SureBridge: HospitalWise makes a great companion to Medicare Advantage and ACA plans!

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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!

 

HospitalWise State Approval

 

HospitalWise Highlight Sheet

 

Why Ancillary?

HospitalWise Indemnity

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

MedicareCENTER Recording Solution Launches September 8th!

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MedicareCENTER Recording Solution Launches September 8th!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW – PLEASE READ!

Effective September 8th, MedicareCENTER will have the capabilities to meet all requirements for the CMS latest ruling on the beneficiary call recording. We welcome you to join us for a review and training of the Call Recording features and the changes to navigating MedicareCENTER when you first log-in.

Jump on a webinar or come see us in person as we demonstrate the way to meet CMS requirements to make it easy for you this AEP!

Important changes when you access MedicareCENTER on/after Sept. 8th
• New landing page!
• Call recording phone number assigned when you log-in (learn more about this at one of the upcoming training sessions!)
• Navigate to all platforms by clicking your name (top right) and selecting the quoting/enrollment platform

 

WEBINAR TRAINING DATES

Thursday, September 8, 2022

10:00 a.m. ET

 

REGISTER
 

Thursday, September 8, 2022

1:30 p.m. ET

 

REGISTER

 

Monday, September 26, 2022

11:00 a.m. ET

 

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

2:00 p.m. ET

 

REGISTER

 

Friday, September 30, 2022

10:00 a.m. ET
REGISTER

 
REGISTER

LIVE/IN-PERSON TRAINING DATES/LOCATIONS

CLEVELAND

4500 Rockside Rd., Ste 330

Independence OH 44131

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

 

REGISTER
AKRON

Homewood Suites| Akron//Fairlawn

210 Springside Dr., Akron OH 44333

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

 

REGISTER
 

COLUMBUS

9482 Wedgewood Blvd., Ste 130

Powell OH 43065

Thursday, September 22, 2022

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET

 

REGISTER

 

CINCINNATI

2101 Florence Ave

Cincinnati OH 45206

Friday, September 23, 2022

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

 

REGISTER

 

Call Recording features will be available in MedicareCENTER beginning September 8th.  Training will include:

  • Inbound call recording, store and download solutions
  • Outbound call recording, store and download solutions
  • Call recordings storing for 10 years, as required by CMS
  • CMS-required scripting for the beginning of each prospect call

 

Call Recording FAQ’s

Revisions to THP 2023 Agent Training: Medicare Product Certification

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Sourced from THP broker communication from 9/1/22:

 

Dear THP Agent Partner:

As you know, CMS’ annual bid process continues after the release of our Agent Training. The following benefit changes have occurred after our training was released. These changes have been updated in our online training site materials. However, if you have already taken our training, please review the changes below:

  • SecureCare SNP, H3672-019 for OH/WV: 
    • Over-the-Counter item amount changed from $125 to $130
    • Healthy Food Benefit amount changed from $60 to $65
    • Premium changed from $0-$37.90 to $0-$40.80
    • Emergency Room Maximum copay changed from $90 to $95
  • Changes to OHIO Benefit Chart: 
    • Plan H3672-013 Over-the-Counter changed from $60 to $80
    • Plan H8604-010 Premium changed from $60 to $58
      • Hearing Services added Medicare-covered Hearing Exam; $45/In, $60/Out
    • Plan H3672-020 Premium changed from $35 to $33
    • Plan 8604-011 Premium changed from $115 to $113
      • Hearing Services added Medicare-covered Hearing Exam; $45/In, $60/Out 
  • Changes to WV Benefit Chart:
    • Plan H3672-020 Premium changed from $35 to $33
    • Plan H8604-011 Premium changed from $115 to $113
      • Hearing Services added Medicare-covered Hearing Exam; $45/In, $60/Out
    • Plan H3672-023 Over-the-Counter amount changed from $60 to $80
    • Plan 8604-013 Premium changed from $80 to $78
      • Hearing Services added Medicare-covered Hearing Exam; $45/In, $60/Out

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your CSM representative.

Reminder: Cigna AOR Protection

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Sourced from Cigna broker communication from 8/22/22: 

At Cigna:

  • We understand that sometimes existing customers need to change plans.
  • We would prefer that they remain with Cigna.
  • We want to reduce the work associated with plan changes and free your time to focus on servicing and growing your book of business.
  • We want you to trust that we will protect your interests and that we value you and your current relationship with the customers you’ve enrolled.

 

Our commitment to you

 When an internal Cigna agent completes a plan change for one of your existing Medicare Advantage customers, you will remain the Agent of Record (AOR) and continue to receive renewal commissions on plan changes.

 

How will we do this?

 

Cigna has established a Dedicated Plan Change unit that exists solely to help existing customers transition from one plan to another. This unit is staffed by licensed service representatives, not Sales Agents.

