Agent Update Memo — November 2024
Agent Update Memo — November 2024
Below you will find new Medicare training and information both from Senior Marketing Specialists and the insurance industry as a whole.
Senior Marketing Specialists Updates
AEP Office hours are 7 AM – 6 PM (Monday through Thursday) and 8 AM – 4 PM on Fridays.
SMS Office will be open on Halloween
SMS Offices will be closed on November 28 – 29 in observance of Thanksgiving
- If you are having issues with MedicareCENTER or the MedicareApp, please provide us with as much information up front as you can, so we can submit the ticket as quickly as possible! We will always need client information to know that the issue is occurring on, and what the issue is. Screenshots are very helpful!
Planning on submitting paper apps this AEP? Make sure to submit the paper app submission agreement form first!
EMPLOYEE COMPLIANCE
If an employee is not a licensed agent, they need to take the CMS FWA training and the company needs to keep proof YEARLY.
All employees prior to hire and monthly need to be run on the OIG exclusion check. Screenshot the search results and store for up to 10 years.
Compliance Reminders
Scope of Appointment (SOA) forms are valid for 12 months
Agents and brokers must obtain an SOA 48 hours prior to a personal marketing appointment unless it is the last 4 days of an individual’s valid enrollment period or the individual initiated an in-person walk-in meeting.
Inbound phone calls are considered to be a walk-in as well, meaning you do not have to wait the 48 hours.
All marketing, sales, and enrollment calls must be recorded in their entirety. The requirement still applies to inbound and outbound calls. You also must continue to obtain an individual’s consent to record the call, and you must end the call if the individual refuses to grant permission to record the call.
Industry Updates
Read about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan FAQs
Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Data Breach that affected almost a million individuals. Read more about it here!
Carrier Updates
The new DSNP Landing Page is live on Jarvis! On it, agents will find helpful Medicaid and DSNP information. The new landing page links to our “DSNP Enrollment-At-A-Glance” guides for each state we offer a plan.
If using SunFire – they have removed enrollment options for non-commissionable plans.
GTL has rolled out a 24/7 livechat feature on their Agent Portal.
Anthem Kansas DSNP now available to contract, just need to choose a KS appointment (only product there, no PDP or regular MAPD).
VBE/HRA – reach out for details on specific carriers!
- Service Area Reductions (SARs):
- Aetna, Anthem, UHC, Blue KC have all announced SARs – reach out for specifics!
The SMS team provides me information that I can share with my clients, which helps me provide value to them and helps with client retention. They were also a huge help as I transitioned my practice from individual producer to agency. And when I run across a situation where I need to refer a prospect to an agent in another state, they are always quick to find a solution. They have also given me great guidance as I begin a transition plan to ultimately sell my practice.
~Linda D.
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:
cited in article
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