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There are Just 24 months Between S.S.D.I. and Medicare Automatic Qualification

There are 24 months Between S.S.D.I. & Medicare Automatic Qualification

What You Need to Know to Grow Your Book of Business.

The Social Security Administration estimated in December 2018 that 8.5 million Americans received Disability Income or S.S.D.I.. To get a sense of who is covered by S.S.D.I., check the Administration’s Definition of Disability and view its complete list of impairments for adults and children.

What does this mean for you the agent? S.S.D.I. and Medicare work together to support individuals with disabilities. Independent Medicare agents have a rewarding opportunity to serve these disadvantaged beneficiaries. Whether someone is physically disabled and needs assistance with mobility or those with intellectual disabilities or those suffering with mental illnesses, they all need assistance with finding the right health coverage for them. Many times, S.S.D.I. beneficiaries qualify for Medicaid due to lower earnings over their lifetime. This provides you with a unique opportunity to partner with others to assist these beneficiaries. Once they have Medicare, you have a client for life!


“Realizing the the implications that Medicare is not just for seniors 65 and older opens up your book of business to new streams of income.”


It’s fairly simple, once a person has been on S.S.D.I. for 24 months, he or she automatically qualifies for Medicare. You can read more about eligibility for S.S.D.I. here. Individuals with S.S.D.I. can receive Medicare benefits before 24 months if they are fully disabled & have no expectation to work because of their disability. This is not granted automatically; the beneficiary must apply for it. I have had some clients receive Medicare benefits within three months of applying once they began receiving S.S.D.I..


Independent Medicare Agents have a Rewarding Opportunity to serve these Disadvantaged Beneficiaries

Most states do not have Medicare Supplements available to individuals under age 65. If Medicare Supplement plans are available, they can be cost prohibitive because most companies are group or age rated. An individual on Medicare due to Disability is bound to have higher health costs, so they often go with a Medicare Advantage plan simply because that is their only choice. Many Medicare Advantage plans have different networks than your new S.S.D.I. clients may have used in the past, so make sure they are comfortable changing their doctors and specialists.


“It’s fairly simple: Once a person has been on S.S.D.I. for 24 months, he or she automatically qualifies for Medicare”


It’s often the case that many individuals with a disability & families with a disabled family member don’t know where to turn for help. Some have Medicaid, some have no insurance and some live off of their savings.  Tragically, we have bared witness to cases where disabled clients have been Bankrupt by medical bills and are now on Medicaid after burning through their entire life savings because they had no insurance. Most are in their Forties or Fifties and believed they had at least 10 to 20 years or more to work.

Knowledgeable and caring Medicare agents can really make a positive difference in the lives of Disabled prospects by helping these individuals understand S.S.D.I. & Medicare. Realizing the the implications that Medicare is not just for seniors 65 and older opens up your book of business to new streams of income.

Call RB Insurance at 800-997-3107 or email to learn more about Social Security Disability Income, Medicare for Disabled individuals and how to Market yourself to new prospects. RB Insurance Group, llc. A Field Marketing Organization (FMO) for Insurance Agents and Agencies, specializing in the Senior Insurance market. The Agent Advantage Blog is designed with your business agents in mind. Explore the information below & subscribe to our blog to get CMS and regulatory updates with the agent’s perspective. Then give us a Call:800-997-3107 or Email: Producer@rbi-group.com  to find out how RBI can help you expand your business!

Disability Evaluation Under Social Security*

Listing of Impairments –  Adult Listings (Part A)

The following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18 if the disease processes have a similar effect on adults and younger children.

1.00
Musculoskeletal System

2.00
Special Senses and Speech

3.00
Respiratory Disorders

4.00
Cardiovascular System

5.00
Digestive System

6.00
Genitourinary Disorders

7.00
Hematological Disorders

8.00
Skin Disorders


9.00
Endocrine Disorders


10.00
Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems

11.00
Neurological Disorders

12.00
Mental Disorders

13.00
Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)

14.00
Immune System Disorders

Listing of Impairments – Childhood Listings (Part B)

The following sections contain medical criteria that apply only to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18.

