WellCare: AEP is HERE

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WellCare Message from 10/2/2020:

AEP is Here! AEP is finally here, and the combination of Centene and WellCare means greater opportunity for you!

Now, you can market and sell up to 5 health plans!

  • Allwell
  • Ascension Complete
  • Fidelis Care
  • Health Net
  • WellCare

Note: Not all health plans are available in all areas.

The easiest and fastest way to ensure that you are offering all plans available in your area and you are credited for each sale is to use the Ascend Enrollment Platform. (Currently, Ascend cannot be used for Fidelis Care enrollments.)

Application and Enrollment

Broker Identifier:

It is crucial that all applications include the correct agent identifier. Ascend will automatically attach your agent identifier to each application you submit: National Producer Number (NPN), Producer ID (PID), or Fidelis Care ID.

When submitting applications OUTSIDE of the Ascend Enrollment Platform, be sure to input the correct agent identifier:

*Fidelis Care Notes:

  • Beginning 10/1/2020, Fidelis Care will begin using a unique broker identifier consisting of the letters FB + NPN, for example: FB123456

Fidelis Care does not accept paper applications.

Ascend:

All health plan information has been loaded into Ascend. Please note, 2021 Enrollment Applications will not be accessible until 10/15.

As of 10/1 you should be able to access 2021 rates and benefits in the Ascend Mobile App. If you are not able to access 2021 plan information, please be sure to update the App. Click here for information on how to download and update the Ascend Mobile App.

Warning! Beginning 10/1/2020, the WellCare Mobile Enrollment Platform and Desktop Enrollment Platform (agent assisted) will be retired and no longer accessible. You will find our 2021 plans, benefits, rates and enrollment capabilities in Ascend.

Additional Resources:

Click here for Application & Enrollment Tools.

2021 CMS Enrollment Guidance Policy Revisions

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued annual enrollment and disenrollment guidance revisions for contract year 2021.

All enrollments with an effective date on or after January 1, 2021, must be processed in accordance with the revised guidance requirements.

Significant Changes To Guidance:

  1. Effective for the plan year beginning January 1, 2021, CMS removed the prohibition on beneficiaries with ESRD enrolling in a Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) plan. Health plans can accept and process elections made by ESRD beneficiaries that choose to join a MA/MAPD plan during a valid election period.
  2. Special Election Periods (SEP) for Exceptional Conditions: CMS has codified a number of SEPs previously adopted and implemented through subregulatory guidance as exceptional circumstances SEP, additionally two new SEP’s have been added for exceptional circumstances: SEP for Individuals Enrolled in a Plan Placed in Receivership & SEP for Individuals Enrolled in a Plan that has been identified by CMS as a Consistent Poor Performer
  3. Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Model Enrollment forms: CMS revised and improved the standard (“long�) model form used for MA/MAPD and PDP enrollments to a new streamlined form. All health plan enrollment applications have been revised in accordance with CMS guidance, including Allwell, Ascension Complete, Fidelis Care, Health Net, and WellCare.
  4. Electronic Signatures: As part of the Electronic Enrollment process, electronic signatures from a beneficiary that affirms his/her intent to complete the enrollment are acceptable. This change only applies to electronic enrollments. The affirmation requirements for the telephonic and paper enrollments remain the same.

 

 

Humana MP Important Network Change- Please Read

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Humana announcement on 10/1/20:

Beginning January 1, 2021, DaVita Inc. dialysis centers will no longer be in the Humana Medicare Advantage plan network.

While Humana continues to negotiate with DaVita, Inc., we wanted to make you aware of the change as it currently stands, as well as how Humana is planning to help members currently receiving treatment at DaVita Inc. dialysis centers.

Actions Humana is taking to support affected members:

  1. Despite the change, all current DaVita Inc. patients will be able to continue the same treatment at any DaVita dialysis center location or provider through the duration of their treatment in 2021 for Medicare Advantage members. That means their care will not have to change, and no action is required on their part.
  2. We know our members may have questions about what this means for their care, so Humana Member Services will be calling affected members to communicate this change. Additionally, Humana has created a dedicated team of highly trained member care specialists to help. Members may call 1-877-883-8511 or TTY 711, 7 days per week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., and we’ll answer questions about available services and treatment options.

Both the trust you’ve built and the conversations you share with your clients is invaluable to us during this transition, and we thank you for your ongoing partnership with Humana.

Dental Care Plus Commission Update

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Message from DCP on 10/1/20:

 

Effective October 1, 2020, our commission payment process will be transitioned to our parent company’s (DentaQuest) payment system. 

