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Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Thu, Jan 12, 2023 @ 02:45 PM

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

2023 OEP


What is the Medicare OEP (Open Enrollment Period)?

Well, it's that time of year again. Agents have just finished up the AEP season, and are now thrown into OEP.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) was reinstated in 2019 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The new MA OEP replaced the previous Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP), which only allowed people to leave MA and return to Original Medicare.

 


When is the Medicare OEP?

The MA OEP extends from January 1 through March 31 each year. During this time, MA-eligible beneficiaries will be able to change their MA Plan or elect Original Medicare and coverage under Part D.

The effective date for an MA OEP election is the first of the month following receipt of the enrollment request.

Note: If your client uses either the AEP or MA OEP to go back to original Medicare, it is important that they think about the various ways in which they can protect themselves from the costs associated with Original Medicare, like: deductibles, coinsurance, and co payments. They would also need to consider their prescription drug coverage.


Who can use the MA OEP?

Beneficiaries who enrolled in an MA plan as of January 1.

New Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in an MA plan during their ICEP.*

*Note: If a beneficiary is enrolled into an MA plan using their ICEP election, they have an open enrollment period for the next 90 days.


What changes can be made during the MA OEP?

Individuals may add or drop Part D coverage during the MA OEP. Individuals enrolled in either MA-PD or MA-only plans can switch to:

  • MA-PD
  • MA-only
  • Original Medicare (with or without a stand-alone Part D plan)

The effective date for an MA OEP election is the first of the month following receipt of the enrollment request.

Note: The MA OEP does not provide an opportunity for an individual enrolled in Original Medicare to join an MA plan. It also does not allow for Part D changes for individuals enrolled in Original Medicare, including those enrolled in stand-alone Part D plans. The MA OEP is not available for those enrolled in Medicare Savings Accounts or other Medicare health plan types (such as cost plans or PACE).

Some may see it as an opportunity and others as a bother. Nevertheless, prepare yourself and your clients and you should be able to navigate the OEP with ease.

If you have any questions or need assistance in getting appointed with our leading Medicare Advantage and Part D companiescall us today and one of our knowledgeable marketers would be happy to assist.
 

 

 

Tags: medicare advantage updates, medicare updates, Medicare Open Enrollment Period, OEP

Medicare Open Enrollment "Half-Time" Snapshot: 84% of Those Selecting Medicare Advantage Choose Plans with $0 Premiums

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Mon, Nov 18, 2019 @ 03:44 PM


Additional Updates:
 

Tags: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Open Enrollment Period, 2020

Mutual of Omaha: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Guidelines

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Wed, Sep 12, 2018 @ 01:59 PM

Mutual of Omaha:
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Guidelines

Mutual_of_Omaha_Logo_No_Border


The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) for Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans begins October 15 and will continue through December 7.

Mutual will begin accepting applications with a January 1, 2019 effective date on October 1, 2018.

AEP provides you an opportunity to help those individuals who plan to disenroll from their current Medicare Advantage plan and want to return to Original Medicare and purchase a Medicare supplement policy with an effective date of January 1, 2019.

It is important to follow the guidelines below and provide the proper documentation with your client’s application to help prevent any delays in processing.

Required Documentation:
For individuals voluntarily disenrolling from their MA plans:

  • Complete the “Previous or Existing Coverage Information” section on the application and submit one (1) of the following with the application:

-  A copy of the applicant’s MA plan’s termination notice (needed if applying for Guaranteed Issue);

-  A copy of the letter the applicant sent to their MA plan requesting disenrollment (dated October 15th or later); or

-  A signed statement that the applicant has requested to be disenrolled from their MA plan.

For individuals whose MA plans are terminating:

- Complete the “Previous or Existing Coverage Information” section of the application and send the following with the application:
- Page 1 of their termination letter from their current carrier, or
-  If they do not have their termination letter, a legible copy or image of their Medicare Advantage card will be accepted. A legible copy or image of a Medicare Advantage card will only be accepted for individuals whose plans are terminating not for those who are voluntarily disenrolling from their MA plan.

Med Supp e-App Process:
While in the application process:

- Click on the “Attach Eligibility Documents” button, and 
-
Attach PDFs of the necessary documentation to be submitted with the application. Documents can not be attached via the e-App process after the application is submitted.

