Medicare Part B: Help your clients enroll during OEP

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Individuals who are eligible but didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B during this AEP, or dropped or lost coverage in the past year, have another chance to enroll! Beneficiaries can enroll in Part B during the Open Enrollment Period, January 1 through March 31 each year. Enrollees’ Part B coverage starts July 1, 2021.

 

Eligible individuals who sign up for Part B may choose how to get their Medicare coverage:

  • Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B. Those who enroll can buy supplemental coverage to help pay out-of-pocket costs. They can also get Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).
  • Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are an “all-in-one” alternative to original Medicare. They are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

 

Contact your Cornerstone Sales Rep to assist with more information, rates, or supplies for Medicare Supplement, Part D plans, and Medicare Advantage.

Congratulations, You Made It!

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Agents,

 

Congratulations! You have made it through probably the most challenging annual enrollment period in some time. We value each and every one of our partnerships with our agents and hope you can enjoy a much deserved breather in the following weeks.

 

But wait…

 

Cornerstone offers our services year around and this is a prefect opportunity to meet (or by phone!) one-on-one with your Cornerstone sales representative to plan out the rest of the 2021 to sell throughout the whole year!

Connect with your sales rep here

Plus…

We have the resources and tools to grow that book of business even more! Take a look at all of our tools in our Cornerstone Agent Toolkit.

Click here for AGENT TOOLKIT

 

DON’T FORGET!
The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) will begin Jan. 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021 for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. This is an opportunity for a beneficiary enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage) to make plan changes.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES REGARDING 2021 OEP.

For anything else, give us a call and see how we can help!
614-763-2255

 

 

AEP Ends MONDAY Dec. 7: Cornerstone’s Tips for Smooth App Processing!

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AEP ends  MONDAY December 7
Tips for smooth application processing.

Important information about the last days of AEP and submitting enrollment apps.

The following tips will help ensure your hard work this AEP pays off and your applications are processed correctly, including those submitted on December 7, 2020.

1. AEP application submission deadline: ALL applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on December 7.

2. Date the application. It’s important to include a date on every enrollment application. Applications without a date, received after December 7, 2020, are assigned the date the application was received by the carrier, which can invalidate apps received after AEP ends. Apps that you receive on December 7 must be submitted to the carrier, dated December 7.

3. Faxing Applications: If faxing the application, remember to keep a copy of your successful fax transmittal as confirmation of submission.

4. Application Submission Guide: Click the link below to download the application enrollment submission process, by carrier.

Submitting Applications Document

Note: If you have questions about last minute submissions, we’re here for you!

Please call 614-763-2255

A Special AEP Incentive from Humana and Cornerstone Senior Marketing

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Earn a FREE 1,000 piece mailer to start the new year!

Start the new year off right with a FREE 1,000 piece mailer. This generous marketing bonus is available to all agents that submit a minimum of 5 Humana Medicare Advantage applications between November 13 – December 31, 2020.

  • Eligible agents will recieve a mailer credit early in 2021, that includes a custom prospect mailing list, postcard, and mailer fulfillment.
  • No registration required  – Humana will track application submissions and Cornerstone Senior Marketing will contact all eligible agents early in 2021 to award their FREE 1,000 piece mailer.

Thank you for all you do and have a great AEP!

TECH TIP: Scam of the Week: Email Impersonation Attacks on the Rise

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Technology Tip – Scam of the Week: Email Impersonation Attacks on the Rise

Stay alert! The bad guys are now using CEO fraud and Business Email Compromise attacks more than ever.

These attacks take place when the bad guys impersonate executives within your organization via email and ask you to transfer them a large sum of money. They’re trying to manipulate you – don’t fall for it!

Instead, make sure that any request for a money transfer comes from the right person! Grab the phone and give them a call to verify that the request is legitimate. Better yet, communicate with them face-to-face about the request. They’ll thank you later!

 

Let’s stay safe out there!

Cornerstone’s AEP Submitting Applications Guide- DOWNLOAD NOW!

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There’s so much to do this time of year, and making sure your application is accepted the first time around is very important.  Please review the guidance and tips below.  Also, please download the Application Submission Reference Sheet for quick access to the carrier specific fax numbers, and where applicable, email accounts, to submit non-electronic enrollments.

