Reach out to your Cornerstone Senior Marketing Sales Rep to receive more information to help you assess your existing clients’ needs and consider new market segments and people who may need your financial expertise. 614-763-2255
December 14, 2023
Contact: CMS Media Relations
CMS Media Inquiries
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Press Contact
devoted@crosscutstrategies.com
Devoted Health Achieves 5 out of 5 Medicare Advantage Star
Rating for Florida and Ohio HMO Plans
94 percent of Devoted members in rated plans are enrolled in 4-Star plans or higher
Sourced from Anthem broker email communication:
On July 15, 2023, the Producer Toolbox will introduce a new Ready to Sell (RTS) page that allows brokers to view their RTS status for each state they intend to sell Medicare products.
Brokers will easily be able to see if they are licensed, certified, and appointed with each state – as well as complete any outstanding components they may have.
If you have any questions, please reach out to service@cornerstoneseniormarketing.com
Talk Desk is being discontinued as a tool for recording telephonic scope of appointments and voice signatures. This change comes about due to the CMS implemented requirements of recording all pre-enrollment and post-enrollment calls to prospects and current members.
Additionally, Medicare Voice Signature Services is a new tool that is now available in Producer Toolbox. This tool is only available to use during a face-to-face appointment when the applicant is unable to physically or electronically sign the SOA or enrollment application and does not have a Power of Attorney representative present. The below Quick Reference Guide provides the steps for using the Medicare Voice Signature Service.
Medicare Voice Signature Services Quick Guide – PDF
Questions? Please contact your CSM rep
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It’s easy to make additional money with Cigna Medicare! Follow the steps below to earn up to $50 on every enrollment!
Eligible plans:
Agent training qualifications:
Qualified digital applications:
Valid customer email addresses:
Application status:
Commissions statement:
| Don’t forget about our health risk assessment (HRA) incentive!
· Earn $125 when you enroll your Cigna Medicare Advantage customers in an eligible Medicare D-SNP or C-SNP plan and facilitate an HRA. (For 2023 effectives) · Earn $75 for each HRA that you facilitate with your other Cigna Medicare Advantage customers.
This means even more money in your pocket! Click here to learn more about Cigna’s HRA incentive. |
Just in time for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, the Mutual of Omaha RxSM Essential (PDP) plan joins MOO’s lineup of two existing prescription drug plans to provide more options for senior-age customers. The new plan has low monthly premiums and is ideal for newly eligible Medicare-age individuals who typically don’t use a lot of medications or for people on low-cost medications.
Don’t forget — before producers can discuss the benefits of prescription drug plans with their clients, they must meet one of the following ready to sell requirements:
• Successfully complete AHIP’s 2023 Medicare and Fraud, Waste and Abuse Training AND the 2023 Mutual of Omaha Rx Product Training.
• Successfully complete the 2023 Mutual of Omaha Rx Compliance Training AND the 2023 Mutual of Omaha Rx Product Training.
Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A. Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $164.90 for 2023, a decrease of $5.20 from $170.10 in 2022. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7 from the annual deductible of $233 in 2022.
The 2022 premium included a contingency margin to cover projected Part B spending for a new drug, Aduhelm. Lower-than-projected spending on both Aduhelm and other Part B items and services resulted in much larger reserves in the Part B account of the Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund, which can be used to limit future Part B premium increases. The decrease in the 2023 Part B premium aligns with the CMS recommendation in a May 2022 report that excess SMI reserves be passed along to people with Medicare Part B coverage.
Beginning in 2023, certain Medicare enrollees who are 36 months post kidney transplant, and therefore are no longer eligible for full Medicare coverage, can elect to continue Part B coverage of immunosuppressive drugs by paying a premium. For 2023, the immunosuppressive drug premium is $97.10.
Medicare Open Enrollment and Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Open Enrollment for 2023 will begin on October 15, 2022 and ends on December 7, 2022. During this time, people eligible for Medicare can compare 2023 coverage options between Original Medicare, and Medicare Advantage, and Part D prescription drug plans. In addition to the soon-to-be released premiums and cost sharing information for 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, the Fee-for-Service Medicare premiums and cost sharing information released today will enable people with Medicare to understand their Medicare coverage options for the year ahead. Medicare health and drug plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices annually and decide on the options that best meet their health needs.
To help with their Medicare costs, low-income seniors and adults with disabilities may qualify to receive financial assistance from the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). The MSPs help millions of Americans access high-quality health care at a reduced cost, yet only about half of eligible people are enrolled. The MSPs help pay Medicare premiums and may also pay Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for those who meet the conditions of eligibility. Enrolling in an MSP offers relief from these Medicare costs, allowing people to spend that money on other vital needs, including food, housing, or transportation. People with Medicare interested in learning more can visit: https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-programs.
