is effective: 09/27/2021 – 05/31/2023

Impacted counties for SEP

Declaration information Updated

State declaration: Rikers Island Correctional Center Staffing Shortage

SEP incident dates: 09/28/2021 – 04/29/2023

This SEP declaration is effective: 09/28/2021 – 06/30/2023

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, and Queens

purposes: All counties

OREGON

Declaration information New

State declaration: Severe Winter Weather

SEP incident dates: 02/25/2023 – 04/30/2023

This SEP declaration is effective: 02/25/2023 – 04/02/2023

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Multnomah

TEXAS

Declaration information New

State declaration: Severe Winter Weather

SEP incident dates: 02/04/2023 – Ongoing

This SEP declaration is effective: 02/04/2023 – Ongoing

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Anderson, Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Delta, Denton, Falls, Hays, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Milam, Red River, Robertson, Shelby, Smith, Travis, and Williamson

IMPORTANT: Please be aware

  • This does not mean that active marketing can occur.
  • The SEP is only for the purpose of providing a SEP to impacted individuals who had a valid election during the incident and were unable to make that election due to the emergency.
  • This does not mean we initiate waiving of authorization or referral requirements.
  • This does not extend waiving of prior authorizations, referrals etc.

SEP for Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency

42 CFR 422.62(b)(18)

(Rev. 2, Issued: August 12, 2020; Effective/Implementation: 01-01-2021)

 

An SEP exists for individuals affected by a disaster or other emergency declared by a Federal, state or local government entity who were unable to, and did not make an election during another valid election period. This includes both enrollment and disenrollment elections.

Individuals are eligible for this SEP if they:

  • Reside, or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period described in this guidance, in an area for which a federal, state or local government entity has declared a disaster or other emergency or they do not reside in an affected area but rely on help making healthcare decisions from one or more individuals who reside in an affected area; and
  • Were eligible for another election period at the time of the SEP eligibility period; and
  • Did not make an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency.The SEP starts as of the date the declaration is made, the incident start date or, if different, the start date identified in the declaration, whichever is earlier. The SEP ends two full calendar months following the end date identified in the declaration or, if different, the date the end of the incident is announced, whichever is later.

Tips for completing applications

  • Select “SEP” in the “Select Enrollment Period” field
  • Enter code “DST” in the “SEP Code” field
  • Enter the date the customer was affected by the disaster in the “SEP Date field”
  • In the “Special Enrollment Period” section: Make sure you select the special enrollment period that applies to the customer in addition to selecting the “DST” box that states “I was affected by a weather-related emergency or major disaster (as declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)). One of the other statements here applied to me, but I was unable to make my enrollment because of the natural disaster.” Both are required to be completed.

For telephonic applications, ensure that the following fields are completed:

  • In the “Special Enrollment Period section: Select the actual enrollment period the customer qualified for that was missed, and
  • Select the check box next to the statement that reads “I was affected by a weather-related emergency or major disaster (as declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or by federal, my state or my local government).One of the other statements on this page applied to me, but I was unable to make my request because of the disaster.” This creates the DST and the second code Enrollment requires to process the application.

Cigna’s New Icario Agent Portal – Important Tips

Sourced from Cigna Broker communication from 10/24/22:

Read below for tips to facilitate your transition to the new portal

On October 12, Cigna launched the new and improved Icario Connect Agent Portal. This new agent portal includes features that make it easier for you to facilitate health risk assessments (HRAs) with your customers. 

As part of the transition to the new portal, all existing agents should have received a Welcome Email from Icario inviting them to create new login credentials. We are happy that many agents have been able to transition to the new agent portal smoothly.

 For those of you who have still not activated your new agent portal, we have put together some helpful tips and resources to help you along the way. 

Registration Issues

 Agents who have not registered in the new Icario agent portal will receive daily emails from Icario with their new username and password. If you have not received the email, please check your spam folder or follow the steps below:

 

  1. Email Icario directly at service@Icariohealth.com.
  2. Call our Cigna Agent Resource Line (CARL) at 866-442-7516

 

Password Issues

 If you are experiencing any issues with your new password (e.g., new password is not working), please follow the steps below. 

  1. Reply to the Icario Welcome Email informing Icario that your new password is not working. Icario will reach out directly to assist you.
  2. Email Icario directly at service@Icariohealth.com.
  3. Call our Cigna Agent Resource Line (CARL) at 866-442-7516

 

Other Technical Issues

 If you are still experiencing technical difficulties after following the steps above, please try the following:

  • Clear the cache in your browser.
  • Disable your pop-up blocker.
  • Check your spam folder for emails from Icario.
  • Type in your new username and password to ensure accuracy (do not copy and paste from the Icario Welcome Email).
  • Use capital letters when entering the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) on the Prospective Member screen (e.g., 1AC2-D34-EF56)

 

One more thing… Great News!  The deadline to submit your HRAs has been extended! Agents now have until 12/21/2022 to submit the HRA for any customer applications taken from 10/1/2022 – 12/7/2022.

Quote and Compare Cigna plans in MedicareCENTER

If you’re newly appointed with CignaHealthspring and working in MedicareCENTER to quote and compare carrier plans and products, this is news for you!

 

Cigna activates your appointment once your first application is submitted.  This means Cigna products will not initially appear in MedicareCENTER if you have not yet written an application. This affects your ability to quote and compare Cigna products.  To launch Cigna in MedicareCENTER in order to quote and compare, access and enable Cigna from the non-licensed plans option.

 

NOTE:  Active, licensed status to quote and ENROLL Cigna products from MedicareCENTER will be available upon submission of your first enrollment, which must be submitted to Cigna either via paper app or from the Cigna portal.

 

Questions about Cigna?  We can help – give us a call at 614-763-2255