CMS Call Recording Guidelines For 2023

August 17, 2022/in CMS updates, General News & Updates, Uncategorized insurance group, rb insurance, rb insurance group /by Kris Sharma

The new CMS Call Recording guidelines are here for the 2023 enrollment period! Starting October 1st, 2022, all Medicare agents will need to abide by these guidelines for any interactions where Medicare Advantage or Part D plans are discussed. These guidelines include:

Recording all calls, for clients AND prospects
Storing calls for 10 years in a HIPAA-compliant manner
Using standard disclaimers

This is going to have a massive impact on your prospecting and enrollments. Here is what you need to know and how to stay compliant.

Why CMS Made New Call Recording Guidelines

As with most regulatory changes, the new CMS call recording guidelines are a result of a few bad apples. Last year, CMS reported over 39,000 CTMs (complaints to Medicare), which are essentially allegations of misconduct

Shockingly, 70% of CTMs came from large call centers of third-party marketing organizations (TPMOs). The TPMOs used extremely misleading ads to funnel customers into a call center, where they would be pressured into changing their health plan.

The problem? The TPMOs would often promise plans that didn’t cover the customer’s prescriptions, primary care provider, or even any doctors in their area.

As a result, CMS not only cracked down on the call centers, but also made a sweeping change: all independent agents are now considered TPMOs. That’s right, a single agent now has to abide by the same regulations as a multi-million dollar call center.

What This Means For Independent Agents

So what will agents need to do in order to stay compliant with CMS? Let’s check out the details:

Using a Disclaimer

As of October 1st, 2022, every call will need to have this standard disclaimer in the first 60 seconds:

“We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.”

Pretty awkward, right?

But wait, there’s more! You’ll also have to use this disclaimer prominently in your:

Electronic communication (email, online chat, etc)
Marketing materials
Website

Recording Your Calls

After that awkward disclaimer, you will need to record all of your calls with your clients and prospects. And then you will have to store all of those recordings for ten years.

“But what about personal calls?” you might be thinking. Like most people in the 21st century, you probably use a cell phone to make calls. Well, you’ll have to get a separate number with call recording and storage.

What About Texts and Emails?

The CMS Final Rule means that you will have to keep ALL of your interactions, including text messages and emails. So if you’re trying to only work off your cell phone and your texts get deleted—you could be in for some big trouble.

How To Stay Compliant With CMS Call Recording Guidelines

Seems like an expensive and time-consuming process to comply with the CMS call recording guidelines, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, there is a great solution for agents.

As an FMO with decades of experience, RB Insurance Group has been preparing for this new change. Our agents get free access to a complete virtual call center, the Medicare Sales Engine, that solves this problem.

The Medicare Sales Engine:

Records and stores every call
Can play a recorded disclaimer before your calls
Saves your text messages and emails

In addition to great technology, RB Insurance Group also offers in-depth help on remaining compliant. Rob Bever, our chief compliance officer, not only trains agents on compliance but also helps you deal with any CTMs you may receive.

Conclusion

Even though they seem intimidating, the new CMS call recording guidelines are nothing to be afraid of. Eliminating the false promises from shady TPMOs will allow consumers to trust Medicare agents again.

And if you need the technology, training, and support to be ready for October 1st, give us a call at 1-800-997-3107 or fill out our contracting form. We would love to show you how RB Insurance Group can help you grow your Medicare business and build the lifestyle you deserve.

2023 AHIP Certification

June 22, 2021/in AHIP, Carrier News, CMS updates, Compliance, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Carrier News, New Agent Corner, RB Insurance news, RBI Announcements, Webinars $50, advantage, ahip, discount, follow, insurance group, link, medicare, medicare advantage, pay, rb insurance, rb insurance group, time /by Justin Bever

It’s that time of the year again where Medicare brokers across the US spend hours re-certifying to market and sell Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. You’ve probably seen the emails coming directly from AHIP telling you that AHIP has been released for 2022. Sure, you can go ahead and follow those links and pay the full retail price of $175 or…. You could follow this handy link and get the exact same course for a whopping $50 off. No strings attached. Okay, just one. You have to sign up for our blog in order to get the discount, but I promise we won’t SPAM you. Since you are reading this article, there is a good possibility you’re already signed up anyway.

