Feb 24 2025 Meeting with Updates

We had LOTS of updates, including a presentation on how we've been doing in the office compared to other agencies.

Notes are under the video:

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Judge Halts CMS Limit on Medicare Advantage Pay

July 3, 2024

The actual decision can be downloaded here.

The summary of the action is as follows:

In plain English, the court decision can be summarized as follows:

Background:
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for the elderly and disabled. There are different parts, including Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D, provided by private insurers under government contracts. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) set rules to regulate how insurers compensate agents and brokers who help enroll beneficiaries in these plans.

Key Issue:
CMS recently introduced a new rule (the “Final Rule”) that set fixed rates for administrative payments to agents and brokers, which were previously uncapped. This rule also introduced restrictions on contract terms and prohibited sharing personal beneficiary data without consent.

Plaintiffs:
The plaintiffs, including Americans for Beneficiary Choice (ABC) and the Council for Medicare Choice (CMC), argued that the new rule would harm their business operations and filed for a stay (a temporary halt) of the rule's effective date.

Court's Decision:
The court granted a stay for parts of the new rule but denied others. Specifically:

1. Stay Granted:
– The Fixed Fee and Contract-Terms Restrictions are temporarily halted. The court found these parts of the rule to be likely arbitrary and capricious because CMS did not adequately substantiate its decisions or address reliance interests and public comments.

2. Stay Denied:
– The Consent Requirement (related to sharing personal beneficiary data) remains in effect because ABC did not show a substantial likelihood of success in challenging this part.

Implications:
The court decided to temporarily halt parts of the rule while litigation continues, as the plaintiffs showed they could suffer irreparable harm. The parties must now submit a joint schedule for summary judgment briefing by July 17, 2024.

Conclusion:
The court's decision means that certain agent and broker compensation restrictions will not take effect immediately, giving the plaintiffs temporary relief while the case proceeds.

 

Medicare Supplement Training

April 8 2024 Meeting

Improving office process and communication to clients.

This office meeting happened when Chris was on the Barcelona, Spain trip with Mutual of Omaha, so you'll see some of those video clips in this video.

Notes under the video:

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Veteran Medicare Answers – 3/11/24 Internal Meeting

We talk about our response to the Cigna changes, whose client communications go out 3/15/24, and discuss options for Veterans who utilize the VA for all of their medical care.. Should they start Part B?

Notes under the video:

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Medicare Supplement Outlook Feb 26 2024 Updates

Updates from the industry and better ways to communicate to make sure that scheduled appointments are not a waste of time.. join the discussion from February 26, 2024.

Notes under the video:

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December 18, 2023 Internal Agency Meeting

AEP Results Recap

Video:

Correction to the Video:
It is not Blue Shield of CA that is rejecting (in December) MAOEP Medicare Supplement applications until January 1.
It is United American / Globle Life. They say they can be submitted January 1 for February 1 effective dates.

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CMS Accusation Against Our Agent | 11-13-23 Meeting

One of our external agents has been accused by CMS of handling a Medicare case wrongly. What is the right way to do it? What is the wrong day to do it? Also, an update on Wellabe applications and other…

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Sales Huddle 11-09-23 Better Questions

This morning we checked in with the sales crew and talked about uncovering more opportunities within the existing calls and appointments that we are on. Our team is blowing it up this year vs. past years and we are always seeking that next level of improvement.

Video:

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Super Easy Add-On Sales with Hospital Indemnity

This is a super-easy add-on sale and process for anyone with a Medicare Advantage plan.

Now, it is a guaranteed issue for ages 60 to 79! No health questions!

See the video from our impromptu sales gathering.

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AEP Underway – 10-16-23 Meeting

AEP is underway and we are making great progress with the automation we are using to put incoming calls and form leads where they belong..
Here is our internal office meeting, followed by a sales-only meeting and what we need to remember during AEP.

Notes are under the video below:

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October 2 ,2023 Meeting – Scope of Appointment Stuff

In this meeting on October 2, 2023, we discussed our new internal policy on gathering the Scope of Appointment for Medicare Advantage appointments and other AEP preparations.

The meeting agenda is posted under the video below. Also, the Blue Shield Underwriting Holiday details for California and updates on Woodmen of the World, Oklahoma, and other topics, such as how to avoid the most common car crashes and what to do after a crash..

See the video:

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