Medicare Part B Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts
Since 2007, a beneficiary’s Part B monthly premium is based on his or her income. These income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect roughly 7 percent of people with Medicare Part B. The 2023 Part B total premiums for high-income beneficiaries with full Part B coverage are shown in the following table:
| Full Part B Coverage | |||
| Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount | Total Monthly
Premium Amount |
| Less than or equal to $97,000 | Less than or equal to $194,000 | $0.00 | $164.90 |
| Greater than $97,000 and less than or equal to $123,000 | Greater than $194,000 and less than or equal to $246,000 | $65.90 | $230.80 |
| Greater than $123,000 and less than or equal to $153,000 | Greater than $246,000 and less than or equal to $306,000 | $164.80 | $329.70 |
| Greater than $153,000 and less than or equal to $183,000 | Greater than $306,000 and less than or equal to $366,000 | $263.70 | $428.60 |
| Greater than $183,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $366,000 and less than $750,000 | $362.60 | $527.50 |
| Greater than or equal to $500,000 | Greater than or equal to $750,000 | $395.60 | $560.50 |
The 2023 Part B total premiums for high-income beneficiaries with immunosuppressive drug only Part B coverage are shown in the following table:
| Part B Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage Only | |||
| Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount | Total Monthly
Premium Amount |
| Less than or equal to $97,000 | Less than or equal to $194,000 | $0.00 | $97.10 |
| Greater than $97,000 and less than or equal to $123,000 | Greater than $194,000 and less than or equal to $246,000 | $64.70 | $161.80 |
| Greater than $123,000 and less than or equal to $153,000 | Greater than $246,000 and less than or equal to $306,000 | $161.80 | $258.90 |
| Greater than $153,000 and less than or equal to $183,000 | Greater than $306,000 and less than or equal to $366,000 | $258.90 | $356.00 |
| Greater than $183,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $366,000 and less than $750,000 | $356.00 | $453.10 |
| Greater than or equal to $500,000 | Greater than or equal to $750,000 | $388.40 | $485.50 |
Premiums for high-income beneficiaries with full Part B coverage who are married and lived with their spouse at any time during the taxable year, but file a separate return, are as follows:
| Full Part B Coverage | ||
| Beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouses at any time during the year, but who file separate tax returns from their spouses, with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount | Total Monthly Premium Amount |
| Less than or equal to $97,000 | $0.00 | $164.90 |
| Greater than $97,000 and less than $403,000 | $362.60 | $527.50 |
| Greater than or equal to $403,000 | $395.60 | $560.50 |
Premiums for high-income beneficiaries with immunosuppressive drug only Part B coverage who are married and lived with their spouse at any time during the taxable year, but file a separate return, are as follows:
| Part B Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage Only | ||
| Beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouses at any time during the year, but who file separate tax returns from their spouses, with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount | Total Monthly Premium Amount |
| Less than or equal to $97,000 | $0.00 | $97.10 |
| Greater than $97,000 and less than $403,000 | $356.00 | $453.10 |
| Greater than or equal to $403,000 | $388.40 | $485.50 |
Medicare Part A Premium and Deductible
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation, and some home health care services. About 99 percent of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries pay if admitted to the hospital will be $1,600 in 2023, an increase of $44 from $1,556 in 2022. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible covers beneficiaries’ share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period. In 2023, beneficiaries must pay a coinsurance amount of $400 per day for the 61st through 90th day of a hospitalization ($389 in 2022) in a benefit period and $800 per day for lifetime reserve days ($778 in 2022). For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period will be $200.00 in 2023 ($194.50 in 2022).
| Part A Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts for Calendar Years 2022 and 2023 by Type of Cost Sharing |
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| 2022 | 2023 | |
| Inpatient hospital deductible | $1,556 | $1,600 |
| Daily coinsurance for 61st-90th Day | $389 | $400 |
| Daily coinsurance for lifetime reserve days | $778 | $800 |
| Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance | $194.50 | $200.00 |
Enrollees age 65 and over who have fewer than 40 quarters of coverage and certain persons with disabilities pay a monthly premium in order to voluntarily enroll in Medicare Part A. Individuals who had at least 30 quarters of coverage or were married to someone with at least 30 quarters of coverage may buy into Part A at a reduced monthly premium rate, which will be $278 in 2023, a $4 increase from 2022. Certain uninsured aged individuals who have less than 30 quarters of coverage and certain individuals with disabilities who have exhausted other entitlement will pay the full premium, which will be $506 a month in 2023, a $7 increase from 2022.
