
Agent Update Memo — November 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.
Last Edited: 11/24/2025
Senior Marketing Specialists Updates
- SMS offices closed November 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving.
- SMS Event on December 9 – Post-AEP Selling Opportunities. Register here!
- Check out our new 2026 Cost Sheets you can utilize; Fillable 2026 Medicare Costs & Premiums for client use, and Detailed 2026 Costs and Premiums for Agents.
Industry Updates
- HHS Looks to Bulk Up Tech Talent
- Oscar ‘optimistic’ legislators will find compromise for ACA tax credits
- Cigna’s Express Scripts Set to Shift
- Average Medicare Advantage PDP Availability for Medicare Beneficiaries in 2026
- Medicare will cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs in 2026
- The government will open back up with no solution to ACA subsidies
- ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit Calculator
- DEA to publish 4th extension of telehealth prescribing rule in wave of relief for virtual care providers
- ‘Come fight with me’ — Oz courts physicians skeptical of Medicaid cuts, MAHA’s criticisms
Carrier Updates
Lots of carriers are on January 1 Medicare Supplement renewal cycles. Be watching those rate increases!
- Humana, UHC, and Anthem/BCBS in some states.
- Medico – February in some states.
AETNA
Are you getting questions from DSNP members on benefits and confusion on the move to SSBCI? Check out Aetna’s VBID to SSBCI Educational Flyer!
ALLSTATE
- Don’t forget about the Allstate suite of products for your U65 clients as you go through this ACA Open Enrollment!
- Guide to compare side-by-side with marketplace
BCBS KS
- BCBS KS is remaining in-network with Auburn Pharmacy.
CIGNA
- Valley Baptist is in-network with Cigna MAPD.
GTL
- HIP Guaranteed Issue is up to 75 in most states!
HEALTHSPRING
- Important Deadline: Agents have until December 24, 2025 to submit the HRA for any member applications taken from October 1 – December 7, 2025.
HUMANA
BJC is in network for Humana 2026.
- Reminder: Humana PDP’s are now only available on Medicare.gov and the Humana.com consumer-facing site.
MANHATTAN LIFE
- The Manhattan Affordable Choice Specified Disease Rider is now available in Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia! Click here to see the product brochure.
- SSBCI Verification: We’re excited to bring you another Book of Business enhancement that will enable you to easily and efficiently view the qualifying condition verification status for your current clients in a plan with Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) for 2026. UnitedHealthcare aims to make the transition to SSBCI benefits seamless.
WELLABE
- HIP Guaranteed Issue is up to 79 in most states!
WELLCARE
- Please be advised that SeaView IPA will no longer be an in-network provider for Wellcare members, effective December 31, 2025.
Have additional questions? Contact us today by calling (800) 689-2800 or email us at contact@smsteam.net!
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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