 

  • When an existing customer makes a plan change by calling our Dedicated Plan Change line directly, your AOR status will remain unchanged.
  • When an existing customer calls customer service inquiring about a plan change, the customer service representative will transfer the customer to our Dedicated Plan Change line, and your AOR status will remain unchanged.
  • When an existing customer initiates a plan change through one of Cigna’s internal field sales or telesales agents our team member will either refer the customer to our Dedicated Plan Change line or complete the plan change themselves. In either case, your AOR status will remain unchanged.

The plan change process

 

As an agent, you still have the option to fill out a new application to submit for current customers. However, we want you to know that you can feel confident in referring your current Cigna customers interested in changing to a different Cigna plan to our Plan Change Queue.

 

Your current Cigna customers can call 1-855-649-5105 to connect

to the dedicated Plan Change Queue.

 

The Agent of Record policy applies to:

 

  • Active, licensed, appointed and 2023 certified agents at the time of the customer’s plan change.

 

The Agency of Record policy does not apply when:

 

  • The original agent is no longer eligible or terminated.
  • Another active, licensed, appointed and 2023 certified, external agent (not employed by Cigna) facilitates the plan change.
  • The plan change is facilitated through an external Cigna appointed call center agent/agency.

 

SureBridge: Producer Support and other SureBridge service reminders

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Producer Support closing early Friday and other SureBridge service reminders

Work is beginning on the conversion to our new policy administration system. All member portal websites will be unavailable this Friday night (8/26), through Sunday (8/28). In addition, the Customer Service call center and Producer Support will be closing early Friday (8/26) at 3:30 CT.

Expected timeline of upcoming changes:

• Aug 24 -29: System conversion for remaining in-force business on the “old” system, excluding List Bill customers (to be converted in Oct. 2022). Policy changes cannot be made until the business is fully converted to the new administration system. ChesapeakePlus.com will be unavailable for login; messages will be up to let site visitors know.

• Aug 30: Any policy changes received (and suspended) during the system conversion will be released. Billing, changes, etc. with active policies will resume.

• Sept 16: Customers will be emailed about the new customer website and how to register

 

Special Notes:

List Bill Customers
Although List Bill groups are not being moved at this time, access to ChesapeakePlus.com will not be available to this group starting Aug. 24. We expect to move these groups in mid-October. We will email you, and them, about changes and access to the new member website.

Agent Self-Service Tool, myportal.surebridgeinsurance.com
This tool will continue to be available for Agent use. You can use it to make changes on behalf of your customer – like an address change, request for duplicate ID cards, or even cancel a plan if need be. Bookmark myportal.surebridgeinsurance.com for quick access.

• Remember requests/changes cannot be made Aug. 24 – 29 until the system move is complete.

Commissions
Commission amounts may be different for a short time in September and/or October due to the collection of pro-rated premiums and billing draft date changes. Once full monthly premiums begin regular posting on new billing dates, you’ll see full regular commission payments again. Advances, if applicable, will be made based on the full commissionable premium amount.

UnitedHealthcare
SureBridge-branded products are underwritten by The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company, which is a UnitedHealthcare company. The UnitedHealthcare brand will be introduced over a period of time to Agents and customers. Its first appearance will be on the new member website coming in September. We are excited about this introduction and will be sharing more in the future on how to begin to leverage this in your conversation with customers.

 

If you have any questions/issues please contact your CSM representative!

MMO Special Broker Update: Pre-Order Your Medicare Advantage Supplies Now

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Click here to place your pre-order for 2023 Medicare Advantage pre-enrollment materials.

Pre-orders must be received by Tuesday, August 30, in order to guarantee delivery prior to October 1. Orders received after August 30 will begin shipping in the order they were received.

What is available for pre-order?

  • Plan Highlights Brochure: provides comparison of plan options by region
  • Pre-Enrollment Kit: includes a marketing brochure, individual Summary of Benefits documents and an enrollment application customized by region.

Want to learn more about our 2023 Medicare Advantage plans? Visit our First Look microsite.

 

Questions or issues with pre-ordering? Contact your CSM Service Rep! 

CSG Actuarial: Med Advantage and PDP E-Applications Now Available!

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Medicare Advantage and PDP E-Applications are now available on the CSG Agent Quoting and Enrollment Platform!

 

CSG Actuarial is now offering Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollments on the Market Advisor agent quoting and enrollment tool in the CSG APP inside MedicareCENTER and on your Integrity-upline’s branded quoting tool!

 

Join CSG Wednesday, August 17 at 11 a.m. EST OR Tuesday August 23 @ 12 pm EST for a full demonstration of the E-Application. Humana and Zing Enrollments available now. More top carriers will be available for AEP.

REGISTER NOW!