100.00
Low Birth Weight and Failure to Thrive

101.00
Musculoskeletal System

102.00
Special Senses and Speech

103.00
Respiratory Disorders

104.00
Cardiovascular System

105.00
Digestive System

106.00
Genitourinary Disorders

107.00
Hematological Disorders

 108.00
Skin Disorders


109.00
Endocrine Disorders


110.00
Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems

  111.00
Neurological Disorders

 112.00
Mental Disorders

113.00
Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)

114.00
Immune System Disorders

*Information from Social Security Administration Website:
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/ChildhoodListings.htm
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm

2019 Medicare Cost-Sharing

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!

Medicare cost-sharing

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!



CMS call recording
2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
Medicare cost-sharing

There are Just 24 months Between S.S.D.I. and Medicare Automatic Qualification

There are 24 months Between S.S.D.I. & Medicare Automatic Qualification

What You Need to Know to Grow Your Book of Business.

The Social Security Administration estimated in December 2018 that 8.5 million Americans received Disability Income or S.S.D.I.. To get a sense of who is covered by S.S.D.I., check the Administration’s Definition of Disability and view its complete list of impairments for adults and children.

What does this mean for you the agent? S.S.D.I. and Medicare work together to support individuals with disabilities. Independent Medicare agents have a rewarding opportunity to serve these disadvantaged beneficiaries. Whether someone is physically disabled and needs assistance with mobility or those with intellectual disabilities or those suffering with mental illnesses, they all need assistance with finding the right health coverage for them. Many times, S.S.D.I. beneficiaries qualify for Medicaid due to lower earnings over their lifetime. This provides you with a unique opportunity to partner with others to assist these beneficiaries. Once they have Medicare, you have a client for life!


“Realizing the the implications that Medicare is not just for seniors 65 and older opens up your book of business to new streams of income.”


It’s fairly simple, once a person has been on S.S.D.I. for 24 months, he or she automatically qualifies for Medicare. You can read more about eligibility for S.S.D.I. here. Individuals with S.S.D.I. can receive Medicare benefits before 24 months if they are fully disabled & have no expectation to work because of their disability. This is not granted automatically; the beneficiary must apply for it. I have had some clients receive Medicare benefits within three months of applying once they began receiving S.S.D.I..


Independent Medicare Agents have a Rewarding Opportunity to serve these Disadvantaged Beneficiaries

Most states do not have Medicare Supplements available to individuals under age 65. If Medicare Supplement plans are available, they can be cost prohibitive because most companies are group or age rated. An individual on Medicare due to Disability is bound to have higher health costs, so they often go with a Medicare Advantage plan simply because that is their only choice. Many Medicare Advantage plans have different networks than your new S.S.D.I. clients may have used in the past, so make sure they are comfortable changing their doctors and specialists.


“It’s fairly simple: Once a person has been on S.S.D.I. for 24 months, he or she automatically qualifies for Medicare”


It’s often the case that many individuals with a disability & families with a disabled family member don’t know where to turn for help. Some have Medicaid, some have no insurance and some live off of their savings.  Tragically, we have bared witness to cases where disabled clients have been Bankrupt by medical bills and are now on Medicaid after burning through their entire life savings because they had no insurance. Most are in their Forties or Fifties and believed they had at least 10 to 20 years or more to work.

Knowledgeable and caring Medicare agents can really make a positive difference in the lives of Disabled prospects by helping these individuals understand S.S.D.I. & Medicare. Realizing the the implications that Medicare is not just for seniors 65 and older opens up your book of business to new streams of income.

Call RB Insurance at 800-997-3107 or email to learn more about Social Security Disability Income, Medicare for Disabled individuals and how to Market yourself to new prospects. RB Insurance Group, llc. A Field Marketing Organization (FMO) for Insurance Agents and Agencies, specializing in the Senior Insurance market. The Agent Advantage Blog is designed with your business agents in mind. Explore the information below & subscribe to our blog to get CMS and regulatory updates with the agent’s perspective. Then give us a Call:800-997-3107 or Email: Producer@rbi-group.com  to find out how RBI can help you expand your business!

Disability Evaluation Under Social Security*

Listing of Impairments –  Adult Listings (Part A)

The following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18 if the disease processes have a similar effect on adults and younger children.

