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Recent Posts

Allstate: Important change to your customers’ Medicare Supplement plans

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Mon, Mar 27, 2023 @ 02:50 PM

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Tags: Allstate

Customer Profile Enhancements in YourMedicare SunFire

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Mon, Mar 27, 2023 @ 02:34 PM

yourfmo update

SunFire is excited to announce some upcoming enhancements to our existing customer profile page, including the BEQ Lookup and Needs Assessment, available starting April 4th, 2023. 

The enhancements are targeted to: 

  • Increase BEQ lookup adherence to validate customer information and ensure data is prefilled on the enrollment form
  • Improve metrics around adding Doctors (additional focus on "primary doctors") and Drug Cabinets completions during the needs assessment
  • Increase speed with updated APls for adding Doctors and Medications
  • Reduce the number of clicks on the page and clean up redundant pieces of data

There is also a new Customer Opportunities page, which will serve as the place for Agents to see available  opportunities for the customer outside of the enrollment. 
(Currently displays if VBC is enabled) 

 Check out the details

 

 

Tags: Medicare Advantage, phone sales, SunFireMatrix, Telesales

Important Notice For Agents Conducting Telephonic Enrollments

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Wed, Mar 22, 2023 @ 02:43 PM

Important Notice For Agents Conducting Telephonic Enrollments-1

Important Notice

It is essential that agents are aware of CMS and Carrier expectations when conducting telephonic enrollments. Doing so not only protects the client, but also protects the agent from corrective action.

Please review the information below and ensure these elements are covered during a telephonic sale to remain compliant and to protect clients.



1.) Review the Summary of Benefits prior to completion of the enrollment:

Agent Must:

 Complete the SOB (Summary of Benefits) per approved script requirement.
  Accurately answer all additional questions asked by applicant or their legal representative
 Provide accurate information on plan details described.



2.) Read all required disclosures for the determined plan of interest:

Agent Must:

 Read all relevant disclosures as outlined in CMS approved script (i.e., verbally or via IVR(INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE)) and collect agreement/understanding. This will include disclosures listed in the application (i.e.: pop up, required statements)



3.) Accurately complete the caller's application and review the following: 1) contact information, 2) payment options, 3) language preference, and 4) alternate format election:

Agent Must:

  Provide the plan name
  Advise of the plan's effective date
 
Confirm the beneficiary is ready to complete the enrollment



4.) Provide a compliant call closing:

Agent Must:

  Provide carrier name and customer service phone number
  Provide TTY
  Provide application confirmation number



5.) Obtain and document permission from the beneficiary prior to accessing MARx to determine eligibility on their behalf.
Agent must obtain permission from the beneficiary to access MARx on their behalf and explain they may note details regarding the following:

  Current enrollment
  Medicare Part A & B entitlement dates
 
Eligibility information
 
Incarceration, etc...



Note:
Agents do not need to list every detail to be compliant. There may be high-level discussion information that can be viewed by listing examples.

Thank you for your continued support in upholding compliant sales practices! If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact us.

 

Tags: Medicare Advantage, phone sales, Telesales, Compliance

Updated Medicare Insulin Options for 2023

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Wed, Mar 22, 2023 @ 11:15 AM

Insulin Updates 23-1

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has created a Special Enrollment Period for people with insulin to change their Part D coverage and ensure they are not paying more than $35 each month for the insulin product.

In response to new legislation and falling prices, there have been several significant changes to Insurance coverage for insulin. 

Last fall, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act which included policies that cap the monthly cost of insulin at $35 and reduce the cost of other diabetes drugs for those on Medicare. 

Here’s what’s now in effect.

Caps on insulin costs

As of Jan. 1, 2023, Medicare can’t charge you more than $35 for a one month supply of each Part-D covered insulin, regardless of whether or not you have met the deductible.

*Note: Medicare Part D is Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. This includes several diabetes drugs and insulins – including Lantus, Jardiance, Novolog, and Trulicity. 

If you use a disposable insulin patch pump, you’ll continue to get your insulin through your part D plan, and the insulin for your pump won’t cost more than $35 each month for each covered insulin product. The pump is not subject to the $35 cap and may cost more than $35. 

If you do pay more than $35 for any month’s supply of insulin between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023, your Part D plan must reimburse you within 30 calendar days for the amount you overpaid. (Plans have until March 31, 2023 to update their systems to make sure you’re not charged more than $35).

