Medicare Producer News

Individual MA/MAPD, PDP:  August 28th, 2019

Pre-order enrollment kits for 2020 MA/MAPD plans

Starting on August 29, If you're "ready to sell" for 2020, you can order an initial amount of enrollment kits for 2020 Aetna Medicare plans (MA/MAPD) for the early weeks of the Annual Election Period (AEP). Follow these instructions to pre-order enrollment kits through Producer World.

Start planning your 2020 AEP marketing campaign

The 2020 Aetna Medicare Marketing Studio catalog is now available for you to review on the Studio. You can use this catalog to see what's new for 2020 to start planning your AEP marketing campaigns. As you plan for AEP, you'll also want to keep in mind the key dates below.

• Aug. 28 – Sept. 2: The Studio will be temporarily closed.
• Sept. 3:  Ready-to-sell agents can start ordering AEP materials. 
• Oct. 1: All pre-ordered materials will be shipped or mailed.
• Oct. 1: You can begin downloading materials for free.

Don't miss out on 2020 SilverScript PDP plans this AEP

In 2020, SilverScript PDP*, offered by SilverScript Insurance Company, will have two PDP options across the U.S., featuring: $0 deductible for Tier 1 and Tier 2 generics; $0 Tier 1 copays at preferred pharmacies; and copays as low as $1 on Tier 2 drugs.

Make sure you complete all ready to sell requirements for 2020 SilverScript PDP plans, including certification, before AEP. You can access certification using the "SilverScript Agent Portal" site in the quick links section on Producer World.

We're excited about 2020 AEP — check out what's new

Value-based enrollments (VBE): The VBE program is coming to more markets this AEP. Soon, you may be able to earn up to $50 more per 2020 MA/MAPD enrollment by initiating a VBE after enrolling a client in a plan on the Ascend app.

Dual-Special Needs Plans (DSNP): We're launching DSNPs with great supplemental benefits in 5 new states. DSNPs will be available in: AL, FL, GA, IA, KS, LA, MO, NC, NE, OH, PA, TX, VA and WV for 2020. 

Preview our 2020 Medicare plans and check out some of the plan highlights coming to your market this AEP. For an in-depth review of the 2020 MA/MAPD plans coming to your market, attend a product training. To find and register for an event near you, visit aetnamedicareagenttraining.com.

Quick links

• Search for providers
• Compare MA/MAPD plans and estimate costs
• 2020 MA/MAPD ready-to-sell requirements
• 2020 SilverScript PDP ready-to-sell requirements
• Complete Aetna’s 2020 producer certification
• How to submit enrollments
• Get commission reports on Producer World
• 2019/2020 Aetna Medicare Producer Guide

Need assistance? Here’s who to call (for brokers only)

Not appointed with Aetna? Request details here

Aetna has just released details on their 2020 retail program and you do not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity. Below are some highlights.

Why should I participate?

• Access to high traffic retail locations that can drive leads and sales
• Program requirements that are more relaxed than industry norms
• Cost efficient bundles that are competitively priced
• Agents have the opportunity for a $100 MMS credit

How much does it cost?

• CVS location will cost $275
• All other retail locations will cost $175

Request details today and one of our marketing representatives with send you all the details on how to participate.

We're excited to share a first look at Aetna's 2020 Individual Medicare products and service areas, which are pending government approval.* To preview 2020 plans, just go to https://firstlook.aetna.com and login with your Producer World username and password.

→ Not appointed with Aetna? Click here to request contracting.

*IMPORTANT: Aetna's First Look is for producer-use only. It's confidential and proprietary. Plan designs and service areas described on the 2020 First Look site are pending government approval and are therefore subject to change. Distribution to consumers, other insurers or any other person or company is strictly prohibited and may be grounds for termination of your agreement with Aetna.

2020 Aetna MA/MAPD highlights

• MA/MAPD plans will be in 46 states and D.C. - including 264 new counties
• Commissionable DSNP plans will be in 13 states, including (NEW for 2020) AL, IA, NE, NC and WV
• Value-based enrollment option is expanding to all states in our MA/MAPD footprint except WA and NC

2020 SilverScript PDP highlights

While Aetna does not have an Aetna-branded prescription drug plan (PDP) product for 2020, our parent company, CVS Health*, offers SilverScript® PDPs that you can sell. Agents must be contracted with Aetna and complete 2020 SilverScript certification prior to selling these plans. SilverScript is one of the leading PDP providers in the country, serving over 6 million people with Medicare. In 2020, SilverScript is offering two PDP options. Benefit highlights include $0 deductible for Tier 1 and Tier 2 generics; $0 Tier 1 copays at preferred pharmacies; and copays as low as $1 on Tier 2 drugs.

Login to our 2020 First Look site to learn more about plans that will be available in your market.

Not appointed with Aetna? Click here to request contracting.