The e-App provides a validation message, which will indicate whether the current MA plan your client is enrolled in has been terminated, meaning the carrier has terminated the plan. This creates a guaranteed issue situation and the message returned will indicate your client does not need to provide proof of disenrollment.

Note: Individuals who are not eligible for guaranteed issue must complete the health and medication questions on the application. Plans D, G and N are not available for guaranteed issue in most situations.

Providing Documentation After an Application is Submitted:
If the required documentation is not available at the time the application is submitted, or in the case of an e-App an electronic copy can not be created and attached, it may be faxed at a later date following the steps below:

Step 1. Obtain the policy number (The policy number will appear on the Case Monitoring Report on Sales Professional Access (SPA) or on the Med supp e-App dashboard for applications submitted via the e-App)
Step 2. Write the policy number on the documentation
Step 3. Fax the documentation to 402-997-1920 

Additional Updates:
 

Tags: Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement, mutual of omaha, Medicare Open Enrollment Period

Medicare Extends Late Enrollment Amnesty

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Mon, Jun 18, 2018 @ 10:29 AM

Update

Medicare Extends Late Enrollment Amnesty 

Call it the Obamacare-Medicare penalty: you sign up for the ACA sometime before you turn 65 and then mistakenly stay there past age 65, when you must switch to Medicare.

That results in costly lifetime late-enrollment penalties on your Medicare premiums. Confusion about the transition from ACA to Medicare has been so widespread that the CMS opened up a window for a limited time last year allowing people caught in the switches to apply for relief from the penalties.

CMS decided to allow people who should have signed up at 65 to apply for “time-limited equitable relief,” allowing them to enroll in Part B without penalties.

Now CMS is expanding that opportunity, but the deadline for straightening out the problem is Sept. 30.

READ FULL ARTICLE

Additional Updates:
  • UnitedHealthcare acquires Peoples Health, an HMO in Louisiana - View
  • New Federal Law could spur Medicare Advantage plans to avoid enrolling sick beneficiaries - View
  • Stand-alone PDP premiums rise modestly - View
  • 1 in 4 major health systems preparing to launch Medicare Advantage plans - View
  • Differentiate yourself early and close more sales - View
  • Express: Mutual of Omaha Weekly Updates - View
  • VALUES Quote of the Week - View
  • Current Agent Incentive Trips and Contests - View

Tags: medicare updates, Medicare Open Enrollment Period

Aetna / Coventry Medicare Advantage and PDP Certification Details for 2019

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Thu, Jun 14, 2018 @ 03:17 PM

Aetna / Coventry Medicare Advantage and PDP
Certification Details for 2019

Aetna Logo-1

  • 2019 Aetna certification process starts 7/11
  • Want to save $50? Certify with us
  • Coming soon to the Ascend app
  • Get a discounted rate on E&O insurance
  • Make sure you do this before sales events

________________________________________

2019 Aetna Individual Medicare producer certification begins July 11

Starting July 11, you can complete the 2019 annual certification process for Aetna and Coventry Individual Medicare products (MA/MAPD, PDP). It's one of the annual requirements you must complete to sell our 2019 plans this Annual Election Period. Watch for more details about certification later this month.

________________________________________

AHIP launches 2019 AHIP training on June 18... So why wait until July 11?

Simply put, because you can save money. When you complete 2019 Aetna Individual Medicare producer certification, it includes AHIP and costs $125 – That’s a savings of $50 off the retail price! Mark your calendars and plan to certify with us starting July 11.

________________________________________

Coming soon: Enhancements to the Ascend Virtual Sales Office app

We’ve wrapping up some cool new enhancements to our online enrollment app, the Ascend Virtual Sales Office app. Later this month, the home screen will feature a new look that makes it easier and faster for you to get where you need to go, and reach the most frequently used tools. Once the enhancements are live, after logging in, with one click you’ll be able to:

  1. Send a Scope of Appointment
  2. Give a sales presentation
  3. Start enrolling a client
  4. Email a quote/send an e-kit
  5. Compare plans, estimate Rx costs and lookup doctors

Watch for more details coming soon! Not yet using the Ascend app? Once you’re “ready to sell,” just request access on Producer World here.

