UHC: New UHICA Med Supp PAPER Applications For Specific States Effective 9/1/2022

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Sourced from UHC broker email communication from 7/11/22:

New Enrollment Kits and applications will be available and required soon for AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare® Insurance Company (UHIC) and, where available,  AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare® Insurance Company of America (UHICA) in: Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico and Ohio.

The new applications will be required for plan effective dates of September 1, 2022, and later, and will be included in state-specific Enrollment Kits that will be available for the states noted above on August 26, 2022.

What to do Now
Existing Enrollment Kits can no longer be used after August 26, 2022, when the new Enrollment Kits and applications are available.

Please plan to download or order new Enrollment Kits on August 26, 2022. As of August 26, 2022, you need to use the new materials to ensure you have and are submitting the correct application.

 

What NOT to do Now
Do not order large amounts of Enrollment Kits now, as they will be outdated and the applications will not be the correct version as of August 26, 2022.

HELPFUL TIP!  Use LEAN to submit applications and you’ll always have the correct applications!

 

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

Important Compliance Update: CMS Disclaimer Requirement FAQ + Compliance Review Process

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CMS Required Disclaimer FAQ + Lead Time to Approve Materials for use on/after 10/1/22

 

The marketing guidelines for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans were recently updated and among the provisions that apply directly to agents is a required disclaimer to be in use by October 1, 2022, for Plan Year 2023.

Important: Marketing materials (as defined further below) require CMS approval and must follow a compliance process that includes carrier review and filing through HPMS which can take up to 75 days to complete. If you have materials that meet the definition of marketing and want to use these materials on/after 10/1/22, NOW is the time to submit these pieces for review.

 

Send materials via email to: compliance@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com

 

Disclaimer Language To Use:

 “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.”

 

Who must use this disclaimer?

 Any third-party marketing organization (which includes agents and brokers) must include this disclaimer.

 

When/where is the disclaimer used?

  • On all marketing* materials: print, electronically, television, and radio
  • Within the first minute of all sales calls
  • Prominently displayed on TPMO websites
  • Verbally, electronically, or in writing, during any sales meeting with a beneficiary

 

veGeneric Marketing and Communications

 We generally refer to advertising pieces – print, radio, tv, website, etc., as marketing however, CMS uses the terms ‘marketing’ and ‘communication’ to make a distinction  between generic advertising.  

 

Communications are all activities and materials used to provide information that is targeted to current and prospective enrollees, including their caregivers and other decision makers.  

Generic mailers and advertising materials you create to promote your business and generate leads fall under the definition of “communication” materials (given they are free of carrier names and specific plan informaiton, and do not list benefits, premiums, copays, and cost sharing).

 

Marketing is a subset of communications and is determined based on both the content and intent of activity or materials.

Marketing includes activities and materials with the intent to draw a beneficiary’s attention to a specific plan or plans and to influence a beneficiary’s decision-making process when selecting a plan for enrollment or deciding to stay enrolled in a plan (retention-based marketing). Additionally, marketing has content with information about the plan’s benefits, cost sharing, measuring, or ranking standards.

Materials that meet the definition of marketing wil require submission to CMS through HPMS filing.  The term ‘marketing’ takes on new meaning when we talk compliance. Its CMS definition is used to distinguish materials that require review and approval vs. materials that fall under the ‘communication’ definition, which can be used without CMS review/approval.

 

We’re here to help.  Call if you have questions (614-763-2255), and click below to review the 2022 Agent Medicare Compliance Guide. This publication provides many examples of advertising content that is deemed marketing, and requires CMS approval, and includes details around generic communications where filing with CMS is not necessary.

 

Note: Updates to this guide to include the most recent CMS requirements (disclaimer and call recording) are in process so, please keep this in mind when reviewing the current content.  Cornerstone Senior Marketing will make the updated version of this guide available to all our broker partners as soon as it becomes available.

 

 DOWNLOAD THE 2022 AGENT MEDICARE COMPLIANCE GUIDE HERE

 

Worth repeating: If you have marketing materials that require filing with CMS for approval or have marketing or communication materials you want reviewed for compliance, please send them via email to: compliance@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com

UHC – Important Update Regarding the Annual Sales Production Evaluation Period Administrative Fee

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UHC Broker Communication from 7/11/22:

UnitedHealthcare wants fully engaged agents who are excited to understand and meet the needs of Medicare-eligible consumers and we are committed to providing the tools and resources needed for agents to succeed.

As a reminder, if you have not sold UnitedHealthcare® plans during your evaluation period, you will be charged an administrative fee. Beginning August 1, 2022, the fee increases to $200.

 

Policy:

A $200 administrative fee will be charged when both of the following occur:

  • External Distribution Channel (EDC) agent/agency (not including solicitors) had an active writing number at any time during their recurring 12-month evaluation period (i.e. the period beginning the first full month their Writing ID was issued and ending 12 months later).
  • The agent/agency did not write at least one UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or Medicare Supplement plan (i.e. submitted and approved active member application) during the evaluation period.

Reminders

  • If the agent/agency does not have a book of business, the agent/agency’s immediate upline is liable for the administrative fee.
  • To avoid the administrative fee for a subsequent evaluation period, the agent/agency must terminate their active contract no later than the last day of the current evaluation period (e.g., move to servicing status).
  • If an agent/agency is terminated at UnitedHealthcare’s request during the evaluation period, the administrative fee for non-production will not be assessed.

 

To learn more, please read the following:

Agent FAQ 

 

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

Devoted Health: A New Way to Submit Your Sales Events

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Sourced from Devoted Health broker email communication from 7/8/22: 

New Feature Alert!

Brokers can now submit events directly in Agent Portal.