We are making this change as part of an overall enhancement to our commission payment process – including online access to commission statements (launching in 2021).

PLEASE NOTE THIS DOES NOT IMPACT THE CURRENT COMMISSION RATES/SCHEDULES.

For those of you who currently receive commission payments via paper check: your September commission check (paid in October) will be mailed from DentaQuest’s corporate office in Boston and will be branded with the DentaQuest logo.

If you are interested in receiving future payments electronically, please fill out this form and follow the submission instructions on the form. If you have questions, please direct them to Vicki Bratton at  vbratton@dentalcareplus.com.

 

If you have any questions please reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing Rep

Devoted Health Resources for AEP 2021

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Message from Devoted Health on 10/1/20:

As Devoted welcomes AEP 2021, we want to jump right in and share some important information to help you hit the ground running!

New enrollment submission process – ALERT!

For submission of paper enrollments we now require the following pertinent enrollment pieces to be completed thoroughly and  included when sending to us:

Faxing Submission Requirements

 

Mailing Submission Requirements

  • Enrollment form
  • Enrollment receipt

 

Pro Tip: Write  your NPN on all enrollment form  pages prior to faxing to ensure we can reach out to you if all faxed pages don’t come through properly.

 

The Enrollment Receipt must be submitted now with all paper enrollment forms (carbon copy should stay with the beneficiary). We highly recommend submitting electronic applications. If you haven’t previously used an electronic app, check out what you are missing with our agent portal or give us a call and we’ll walk you through it. 

 

Health Risk Assessment – (Florida ONLY this AEP)

Want to earn an extra $50 per application? We’re excited to launch our agent-facilitated Health Risk Assessment (HRA) for new D-SNP members in Florida ONLY this AEP. Brokers can receive $50 for completing this assessment within 14 days of the application. In order to receive compensation, Broker HRA must be the first completed HRA post-enrollment, and eligible members should be actively enrolled at the time of commission payment.

This HRA will only be available for D-SNP members through our agent portal upon submission/receipt of the application.

Interested? More information coming soon in a future newsletter!

 

Drug Search Tool – NEW!

Our new drug search tool allows you to search all the medications our plans cover.  The search will identify the drugs that have a quantity limit or  need a prior authorization. You’ll be able to save your search to a list that allows you to go back to your list of saved drugs. You have the ability to save your list as a PDF. If a drug is not covered, it will show a Covered Alternatives link that would show a list of potential alternatives.

 

Self Service Mailer Feature – NEW!

You now have the ability to create a self service direct mailer using one of our available postcards in our marketing portal. The postcards have customizable fields for you to add personal information like a picture, phone number,  email address, and logo. The cost of the mailings is inclusive of the postcard and postage. You will be able to use your Devoted Bucks to pay for these mailings, learn how to earn by participating in our Devoted Broker Loyalty Program.  Watch this step by step video and learn more about placing your order today.

 

Ready to Sell?

We want to make sure you’re fully compliant when selling and marketing Devoted Health Plans this selling season. Make sure you have these items at your fingertips.

Complete a scope of appointment – check out the online one that will email you  a copy.

Play the full Devoted Sales Presentation Video OR use our handy Flipbook.

Here are some other useful links to help you get ready:

 

Please remember CMS does not allow  plans to accept PY2021 enrollments prior to 10/15. Enrollment applications received prior to 10/15 for which there is indication of sales agent involvement in the submission (agent name, contact information, NPN, etc) or agent solicitation (i.e. agent date 10/1-10/14) will be investigated for potential solicitation. If the application is confirmed to be solicited, the enrollee will be informed that the application will be denied, and given the option to re-enroll with their agent. A statement request will be issued to the agent, and corrective action will be assigned based on the findings. 

 

 

Mutual of Omaha: Aim High During This Medicare AEP!

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To ascend great heights, you must prepare. Literally. Above 7,000 feet, you must go through a process of altitude acclimation. And the higher you climb, the more you must prepare.
The same goes for your Med supp sales during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).

Here are a few things that will help you on your way to the top by selling our Medicare supplements:

MACRA – You’ll need to understand how MACRA (the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act) impacts which Medicare supplement plans your clients are eligible to purchase.
Guaranteed Issue Rights – It’s important to know if your clients have guaranteed-issue rights and what plans are available to them.
Proof of MA Disenrollment – You’ll need to make sure to submit documentation for Medicare Advantage enrollees switching to a Med supp plan.

