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Medicare Blog | Medicare News | Medicare Information
Tags: Universal American Medicare Supplement, Success Tips, Web Tips, technology, Medicare Advantage, senior insurance market news, Leads, Forethought Medicare Supplement, industry news, Gerber Life Medicare Supplement
Their conclusion is that the Medicare Supplement offers a long-term sustainability. With the opportunities available like Baby Boomers, Medicare Advantage reductions, decrease in retiree health benefits, and the insertions of new Med Supp plans into the market there will be an increase in selling opportunities and, therefore, enrollment. Please give us your feedback! Source: InsuranceNewsNet |
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Tags: senior market news, Medicare News, health care reform, Sentinel Life Medicare Supplement, industry news, Baby Boomers
Aetna Acquires Genworth Financial’s Med Supp Business
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Jun 17, 2011 @ 09:18 AM
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Tags: Constitution Life Medicare Supplement, Marquette National Medicare Supplement, Aetna Medicare Supplement, senior market news, Medicare News, industry news
Lead Sources: Internet, Direct Mail, and Referrals
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Apr 22, 2011 @ 09:38 AM
If you have any questions about which lead option is best for your business, do not hesitate to contact your marketing representative at 1-800-998-7715 who will be happy to guide you through the options available. Please give us your feedback! |
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Tags: Sales Tips, Success Tips, Referrals, Leads, Sentinel Life Medicare Supplement, industry news, Gerber Life Medicare Supplement
How the Recession is Changing the Agent’s Role
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Mar 25, 2011 @ 08:45 AM
Please give us your feedback! Source: Agent's Sales Journal |
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Tags: Medicare Supplement, health insurance industry, insurance news, industry news, Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement, United of Omaha Medicare Supplement
Impact of new MLR Requirements on Underage Health Market
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Mar 18, 2011 @ 12:44 PM
Under the new MLR provision, health insurers are now required to spend at least 85% of large group and 80% of individual and small group revenue on quality improvement in health care with the other going toward administrative costs. This will affect nearly 470,000 health insurance agents and cut nearly 50% of broker’s pay. The task force is focused on making sure that the MLR is not going to cause problems that critics have warned about, including smaller companies going out of business, extreme cuts in agent commissions, and reduced service and support to consumers. Please give us your feedback! Sources: National Underwriter, Employee Benefit Adviser, National Association of Health Underwriting, National Association of Insurance Commissioners |
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Tags: Assured Life Medicare Supplement, insurance news, Woodmen of the World Medicare Supplement, health care reform, industry news, Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement
The Push to Establish a Medicare Vouchers System
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Mar 04, 2011 @ 10:26 AM
On Thursday House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan promised to include his Medicare voucher program in his budget cut proposal. The voucher program is controversial and Ryan was firm, stating that those 55 and over will still receive their benefits as they are today. However, in his proposed program, those currently 54 and younger will receive a voucher to buy their own private insurance once they become eligible for Medicare. The voucher amount will depend on a person’s income and health status, with those who have a higher income receiving less. Those with incomes between $80,000 and $200,000 would get half and those with incomes above $200,000 would get 30% of the $11,000 proposed per-person allocation. He explained this is what Medicare typically pays per beneficiary now and if a person becomes ill and needs more care, more help would be available. Also, the amount would increase with inflation and take both the consumer price index and the medical component into account. If a beneficiary should choose a less expensive plan they could save the extra money in a medical savings account for future medical costs or long-term care insurance. However, a study done by the Pew Research/National Journal found that 69% of people 65 and older (of both parties) oppose replacing Medicare with the voucher system. What do you think of the proposed Medicare voucher system? How do you think this will affect Medicare Supplements? Will supplemental insurance be sold by the same private insurance companies who accept the vouchers in conjunction with those plans? House Speaker Boehner Tackles Entitlement SpendingIRepublican Speaker John Boehner has promised President Obama he will stand by him during the political backlash expected by proposing strong cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Boehner acknowledged that Americans have no idea how large the financial problems are for these programs. However, he states that once they understand they will be more willing to accept taking spending precautions in order to keep the programs available for future generations, no matter the iteration. With Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid taking more than 60% of the national budget, trustees estimate they only have sufficient funds to cover Medicare to 2029 and Social Security to 2037. Boehner urges that raising the debt limit is the best way to prevent our economy from going into a tailspin. He also has made it clear Republicans are not going to offer a detailed plan anytime soon. The budget will have cost containment goals, but no clear way on how to achieve them. The Hill noted, Boehner does promise “Republicans will not exploit entitlement reform for political gain if Obama shows leadership on curbing the cost of Social Security.” Two-Week Budget Extension SignedOn Wednesday, President Obama signed a bill to keep federal agencies open thru March 18, after the Senate’s bipartisan vote to extend spending cut talks. After signing the bill he urged any budget agreement should "cut spending and reduce deficits without damaging economic growth or gutting investments in education, research and development that will create jobs and secure our future." The House takes the position that they already passed a $61 billion package of cuts to cover the remaining seven months of the fiscal year while the only legislation the Senate has produced is the temporary budget measure. Still, Senate Democrats are urging Republicans to bargain and work out a deal to finance the government through September 30th and go beyond to take on larger budget questions. Even with the White House jolting Congress into talks, having a compromise by March 18th seems lofty and it is predicted at least one more extension bill may be necessary to reach a consensus. Forethought Medicare Supplement Now Approved in NebraskaForethought Medicare Supplement is now approved in Nebraska. Please contact your marketing representative at 1-800-998-7715 for more information.