Extended enrollment period for Medicare Part D coverage

The Medicare Plan Finder can help you compare and choose prescription drug plans. However, because the Inflation Reduction Act was signed after the premiums and copays were set on the Medicare Plan Finder, the $35 insulin copay cap was not included.

Because of this, the CMS created a Special Enrollment Period for people who use insulin; people on Medicare can change their Part D coverage until Dec. 31, 2023. 

If you use a covered insulin product and decide you’d like to be in a different Part D plan for 2023, you can change your coverage one time between now and December 31, 2023. Call 1-800-MEDICARE if you take insulin and want to change your plan. Your true out-of-pocket costs will carry over from your old plan to your new one.

Low-income benefits

Medicare beneficiaries who make between 135% and 150% of the federal poverty level ($18,347 to $20,385 for a single person) can access additional discounts through the Extra Help program. Starting in 2024, people who are eligible will have a set, low out-of-pocket cost for each prescription. This could save people an average of $300 a year on out-of-pocket costs, according to government estimates. 

For more information on how the Inflation Reduction Act could lower healthcare costs in your state, click here.

You can also learn more about Medicare’s coverage and insulin costs at https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/insulin.

Source: https://diatribe.org/updated-medicare-insulin-options-2023 

 

Attitude

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Tue, Mar 21, 2023 @ 02:57 PM

Attitude

Increase your sales with the right attitude

As a marketing firm, we get calls everyday from agents looking to better one aspect of their business or another. One of the most common questions we receive is “What are your top producing agents doing and how can I replicate it?" 

This is a good question and an understandable one. As an agent you are trying to build a business for yourself and are looking for ways to make that business more successful.

The answer to this question is simple, however it isn’t usually the answer the agent is hoping for. There isn’t a perfect lead source or infallible script.

After speaking with thousands of agents over the past 15 years I’ve noticed what separates the top producing agents from the rest of the pack is attitude.

This is great news because changing your attitude is free. It takes time and discipline but it doesn’t take any money.

When I speak of attitude I am not talking about simply smiling and being friendly when speaking with your clients. Top producing agents have three key attributes that defines their attitude.

Key Attributes:

  1. They have the drive to make their business as successful as possible
  2. They care about their reputation personally and professionally
  3. They genuinely care about their clients

If you ask any high-volume producer how they write so much business, their first answer is going to be that they work really hard.

As an independent agent you don’t have a boss. You don’t have someone telling you what to do or when to do it.

Most importantly you don’t have anyone checking to make sure you did what you were supposed to do when you were supposed to do it. You have to act as your own manager, setting a daily schedule and following it.

Top producers have the mindset that they are running a business and this means that they section off their day and know what they are going to be doing and when they are going to be doing it.

For example, if you have blocked off the first half of your day to call leads and the first person you call purchases a policy from you, it is easy to say “I’ve made my sale for the day” and move on to something else.

This is a mindset that many agents fall into. The best agents don’t have that attitude though. They know that those leads they purchased work best when they are fresh and that they have allotted that portion of their day to calling those leads.

They don’t give themselves an easy out or allow themselves to slow down because of an early success.

As an agent you have to have the attitude that you are going to drive yourself to be as successful as you possibly can. You must outline standards and practices that will make you successful and hold yourself accountable to those without exception.

reputationReputation is something that I have noticed that all high-level agents value. Your reputation not only generates referrals for you but it also directly impacts your persistency.

Whether you are selling face-to-face or over the phone your reputation is important. It is vital not only for your business to be successful but also for you to be happy and confident in what you are doing.

When you know that your clients and your peers respect you and the way you conduct your business you will have more confidence in yourself.

That confidence will translate through in every interaction you have and you will see clients more willing to trust you and an increase in sales.

Managing your reputation is simple, but not always easy. You will need to make sure that you are consistent in your approach and apply the same high level of standards to every client interaction.

You can and will have bad days. You can’t let those bad days be visible to your clients. Your reputation is dependent on you being professional and pleasant during every interaction.

Establishing and maintaining your reputation will take a little personal reflection and effort but you will see an increase in sales and job satisfaction.

Finally, genuinely caring about your clients is paramount.

I have never spoken with a high-volume producer who didn’t have a clear passion for making sure their clients were taken care of fully. Your clients are trusting in you to help them make a decision that directly affects their health and finances.

You have a duty to make sure that their best interest is at the forefront of every decision you make. Those clients need to know that you care about their health as much or more than they do.