1.00
Musculoskeletal System

2.00
Special Senses and Speech

3.00
Respiratory Disorders

4.00
Cardiovascular System

5.00
Digestive System

6.00
Genitourinary Disorders

7.00
Hematological Disorders

8.00
Skin Disorders


9.00
Endocrine Disorders


10.00
Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems

11.00
Neurological Disorders

12.00
Mental Disorders

13.00
Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)

14.00
Immune System Disorders

Listing of Impairments – Childhood Listings (Part B)

The following sections contain medical criteria that apply only to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18.

100.00
Low Birth Weight and Failure to Thrive

101.00
Musculoskeletal System

102.00
Special Senses and Speech

103.00
Respiratory Disorders

104.00
Cardiovascular System

105.00
Digestive System

106.00
Genitourinary Disorders

107.00
Hematological Disorders

 108.00
Skin Disorders


109.00
Endocrine Disorders


110.00
Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems

  111.00
Neurological Disorders

 112.00
Mental Disorders

113.00
Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)

114.00
Immune System Disorders

*Information from Social Security Administration Website:
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/ChildhoodListings.htm
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm

2019 Medicare Cost-Sharing

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!

Medicare cost-sharing

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!



CMS call recording
2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
Medicare cost-sharing

2019 Aetna Individual Medicare Certification

RBI Senior Sales Coordinator/Independent Agent: James Gramp

With his signature common sense, quiet good humor, and brilliant customer service, Jim is the other half of the RBI phone answering dynamic duo! An Arizona native, Jim manages agent relationships for the East Coast and specializes in the RBI agent tools, especially the Agent Market Edge. Jim has been a licensed health insurance agent for over a year, and has worked at RBI for 4 years. An accomplished bassoonist, he is known around the office for his amazing musical skills. In addition to keeping busy around the office, Jim frequently contributes to our blog, bringing a new agent’s perspective to the RBI online presence.

2019 Aetna Individual Medicare Certification

As of Wednesday, July 11th Aetna launched their 2019 Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan certification. Completing Aetna’s annual certification process is the first of several requirements you’ll need to complete before marketing or selling 2018 and 2019 Aetna / Coventry Individual MA/MAPD and PDP products.





Step 1

Complete and transmit your 2019 AHIP certification to Aetna. RB Insurance Group is offering ALL agents a $50 discount as well as the chance to be completely reimbursed on their 2019 AHIP certification. Read all about our 2019 AHIP Discount/Reimbursement program here!

Step 2

Complete Aetna’s annual Individual Medicare product certification through their certification portal. You will want to use their Aetna Medicare Producer Guide as a reference while taking the test portion of the certification.

Pro Tip: On the test portion of the certification, the you’ll notice a number inside parentheses. That number is giving you the page number where you can find the answer to the question on the Aetna Medicare Producer Guide.

Step 3

Attend the 2019 market specific training (online or in person) for all states and markets where you plan to sell Aetna MA/MAPD products OR complete the approved self-study program. You can sign up for 2019 market specific training starting on August 1st at www.AetnaMedicareAgentTraining.com. You can also sign up for the self study courses which go live on September 1st on the Aetna Producer World.

Please note that the links above for the Market Specific training are currently for Aetna’s 2018 products. You will have to wait till after August 1st for the 2019 market specific training!

Step 4

Wait for that oh so sweet “Ready to Sell” status. You will not be certified to sell until you receive the Ready to Sell confirmation notice from Aetna.

Upcoming Webinars:

Aetna2019 Aetna Sneak Peek!

July 20th @ 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET – Join RB Insurance Group as we discuss Aetna’s 2019 first look benefits and Expansion markets for their 2019 Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. Click here to Register Now!

Sneak Peek2019 Carrier Wrap-up!

July 25th @ 9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET – Join us as we go over all of the latest 2019 first look benefit information for Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. Click here to Register Now!



Looking to find out how Aetna or any other carrier fits into your Medicare product portfolio in 2019? Fill out this Quick Form and let us know what we can help you out with! You can also call our office directly, at 1-800-997-3107!



2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
OEP

2019 Humana Medicare Certification

RBI Senior Sales Coordinator/Independent Agent: James Gramp

With his signature common sense, quiet good humor, and brilliant customer service, Jim is the other half of the RBI phone answering dynamic duo! An Arizona native, Jim manages agent relationships for the East Coast and specializes in the RBI agent tools, especially the Agent Market Edge. Jim has been a licensed health insurance agent for over a year, and has worked at RBI for 3 years. An accomplished bassoonist, he is known around the office for his amazing musical skills. In addition to keeping busy around the office, Jim frequently contributes to our blog, bringing a new agent’s perspective to the RBI online presence.

