Tech Tip: Look Before You Book, or You’ll Cry After You Buy

If you’re planning a trip soon, there are some things you should consider. For starters, is that dirt cheap flight to Tokyo too good to be true? Probably so, especially when the booking site also offers a boatload of other deals at shocking, unbeatable prices – who does that? A scam artist looking to take your money, that’s who. For this reason, you need to learn how to sniff out these “too good to be true” offers. To help you out, here are some tips:

  • Go official: Book a trip directly with an airline or hotel, or through a reputable agent/tour operator.
  • Do your research: Do a thorough online search to ensure the company is legitimate. Are there very few pictures of the business’ property, or unfavorable reviews? If they’re suspect, other people may have posted their negative experience to warn others.
  • Stay safe online: If sent a deal via social media or email, be very cautious and think before you click! The link may direct you to a malicious site. Make sure to pay special attention to the website name and domain. You may notice small changes in the name or domain – such as going from .com to .ru, which can direct you to a completely different company.
  • Pay safe: Don’t pay in cash, via bank transfer (MoneyWise, Western Union), or virtual currencies like Bitcoin. These payment methods are hard to trace and are non-refundable! Instead, pay with a credit card. Also, check that the website uses a padlock icon (https) on the address bar, indicating it’s secure.
  • Check the small print: Check that the website offers terms and conditions, a refund policy, and a privacy policy.
  • Use your instincts: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Report it: Keep all of the evidence and report it to your local authorities right away.

Use these tips to help avoid becoming the next victim of a scam. Remember, always look before you book. Otherwise, you’ll cry after you buy.

Let’s stay safe out there!

Helpful Hint: Department of Insurance & NIPR Contracting Info

As more carriers start to pull some of your information from the Department of Insurance and NIPR websites for contracting requirements, it is important to make sure this information is up-to-date! 

For instance, if you have not updated your business address & phone number, this incorrect information will be pulled over to the carrier you are appointing with.  Also, if you no longer work with a certain agency, but the State Department of Insurance shows that you do, it will still link you with that agency.

Please take the time to keep your information current and reach out to us if you have any questions- We are here to help!

Target Leads Webinar: Lead Training with Don Runge

Target Leads is offering a FREE training webinar to prepare you for a successful AEP season! Session will be presented by Lead Guru, Don Runge.

Don will be offering his training expertise on three important topics: How to Get More Appointments; Overcoming Objections; and Closing the Sale.

Don has over 40 years experience and has consulted with over 30 insurance companies, IMO’s FMO’s and agencies evaluating, modifying and building total recruiting and lead prospecting programs. He is truly the Lead Guru!

 

The webinar will be held Thursday August 8th at 10:00am Central Time.

 

To register for this FREE webinar, courtesy of TargetLeads, CLICK HERE.

NEW Medicare Supp Feature with CSG Quoting Tool

With your access to Cornerstone’s quoting tool, CSG Actuarial, we now offer the ability to include a health condition along with prescription drugs in the quoting feature filters for Medicare Supplement plans!

When including certain health conditions and prescription drugs for a client, CSG will only show carriers and plans that will accept those individuals with those conditions.

Watch a quick video of this new underwriting feature!

If you do not have access to CSG and are interested please click below and select “Request Access”.

CSG ACCESS

SAVE THE DATES: 2020 Senior Roadshow!

Cornerstone Senior Marketing is back in 2019 with another four-location carrier product roll-out roadshow!

We are coming to you with in-depth looks into 2020 products and opportunities to meet with carrier and Cornerstone Senior Marketing representatives one-on-one.

Agendas and carrier details coming soon!

August 26, 2019 | Cincinnati

Cincinnati Marriott North
6189 Muhlhauser Road
West Chester, OH 45069

August 27, 2019  Toledo/Perrysburg

Hilton Garden Inn
6165 Levis Commons Blvd
Perrysburg, OH 43551

August 28, 2019 | Cleveland

Crown Plaza Cleveland South
5300 Rockside Road
Independence, OH 44131

August 29, 2019 | Columbus

Hilton Polaris
8700 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240

REGISTER HERE

NOW AVAILABLE: Quote & Enroll MS Plans Through CSG

Cornerstone Senior Marketing agents can now enroll clients online through CSG for Medicare Supplement plans with Aetna and Mutual of Omaha*!

To get started , click the “RUN QUOTE” button underneath Medicare Supplement on the CSG dashboard page. Click here to download a How To Guide to show you step-by-step how to quote and enroll for a Medicare Supplement plan. 
 
