Talking Medicare is the Senior Marketing Specialists weekly topic sheet. Information for agents to know for their clients, staff, and industry.
Part D Extra Help Notices
Purple Deemed Status Notice
If you get this PURPLE notice it means you automatically qualify for Extra Help, because of any of the following:
You have both Medicare and Medicaid.
You’re in a Medicare Savings Program.
You get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-resources/mail-about-medicare/deemed-status-notice.html
Yellow or Green Auto-Enrollment Notice
If you get this YELLOW notice it means you automatically qualify for Extra Help because you qualify for Medicare and Medicaid and currently get benefits through Original Medicare. You’ll be automatically enrolled in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan unless you decline coverage or join a plan yourself.
https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-resources/mail-about-medicare/auto-enrollment-notice.html
Social Security LIS & MSP Outreach Notice (mailed in May)
If Medicare thinks you might be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), this notice tells you about MSPs and the Extra Help available for Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Orange Change in Extra Help Copayment Notice
You’ll get this ORANGE notice if Social Security determines that you still automatically qualify for Extra Help, but will have different copayment levels next year.
https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-resources/mail-about-medicare/change-extra-help-notice.html
General Enrollment Period
If you didn’t sign up for Part A and/or Part B (for which you must pay premiums) when you were first eligible, and you aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period between January 1–March 31 each year.
Your coverage will start July 1. You may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment in Part A and/or a higher premium for late enrollment in Part B.
Social Security brochure that outlines Medicare enrollment: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf
Application for Enrollment in Medicare – Part B: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms-Items/CMS017339.html
UHC Symphonix/Walgreens Part D Plans
Properly contracted and certified agents are eligible to write and get paid for both the Symphonix and Walgreens PDP plans from UHC. These plans are coming in extremely competitive in many regions.
AARP Member Advantage App
Download the AARP Member Advantages App to get access to AARP member offers, discounts, and coupons. Make sure you don’t miss out on discounts for travel, dining, entertainment and more!
http://advantages.aarp.org/en/about-us/member-advantages-app.html
Reminder: UHC Agents of any age are eligible for free AARP membership. Sign up here: https://www.myaarpconnection.com/
Agent Do’s and Don’ts Marketing Fact Sheets
This is the link to the 2011 document issued by CMS: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/ManagedCareMarketing/downloads/AgentBrokerDosDonts080411.pdf
This is a link to the fact sheet distributed by Aetna: https://www.smsteam.net/wp-content/uploads/training/2017-MMG-Dos-and-Donts.pdf
Use of the term “Medicare” in Advertising
Paraphrased from: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title11/1140.htm
Use of the word “Medicare” or a symbol or emblem of Medicare in a manner which conveys that such item is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is prohibited.