 

DOWNLOAD AEP SUBMITTING APPLICATION GUIDE

CSM Tech Tip: Email Body Red Flags

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Technology Tip – Social Engineering Red Flag: ​Email Body

The prevalence of phishing scams is at an all-time high. Because you are the key to preventing a cyberattack within your organization, it is important to question the legitimacy of every email you receive. Below is a list of questions to ask yourself ​about the content and body of the email ​that may help you realize that you are being phished.

​​Review the content of the email.

  • ​​Is the sender asking me to click on a link or open an attachment to avoid a negative consequence, or to gain something of value?
  • Is the email out of the ordinary, or does it have bad grammar or spelling errors?
  • Is the sender asking me to click a link or open up an attachment that seems odd or illogical?
  • Do I have an uncomfortable gut feeling about the sender’s request to open an attachment or click a link?
  • Is the email asking me to look at a compromising or embarrassing picture of myself or someone I know?

If you notice anything about the email that alarms you, do not click links, open attachments, or reply. You are the last line of defense to prevent cyber criminals from succeeding and making you or your company susceptible to phishing attacks.

Let’s stay safe out there!

NEW with CSG: Client Shopping Cart

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New Client Shopping Cart Added to E-Application

CSG Actuarial is making it easier than ever for agents to cross-sell multiple carriers and plans with the Client Shopping Cart!

Submit Multiple Applications in One Checkout Process

Add multiple products and carriers to a client’s shopping cart to create a custom insurance portfolio with quote details and total premium. Client quote details save for future reference.

When a client’s shopping cart is complete, conveniently start the applications in one checkout process. Applicant information auto-populates in each application for quick and easy submission process.

 

WATCH A TUTORIAL HERE

Tech Tip: WiFi vs. VPN

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Technology Tip – WiFi? Why Not? VPN is your friend

 

Using free public WiFi at a coffee shop or airport hot spot is great for convenience, but bad for security.
Most free access points do not make use of encryption. This is done for convenience and ease of access. If every person had to ask the barista or gate attendant for the WiFi key, it would get unruly, and no actual work would get done.
Keep in mind that you are sharing those wireless airwaves with anyone that is within range of your wireless communications.

There is technology out there that allows you to view the wireless computer communications that are within range of your device.
To the bad guys, this technology lets them see what you are doing, the data you are passing to websites, and your usernames and passwords.

UNLESS

  • You are on websites with ‘https’ … the little S is for secure. Its like speaking a language that only two people can understand (your computer, and the website).
  • You are using VPN software to encrypt all your wireless communications
  • You are using a wireless device from your cellular phone provider, 3G or 4G network access… This is not WiFi, and is not subject to WiFi Security Policies

Using a VPN client to encrypt and route your wireless communications allows you to create a secure channel for your computer to communicate.
Even if you are accessing a website without HTTPS, your communication to that website is secured through your VPN connection. If there are any bad guys around you listening in on your wifi traffic, it will be safe.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is good practice to use a VPN when in a public networking spot such as wifi hot spots. This will create a virtual tunnel for your computer to communicate securely through the public network.

Before traveling for work, consult with your IT department about their data security policies when on the road, how to setup your VPN connection (if your company has VPN access), or how to obtain a 3G/4G cellular network card.

 

Let’s stay safe out there!

COPC Senior Care Advantage Broker Event March 17 in Columbus

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Brokers are invited to a brunch meeting with the partners at COPC Primary Care Physicians and COPC Senior Care Advantage. The meeting will take place on March 17, 2020 at the COPC Central Business Office from 9:30AM to 11:30AM.

This event is designed to give brokers the latest information on the COPC Senior Care Advantage program for 2020 Medicare  enrollees who are patients of COPC Primary Care Physicians.

You will meet program leadership, learn about the typical patient experience, receive physician lists who have open panels and participate in informal Q&A sessions to get your questions answered. Register for this event so you are better able to serve your client base this year. Please RSVP by clicking on the Evite link below:

http://evite.me/mAeBnHHsRw