Agent Update Memo — April 2025
Agent Update Memo — April 2025
Below you will find new Medicare training and information both from Senior Marketing Specialists and the insurance industry as a whole. This information will be updated throughout the month.
Senior Marketing Specialists Updates
- 2026 trip incentives are beginning to release! Check out our Contests Page to see more.
- Have you checked out the Retirement Realized Agent Academy? There are tons of great resources available!
- Interested in doing your own seminars? Reach out today to learn how Leading Response can make it easy for you!
- Are you doing any marketing to fuel your growth? Contact us to see if we can help cost-share it with you!
- Are you interested in doing seminars? Reach out to learn how LeadingResponse can make this easy for you.
Industry Updates
- The Disaster SEP is back on the table for agents to use through 2025, pending no other changes!
- According to Deft’s 2025 MA Growth Tracker, C-SNP enrollment continues to be white-hot, growing nationally at an impressive 68% year-over-year through February. Great for another 442,821 C-SNP enrollees! This brings the current total lives in the category to almost 1.1 million. Check out our blog, Chronic Special Needs Plan (CSNP) Opportunities by Rachel Brammeier to learn more.
- 23andMe bankruptcy sparks genetic data privacy concerns for its 15M customers
- 5 years later: a look back at the COVID-19 pandemic and how healthcare has changed
- Ascension selling 4 Southwest Michigan hospitals to Beacon Health System
- CMS Announces Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes
- Have questions on the HIDE / FIDE DSNP sales opportunity? Give us a call at (800) 689-2800!
- Do NOT expect this AEP to look much different from last year’s. With changes to funding with VBID and other things on the table, there are going to be a lot of opportunities again this year. What will you do to take advantage of it?
- Trump order seeks changes to Medicare drug price negotiation program, PBM reform
- With Med Supp increases continuing to go up, we are seeing a HUGE increase in Plan N. One agent said their clients are describing it as “a no-brainer” to move from G to N.
Carrier Updates
- The M3P Program seems to be causing a lot of questions and issues from members and carriers alike. Remember, this program is not for everyone. Pharmacies and carriers are doing everything they can to navigate through this new program.
- HHC Plans have a RX Reimbursement that can usually cover the client’s premiums for the full year!
- For example, Heartland National will reimburse $15 for each generic and $30 for brand name. They have a plan with an annual reimbursement cap of $720.
- Ascend E-App is improving their Medicaid lookup resources to provide a better picture of eligibility.
- Aetna
- Aetna Webinars:
- April 14th – Aetna Academy – Care Management 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
- Register Today!
- We will have a guest speaker from CM to review some member success stories and discuss what CM can do to assist our SNP members and, in turn, assist our broker partners.
- April 17th – High Value Provider University 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
- April 22nd – High Value Provider University 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
- April 30th – Aetna Academy (long-form) 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST
- April 14th – Aetna Academy – Care Management 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
- Aetna Webinars:
- Ameritas
- Clients enrolling in Ameritas’ individual dental coverage may qualify for dental credit for prior coverage (CPC). The biggest benefits are year 2 plan benefits, and waived waiting periods (if applicable) on day one for preventative, basic, and major services.
- Here are some of the qualifications that clients must meet to be eligible for CPC:
- Clients must have had previous dental coverage for at least 12 months prior.
- Any gaps in coverage may not be more than 2 months.
- Their previous insurance was fully insured. CPC is not available to replace DHMO, discount, or schedule plans.
- Here are some of the qualifications that clients must meet to be eligible for CPC:
- Clients enrolling in Ameritas’ individual dental coverage may qualify for dental credit for prior coverage (CPC). The biggest benefits are year 2 plan benefits, and waived waiting periods (if applicable) on day one for preventative, basic, and major services.
- Cigna
- Cigna DVH is being improved: no waiting period for benefits and dental improved from 0% to 20% in the first year.
- Devoted
- In 2026, Devoted will be expanding into KS, IA, OK, NE, UT, NM, LA, DE, and VA.
- Need to pre-register? Click here!
- Expansions occurring in existing state markets!
- In 2026, Devoted will be expanding into KS, IA, OK, NE, UT, NM, LA, DE, and VA.
- Humana
- Med Supp is seeing an uptick in sales in TX, IL, KS, and NE.
- LifeShield
- Underwritten Medicare Supplement Q2 Bonus Program:
- $250 bonus per underwritten Med Supp
- $150 bonus per OE Plan N
- Underwritten Medicare Supplement Q2 Bonus Program:
- Manhattan Life
- Manhattan Life is stopping all new sales of Med Supps as of April 30th.
- At this time, this does not impact current policies on the books or agent ability to view or service clients in the portal.
- Manhattan Life is stopping all new sales of Med Supps as of April 30th.
- Mutual of Omaha
- Mutual of Omaha announced rate increases for May 1 in: GA, IA, ND, SC, IL, and KY. If you haven’t seen the announcement yet, give us a call!
- Looking to write more Cancer Insurance? Consider using one of Mutual of Omaha’s ready-made flyers for a mailing or to keep around your office. Mutual of Omaha will send you up to 500 pieces every 6 months for free.
- Mutual of Omaha Sales Bonus: May 1 – July 31
- Not available in Alaska, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Does not include North Carolina internal replacements and/or affiliate conversions.
- Physicians Mutual
- Physicians Mutual Dental has an unlimited Cash Cap on benefits. Now is a great time to offer this opportunity to your rate increase clients.
- United Healthcare
- Med Supp Rate Increases are continuing to roll out. As they become available, you can order updated enrollment kits on the Jarvis portal. Reach out to see if your state has had their increase announced!
- Rate increase announced for MO and KS!
- Med Supp Rate Increases are continuing to roll out. As they become available, you can order updated enrollment kits on the Jarvis portal. Reach out to see if your state has had their increase announced!
- Wellabe
- Wellabe cross-sell incentive: April 1 – June 30.
- After 5 apps of dental, HIP, or cancer:
- $50 per app (5-10 apps)
- $100 per app (11+ apps)
- After 5 apps of dental, HIP, or cancer:
- Wellabe cross-sell incentive: April 1 – June 30.
All contracted Agents receive FREE access to SMS-University, the industry’s most trusted, comprehensive online training platform, featuring numerous training modules, white-papers, and clear, concise education tools.
Sources:
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