________________________________________

Your prospects are online – Why not enroll them online too?

When you enroll your clients using the Ascend Virtual Sales Office app, our electronic enrollment tool, you can:

  • Shorten the sales cycle and hold more appointments
  • Submit enrollments electronically
  • Eliminate paperwork
  • Reduce application errors
  • Quickly access resources all in one place

To start using the Ascend app, login to Producer World, go to the Ascend Virtual Sales Office app section and then click on "request access" to get started. If you have questions about the Ascend app, just contact your local Aetna Medicare Broker Manager.

________________________________________

Compliance Connection: Complete an event verification form before sales events

Don’t forget to fill out an event verification form when you hold a sales meeting or event about our Individual Medicare plans. The form helps protect you and Aetna if CMS decides to audit your event. It’s easy to complete. Just download the form and print it out before your next event. Then, have the form signed by your event venue contact before your event starts. Lastly, keep the form on file. You can learn more on Producer World.

________________________________________

Questions? We're here to help!

If you have any questions, just contact the Aetna Medicare Broker Services Department at 1-866-714-9301 or brokersupport@aetna.com. 

Additional Updates:
  • UnitedHealthcare acquires Peoples Health, an HMO in Louisiana - View
  • New Federal Law could spur Medicare Advantage plans to avoid enrolling sick beneficiaries - View
  • Stand-alone PDP premiums rise modestly - View
  • 1 in 4 major health systems preparing to launch Medicare Advantage plans - View
  • Differentiate yourself early and close more sales - View
  • Express: Mutual of Omaha Weekly Updates - View
  • VALUES Quote of the Week - View
  • Current Agent Incentive Trips and Contests - View

Tags: aetna, AEP, medicare updates, Medicare Open Enrollment Period, certification

Humana Medicare Advantage / PDP Certification Details for 2019

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Thu, Jun 14, 2018 @ 02:51 PM

Humana Medicare Advantage / PDP
Certification Details for 2019

Humana_logo-4

AEP for Plan Year 2019 will be here soon and Humana is looking forward to a great sales year!  Get certified or recertified with Humana!  We are pleased to announce the details for Plan Year (PY) 2019 Certification and Recertification.

NEW FOR PLAN YEAR 2019:

Making it easier to complete initial MAPD certification online

Humana is making it easier for you to locate and complete certification training by making certification a single course.  After successful completion of the online-only course, you will be certified for all Medicare products.

Time Saving Improvements for Certification and Recertification

We hear from agents and partners like you that certification and recertification takes too long to complete.  For PY19, we have managed to make significant improvements to course content and overall course outlines while preserving the high quality training that is expected with Humana.  In short, you will notice shorter course outlines and will be able to more easily take away content that you need.

TRAINING DETAILS FOR PLAN YEAR 2019:

Certification and Recertification Launch Dates

  • All Certification Courses Launch Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Noon EST.
  • All Recertification Courses Launch Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Noon EST.
  • External Agents will have until November 30, 2018 to Complete Recertification.

AHIP Remains a Requirement for Certification and Recertification

2019 AHIP is required for both Certification and Recertification. Agents typically take AHIP through Humana after they have logged into training from our Humana site. If an agent goes directly to AHIP to register, the fee is $175.00 and must have their AHIP results transferred to Humana before they can continue completing their certification or recertification.

IMPORTANT:  We are not recommending or suggesting that agents should take AHIP as soon as it is available by going directly to the AHIP site. Agents going directly to AHIP will be shown the AHIP e-commerce site where they are required to pay AHIP for their AHIP training, and that rate will not be the Humana discounted rate. For agents who typically have the AHIP fee waived (career and certain non-career agents) they must go through the Humana site to have the AHIP fee covered upfront.

For those agents required to pay the AHIP registration fee, the 2018 charge is $125.00, if the training is accessed via the Humana MarketPoint University.

Closing of PY18 Certification - What Agents Need to Know!

Each year, we must take down the current plan year Certification courses in preparation for the next plan year.

This year, Humana’s Plan Year 2018 Certification course closes at 5:00 PM EST on June 15, 2018.  AHIP also closes their PY18 training on June 15, 2018.