 

Key Features of Medicare Advantage/Part D Quoting & Enrollments:

  • Links to Complete HRAs
  • Capture and Store Scope of Appointments
  • Enter and Store Prescription Drugs and Pharmacies
  • County, Plan and Company Enrollment Data
  • Med Adv and Hospital Indemnity Fill the Gaps Cross-selling Tool

 

 

WATCH TUTORIAL

 

DOWNLOAD FAQ / PDF OUTLINE

Lumico DP News: Coming soon – Lumico Agent Center enhancement

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Coming soon: Lumico Agent Center enhancement

Exciting news! Starting August 9, agents who are newly appointed with Lumico will be able choose their own, unique user ID and password to log-in to Lumico Agent Center (LAC).

Here’s what you need to know:

  • When logging into LAC for the first time, agents will be prompted to verify their identity, then register by providing a user ID and password.
  • The user ID field must be unique and requires between 4 and 64 alphanumeric characters. (Only “@”, “.” and “_” are allowed for special characters).
  • Passwords must have a minimum of eight characters, and include at least one upper case letter, one lower case letter, and one number.

For agents appointed with Lumico prior to 8/9, no action is required at this time; their email address will continue to serve as their user ID.

 

If you have any questions, please contact CSM’s Michelle Kapp

Aetna’s Think Agent Updates – New Desktop Version

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Sourced from Aetna’s Think Agent email communication from 7/28/22:

Great news, Think Agent users!

 

Aetna has a new desktop version coming to you this Friday, 7/29! With this new version, Aetna is delivering many enhancements and time-saving features that will make doing business with Aetna Medicare faster, simpler and better for you this AEP!

The mobile app will be updated to include these features in the coming weeks.

See below for some of the exciting new features coming with this new desktop version!

 

  1. Application “Save” option. Begin & save an application and open it later – Right where you left-off!Find the saved draft application in your My Enrollments to re-open, edit and complete.

2.  “Quick Help” in the More component will display you local Aetna Broker Manager’s contact information, as well as other helpful contacts.

 

3. D-SNP eligibility now displayed on each D-SNP plan card. Verify Medicaid in Think Agent, and we’ll let you know if your client is eligible for the D-SNP plans in the area!

 

4. Look for these “i” icons beside popular items like eKit & SOA to learn more!

 

5. Now add your client’s providers to their lead! After – When shopping for plans to enroll – you’ll see network status displayed on the plan cards, helping you to make an enrollment decision.

 

SureBridge Moving to New Policy Administration System – Final Steps

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Sourced from SureBridge Broker Communication from 7/27/22:

Over the past 2 years we have kept you informed of new SureBridge business moving by states to be supported on our new policy administration system. This move typically meant a change in billing dates for most and a move to our new member website. We are excited to announce the end of this conversion process and move all remaining “old” business (i.e. any business not on the new system) to our new policy administration system at the end of August. Here is what you and your customers can expect:

  • July 29: Letters mailed to customers who do not have a 1st of the month billing date. The letter will tell them about:
    • If their billing date will change
    • How their plan premium will be collected (some may have a pro-rated amount drafted/charged)
    • A new member website that will be coming mid-September and will replace ChesapeakePlus.com.
  • Aug 15: Emails sent to customers registered to use ChesapeakePlus.com letting them know this site will be unavailable after Aug. 24. A new website is coming soon to help them manage their plan.
  • Aug 24 -29: System conversion for remaining in-force business on the “old” system, excluding List Bill customers (to be converted in Oct. 2022). Policy changes cannot be made until the business is fully converted to the new administration system. ChesapeakePlus.com will be unavailable for login; messages will be up to let site visitors know.
  • Aug 30: Any policy changes received (and suspended) during the system conversion will be released. Billing, changes, etc. with active policies will resume.
  • Sept 16: Customers will be emailed about the new customer website and how to register.

Special Notes:

List Bill Customers
Although List Bill groups are not being moved at this time, access to ChesapeakePlus.com will not be available to this group starting Aug. 24. We expect to move these groups in mid-October. We will email you, and them, about changes and access to the new member website.

Agent Self-Service Tool, myportal.surebridgeinsurance.com
This tool will continue to be available for Agent use. You can use it to make changes on behalf of your customer – like an address change, request for duplicate ID cards, or even cancel a plan if need be. Bookmark myportal.surebridgeinsurance.com for quick access.

  • Remember requests/changes cannot be made Aug. 24 – 29 until the system move is complete.

Commissions
Commission amounts may be different for a short time in September and/or October due to the collection of pro-rated premiums and billing draft date changes. Once full monthly premiums begin regular posting on new billing dates, you’ll see full regular commission payments again. Advances, if applicable, will be made based on the full commissionable premium amount.

UnitedHealthcare

SureBridge-branded products are underwritten by The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company, which is a UnitedHealthcare company. The UnitedHealthcare brand will be introduced over a period of time to Agents and customers. Its first appearance will be on the new member website coming in September. We are excited about this introduction and will be sharing more in the future on how to begin to leverage this in your conversation with customers.

We are excited about the changes that are coming and look forward to better serving you and our customers. Please keep watch of your email as we send future announcements and updates, keeping you informed of our progress.

Producer Support is here to help answer any questions you may have. Use this quick guide for contact information as well as other general assistance.