New CMS Rules for Changing Agent of Record + A Sherpa Solution
On July 19, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented new rules to prevent unauthorized changes to consumers’ enrollments by agents and brokers. These changes are designed to enhance the integrity of the Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM). Here are the key updates: How to execute the AOR change with your consumer on Health […]
Physicians Mutual Open Enrollment Innovative Plan G Sale Now Pays $200!
Boost Your Earnings with Physicians Mutual’s New Med Supp Bonus Plan! At Agility, we are thrilled to announce an incredible new opportunity for our valued agents, introduced by Physicians Mutual. This new bonus plan is designed to reward agents like you for your dedication and hard work in bringing essential Medicare Supplement (Med Supp) plans […]
Important Update: HCSC to Acquire Cigna’s Medicare Businesses in 2025
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cigna’s Medicare Advantage, Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D, and CareAllies businesses. This monumental transaction is set to close in the first quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. A Bright Future Ahead This acquisition promises to bring tremendous value […]
Important Update: Prepare for CMS MLMS “Go Dark” on July 12th!
Important Update from Agility: Prepare for CMS MLMS “Go Dark” on July 12th! Agility Insurance Services wanted to share a crucial update with our valued insurance agents. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a significant change: starting July 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET, the Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS) will […]
First Half of 2024 Filled with Medicare Advantage Changes
Going into 2024, we knew changes were on the horizon for Medicare Advantage and now we are seeing transformation cascade into the market. With half of the year over, we thought it would be a good time to review what has happened and look at what lies ahead in the ever-changing MA landscape. Medicare Advantage […]
Understanding Medicare Supplement Enrollment and Pre-Existing Conditions
As we have touched on in previous articles, Medicare Supplement can be the favored choice for some seniors beginning their Medicare journey. Medicare Supplement policies bring comfort to seniors as these policies are designed to fill in the areas left uncovered by original Medicare. Things like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments are covered by a Medicare […]
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Announces 2024 Medicare Supplement Bonus Program!
We are pleased to announce the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Medicare Supplement Bonus Program for 2024-2025. Individuals can contribute to assisting the growing population of Medicare-eligible adults while earning a bonus of up to $200 per new Medicare Supplement policy sold! The details of the bonus program are as follows: The program begins […]
Medicare Supplemental is Still a HUGE Selling Opportunity!
As insurance agents, one of the most important products you can offer clients approaching age 65 is Medicare supplemental insurance, also known as Medigap. While original Medicare obviously covers a significant portion of healthcare costs for seniors, your members can still be left exposed to many expenses like deductibles, copayments, and other out-of-pocket costs. That’s […]
Light Up Your Sales with Mutual of Omaha’s New Medicare Supplement Bonus Program!
Lights, Camera, Action! The stage is set and the lights are on. Now, it’s your turn to step from behind the curtain and make your Medicare supplement sales sing like never before. Steal the spotlight every month, beginning May 1 through July 31, when you achieve the necessary number of issued Med supp apps. And […]
Capping Part D Costs Could Lead to Reduced Benefits
Discussions continue to ripple through the Medicare insurance community with the recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement of rules and regulations changes for 2025. Sweeping alterations were released earlier in April that affect everything from agent commissions to Part D drug benefits. At first, the changes to Part D drug benefits were […]
New CMS Rule Limits Selling and Reselling Consumer Data
As part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released updates, brokers and agents will have to take stronger precautions with customer data, especially when it comes to using that information with marketing companies. According to CMS, some third-party marketing organizations have been selling and reselling personal beneficiary data, subverting rules that […]
New Medicare Advantage Regulations Overhaul Agent Commissions
New rules published April 4 that regulate Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Medicare Part D plans will have a big impact on the MA world as we move into the 2025 contract year. These rules announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will affect agent compensation because commission rates will change and […]
CMS Finalizes 2025 Rate Increase For Medicare Advantage Plans
On Monday, April 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized 2025 rates for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D prescription drug plans, with the CMS announcing a payment increase of 3.7 percent expected over 2024 for MA plans. There are concerns in the MA industry that the expected increase in payments will […]
Understanding Medigap and Why It Can Sometimes Be a Better Option
Consumers are looking for solutions in the Medicare market and agents who have the knowledge to explain and offer Medicare products are continually growing their business. While much of the Medicare insurance growth has centered around the ultra-popular Medicare Advantage segment, agents who understand the other option, Medicare Supplement Insurance (commonly known as Medigap), can […]
2024-2025 BlueCross BlueShield of Texas Medicare Supplement Bonus Program
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is pleased to announce the Medicare Supplement Bonus Program for 2024 – 2025!
Molina’s Medicare Advantage Network Now Includes Cleveland Clinic in Ohio
Molina Healthcare has announced that as of Jan. 1, 2024, Cleveland Clinic has joined its provider network!
Open Enrollment Period Guidance
OEP Compliance The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) occurs annually from January 1 – March 31. It provides a great opportunity for agents and brokers to grow their business. But it also carries specific guidelines for how agents must conduct their marketing efforts. Let’s break down the OEP Marketing Compliance Guidelines as dictated by the […]
Proposed Medicare Changes That Could Affect Agents
As an insurance agent, you are the heart of distribution for carriers, providing a gateway of knowledge and understanding to consumers. The value of that service is the reason agents are compensated by carriers. Our role as an FMO is to provide our agent and agency partners with the support they need, including keeping folks […]
HAP Is Offering $500 For Their 2024 Individual Plan Producer Bonus Program!
Insurance producers seeking to enhance their income in 2024 will be delighted to hear about Health Alliance Plan’s (HAP) exciting $500 2024 Individual Plan Producer Bonus Program. This program has been carefully crafted to recognize and reward their dedication and efforts. The program operates on a straightforward principle: For every five Individual Plan applications that […]
Bridging the Gap: Navigating Dual-Eligible Healthcare Coverage
In the United States, Medicare and Medicaid play a vital role in providing health coverage to 12.5 million individuals who are dually enrolled in both programs, often referred to as “dual-eligible individuals.” While Medicare serves as their primary source of health insurance, Medicaid complements it with supplemental coverage. Nevertheless, concerns have arisen about fragmented care […]