A field marketing organization (FMO) specializing in the senior insurance market
Contest Dates: 02/24/2025 – 04/30/2025
For complete rules download the contest flyer
Medicare Advantage enrollment changes will negative impact both consumers and agents!
We are spilling the beans on a super important shift from Medicare (CMS), and guess what? It’s no longer a maybe—it’s locked in. They sealed the deal on this ruling at 2024’s tail end, and once we hit April 1st, 2025, it’s going to shake things up for folks selling Medicare Advantage.
Medicare salespeople used to have a helping hand for their customers when terrible weather or other disasters threw a wrench in sign-up plans, all thanks to the FEMA Special Enrollment Period (SCP). But a few shady characters took advantage of this shortcut. Well, that’s all in the past—wave goodbye to that special enrollment period.
Come April 1st, to sign up for FEMA SCP, beneficiaries need to contact Medicare and do it on their own. Agents won’t get paid for helping with this anymore.
Okay let’s keep it to 3 bullet points—this is going to be a real headache for the older folks.
This mix-up makes things chaotic for customers and representatives alike—all due to a few folks who decided not to follow the current regulations. When these agents (many times they are in call-centers) take these shortcuts, it ruins it for everyone.
Yes, we get that CMS guidelines shift all the time—it’s akin to aiming at a moving bullseye. Whenever you’re in doubt concerning a policy, reach out to us! Helping with this stuff is part of what our marketing crew’s job is.
As 2025 moves along we will start hearing about proposed rules for 2026. Make sure your clients don’t get all twisted up by the chit-chat from politicos or those big flashy campaign vows.
Look older folks tune into the news, right? And those politicians? Man, they throw around big claims like it’s nothing especially when votes are on the line. You remember Bernie Sanders yapping about tossing dental benefits into Medicare? People are still thinking that’s the real deal and they are already available. Or how about President Trump throwing around the idea of cutting out taxes on Social Security? Yeah, it’s just an idea, but all of a sudden you are getting a bunch of calls from your clients asking about this.
Let’s face it…you already get enough calls about the constant “free money” rumors.
Here are just a few that drive us crazy:
And don’t even get me started on the constant buzz about That “$5,000 grocery card” you heard about? Yeah, it’s not real.
What’s super smart is to keep learning. You must be able to tell apart what’s true and what’s made up when you’re chatting with your customers. The reality is that there is so much misinformation floating around on the internet that our job description now includes being a B.S. Detector.
Always remember that you are not doing this alone. Whether it’s a rule change such as Medicare Advantage enrollment changes or you need to learn how to cross-sell ancillary products we are always just a click or phone call away!
As we step into 2025, Medicare is unveiling significant updates that could directly impact how beneficiaries manage their healthcare. From cost adjustments to expanded benefits and plan options, staying informed is vital—especially for those guiding clients through these important decisions. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new and noteworthy in Medicare for 2025.
Expect to see an increase in Medicare Part B costs this year. The standard monthly premium rises to $185 (up $10.30 from 2024), while the deductible grows to $257, a $17 jump. For the approximately 8% of beneficiaries with higher incomes, premiums range between $259 and $628.90.
Costs related to Medicare Part A are also seeing changes. Here’s a snapshot:
Most beneficiaries don’t pay a Part A premium, but those with limited work history should note the increases.
Medicare Advantage continues to grow in popularity, with enrollment projected to surpass 36 million beneficiaries, representing 60% of Medicare users. Though the total number of plans is slightly reduced, here’s what’s trending:
With these updates come new compliance requirements and market trends:
Agents play an increasingly important role in navigating these changes, ensuring clients make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Medicare’s 2025 updates underscore the importance of staying proactive. Whether it’s understanding cost changes, navigating new plan options, or maximizing benefits, there’s plenty to consider. By keeping abreast of these developments, you’ll not only guide clients effectively but also strengthen trust and credibility in the process.
The Scope of Appointment (SOA) is crucial for Medicare agents, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulations when discussing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. With the recent return of the 48-hour rule in 2024, it’s essential for agents to be up-to-date on SOA requirements to stay compliant and maintain professionalism.
An SOA is a mandated document that outlines what will be discussed between an agent and a Medicare beneficiary during an appointment. This ensures that both parties agree on the topics and prevents unauthorized sales pitches. It applies primarily to Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, serving as a protective measure for consumers.