Seniors get post-card after post-card every month from agents who can sell them a policy. You aren’t just selling them a policy. You are giving them peace of mind. You are protecting them.

You are listening, advising and befriending them. Once you start really connecting with and taking a true interest in the well being of the people you serve you will notice a much stronger relationship with those clients.

Your sales will increase, your persistency will increase, your referrals will increase, and the fulfillment you get from helping your clients will increase.empathy

I realize everything I’ve said to you today is basic common sense. Work hard, present yourself well and care about others.

We’ve all heard these principles our whole lives. They are simple, they are basic and they are what we try to teach our children on a daily basis.

They are also the qualities that people respect the most and look for in others. The highest producing agents we speak to don’t have any magic secret that helps them write more business.

Yes, they invest in their business, organize well and are great sales people. But their real key to success is they work harder, more professionally and with more empathy than the average agent.

Their clients see them as a friend to trust and depend on. Your attitude will directly impact your success in this or any industry and the good news is it is free.

Thanks for your time today. As always if you have any questions over any of this or the industry in general please reach out to one of our marketing directors at 800-998-7715.

We are happy to talk insurance and look forward to speaking with you.

 

 

Medicaid Redetermination - Assisting Members impacted by loss of Medicaid Status

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Fri, Mar 17, 2023 @ 03:28 PM

medicaid


What you should know

  • Annual Medicaid redetermination was paused during the Public Health Emergency (PHE)
  • February 1, states can begin their Medicaid Redetermination Process, with the potential for Medicaid disenrollment to start April 1, 2023
  • Each state determines when their redetermination process will begin
  • Impacted beneficiaries will be notified by the state approximately 60 calendar days prior to their disenrollment effective date from State Medicaid

 
What this means for you

  • You can prepare for Dual Eligible Members to complete the redetermination process for continued Medicaid Coverage 
  • Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (DSNP) members, who are found to be ineligible for Medicaid coverage, will need Agent assistance to obtain new coverage and maintain continuity of care
  • Non DSNP members, whose eligibility level changes, may also require a plan review to ensure they’re still on the plan best suited for them

     
Please remind impacted DSNP members of the following:

  • Confirm contact information is up to date with the state
  • Watch for mail from the state requesting additional documentation
  • Respond to any request from the state promptly and within deadlines

 

  Important Resource: Medicaid Redetermination Resource Document

Related Article: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/blog/10-things-to-know-about-the-unwinding-of-the-medicaid-continuous-enrollment-provision 

 

 

Tags: Medicare Advantage, Medicare-Medicaid, Special Needs Plans

LifeShield: An Exclusive Med Supp and DVH Combo Opportunity

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Tue, Mar 07, 2023 @ 03:39 PM

LifeShield blog-3

Give clients the freedom to choose. With this bundled solution from LifeShield, producers and clients can enjoy a unique and exclusive Medicare Supplement and Dental, Vision, and Hearing (DVH) combo sale opportunity with more benefits and more freedom – meeting clients' financial and coverage needs.

Become a LifeShield agent today and start providing your clients with unbeatable coverage at an affordable price.



10% Multi-Product Discount -
This multi-product discount is applied to the DVH plan when combined with an approved Medicare Supplement policy*.

Competitive Rates With Great Commissions - PAID DAILY - Policyholders can enjoy market leading rates across Plans F, G, and N, while producers can enjoy a great commission rate that’s PAID DAILY.

A Seamless eApp Experience - Point-of-sale underwriting decision notification for clean apps and declines, with 48-hour turnaround for referred underwritten cases.

Combo Sale approved in 19 states w/ more coming soon!

Medicare Supplement Highlights:

LifeShield's Medicare Supplement plans allows clients the freedom to choose the plan that best meets their financial and coverage needs without being restricted to a network provider.

  Provide clients with a plan that holistically meets their needs.

 Freedom to choose any physician or provider who accepts Medicare

 Premium charged will not change during the first year of coverage

 Guaranteed renewable

 7% Household Discount**

 Simple eApp – minimize the paperwork


Dental, Vision, and Hearing (DVH) Highlights:

  • Guaranteed issue and guaranteed renewable
  • Preventive dental care coverage from day one
  • Choice of flat or vanishing dental insurance deductible*
  • Vision and hearing discount plans help costs of care that may not be covered by Medicare
  • Generous benefit limits available up to $5,000


Become a LifeShield agent today
and start providing your clients with unbeatable coverage at an affordable price.