Please note, the ability to do an E-Application through the CSG mobile app is unavailable at this time. You can only enroll through the actual website here

Watch a Full E-Application Demo Here

For more information or questions please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing Sales Representative.

If you do not have access to our FREE CSG quoting tool and are interested please click here and select “Request Access”.

 

*More carriers to be added later this year

Cornerstone Senior Marketing 2020 Rewards Trip | Location & Dates Announced!

WE ARE SAILING YOU AWAY IN 2020!

Cornerstone Senior Marketing is excited to announce the locations and dates of our next rewards trip in 2020!

We are sailing away to the Bahamas on a 4-Night Royal Caribbean Cruise! 

April 20 – 24, 2020

 Qualification Period: All NEW Medicare business written under CSM between 1/1/19 -12/31/19.

 

Register HERE for the trip

 

For more information or questions please contact your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.

Why Aetna/Coventry is Your Choice in Youngstown!

If you are a broker with clients in the Youngstown, Ohio area, Aetna’s MA/MAPD products have some great benefits to offer!

 5 reasons Aetna/Coventry is your choice in Youngstown:

  1. $0 premium Aetna Value Plan with members being able to access a national network of providers (Travel Advantage)/ Tri-County Network OH/PA/WV- Coventry, which includes Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital and UPMC.
  2. $0 premium Coventry PPO plan with $0 PCP copay
  3. Lower MOOP $3600 Aetna & Coventry
  4. Significant reduction of copays, PCP’s and Specialists/ Lower lab copays 0-$10 depending on plan chosen and $0 Tier 1 & Tier 2 prescription gap coverage on all plans.
  5. Both ground and air ambulance have a low flat copay

$0/MONTH

Two plan options including both medical and prescription drug coverage at $0/month

PROVIDER NETWORK

All acute-care hospitals in Ohio are in-network for Aetna members

(The Ohio State University is in-network for Aetna PPO members only)

NEW BENEFITS ADDED

Plans may include: OTC allowance, transportation, post-discharge meals, and dental, vision, & hearing benefits

If you have questions or want to get contracted with Aetna please contact your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.

5 Reasons Aetna is Your Choice in Northeast Ohio

 

Cornerstone Senior Marketing & Aetna MA/MAPD want to share some insightful benefit information on Aetna’s plans if you have clients in the Northeast Ohio region.

5 reasons Aetna is your BEST choice in Northeast Ohio:

  1. Access to National Network on PPO and HMO plans. Network includes ALL acute care hospitals in Ohio, with access to a national network which includes Cleveland Clinic, Akron Children’s and Aultman.
  2. Expanded service area into Wayne, Carroll and Tuscarawas counties.
  3. $0 premium HMO Value and $0 premium Value PPO plans.
  4. $0 PPO includes dental, OTC, hearing and meal benefit.
  5. Reduction in MOOP and copays including $0 Tier 1, and Tier 2 Prescription gap coverage.

 $0/MONTH

Two plan options including both medical and prescription drug coverage at $0/month

PROVIDER NETWORK

All acute-care hospitals in Ohio are in-network for Aetna members

(The Ohio State University is in-network for Aetna PPO members only)

NEW BENEFITS ADDED

Plans may include: OTC allowance, transportation, post-discharge meals, and dental, vision, & hearing benefits

 

If you have questions or want to get contracted with Aetna please contact your Cornerstone Senior Marketing representative.

Protecting You From Fraud: Recent Social Security Change

Social Security (SS) now requires you to open a “My Social Security” account to file an online application. Previously, you could file an application online with a special application number so you could start an application online, save it, and return later to complete it. Now you must get to the online application through your “My Social Security” account. The process is similar to credit card and bank procedures. You will log into your account with a user ID and password and then SS will send a special code to your cell or email. You need this code before completing the online application. The SS website also recognizes IP addresses, so you must start and finish the application from the same IP address. If logged on from a different IP address, you will be locked out and must restart the application.

This new process is beneficial to you! ID theft has led to more fraudulent Social Security retirement claims filed online in recent years.

So open your “My Social Security” account at www.ssa.gov and keep it up to date every six months.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

About Dennis Heywood

Denny’s career with Social Security provides an in-depth, working knowledge of the Social Security Administration’s internal organization and processes. An expert in all phases of SSA programs: retirement, survivor, disability, and Medicare, Denny has expertise with the complex Social Security regulations based on more than 40 years of experience.

ss-help.com