  • Friday, June 15th, 2018, 5 pm EST – The online Plan Year 2018 Certification materials (MAPD and PDP Cert) will close for enrollments.
  • Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 12 pm EST - 2019 initial certification MAPD Certification will launch. Agents will complete initial MAPD certification training online. Note:  Agents who complete the 2019 initial certification are allowed to sell plans with 2018 effective dates through 11/30/2018.

Recertification Deadlines and Specific Information

All recertification courses will launch July 17, 2018 at Noon EST.

  • External agents will have until November 30, 2018 to complete Recertification.

Please note these important details about agent recertication:

  • If an agent certifies for Plan Year 2018, the agent will also need to recertify for the 2019 selling season.
  • As always, PY2018 AHIP completion and PY2018 Humana self-study is not acceptable for the upcoming 2019 certification plan year.
  • Agents who certify for 2019 on or after July 10, 2018 do not need to recertify for 2019!

Accessing Certification and Recertification

  1. You can access certification and recertification by logging into the Vantage agent portal from Humana.com.
  2. From the Education card in Vantage, click the Humana MarketPoint University(HMU) link.
  3. Instructions for locating and starting training are available on the homepage of HMU.

Additional Updates:
  • UnitedHealthcare acquires Peoples Health, an HMO in Louisiana - View
  • New Federal Law could spur Medicare Advantage plans to avoid enrolling sick beneficiaries - View
  • Stand-alone PDP premiums rise modestly - View
  • 1 in 4 major health systems preparing to launch Medicare Advantage plans - View
  • Differentiate yourself early and close more sales - View
  • Express: Mutual of Omaha Weekly Updates - View
  • VALUES Quote of the Week - View
  • Current Agent Incentive Trips and Contests - View

Tags: Humana, AEP, medicare updates, Medicare Open Enrollment Period, certification

Medicare Advantage Contract Year 2019 Agent and Broker Compensation Rate Adjustments

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Tue, May 29, 2018 @ 04:23 PM

Medicare Agent Broker Compensation Rate Adjustment - Medicare Advantage Contract Year 2019 

This memorandum provides contract year (CY) 2019 compensation limits for agents and brokers, directions for submitting amounts into the Health Plan Management System (HPMS), as well as training and testing requirements.

Compensation Rate Adjustment for CY 2019
As provided in 42 C.F.R. §§422.2274(b)(1) and 423.2274(b), the compensation amount paid to an independent agent or broker for an enrollment must be at or below the fair market value (FMV) cut-off amounts published yearly by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The CY 2019 FMV cut-off amounts for all organizations are as follows:

Compensation Grid

5.9% increase ($27) on first year Medicare Advantage and 5.7% increase ($13) on renewal for 2019*.
PDP also increased the writing agent commission by 2.7%.

(*National rates referenced above. For Agent Use Only.)

NOTE: The FMV amounts for CY 2019 are rounded to the nearest dollar. The Initial Year amount is the maximum allowable to be paid for enrollments during compensation cycle-year 1. The renewal amount is the maximum allowable to be paid for enrollments during compensation cycle-years 2 and beyond.

Compensation Rate Submission for CY 2019
As in past years, all organizations must inform CMS via HPMS whether they are using employed, captive, or independent agents. Organizations that use independent agents must provide the initial and renewal compensation amount or range of amounts paid to these agents. Additionally, if an organization pays referral fees, the organization must disclose the referral fee amount. 
CMS has provided instructions for data entry in the HPMS Marketing Module User Guide.

Organizations may submit their agent/broker information in the HPMS Marketing Module June 4, 2018 through July 27, 2018, 11:59 pm EST. Please note that CMS does not consider the submission process complete until the organization’s CEO, COO, or CFO has completed the attestation in HPMS. Organizations that fail to submit and attest to their agent and broker compensation data by July 27, 2018 will be out of compliance with CMS requirements. Organizations will not be able to make changes to those submissions after the July 27, 2018 deadline.

CMS expects organizations to keep full records documenting that they are updating compensation schedules and paying agents and brokers according to CMS requirements.

Please note that the CY 2019 compensation information submitted will be made available for the public to view on www.cms.gov prior to the annual election period for CY 2019.