Sources: KHN, The New York Times, Forbes, The Hill, The Wall Street Journal |
Tags: senior market news, health care reform, Forethought Medicare Supplement, industry news
Health Care Law Aims to Reduce Hospital Readmissions
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Feb 25, 2011 @ 09:33 AM
What do you think of the way the Piedmonth Hospital in Atlanta is handling readmissions? Do you think cutting payments to hospitals will help them to follow suit? Study Shows Elective Surgery in Medicare Beneficiaries Varies by RegionIn a study from the Dartmouth Atlas Project of elective procedures in patients over 65, and receiving Medicare, the researchers found regional differences in the way doctors treat their patients. Shannon Brownlee, of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, explains that this difference is “the by-product of a doctor-centric medical delivery system.” The study focused on Medicare data from 2003 to 2007 on the rates of some elective procedures, from mastectomies for breast cancer to carotid artery surgery and found that doctor’s opinions on the surgeries varies greatly by cultures of care, how doctors are trained, and the history of where there medical practice is established. This finding suggests that patient preferences are not necessarily being taken into account when they should be. What do you think of the findings of this study? Do you think Medicare beneficiaries should be more involved in their care, no matter what region of the United States they live in? Or do you think doctors should make the right choice for their patients? "Pie Chart" by Nick Anderson, the Washington Post
Assured Life Medicare Supplement Now Available in VirginiaEffective February 23, 2011 Assured Life Medicare Supplement Plan N is available in Virginia – please see the Assured Life Plan N Virginia Notification and Assured Life Plan N Virginia Rates. Why Sell Medicare Supplements Over the PhoneAlso - Discover the pros of selling Medicare Supplements over the phone in our blog post.
Sources: KHN, Routers |
Tags: senior market news, Medicare News, Assured Life Medicare Supplement, health care reform, industry news
Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement Plan N Changes
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Thu, Feb 03, 2011 @ 10:04 AM
Mutual of Omaha has announced underwriting changes to their Plan N Medicare Supplements. This will affect all Mutual of Omaha companies including United World and United of Omaha. Exceptions will include New York, where health questions may not be asked (per state regulations) and in open enrollment or other guarantee issue situations where health questions normally do not apply. New Application (Required after February 16, 2011)The underwriting changes will also bring about new applications. Where the new applications are already approved, the new underwriting guidelines will be effective with applications signed on or after February 16th 2011. The states are where the new applications have already been approved are: Commission ChangesThis change will also affect commissions on Plans M and N. Mutual of Omaha will have new commission schedules available shortly, but you can expect commissions on all plans to be uniform. |
Tags: Medicare Supplement, Senior Market, industry news, Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement, United of Omaha Medicare Supplement
Further Delaying Medicare Pay-Cuts for Doctors
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Dec 10, 2010 @ 11:16 AM
Fears of Possible Backlash to ACOsBeginning in 2012 accountable care organizations (ACOs), which are groups of doctors and hospitals that coordinate efficient, quality care to Medicare patients, will be formed. This week the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) warns that there might be a backlash in the ACO-assignment process, with beneficiaries feeling pushed into certain managed care without seeing any benefits in the change. In order to entice beneficiaries, they might need to offer incentives like reduced beneficiary cost sharing or sharing in the savings; as well as, offering the choice to switch from an assigned primary care provider to another not in the ACO program. Also, the American Medical Association said the government needs to make safe harbors from antitrust enforcement and anti-kickback laws as currently laws favor hospital-based systems with employed physicians as opposed to small physician practices. Cold and Flu What Works and What Falls ShortAs winter begins in the next few weeks, cold and flu season is out in full force, which puts a damper on our busy schedules. Emily Sohn and Rachel Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H.'s research on what works and what falls short is good to keep in mind as your throat becomes itchy. The first suggestion of what works is Vitamin D. Laboratory studies have indicated that Vitamin D may help your immune system to identify and destroy bacteria and viruses that can make us sick. However, the Institute of Medicine released a report on November 30th stating that Vitamin D is best for bone health and there is not yet enough evidence that improves immunity and reduces infection. Still, many experts recommend a vitamin D supplement or you can also get it from fatty fish, fortified milk, and from the sun. Another suggestion to try is green tea, which has potent plant antioxidants that gives it immune-boosting effects. Lab studies suggest that polyphenols called catechins may kill influenza viruses and to maximize the benefits you should use below-boiling water, steeping green tea no more than a couple of minutes, and adding only a little lemon or honey to help the bitterness (adding milk will bind the polphenols, making them no longer effective). Probiotics (or “good bacteria") have been shown to suppress the bad bacteria and activate the immune system when they reach the lower intestine. However, although the level probiotics boost the immune system is low, you can help by eating yogurts or kefir labeled with a "Live & Active Cultures" seal. The last suggestion is soluble fiber, which can help fight inflammation. Eating a lot of citrus fruits, apples, carrots, beans, and oats helped mice in a recent study from Brain, Behavior, and Immunity recover from a bacterial infection in half the time than the mice that ate a mixed fiber diet. The two things that fall short are Airborn and Glaceau's Vitamine water "Defense." Airborn contains excess of 1667% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C. With the exception of smokers, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and the elderly most people get enough of the nutrients (vitamins A, C, E, zinc, and selenium) in the supplement with the food we eat. Adding more to our diet is not always better; in fact, it can be ineffective. Additionally Glaceau's Vitamine water “Defense" claims to be formulated with the nutrients required for optimal functioning of the immune system; however, a 20-ounce bottle contains 150% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C. The bottle of water also has 125 calories. Forethought Released in TexasEffective December 10, 2010 Forethought is released in Texas - please see the Texas Rates and Application or call 1-800-998-7715 to get contracted.
Sources: KHN, The Associated Press, The Hill, EatingWell |
Tags: senior market news, Medicare Supplement, health insurance news, industry news