Don’t worry. We have a handy flyer to help you get ready for your AEP ascent.
  Download the Flyer  

 

If you have any questions or want to get contracted with Mutual of Omaha please contact your CSM representative. 

Cigna’s Tools for Selling Remotely This AEP

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Since seniors say that this year they are four times as likely to talk with an agent about Medicare Advantage over the phone versus meeting – in person, Cigna champions the following tools for your success this AEP

 

  • Personalized URL (PURL): Your agents now have the ability to send an email link of their PURL website to clients and prospects. This allows all sales to automatically be tracked back to your agent for commissions.

 

  • Quick Quote: With this feature, your agents can send clients a few different plan options for their review. This feature will also make use of the PURL, tracking the sale back to the appropriate agent and ensuring commissions are paid correctly.

 

  • Broker assistance hotline: For clients who prefer to enroll over the phone, we offer a compliant phone line. Once the agent has confirmed the customer is ready to enroll, they will transfer the customer to a Cigna enrollment specialist who will complete the enrollment on the agents behalf, allowing them to remain Agent of Record.

 

Cigna provides you with the tools you need for success! Together all the way

 

If you have any questions please contact your Cornerstone Senior representative .

Lumico Agent Center & e-Application Updates

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‘Something went wrong’ error message in e-App and what you can do to fix it

 

With the recent launch of the new Lumico Agent Center and new e-Application, Lumico has been receiving calls and e-mails from agents having issues with writing an application. A ‘Something went wrong’ error message has been popping up on the screen during the application process.

If you come across this error message, take the following steps:

  • Clear your browser cookie cache
  • Load the page again on the same browser
  • A step-by-step guide to clear cookies is included here: Cookie Removal Guide

If you are experiencing a ‘Something went wrong’ error message when you are registering for Lumico Agent Center, we have been and will continue to work with you on a case-by-case basis to address any issues related to this.

Lumico is doing everything they can to ensure you are ready to go in time for Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). If you need assistance please see below:

UHC: New Eligibility Lookup Tool on Jarvis!

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Now You can Verify Medicare and Medicaid Eligibility

UHC has a new, faster way for you to obtain Medicare and Medicaid eligibility. Instead of contacting the Producer Help Desk (PHD), you, as a UnitedHealthcare agent, can directly determine Medicare and Medicaid eligibility for consumers and members on Jarvis, any time, any day.

You can find the tool in the Enrollment tab located on Jarvis.

For step-by-step information on how to use the new Medicare and Medicaid Eligibility Lookup Tool, review the detailed job aid available on Learning Lab (Learning Lab>Content Library>Jarvis>Additional References). For ease and convenience, Medicaid searches also provide a list of UnitedHealthcare plans available for enrollment.

The new tool will be available for members living in a number of states starting today, with more states coming soon. Find full details on Jarvis.

LEARN MORE ON JARVIS

The HealthPlan 2021 Sales Materials Now Available

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GREAT NEWS: You can order your THP 2021 Medicare Products sales materials here!

Check the site often as some materials are not available at this time but will be available soon. If you have any questions about the materials, please contact your CSM representative with questions.

THP appreciates your business and look forward to a productive 2021 season!

Get AEP Ready with Cigna MA

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Less than one week until you can start marketing for AEP! Take a minute to refresh your memory about some of the ways Cigna makes your job easier.

Have you met CARL? 

The Cigna Agent Resource Line (CARL) is dedicated to helping broker partners with all things Cigna Medicare Advantage. CARL has extended hours for AEP. Beginning October 15, CARL is staffed with English- and Spanish-speaking service representatives Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central time. To speak with a representative, call 866-442-7516. You can also email CARL@Cigna.com

Is my doctor in network? 

Cigna has added more than 25,000 new providers over the last year! When your customer asks if their physician is in network for a Cigna Medicare Advantage plan, it’s important to verify that provider’s participation. Here are three easy and quick ways to confirm a specific provider accepts Cigna Medicare Advantage:

For more in-depth information on using these tools to confirm a provider’s participation in Cigna’s Medicare Advantage network, check out the job aid.

Save time with Cigna’s new plan switch hotline

Got an existing customer who wants to switch to a new Cigna Medicare Advantage plan that is a better fit for them? Save time and send them to CARL. You remain the agent of record,Cigna service reps handle the plan change for you!

CARL has a special line that is only for plan changes for existing Cigna Medicare Advantage customers. Both English and Spanish speaking representatives who can help your customer switch to a new Cigna Medicare Advantage plan are available at Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., beginning October 15, at 855-649-5105.