Curricula for Training and Testing Agents and Brokers for CY 2019
Regulations at 42 C.F.R. §§422.2274 and 423.2274 require that agents and brokers selling Medicare products, including employees, subcontractors, downstream entities, and/or delegated entities, be trained and tested annually on Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, and plan specific information. CMS further requires that agents and brokers obtain an 85% passing rate on the test.

In order to ensure the quality of all agent and broker training and testing programs, CMS annually provides minimum training and testing requirements to organizations. Organizations should review these requirements before developing their own agent and broker training and testing program to ensure compliance with CMS requirements. CMS permits and encourages organizations and third-party training and testing vendors to include other relevant topics, in addition to the minimum required elements.

The CY 2019 CMS training and testing requirements for CY 2019 may be found here.

Source

Additional Updates:
  • Medicare Agent Broker Compensation Rate Adjustment - 2019 - View
  • Medicare Part D in 2018: Latest on enrollment, premiums and cost sharing - View
  • Continued Growth for Medicare Supplement Plans - View
  • Express: Mutual of Omaha Weekly Updates - View

Tags: medicare advantage updates, medicare updates, Medicare Open Enrollment Period, OEP

2019 Aetna Medicare Advantage Expansion Details

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Tue, May 29, 2018 @ 01:38 PM


We have some exciting news to share. Aetna is expanding their Medicare plan offerings to new counties for 2019!

Aetna_Logo_No_Border

We are excited to tell you more about this opportunity! Give our Marketing Team a call at 800-998-7715 for more information!

Now is a great time to review carrier expansions and incorporate them into you 2019 AEP marketing plans.

Additional Updates:
  • Medicare Part D in 2018: Latest on enrollment, premiums and cost sharing - View
  • Continued Growth for Medicare Supplement Plans - View
  • Trump Administration unveils drug pricing strategy - View
  • Express: Mutual of Omaha Weekly Updates - View
  • VALUES Quote of the Week - View
  • Current Agent Incentive Trips and Contests - View

Tags: medicare advantage updates, aetna, medicare updates, Medicare Open Enrollment Period, OEP

Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is Back for 2019

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Tue, May 22, 2018 @ 10:14 AM

Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
is Back for 2019

Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is Back for 2019-1

There are several changes for 2019 Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollments. 

Please review the important information below regarding new CMS Guidance for Section 30.5, Chapter 2 of the Medicare Managed Care Manual.

30.5 - Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

42 CFR 422.62(a)(3) (Rev. 1, Issued: July 31, 2018; Effective/Implementation: 01-01-2019)

During the MA OEP, MA plan enrollees may enroll in another MA plan or disenroll from their MA plan and return to Original Medicare. Individuals may make only one election during the MA OEP.

This chart outlines who can use the MA OEP and when:

OEP Chart


Individuals may add or drop Part D coverage during the MA OEP. Individuals enrolled in either MA-PD or MA-only plans can switch to:

  • MA-PD
  • MA-only
  • Original Medicare (with or without a stand-alone Part D plan)

The effective date for an MA OEP election is the first of the month following receipt of the enrollment request.

NOTE: The MA OEP does not provide an opportunity for an individual enrolled in Original Medicare to join a MA plan. It also does not allow for Part D changes for individuals enrolled in Original Medicare, including those enrolled in stand-alone Part D plans. The MA OEP is not available for those enrolled in Medicare Savings Accounts or other Medicare health plan types (such as cost plans or PACE).

Some may see it as an opportunity and others as a bother. Nevertheless, prepare yourself and your clients and you should be able to navigate the new OEP with ease.

If you have any questions or need assistance in getting appointed with our leading Medicare Advantage and Part D companies, call us today and one of our knowledgeable marketers would be happy to assist.

Review the full legislation here.

Additional Updates:
  • Medicare Agent Broker Compensation Rate Adjustment - 2019 - View
  • Medicare Part D in 2018: Latest on enrollment, premiums and cost sharing - View
  • Continued Growth for Medicare Supplement Plans - View
  • Express: Mutual of Omaha Weekly Updates - View

Tags: medicare advantage updates, medicare updates, Medicare Open Enrollment Period, OEP

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