Utilizing technology platforms like AgencyBloc simplifies SOA management. This software allows agents to send, track, and store SOAs efficiently, with options for email or text communication. This approach not only meets compliance standards but also enhances client interaction by ensuring secure data handling.
To maintain transparency, agents should educate clients about the SOA process through various channels such as emails, newsletters, or personalized consultations. This proactive communication helps establish trust and ensures clients understand the importance of the SOA.
Staying compliant with SOA requirements is vital for Medicare agents. Embracing technology and clear communication will help agents manage SOAs efficiently and build trust with clients. By adhering to these guidelines, agents can ensure a smooth and ethical sales process.
For years we have been telling agents that they shouldn’t sleep on Medicare Supplement Plan N. Those of us who have been in the senior market for decades can easily remember when we went to standardized plans in 1992. Back then agents typically sold either Plan F or Plan C. This made life easy for consumers where they only had to decide if they wanted to pay more and have excess charge coverage with a Plan F.
Over the years, Plan C saw quite a bit of claims, to a point where in many cases a Plan C now cost more than a Plan F.
What were agents to do? For a number of years Senior Benefit Services had been showing agents how a Plan D was a more viable option. The pricing on the plan was fantastic and the only difference between Plan C and Plan D was the Part B deductible. At that time it was easy to save far more in premium and pay your own Part B deductible with a Plan D. In addition, we were seeing far less increases with Plan D than Plan C or Plan F.
Agents were happy, clients were happy, and even the insurance carriers were happy with Plan D. Over the next decade the utilization on in-force Plan D plans continued to climb and started to hover around the price of Plan G. When carriers released new Medicare Supplement series into a state, most chose not to offer the Plan D.
In 2020 the sale of Plan C or Plan F to seniors going onto Medicare was no longer allowed. While the Plan N was available, it was simply viewed by many as the red headed stepchild of the Medicare Supplement world. Many agents complained that it was too confusing for the average consumer to understand and would cause nothing but extra service work.
The reality is that it is far from that!
First and foremost, over the years we have seen Plan N remain fairly stable. Of course, this doesn’t factor in when one carrier decided to use Plan N as a guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement (that ended in a high utilization rates and surging premiums). Luckily, we have not seen that happen again.
Second, in many cases the monthly cost for Plan N is 20%-30% less than a Plan G.
Thirdly, many carriers actually pay the agent a higher commission for the sale of a Plan N.
Just like decades ago, many agents are still afraid that their clients will not understand the co-pays for health care provider visits or for emergency room visits. If you are thinking the same way about Plan N then you need to remember that most of today’s Medicare beneficiaries came from having group insurance that was filled with co-pays and co-insurance. The Plan N only deals with a total of TWO areas for the co-pays.
If you are selling Medicare Advantage plans, then you already know there are more than two areas that clients will be making co-pays and in most cases 20% co-insurance for other areas of care.
If you read the outline of coverage for the co-payments, you will see where it says “Up to”. So for a visit to your primary care physician the co-pay is “Up to $20”. In fact it could actually be lower, but will never be higher.
For an emergency room visit the co-pay is “Up to $50”, but is waived if the client is admitted to the hospital from the ER.
We know that trying something new can be scary. The good news is that we make it easy for you to start selling Plan N! Give us a call today at (800)924-4727 or shoot an email to marketing@srbenefit.com and ask for the top Plan N carriers in your state.
Aetna has announced its new cash bonus rewards annual program for 2024.
The application date on qualifying production must be between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Qualifying production is based on all new, issued annualized premium, and each qualified policy must be issued on or before January 15, 2025, and be in force on or before February 1, 2025. The reward value is based on the sales threshold for your level. Contact our licensing department via email if you do not remember your contract level.
The minimum production amount required to qualify for the payout is $225,000. For agents hitting milestones just under the threshold for the payout, you may still qualify for some delightful rewards! Additional agent rewards will be announced closer to the AEP selling season.
You’ll receive the reward for the tier you reach at the end of the year.
Most independent brokers can earn up to $10,000 in bonuses while agency owners with downlines could earn up to $28,000 in rewards. To get all the details and production requirements email our marketing department and in the subject line simply put “Aetna 2024 Rewards Details” and we will get everything over to you ASAP!