That’s not all!

Because we are so excited about this offer, we have decided to sweeten the deal. Let us pay for your AHIP certification!

Contract directly with RB Insurance Group with 3 Medicare Advantage carriers.
Make 5 Medicare Advantage enrollments with RB Insurance Group during AEP.
We will pay you $125 to cover the cost of your test.

Want more reasons to sell Medicare Advantage plans?

How about we just got a raise! This year CMS increased the initial compensation to $573 for a beneficiary just enrolling into Medicare and raised the renewal rate to $287 in most states and the best part is most carriers pay lifetime commissions on MA plans. With more than 10,000 people aging into Medicare each day in the US, combined with our Medicare Sales Engine CRM system and with our quick and easy Fast-Track contracting process that eliminates 90% of your paperwork, now is a great time to add Medicare Advantage plans into your portfolio.

Incase you missed the link for your $50 discount above – Click Here to claim your discount now!

2020 Medicare Agent and Broker Compensation Announced | CMS | RBI

May 30, 2019/in CMS updates, Medicare Advantage Carrier News, New Agent Corner, RB Insurance news 2020 agent and broker, 2020 agent and broker compensation, agent and broker, agent and broker compensation, agent and broker compensation rate, broker compensation, broker compensation rate, center for medicare and medicaid, medicaid services released a memo, medicare and medicaid services, medicare and medicaid services released, services released a memo, submissions and training and testing, training and testing requirements /by Kelly Lussan

2020 Medicare Agent and Broker Compensation Announced

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a memo on May 29th, 2019. The CMS made the annual announcement detailing the compensation limits for 2020.

AHIP Certification 2020 discount training medicare

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a memo to Medicare Advantage Organizations, Prescription Drug Plan Sponsors, Section 1876 Cost Plans, and Medicare-Medicaid Plans detailing Contract Year 2020 Agent and Broker Compensation Rate, Referral/Finder’s Fees, Submissions, and Training and Testing Requirements for 2020.

The CY 2020 FMV cut-off amounts for all organizations & referral/finder’s fees are as follows:

Medicare Advantage Organizations, Prescription Drug Plan Sponsors, Section 1876 Cost Plans, and Medicare-Medicaid Plans 2020 Agent and Broker Compensation Rate, Referral/Finder’s Fees, Submissions, and Training and Testing Requirements 2020 compensation and referral/finder’s fee

Policies sold for a January 1st, 2020 effective date will be eligible for this new compensation as long as the selling carrier decides to pay the Maximum CMS Allowable Commission.

Needless to say, Medicare Advantage is more attractive than ever to sell as a Broker. If you’ve ever thought about selling Medicare Advantage, now is a good time to consider getting into this market . The 2020 Medicare Broker Compensation is more robust than ever with this new announcement. Many beneficiaries (21 Million and counting) prefer a Medicare Advantage plan, and with the new broker compensation for 2020, the gains for brokers are obvious.

Give us a call at 1-800-997-3107 to find out which carriers pay Top Commission in your market! Click here to contract now!

See below for the memo in it’s entirety, titled “Contract Year 2020 Agent and Broker Compensation Rate Adjustments, Submissions, and Training and Testing Requirements.”

2020 Agent and Broker Compensation Rate, Referral, Submissions, and Training and Testing Requirements

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2019 Medicare Cost-Sharing

October 25, 2018/in Carrier News, CMS updates, General News & Updates /by James Gramp

Medicare cost-sharing

RBI National Sales Manager: Charlie Ferrell

Charlie started his senior insurance career after a brief 30-year stint in the restaurant industry. In the 13 years since then, he has been blazing trails and setting standards for excellence all over! A native son of Utah, he has been a state manager for RBI as well as a managing general agent for UHC, Coventry, Molina and other carriers! Charlie came to RBI as the National Sales Manager in 2015, and is an invaluable resource for our agents and staff for marketing, compliance, and sales topics! Charlie’s field experience with senior insurance sales has made him an expert in our insurance CRM: Medicare Sales Engine. If all of that wasn’t enough, Charlie specializes in the Dual-Eligible market and is leading the charge behind RBI’s new “Dual Eligibles for Newbies” seminars!

