Agent Update Memo — July 2025
Agent Update Memo — July 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
- Our office is closed on 7/4/25 for Independence Day.
- AEP Rollout Recaps:
- 2026 UHC Rollout Recap – August 18 at 2 PM CST
- Sneak Peeks are starting to trickle out! They are still very high level and we are not expecting to see final details until August or September, including many MOOPs and Premiums.
- Have you checked out the updated content in the AEP Toolkit? We’ve got great resources for any new agents you’re hiring!
- See our new “Bundle Up” with Cross-Selling whitepapers. One for Med Supp and one for Medicare Advantage!
- Connect with more prospects using professional Agent Radio Scripts that can be easily customized to include your information.
Industry Updates
- Health insurers vow to fix this common source of consumer complaints: What to know
- The crippling financial toxicity of cancer in the United States
- Centene stock sinks as insurer withdraws 2025 guidance
- Optum Rx eliminates reauthorization requirements for 60 more drugs
- State Senate committee holds hearing on failed MU Health Care, Anthem negotiations
- States brace for reversal of Obamacare coverage gains
- Centerwell to purchase The Villages Health
- Anthem and the University of Missouri Reach Agreement (does NOT include Medicare Advantage (MA))
- Elevance Health CEO says company is taking ‘concrete steps’ to address cost pressures.
- According to AARP Magazine, the total cost of cancer treatment on average is $150,000.
- Click here to read the full article.
- How are you protecting your clients from this? See our CARE Initiative page for useful resources.
Carrier Updates
- ACE
- ACE is taking a 40% rate increase on F & G and 25% on N, starting August 1. Clients who recently ended their 12 month rate lock ARE getting hit with a double rate increase.
- Increases have been announced for…
- September 1, 2025: MT, FL, LA, AK.
- October 1, 2025: MS.
- Reach out for details!
- CIGNA
- Cigna has announced their new brand name in part with their HCSC merger – HealthSpring!
- Cigna will not be accepting any MA or PDP EFT or direct deposit requests from agents through July 11 – July 21 due to system and portal updates.
- Cigna MAPD/PDP e-enrollment will no longer be available after July 18. E-apps can still be submitted on MedicareCENTER and through Cigna’s Connecture platform.
- Cigna will be paying commissions on their Part D plans this year, announced July 21 in their Sneak Peek.
- Paying full commission on both Extra and Assurance plans*
- HealthSpring will pay CMS max allowable commission on our HealthSpring Extra PDP (formerly Cigna Healthcare Medicare Saver PDP).
- HealthSpring will pay CMS max allowable commission on our Assurance PDP in states where the Assurance plan premium is above the region benchmark.
- *Commission will not be paid on Assurance PDP in states where the premium is below the benchmark.
- Paper or faxed applications are NOT commissionable, E-App only!
- Paying full commission on both Extra and Assurance plans*
- DEVOTED
- Devoted KC (MO/KS) Rollouts are happening September 3 from 1 – 3 PM at Overland Park Convention Center.
- GTL
- GTL has updated their portal and now has a more streamlined quoting process!
- Improved review and resume.
- Improved product selection.
- Simplified e-signature.
- Consumer product videos available on the quote page.
- GTL has updated their portal and now has a more streamlined quoting process!
- HEARTLAND NATIONAL
- Do you have clients interested in Home Health Care? Heartland National could allow them to get up to $720 annually reimbursed for certain RX Prescriptions.
- INA
- Launched on July 1 in several states.
- Includes a Q3 Incentive Program: 5 app minimum to qualify – $250 per underwritten app and $50 per Open Enrollment app.
- Launched on July 1 in several states.
- LIFESHIELD
- July 1 – September 30, LifeShield is running a $250 per app underwritten bonus.
- MANHATTANLIFE
- ManhattanLife is re-opening Medicare Supplements in CA, IL, NJ, and NC on July 7, 2025.
- Manhattan Hospital Indemnity Select in new states: IA and CA!
- MUTUAL OF OMAHA
- New HIP plan coming before the end of the year!
- GI 64-74
- 7% HHD
- Daily benefit available up to $1,000
- 9 riders available
- E-app ONLY
- New HIP plan coming before the end of the year!
- PHYSICIANS MUTUAL
- Effective July 15, Physicians Mutual is pausing Missouri Med Supp sales.
AEP Updates
- Certification Dates:
- Aetna – Open
- AHIP and NABIP – Open
- Anthem/Elevance – Open
- Devoted – Open
- UnitedHealthcare – Open
- Blue Cross Blue Shield – Open
- Humana – Open
- Cigna – Open
- Wellcare – July 22
- Kaiser – August 6
- Check out our 2026 Ultimate AEP Tactical Battle Plan! Great for mapping out your AEP and ensuring your own success!
Our AEP Toolkit has all the marketing resources, certification walkthroughs, carrier specific details, and tools you’ll need in one easy to access spot!
Sources:
cited in article
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