 


LifeShield National Insurance Co. is an Oklahoma City-based life and health insurance company, and a member of the LifeShield National family of insurance companies. Together with its affiliates Individual Assurance Company Life, Health, & Accident, and Life Assurance Company, LifeShield has been protecting families for nearly 50 years with affordable life, health, and accident insurance solutions to help you live the life you choose. LifeShield National Insurance Co. is rated B++ (Good), the 5th highest rating possible out of a total of 16 by AM Best, a widely recognized independent insurance industry ratings firm. For the latest rating information, visit www.ambest.com

Tags: dental hearing and vision insurance, Medicare Supplement, LifeShield

Your Digital Lab Marketing Services

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Mon, Mar 06, 2023 @ 07:57 AM

Your Digital Lab-1

We’re well aware that many agents aren’t all that excited about updating their website, creating content with SEO in mind, and using social media for their business.

It’s not always easy for those of us that didn’t grow up with the internet, and it can be a lot of work. But if you want to grow your business, it’s not an option to invest in digital marketing and social media marketing any longer. 


According to PEW Research, 93% of people read online reviews before making a purchase, while 62% of internet users 65 or older use Facebook.

I know, even hiring the right people to do your marketing can be a daunting task. Who do you hire, and for what? Do you hire full time or outsource it?

It’s ideal, of course when you can find a single source to help with all those needs, at a cost that is sustainable.

We are excited to introduce our new digital marketing suite of services – YourDigitalLab.

YourDigitalLab (YDL) is a leading full-service digital marketing agency for agent and advisors. They work to optimize various campaigns made specifically to deliver the results you want. YDL is the trusted choice for agents and advisors looking to drive sales and leads with online marketing.

YourDigitalLab is an exclusive service for our agents that offers different packages and a la carte services for all your digital marketing needs!

YourDigitalLab’s team of experts can help in regards to building websites, SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, retargeting ads, and more.

They can help increase your social media following by establishing your presence, to help bring in organic, high-quality leads for your business.


Research says digital ads can increase brand awareness by 80% and consumers are 70% more likely to make a purchase from a retargeting ad.

Consumers are savvy these days and it takes only about half a second for visitors to form an opinion about your website. 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive.

So if you are in need for these types of services, or if you would just like to take a deeper look at what some of these items can do for your business, I highly recommend a consult with the YourDigitalLab team.

They will take the time to assess your business and develop a package that caters to you and fits your need, at a very competitive price.

We’re very excited about this new exclusive offering and we hope you can take advantage of these services to help take your business to the next level.

Let’s face it, whether you’re an agency trying to scale and recruit new agents, or a business trying to grow and attract new clients, everyone and their grandmother are using social media today. And if that’s where your customers are spending their time, then that’s where you should be spending your marketing budget.

So, go to www.yourdigitallab.com quick, and check out the reasonably priced services they offer. I know you’ll be impressed, and you’ll find these services can help take your business to new heights!

Thanks for your time, and happy selling!

YourDigitalLab

 

 

Introducing AFLAC Medicare Supplement and Final Expense Plans

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Thu, Mar 02, 2023 @ 02:32 PM

Tags: Final Expense, medicare supplement insurance, Aflac

YourMedicare SunFire Adds Aetna Medicare Supplement

Posted by www.psmbrokerage.com Admin on Thu, Mar 02, 2023 @ 02:27 PM

YM Aetna

Aetna Med Supp & YourMedicare SunFire

For quite some time now you’ve asked us to add more Medicare Supplement plans to YourMedicare SunFire. It’s still the beginning of the year and we’re already making it happen! Aetna’s Med Supps are slated to go live for agents and agencies on 3/21!

This is just the beginning, plenty more to come and we’ll keep you updated as they do!

Details:

  • Soft launch will be going live on March 21st.
  • Aetna Medicare Supplement Enrollment will be available in the following states (as they all follow the same generic, consistent form): 34 Generic states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, DC, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, LA, MI, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WV, WY


Agent Experience inside YourMedicare SunFire:

•  You can use your existing login to access the Aetna Medicare Supplement plans.
•  Choose Medicare Supplement and Aetna to see the new integrated enrollment form.

Aetna YM


  Learn more about the YourMedicare SunFire Enrollment Platform.

 

Tags: Aetna Medicare Supplement, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Solutions, YourMedicare, SunFireMatrix

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