For more information on the 2023 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles Notices (CMS-8080-N, CMS-8081-N, CMS-8082-N), please visit:
Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts
Since 2011, higher income beneficiaries’ Part D monthly premiums are based on income. These income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect roughly 8 percent of people with Medicare Part D. These individuals will pay the income-related monthly adjustment amount in addition to their Part D premium. Part D premiums vary from plan to plan and roughly two-thirds of beneficiaries pay premiums directly to the plan, while the remaining beneficiaries have their premiums deducted from their Social Security benefit checks. Regardless of how a beneficiary pays their Part D premium, the Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts are deducted from Social Security benefit checks or paid directly to Medicare. The 2023 Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts for high-income beneficiaries are shown in the following table:
| Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-related monthly adjustment amount |
| Less than or equal to $97,000 | Less than or equal to $194,000 | $0.00 |
| Greater than $97,000 and less than or equal to $123,000 | Greater than $194,000 and less than or equal to $246,000 | 12.20 |
| Greater than $123,000 and less than or equal to $153,000 | Greater than $246,000 and less than or equal to $306,000 | 31.50 |
| Greater than $153,000 and less than or equal to $183,000 | Greater than $306,000 and less than or equal to $366,000 | 50.70 |
| Greater than $183,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $366,000 and less than $750,000 | 70.00 |
| Greater than or equal to $500,000 | Greater than or equal to $750,000 | 76.40 |
Premiums for high-income beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouse at any time during the taxable year, but file a separate return, are as follows:
| Beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouses at any time during the year, but file separate tax returns from their spouses, with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-related monthly adjustment amount |
| Less than or equal to $97,000 | $0.00 |
| Greater than $97,000 and less than $403,000 | 70.00 |
| Greater than or equal to $403,000 | 76.40 |
The marketing guidelines for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans were updated on May 9, 2022. Among the provisions that apply directly to agents, the two most critical, which are to be in use by October 1, 2022, for Plan Year 2023, are a new required disclaimer and a requirement to record all sales calls with beneficiaries. While not comprehensive, the FAQ’s below will provide details.
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 and where do I have to have the disclaimer?
What if I DO offer all plans in my area?
While the regulation does provide a carve-out for TPMO’s that truly offer all plans in their area, it is exceedingly rare for an agent to truly be able to do this. In most areas, there are one or more plans that are offered only through captive agents, direct to consumer, or certain types of plans that agents and brokers cannot sell. Even if you do offer all plans in one county or service area, it is possible your marketing or referrals may extend to an area where that is not true, so the disclaimer would still be required.
Under these new guidelines, all sales calls with beneficiaries and TPMO’s MUST be recorded and retained for 10 years, including enrollment calls.
What constitutes a sales call?
Any call that is related to what CMS calls the “chain of enrollment,” which has been defined as the events from a beneficiary becoming aware of an MA/PDP plan to the end of the enrollment process. This means that calling leads, scheduling appointments, collecting scopes of appointment (telephonically), presenting plans, collecting drug and doctor lists, and phone enrollments would all fall under this guidance. This list is not exhaustive, and other calls that contain marketing content will also need to be recorded and retained.
How can I record and store calls?
We recommend reaching out to your current phone provider to see if they offer call recording. If they do not, or it seems cost prohibitive, consider a VOIP phone system that can be used in the office or the field. Some common options are Ring Central, 8×8, and Vonage. For storage, you will need to develop a process for sorting and storing the calls either on a local drive or cloud-based storage. Since these calls contain sensitive data, most free storage accounts will not be HIPAA compliant. We are currently researching the best options for agents to compliantly store this data.
What about in person appointments?
In-person marketing and sales appointments do not need to be recorded, however, calls to set appointments or follow-up calls to answer benefit questions would require recording. Servicing questions about current plan business, such as claims, billing, and requesting in force plan documents, are not sales calls and would not require recording.
I use my cell phone. How can I handle this?
Most VOIP services have a mobile app version that would allow calls to be recorded from your mobile device. There are also recording apps that would allow for recording calls without VOIP. Be cautioned, however, as a stand-alone recording app will not include any disclaimers that may be required by your jurisdiction before recording, whereas most VOIP systems offer/include these options.
Please reach out with any questions to your team at Cornerstone Senior Marketing. (614) 763-2255 | compliance@cornerstoneseniormarketing.comquirement to Record Sales Calls