With this new simplified event submission process, you will be able to quickly enter info and submit for approval. It is fast and easy!

Instructions: Step by step instructions can be found here

 

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

Medicarerights.org Article: Medicare Advantage Oversight and Reform

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Government Watchdogs Urge Medicare Advantage Oversight and Reform

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing this week on the need for greater oversight of Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations and plans. This hearing was triggered by several government watchdog reports that show MA plans delay and deny needed care, exhibit troubling patterns of disenrollment, and cost the federal government and taxpayers more than original Medicare.

Nearly 40% of people with Medicare have chosen to receive their coverage through MA, a private option that caps some out-of-pocket expenses and may offer some additional benefits but generally requires enrollees to use restricted, in-network providers to gain any of these savings.

 

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Good News! Wellcare Worbench Addition: Policy ID & Commission Statements

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Sourced from Wellcare Broker Bulletin communication from 6/28/22:

 

To ensure we continue to provide you with tools and resources to aid in your success, we will be evolving Centene Workbench on an ongoing / as-needed basis.

We are excited to announce that Centene ID (formerly known as Policy ID/Sub ID) has been added to different areas of the portal – please review the breakdown below.

  • “Centene ID” has been added at the end of the Book of Business, Payment History, and Commissions Statement (where applicable) extracts.
  • The MBI search option field has been updated to “MBI / Centene ID” enabling search functionality for either ID.

 

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

June 2022 Compliance Corner: 2023 Certification Season – Are you Ready-To-Sell?

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Becoming Ready to Sell for 2023

In order to be eligible to sell Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans each year, agents are required to go through annual certification!

These educational requirements are just starting with many carriers set to release their certifications these coming weeks!

  1. First thing you need to do is make sure you are Health Insurance licensed in the state in which you intend to sell.
    1. For more information on becoming licensed, please visit your resident’s state department of insurance
  2. Second thing you need to do is make sure you are appointed with the carriers you wish to represent
    1. Cornerstone Senior Marketing offers a wide variety of carriers in multiple markets. A full list can be found on our website www.cornerstoneseniormarketing.com
    2. Be sure to reach out your local sales rep or email us at contracting@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com to request a new carrier appointment
  3. Next you will need to complete the 2023 Medicare and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training.
    1. There are multiple ways to complete this training:
      1. The most popular is America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
      2. National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) also offers a way to complete this annual training
      3. You only have to do this once and Cornerstone Senior Marketing recommends checking with the carriers you are appointed with to determine which training will meet their requirements.

IMPORTANT!: If you are completing your training through AHIP, we recommend you access this training through a carrier’s certification. Most carriers will offer a $50 AHIP discount by certifying through their portals.

 

4. Next you will need to complete all of your carrier MA/MAPD/PDP specific 2023 trainings

  • Each carrier has their own certification process
  • Links to carrier certifications, guides, and tips can all be found on our website. Simply go to www.cornerstoneseniormarketing.com click on resources then click on 2023 Medicare Certification

 

After you complete your carrier certifications, keep an eye out for communication from the carrier letting you know that you are 2023 Ready to Sell!

If you become RTS early, most carriers will also open a pre-ordering window for you to obtain Plan Year 2023 supplies sent to your place of business!

 

Accessing Resources

Effective Immediately- Wellcare Paper Application Update – PLEASE READ!

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Important Update: Wellcare Broker PID Discontinued

IMMEDIATE ACTION FOR WELLCARE PAPER APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

 

Effective immediately, Wellcare is requesting when submitting paper enrollment applications to please discontinue the use of the 6-digit Wellcare PID. Use ONLY your NPN on the application.

IMPORTANT!   Failure to use your NPN will result in you not receiving credit for the enrollment. 

 

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

service@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com

614-763-2255

Lumico News: Upcoming Lumico Med Supp rate adjustment on 8/1

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Upcoming rate adjustment for Med Supp

Effective August 1, there will a rate adjustment for our Med Supp policies in select states.

  • For policies underwritten by Lumico Life Insurance Company: AZ, GA, LA, MI, MN, MT, OH, SC and TX.*
  • For policies underwritten by Elips Life Insurance Company: AR, AZ, DE, GA, IA, IL, LA, MI, NC, NE, OH, OK, SD, TX and UT.

There will be a 30 day cut-off period for applications written in these states, from 7/1 – 7/31/22:

  • Applications signed and received on or after 7/1, with a requested effective date on or after 8/1, will be subject to the new rate.
  • Applications signed and received on or before 6/30, with a requested effective date on or after 8/1, will receive the current rate.
  • Applications requesting an effective date prior to 8/1 will also continue to receive the current rate.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Michelle Kapp

CMS 2023 Agent Broker Compensation Guidelines

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CMS has released the 2023 Agent Broker Compensation Guidelines that govern the maximum allowable first year and renewal compensation for agent level MA and PDP commissions. There is a significant increase in compensation for 2023.

 

 

These new rates reflect, roughly, a 4.9% increase in both initial and renewal compensation for MA and Cost Plans. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have an increase closer to 4.3%.  For PDPs, there is a 5.7% bump on initial and 4.5% bump on renewal commissions.  CMS also reaffirmed the standard referral fee limitations for MA/PDP plans at $100/$25, respectively.

 

Plan sponsors were reminded that compensation schedules must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET, July 20, 2022.

 

CMS also reminded plan sponsors of their obligation to ensure agents and brokers selling Medicare products are trained annually on Medicare A, B, C, and D, as well as on plan-specific information.  CMS annually publishes the testing and training requirements, including a sample test each year for guidance.

 

If you have questions about what these compensation changes mean for you, please reach out to your team at Cornerstone Senior Marketing.