Are you ready for the Open Enrollment Period (OEP)?
When is OEP?
January 1 through March 31 each year.
Who is Eligible?
Individuals enrolled in an MA-Only or MAPD plan CAN:
use the OEP to switch to or get a different MAPD plan, an MA-only plan, or Original Medicare (with or without a PDP).
Individuals enrolled in Original Medicare CANNOT:
use the OEP to join an MA or MAPD plan, add a PDP, or change their PDP.
In addition, the OEP is not available to those enrolled in Medicare Savings Accounts or other Medicare health plan types (such as cost plans or PACE).
Broker Do’s and Don’ts
Producers May NOT:
Send unsolicited materials advertising the ability/opportunity to make an additional enrollment change or referencing the OEP
Specifically target beneficiaries who are in the OEP because they made a choice during AEP, by purchase of mailing lists or other means of identification
Engage in or promote agent/broker activities that intend to target the OEP as an opportunity to make further sales
Call or otherwise contact former enrollees who have selected a new plan during the AEP
Use marketing pieces that highlight the OEP or the opportunity to change plans during the OEP
Make assumptions on which election period to use.
Producers May:
Educate consumers about the OEP if you are enrolling them into a plan, or they have reached out to you about their dissatisfaction with their current plan
At a beneficiary’s proactive request, send marketing materials, have one-on-one meetings, and provide information on the OEP
Market to age-ins (who have not yet made an enrollment decision)
Market to dual-eligible and low-income subsidy (LIS) beneficiaries who, in general, may make changes once per calendar quarter during the first nine months of the year
PRODUCERS MUST:
Determine if the consumer has a valid election period and which election period is best for the consumer’s circumstances.
We hope you take advantage of this additional enrollment period happening in Q1 2021. Below are links to carrier information sheets to further clarify the do’s and don’ts you need to follow to ensure you remain compliant.
Staying compliant is an essential component to being successful in the Medicare market. CMS published their 2024 Policy and Technical Changes that include new marketing and communications regulatory requirements.
These changes have an impact on all agencies and brokers selling Medicare Advantage and/or Part D plans.
Integrity Marketing Group has developed two valuable guides to help you understand the latest rule changes and how they will impact your AEP 2024 preparations: a New Rules Frequently Asked Questions guide and a comprehensive Compliance Reference Guide.
PLEASE NOTE: Since the publication of Integrity’s FAQ guide, CMS has clarified the 48-hour rule to include a third exception: Unscheduled Inbound Calls. Until updates are made, please disregard answers 9-11 listed on pages 13-14 of the guide pertaining to inbound calls.
Find out more about the latest feature enhancement!
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With the latest MedicareCENTER Mobile App update, you now have the unique opportunity to seamlessly record and store in-person conversations with your clients — an extra perk you can choose to use when and where you want!
You can use In-Person Recording on the MedicareCENTER Mobile App to:
Record, store and download your meetings
Review your client information for accuracy
Protect yourself with a documented record of the conversation
Capture information from clients with complex health needs for later reference
Follow up with ways to better meet clients’ needs
Identify improvements you can make to your sales process
As a reminder, recording in-person meetings is not required by CMS. This advanced feature has been provided purely as an extra benefit available for you use at your discretion. Make sure you’ve updated to the latest version to access this new capability!
Start using the powerful and FREE solutions MedicareCENTER offers today! Visit our website for more MedicareCENTER Tools, Tips & Support!
Join us on Wednesday, February 15th at 1:00 pm EST, for the next webinar –
Sell Insurance Like it’s 2023: Increase Sales With Automation
We will hear from Aaron Kassover, founder of AgentMethods share how you can engage your clients year-round, strengthen relationships between enrollment periods, and how to protect your business with three different types of email campaigns.
Don’t be the agent that only sends birthday emails. It’s easy but it’s obvious and is getting worn out. Automation can help but it’s complicated so getting the help you need to grow your business should be a top priority.
Register for this webinar to see how you can use automated marketing to get the best results!
GarityAdvantage is a National Marketing Organization (NMO) for the top local, regional and national Medicare carriers. We approach our role with brokers a bit differently than our competitors – as we provide local market teams to work with you side-by-side to ensure you succeed. This allows us to actively develop targeted lead programs and local market opportunities to help you prospect and sell as well as deliver personalized training, ongoing marketing support and co-op funding to support your specific needs. We also offer the latest tech tools to help manage your business including efficient lead calling tools, agent dashboard, and a virtual quote and enrollment platform. Rounding out our support is a back office team helping you every step of the way with contracting, commissions, enrollments and compliance. Plus, all broker commissions are paid directly to you. You get the whole pie, not just a piece of it! Call us today to learn more!