2019 Humana Certificataion

Get ready to jump head-first into your Medicare Advantage certifications!

Humana recently launched their 2019 certification for newly contracted agents and will be launching the recertification early next week. External Agents will have until November 30th, 2018 to complete recertification in order to collect renewals. If you have not completed your certifications by Nov 30th, 2018; Humana will not pay renewals for 2019.

Don’t wait to finish your 2019 certifications until the last moment! By the time September rolls around you should be finalizing your MAPS Marketing Plan for the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period. Click Here for the latest information on Medicare Advantage certifications as they’re released! Check out this article from RBI Sales Coordinator, Jim Gramp, AKA the Medi-Gramp, to see how he prepares for AEP.

2019 certification for newly contracted agents will launched on July 11th, 2018.

2019 certification for returning agents will launch on July 18th





After you login to Humana’s agent portal, click on the “Humana MarketPoint University” button under the “Education” header that is pictured below (middle of the screen, towards the bottom).

Humana certification



2019 Sneak Peek Webinars:

Humana

2019 Humana Sneak Peek!

July 19th @ 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET Join RB Insurance Group as we discuss Humana’s 2019 benefits and Expansion markets for their Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. Click here to Register Now!

Sneak Peek2019 Carrier Benefits Wrap-up!

July 25th @ 9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET Join us as we discuss Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare’s 2019 First-Look benefits and Expansion markets that have been released to date. Click here to Register Now!



Have you heard? RBI is giving ALL agents a $50 discount off of their 2019 AHIP certification, as well as the opportunity to be completely reimbursed! Click here for details on our 2019 AHIP Discount/Reimbursement program. But WAIT, there’s more! RB Insurance Group prides itself on the support we provide our agent partners. Read more about how your FMO should support you and your business goals!



CMS call recording
2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
Medicare cost-sharing

United Healthcare Non-producing Policy


United Healthcare Non-producing External Distribution Channel (EDC) Agents

United Healthcare recently announced that they’re implementing a new annual agent sales production requirement.  Beginning on June 25th, 2018 UHC will count sales with effective dates from July 1st through March 1st of each year. If an agent fails to meet minimum production requirements by the end of an annual evaluation period, the agent will be charged an administration fee and United Healthcare will move to terminate their contract for non-production.

Who is Affected?

An agent/agency is considered non-producing if, at any time during the evaluation period, they held an active contract and did not have at least one sale with an effective date of July 1st through March 1st.

This policy applies to EDC agents and agencies that are contracted at the Agent level, and that are deemed “Read to Sell” for remainder of the plan year and subsequent AEP and OEP. This policy does not apply to solicitors (Licensed Only Agents).

How does this policy affect GA, MGA, and FMO level agencies?

United Healthcare will charge an administrative fee to any non-producing EDC agent/agency that has an active contract during the evaluation period. After a period of 60 days, the agent/agency’s immediate up-line becomes liable for any unpaid fees for their immediate downlines.

What if I have an agent level corporation, does the policy and fee apply to both the principal and the corporation?

The fee will only be charged once. However, both may be terminated for non-production.

Administrative Fee

  • $150 fee for resident state
  • $100 fee for additional state
  • Maximum of $250 per agent per year

Collecting Renewals

Agents and agencies that no longer want to market and sell United Healthcare Medicare products should consider terminating their contract and moving into servicing status. This protects their current book of business so they can maintain relationships with members and retain their renewals.

Agents and agencies that terminate their contract during the evaluation period may still be subject to the fee if they did not meet the sales requirement during the evaluation period.

I’ve been assessed a fee, but I have a recent application pending

If an agent wishes to avoid contract termination they must have one sale of any United Healthcare Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plan, or Medicare Supplement product within 30 days of the termination notice. The administration fee will still apply.

Terminated for non-production

If an agent was terminated for no United Healthcare sales, but would like to sell with United Healthcare again, they must wait 60 days from the termination date and will be subject to possible contracting fees. After a period of 60 days, the agent/agency’s immediate up-line becomes liable for any unpaid fees.