2019 Medicare Cost-Sharing

Medicare has released the 2019 Medicare cost-sharing amounts and MOOP for standardized Medicare Supplement Plans. Without further ado, here it is!

Part A: Hospital Insurance

Hospital

$1,364 (+$24) deductible per benefit period.
$341 (+$6) for days 61-90.
$682 (+$12) for 60 lifetime reserve days (days 91-150.)

Skilled Nursing

$170.50/day (+$3) for days 21-100.

Part A premium

$437 if you’ve worked less than 30 quarters.
$240 if you’ve worked over 30 quarters but less than 40.

Part B: Medical Insurance

$135.50 premium. Deductible remains at $185.
Cost-sharing remains the same for Part B services, Medicare pays 80% and the beneficiary pays 20%.

Part D: Prescriptions

Deductible: $415

The standard part D deductible for 201 is $415. Many plans however have eliminated the deductible entirely.

Initial coverage limit: $0 – $3,820

After the deductible has been met, beneficiaries enter into stage 2, the Initial Coverage Limit. At which point beneficiaries will either pay 25% or more typically they will have co-pays for tiers 1 – 5.
Once the retail amount (what you pay + what the carrier pays) of your prescriptions reaches $3,820 for the year, beneficiaries will enter into gap also known as the “doughnut hole.”

Coverage Gap/Doughnut hole: $3,820 – $5,100

Once in stage 3, more commonly referred to as the “Gap” or the “Doughnut-Hole” beneficiaries will be paying 25% for brand name drugs and 37% for generics.
After out-of-pocket (what you and the manufacturer pay) costs reach $5,100 beneficiaries will enter into stage 4 or “Catastrophic Coverage.”

Catastrophic Coverage

Medicare cost-sharing

Once in stage 4, beneficiaries will pay the greater of:
- 5% OR
- $3.40 copay for generics and $8.50 copay for all other drugs.

Prescription drug coverage premiums range from $12.70 and up.

Part C – Medicare Advantage plans

Premiums for Medicare Advantage plans range from $0 and up.

Max-out-of-Pocket: $6,700

Cost sharing for Medicare Supplement plans

Deductible for the High Deductible plan F is $2,300
MOOP
- Plan K: $5,560
- Plan L: $2,780

We hope everyone is having a successful AEP and thank you all for your hard work! While AEP ends in a little over a week, it’s important to remember that there is an incredible year-round opportunity in the Medicare market that most agents aren’t taking advantage of. To jump start your business in the new year, the time to start is RIGHT NOW! Plan out community events and any marketing necessities to keep the momentum going. If you want help with marketing, contact us to do a MAPS plan.

Not yet contracted with RB Insurance Group? Give us a call today to learn how RBI will take your Medicare business to new heights! 1-800-997-3107!

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Medicare Broker Compensation Announced 2019

June 7, 2018/in CMS updates, Medicare Advantage Carrier News, New Agent Corner, RB Insurance news /by James Gramp

2019 Medicare Broker Compensation Announced

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a memo on May 28th, 2018 detailing the compensation limits for 2019.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a memo on May 28th, 2018 detailing the compensation limits for 2019.

The CY 2019 FMV cut-off amounts for all organizations are as follows:

Policies sold for a January 1st, 2019 effective date will be eligible for this new compensation as long as the selling carrier decides to pay the Maximum CMS Allowable Commission.

Needless to say, Medicare Advantage is more attractive than ever to sell as a Broker. If you’ve ever thought about selling Medicare Advantage, now is a good time to consider getting into this market . The 2019 Medicare Broker Compensation is more robust than ever with this new announcement. Many beneficiaries (21 Million and counting) prefer a Medicare Advantage plan, and with the new broker compensation for 2019, the gains for brokers are obvious.

Give us a call at 1-800-997-3107 to find out which carriers pay Top Commission in your market! Click here to contract now!

See below for the memo in it’s entirety, titled “Contract Year 2019 Agent and Broker Compensation Rate Adjustments, Submissions, and Training and Testing Requirements.”

2019_Writing_Agent_FMV_Compensation