Get certified to sell 2020 products

• 2020 Aetna MA/MAPD certification
• 2020 SIlverScript PDP certification: To access it, you’ll need to access a link available on Producer World.

Remember, certification is just one of the requirements you need to complete to be ready to sell this AEP. Review requirements to sell.

The producer certification process for 2020 Aetna Medicare MA/MAPD products kicks off on July 10th. Certification is one of the annual requirements you must complete to sell Aetna 2020 plans during AEP. Their 2020 producer certification includes AHIP, plus several Aetna-specific training modules, and costs only $125 (retail prices is $175).
 
So even though AHIP plans to release their 2020 courses on June 17, we encourage you to wait and complete AHIP through Aetna's certification process starting July 10. It’s an easy way to save $50.

Link to certification will be available here when launched on July 10th.

Image: www.Canva.com

We want to notify you about an issue affecting all Medicare members who elected to pay plan premiums from their Social Security Administration (SSA) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) check.

Background

Normally, when members select this premium payment option, the SSA/RRB withholds funds from members’ SSA/RRB checks to cover their plan premiums.

Unfortunately, due to a system issue, this did not occur for two or more months starting February 1, 2019. This issue affected all carriers, not just Aetna. Although the system issue is now fixed, the SSA/RRB cannot retroactively deduct premium payments from members’ checks.

What do members need to do?

Because these members now have past-due accounts, their premium payment method has changed to direct billing, effective February 1, 2019. This means they now need to pay any past-due premium amounts to Aetna directly.

Member communication

Members will receive a letter explaining what happened and what they need to do later this month. Letters are being mailed in waves, between May 10-24, so members will receive them over several weeks. View the member letter.

What happens next?

• We’ve already submitted a new request to restart SSA premium deduction for the affected members, effective June 1, 2019. If the request is accepted by SSA, they will send members a letter of approval. Please be aware this can take up to 90 days.
• Please explain to your clients that SSA will only deduct future premiums from their Social Security check as of the effective date noted in their approval letter, so any balances owed up until that effective date must be paid to Aetna directly. Members need to pay premiums directly to us for any months the SSA or RRB doesn’t cover.
• While these members are not currently at-risk for termination due to nonpayment, they do need to begin making payments to ensure their plan does not face termination for nonpayment in the future.

Encourage members to call us with any questions

Although this issue was out of our control, we realize it will be an inconvenience for our members. If they have any questions, please encourage them to call Member Services by dialing the number on their member ID card. The Member Services team is available 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As always, thank you for your dedication to our members and for your help educating them on this matter. If you have any questions, please contact the Aetna Medicare Broker Services Department at 1-866-714-9301 or brokersupport@aetna.com.

If you have Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans (DSNPs) in your market, you can now find, download, print and order DSNP marketing materials on the Aetna Medicare Marketing Studio (MMS). You can find the materials in the designated DSNP category on the MMS menu. DSNP materials include: 

Aetna is constantly adding new materials to the Studio. Make sure you check back often to find out what’s new. If you are not appointed with Aetna, Click here to request contracting and sales materials.

Aetna Supplemental: Your opportunity to go beyond the Golden Gateway

Beyond the Golden Gateway

We’re excited to take our next broker incentive trip to San Francisco, where top producers will experience magical moments beyond the Golden Gateway.

Aside from the mild weather, food, wine, cable cars, coffee shops and vintage classic architecture and culture, San Francisco is the opportunity for us to connect with each of you and showcase this city in a way you cannot even imagine! 

To give you a sneak peek of what to expect, here are two special guests -- legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame member Joe Montana and Aetna’s own Ty Wooldridge -- to share why we not only value the relationship we have with each of you, but also, why we love San Francisco and why you will too!  

You can view complete trip qualification details here.

Aetna Supplemental: Hot Medicare Supplement Rates in Texas

Aetna is now offering NEW Medicare Supplement* in Texas with competitive rates.

Not appointed with Aetna Supplemental? Request details here

You can use Aetna Quote & Enroll to submit electronic applications or order state-specific sales materials.

We look forward to helping you grow your business with this competitive new product!

Product Spotlight: Aetna Cancer and Heart Attack or Stroke Plus

On March 1, 2019 Aetna began offering CLI Cancer and Heart Attack or Stroke Plus in the following states: AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, KY, LA, MI, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NV, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, WI, WV, WY

What is Cancer and Heart Attack or Stroke Plus?

There are four plans to select from… choose a cancer plan or a heart attack/stroke plan or one of each, with different benefit amounts. Watch the video above to learn more.

Sales materials and online enrollment

Agents can now order state-specific sales materials for these products. 

Aetna Quote & Enroll

Application cut-off for existing product

The last application signature and submission date for the existing Cancer and Heart Attack or Stroke product in these states will be June 27, 2019.

Not appointed with Aetna Supplemental? Request details here