Our goal at RB Insurance Group is to support your business so that you can perform at the highest possible levels! At RBI, we pride ourselves on our ability to help agents succeed in the Medicare market. If you would like help selling and marketing not only United Healthcare plans this year, call our office at 1-800-997-3107!



CMS call recording
2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
OEP

2019 United Healthcare Certification now LIVE

2019 United Healthcare

RBI Senior Sales Coordinator/Independent Agent: James Gramp

With his signature common sense, quiet good humor, and brilliant customer service, Jim is the other half of the RBI phone answering dynamic duo! An Arizona native, Jim manages agent relationships for the East Coast and specializes in the RBI agent tools, especially the Agent Market Edge. Jim has been a licensed health insurance agent for over a year, and has worked at RBI for 2 years. An accomplished bassoonist, he is known around the office for his amazing musical skills. In addition to keeping busy around the office, Jim frequently contributes to our blog, bringing a new agent’s perspective to the RBI online presence.

2019 United Healthcare Certification

The 2019 United Healthcare Medicare certification is now LIVE as of June 25th. In order to access this training you will need to login to your UHC Jarvis Account. Below are step-by-step instructions to access and complete your UHC certification today. Don’t forget that you will have to use your Optum ID to sign into the UHC portal as of mid-June. Instructions are on the UHC portal website if you have not yet set up or linked your Optum ID.

Accessing 2019 United Healthcare Certification

  1. Login to the UHC’s distribution portal, Jarvis – www.uhcjarvis.com.
  2. After logging in, hover over the “Knowledge Center” tab at the top, and click on “certifications.”
  3. Click on the blue “Launch Certifications” button.
  4. Finally, click on the “Certifications” link at the top left hand side of your screen.

Uploading 2019 AHIP

  1. Click on “2019 AHIP (EDC Only)” to upload your AHIP to the UHC website. A message will pop up saying that “You have 6 attempts to complete this component.” Click the “OK” button.
  2. This will load a new page. From here click on the blue “Launch” button. This will bring you to the AHIP website.
  3. Login to the AHIP website. A message will pop up that says, “You are currently active in the United Healthcare site license. To proceed, click the Continue button; if not, click the logout button to exit.” Click “Continue”
  4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Transmit to United Healthcare” then “I comply” stating that you understand there are more modules to complete to be fully certified.

After you have transmitted your AHIP to United Healthcare, you are ready tobegin the UHC product certification. You will need to take the “2019 Ethics and Compliance” course and test, as well as the 2019 AARP course. If you plan on selling any Special Needs Plans or Medicare Supplement policies, you will also need to complete those courses as well. We have had several agents not get paid for sales they made this year due to not taking the additional certification modules.

IMPORTANT: You will need to pass the 2019 United Healthcare certification in order to be paid on any renewal business.

Curious to see how United Healthcare’s Medicare Plans stack up in your area? Call our Office at 1-800-997-3107 to see if they’re worth adding to your portfolio! Or you can start the contracting process by clicking here!



CMS call recording
2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
OEP

Save Big: Medico + USA Senior Care Network

Medicare SEP

About the Author: With his signature common sense, quiet good humor, and brilliant customer service, Jim is an integral part of the RBI team — we’d go so far as to say we’d be lost without him! An Arizona native, Jim manages agent relationships for the East Coast and specializes in the RBI agent tools, especially the Agent Market Edge. Jim has been a licensed health insurance agent for 2 years, and has worked at RBI for almost 3 years. An accomplished bassoonist, he is known around the office for his amazing musical skills. In addition to keeping busy around the office, Jim frequently contributes to our blog, bringing a new agent’s perspective to the RBI online presence.

Save Big with Medico + the USA Senior Care Network

Medico is introducing a brand new program that is designed to save your client’s money. This new program, the USA Senior Care Network program, is a completely voluntary program designed to help save you money when you obtain inpatient services at a USA Senior Care Network hospital. Best of all, this new program costs absolutely nothing!

About the Program

USA Senior Care Network has contracted with hospitals across the U.S. to waive all or a portion of your client’s Medicare Part A deductible if they’re admitted into a participating hospital. This allows them to pass some of those savings on to your clients in the form of a $100 premium credit on their next months Medicare supplement premium payment. For a list of participating hospitals in your area, click here!

