CSM’s Employee Spotlight Featuring: Tania Wade

Congratulations Tania Wade for her second year of service with Cornerstone Senior Marketing!

Tania plays a vital role on our Service Team, bringing over 30 years of exceptional customer service experience. She excels in providing informative education and value-added research to our agents. Tania is dedicated to finding solutions and addressing any questions or issues that arise. Additionally, she has embarked on her journey towards obtaining her ACS (Associates in Customer Service) degree this year and has recently completed certification in ‘CX 50 (Customer Experience) – Impact Cx: The Quest’ via LOMA.

Cornerstone Senior Marketing appreciates Tania for her outstanding service to our agents!

Interesting Read: Chartis: A look at Medicare Advantage enrollment trends in 2024

Medicare Advantage (MA) growth has broadly slowed, but the biggest players in this space continue to claim the lion’s share of this expansion, according to a new report from healthcare consultant Chartis.

The analysis found that 1.7 million lives were added to the MA rolls for the 2024 plan year, and, of those, 1.4 million, or 86%, were captured by the three largest insurers in this segment: UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Aetna. Aetna, in particular, had a strong showing during the annual enrollment period, adding 476,000 enrollees, or 60% of those who signed up during that window.

READ FULL ARTICLE 

CONSUMER ALERT REMINDER: Ohioans Cautioned to Watch for Medicare Medical Supplies Scam

For Immediate Release
March 7, 2024
Media Contact
Todd Walker
todd.walker@insurance.ohio.gov

 

COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French warns Ohioans on Medicare to watch for fraudulent Medicare claims made with their Medicare numbers for medical supplies, most notably urinary catheters, back and knee braces, and glucose monitors.
The scammers are using individuals’ Medicare numbers and fraudulently billing Medicare, oftentimes thousands of dollars per fraudulent claim. Affected individuals are not impacted financially but face a confusing and stressful situation, including obtaining a new number and card from Medicare and possible complications in receiving legitimate medical supplies in the future.

Red flags to watch for:

• You do not recognize the ordering physician’s name nor have you been seen by the physician.
• The ordering physician is located in another state.
• You receive an Explanation of Benefits document or Medicare Summary Notice document with a large quantity of supplies you have never received.
• You do not have a medical condition that would require the supplies.

Ohioans who have been affected by this Medicare scam should contact the Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-293-4767 or go to proseniors.org to report the scam and get help obtaining a new Medicare number and card.

Ohioans with Medicare questions can contact the Ohio Department of Insurance’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) at 800-686-1578, oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov, and insurance.ohio.gov. OSHIIP is the state’s official Medicare educational and counseling program.
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Deft Research: Which MA supplemental benefits do Duals want most?

Take a Look into Duals’ Supplement Preferences

At Deft Research, we’re dedicated to uncovering Medicare insights that help carriers, agencies and marketers serve clients better. And every month, we share select insights on our blog.

 

This month, we’re exploring some of our most profound learnings about Duals and their interest in MA supplemental benefits. In our 2024 National Dual Eligible Benefit Design Study, we took a closer look at the importance of Dual’s unique needs, as well as Duals’ preferences for supplemental benefits. Our takeaway? 

 Of the eight supplemental benefits we tested, dental benefits emerged as the most important for Duals and low-income non-Duals (LINDs). 

READ THE BLOG

 

Get our Free Snapshot on Duals

Based on our 2024 National Dual Eligible Benefit Design Study, this one-page infographic offers a birds-eye view into Medicare Advantage plan design preferences among Dual eligibles and low-income non-Dual seniors.

It’s perfect for a quick overview. Plus, some of our findings may cause you to rethink your plan designs.

 

DOWNLOAD THE FREE DUALS SNAPSHOT

ADS & Devoted Health Ohio Teaming Up to Help Diabetic Clients

ADS is excited to share that Advanced Diabetes Supply has now signed a limited contract with Devoted Health in Ohio!!Agents, you can begin referring your Ohio Devoted members who need a meter and test strips to ADS starting NOW!www.northcoastmed.com/laura-clinansmithWhile ADS is now able to provide a meter, test strips and other ancillary supplies like needles and syringes, they are NOT able to serve those members who are using a CGM (Dexcom or Libre) at this time.

ADS is excited to extend their services to your members with Devoted in Ohio.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your CSM Rep! 614-763-2255

KFF – New $2,000 Medicare Part D Cap Begins in 2025

New $2,000 Medicare Part D Cap could reduce out-of-pocket drug costs for over one million beneficiaries beginning next year, including tens of thousands of beneficiaries in most states.  Millions more will reach the spending threshold and benefit from the cap over time

READ FULL ARTICLE

Anthem Insurance Carrier Face Becoming Out-Of-Network with Reid

Ref: https://kicks96.com/local-news/727456

(Richmond, IN)–Tens of thousands of area residents who have Anthem health insurance are set to be impacted if Reid Health becomes out-of-network for Anthem.  Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News was informed last week by a source close to the situation that patients of Reid Health and its providers would soon receive a letter stating that Reid has been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement with Anthem and will terminate the relationship with Anthem to stand up for its healthcare providers.  The letter has now been sent and states that Reid will be out-of-network for Anthem beginning March 18 unless an agreement is reached.  More than 44,000 area patients stand to be impacted.  A website has been created to give more information.  It’s reidhealthaccess.org.

CSM’s Employee Spotlight Featuring: Jaime Lebrón

Congratulations Jaime Lebrón for 7 years of service with Cornerstone Senior Marketing!

Jaime is paving the way for Medicare agents up in the Northeast corner of Ohio, as 2024 marks his 30th year in the insurance industry. Jaime plays a vital role with developing relationships with brokers and understands the value of a true partnership. He is constantly out in front of brokers educating and helping the independent agent or agency learn more on how to grow their business organically.

Cornerstone Senior Marketing wants to thank Jaime for his excellent service to our agents!

Brokers International Adds AuguStar Life to Carrier Line-Up

Brokers International is pleased to announce a dynamic addition to our carrier line-up with the partnership of A-rated AuguStarSM Life. This means you have access to a suite of life insurance choices right for a wide range of individual family needs and crucial business protection.

Our new relationship with AuguStar Life (formerly Ohio National Financial Services) is now being offered to BI’s network of agencies and financial professionals.

AuguStar is focusing on further expanding the role of life insurance in protecting the financial health of individuals, families, and businesses through life’s predictable and unpredictable events. Products include:

  • Indexed universal life—to protect loved ones, grow wealth, and create tax advantages
  • Indexed whole life—life-long insurance protection, level premiums and death benefits, and tax-smart cash value that earns interest based on an investment index
  • Term life—for death benefits guaranteed throughout a specific period, premiums based on insured’s age, health, and life expectancy, and possible renewal and conversion

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

Medical Mutual Signs Agreement to Acquire Paramount Health

MMO Broker Update 1/29/2024:

Today, Medical Mutual announced its intent to purchase Paramount Health, a Northwest Ohio-based health insurance company. Paramount, which offers Medicare Advantage, Individual ACA, commercial group and short-term insurance plans, is headquartered in Toledo and does business primarily in Ohio and Michigan.

FULL DETAILS HERE…