USA Senior Care Network

How do You Receive the Premium Credit?

Beginning on June 22nd, 2018, when your clients are admitted into a hospital in the USA Senior Care Network, show your new insurance card with the USA Senior Care Network logo on the back (mailed on June 7, 2018). When Medicare applies a Part A deductible to their claim, the hospital will waive all or a portion of that deductible and will notify your client that an upcoming premium payment will be reduced by $100.

There are two groups of policyholders who will not be eligible for this program:

  1. Medicare Supplement Plan A policyholders are not included, because Plan A does not pay the Medicare Part A deductible.
  2. For legal reasons, this program is not available in the state of Missouri.

Current Coverage

Your clients Medicare supplement policy will remain unchanged by this program. They are not required to use a participating hospital, and you can still go to any hospital you choose. Your clients can now access their policy information on Medico’s secure customer portal at www.gomedico.com or they can call Customer Care Center at 1-800-228-6080.

Medico offers a whole suite of products that are designed to protect your clients from a multitude of situations! If you would like to get contracted, or learn more about their product offering, give me a call directly at 1-800-997-3107!

CMS call recording
2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
OEP

New Medicare Cards, Changes to Medigap, and Scammers; Oh my!

Medicare cost-sharing

Charlie Ferrell, National Sales Manager

About the Author: Charlie started his senior insurance career after a brief 30-year stint in the restaurant industry. In the 12 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! If all of that wasn’t enough, Charlie specializes in the Dual-Eligible market and is leading the charge behind many of RBI’s new training initiatives!

New Medicare Cards, Changes to Medigap, and Scammers; Oh my!

As you have probably heard by now, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is scheduled to begin issuing new Medicare cards this month. New cards will be issued in phases, mailed by geographic location, beginning in April 2018. The goal is to reduce fraud, fight identity theft, and protect taxpayer dollars by removing the current SSN-based HICN, and replacing it with a new, unique Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number. By April 2019, all Medicare beneficiaries should possess an updated card with their new, unique MBI.

Click here for a regional schedule to help your clients anticipate when to expect their new card. CMS has also released a Medicare Card Messaging Guidelines document which you can reference to help your clients better understand the new changes. It is important to note that the new MBIs are confidential and should be protected as Personally Identifiable Information. New cards will arrive in an envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. See below for a sample.

Medicare CardsMedicare CardsMedicare Cards

Help Protect Your Clients!

Ironically, scammers are already taking advantage of this new measure intended to protect beneficiaries against them. There have already been reports of telephone phishing scams, viral social media alerts and emails from individuals claiming to represent Medicare or CMS, attempting to extract personal information or even “processing fees” from vulnerable senior citizens.

It is our responsibility as agents to help protect our clients from scammers by educating them. CMS has extensive resources on how Medicare beneficiaries can protect themselves on their website, including this flyer with details about the new cards. For more information, check out the official CMS webpage for the new Medicare Cards.

Are you a licensed agent looking to grow your business and better serve your clients? Then I encourage you to call our office today to learn all about the RBI family and more importantly how we can serve your business! 800-997-3107.



CMS call recording
2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
OEP

2018 Medicare Cost-Sharing

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 12 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!

2018 Medicare Cost-Sharing

Medicare has released the 2018 Medicare cost-sharing amounts and MOOP for standardized Medicare Supplement Plans. Without further ado, here it is!

Medicare cost-sharing

Part A – Hospital Insurance

Hospital

  • $1,340 (+$24) deductible per benefit period.
  • $335 (+$6) for days 61-90.
  • $670 (+$12) for 60 lifetime reserve days (days 91-150.)

Skilled Nursing

  • $167.50/day (+$3) for days 21-100.

Part A premium

  • $422 if you’ve worked less than 30 quarters.
  • $232 if you’ve worked over 30 quarters but less than 40.

Part B – Medical Insurance

  • $134 premium. Deductible remains at $183.
  • Cost-sharing remains the same for Part B services, Medicare pays 80% and the beneficiary pays 20%.

Part D – Prescriptions

Deductible – $405

  • The standard part D deductible for 2018 is $405.  Many plans however have eliminated the deductible entirely.

Initial coverage limit – $3,750

  • 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 $3,750 for the year, beneficiaries will enter into gap also known as the “doughnut hole.”

Coverage Gap/”Doughnut hole” TROOP- $5,000

  • Once in stage 3, more commonly referred to as the “Gap” or the “Doughnut-Hole” beneficiaries will be paying 35% for brand name drugs and 44% for generics.
  • After out-of-pocket (what you and the manufacturer pay) costs reach $5,000 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
    • $3.35 copay for generics and $8.35 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 $2240 (+40)
  • MOOP
    • Plan K – $5240 (+$120)
    • Plan L – $2660 (+$60)

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!



CMS call recording
2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
OEP

2 Simple Sales Tips: Listen and Observe

Senior Agent Contributor: Tom O’Neil

Tom O’Neil has been in the Medicare industry since the 1970s!  Whether the topic is selling Dual Eligibles, or how to increase business cash flow, or simply the craziest Medicare Advantage home appointment he’s ever been on, he has a wealth of stories and enjoys sharing them. When he isn’t running appointments, writing for our blog, or planning his next sales, he enjoys spending time with his canine companion, Molly.

Pictured above: Tom’s sweet pup!

2 Simple Sales Tips:

Listen and Observe

Senior Agent Contributor: Tom O’Neil

This humble offering is directed at those brave souls who have decided recently to enter the rewarding and challenging Senior Insurance Market.


Let me preface this brief sales tip with a story:

Back in the 70’s I was lucky to score an Army school slot at Fort Rucker, Alabama, the home of Army Aviation.  The course of study was for those being awarded the designation of Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATC).  It was by no means a slam dunk.  About 25% of my enlisted classmates washed out during initial academic testing, live tower operations or by failing the FAA final exam. 25% was an unusually high failure rate for an Army school.  We all had to pass the same FAA ATC test taken by civil service controllers as well as completing the military portion of the training.  Almost all the soldiers had at least one or two years of college and a few were degreed.  The Army had only recently reclaimed the ATC training program from the Air Force ATC school at Lackland AFB.  To say the least, the Army was going through some growing pains getting things up and running.

Moving on to the sales tie-in:

Redstone Airfield Air Traffic Control Tower

This tower, at Redstone Field, is identical to the training tower I was assigned to, while at Ft. Rucker. — Tom O’Neil

In the initial academic training my scores and evaluations were excellent.  The staff awarded me and one other student a special “honor graduate” designation for stage one of training.  I was assigned to a cramped training tower with another soldier where we worked with American student pilots.  It was a very busy airfield from dawn to dusk.  We were both doing great as student controllers until the pilots from South Korea came in for my last week of live training.  The Koreans, speaking English, were hard for me to understand.  I was starting to panic and lose some confidence.  If I didn’t pass this final portion of my training I would be off to Jeep mechanic school!  My training partner, another “PFC,” was doing great with the Korean flyers.

When I asked my buddy how he was excelling he gave me some great advice: “Don’t just listen to them, look at the aircraft to see what they are doing.  By observation determine exactly where they are coming in from and anticipate in advance what they are doing and it will be easy to understand what they are transmitting and requesting.  They are all flying the same damn patterns!”  Wow.  By the next afternoon I was as comfortable as a minnow in a mountain stream.  We both graduated and went on to our unit assignments.  My old ATC buddy now runs a chain of pizza places back East.

The 2 simple sales tips: listen and observe

Our senior clients are “all flying the same damn patterns” as my buddy noted about the Korean pilots.  They have different starting points, may want a different runway, need to refuel, or might even have what they consider an emergency.  By listening and observing (body language, medical devices, meds) before we start the sales process we can identify where they’ve been and where they want to go.  As independent agents we can offer them a lot of different options (runways?) and add-ons.  Let them transmit what they want before YOU decide where to send them.  They always transmit the info, we just have to listen, observe, communicate, and then “control.”

NEVER ASSIGN A RUNWAY UNTIL YOU KNOW THE DESTINATION.

For access to the RBI library of great sales training and industry expertise, call 1-800-997-3107 or click here to get contracted. We do things differently: see the RBI difference in action in your business today! 



2022 AHIP
2020 ahip discount certification
OEP