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Ancillary Medicare Advantage Benefits that Can Make a Sale

Ancillary Medicare Advantage Benefits that Can Make a Sale

Ancillary Medicare Advantage Benefits that Can Make a Sale
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If you are an insurance agent in the senior market, chances are, you have been asked about various ancillary products.

Ancillary products are secondary types of insurance plans that are designed to cover the gaps in your main insurance plan. The more common types are dental, vision, hearing, hospital indemnity, short-term care, and lump sum cancer, heart attack, and stroke plans.

Being able to offer these products will add value to your clients by protecting them from some of the potential pitfalls of their current coverage.

At Pinnacle Financial Services, we talk a lot about cross-selling different products and recommend doing so. Studies show that the more policies you have with a client, the less likely they are to buy from another agent.

Pinnacle Financial Services offers agents an extensive portfolio of carriers and products to help cover your clients in any situation. A common example of marketing these products is hospital indemnity with Medicare Advantage products. Pinnacle’s Medicare agents understand that there is a lot of potential risk for their clients should they have to stay as an inpatient in a hospital. Hospital indemnity policies protect them by paying an agreed-upon daily amount directly to the client after their stay.

Other common ancillary products marketed with Medicare Advantage that you will generally see are dental, vision, and hearing plans. These plans will typically have higher dollar amounts than the built-in benefits of some Medicare Advantage plans. Although recently, dental, vision, and hearing have been a primary focus in increased benefits with many of the major Medicare Advantage options, (states may vary).

It is important to have the proper tools and technology, not to mention partners, when it comes to the senior market. Pinnacle Financial Services is one of the top FMO partners in the country. We offer all of our contracted agents the top quoting software in the industry, online enrollment platforms to continue their business in a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) socially-distanced pandemic, and the best service in the industry. Whether you are an independent agent or a large agency, Pinnacle has everything you need. Don’t waste any time, with AEP right around the corner, and contact our team today!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Dustin Ofsharick

Dustin Ofsharick

Director of Sales - Health

x7706 | dofsharick@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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2021 AEP Checklist

2021 AEP Checklist

2021 AEP Checklist
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2021 AEP is just right around the corner, it is very important to your success that you have all things needed in line and your check list is complete.  The best way to obtain this is having the right FMO. Pinnacle Financial Services can give you the best technology in the industry to make your Medicare AEP a true success!

Heading into the open enrollment selling season the number one tool you will need to have is Connect4medicare. This Quote, Compare and Enrollment tool is available to all Pinnacle agents free!  It allows you to quote enrollment add drugs all on one platform without having to meet face to face.  It also will have a text-to-enroll feature for 2021 sales. Some of the other things you will want to check off are as follows:

  • Connect4Medicare
  • Supply orders in
  • Leads orders sent out
  • Secure email
  • Generic scope of appointment
  • Certifications completed
  • Quoting software
  • Mobile quoting software
  • Adding new carriers in the market
  • Carrier fax cover sheet
  • Pinnacle enrollment fax cover sheet
  • Walmart training completed

The sales directors here at Pinnacle Financial Services are here to help you complete all the tasks listed above. We are here to give a personal walk-through of Connect4Medicare.com, our quoting software tools, and anything else you may need. Give us a call to make sure you have the most successful AEP yet.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Dustin Ofsharick

Dustin Ofsharick

Director of Sales - Health

x7706 | dofsharick@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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Medicare Text to Enroll

Medicare Text to Enroll

Medicare Text to Enroll
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Pinnacle Financial Services is proud to announce that our Connect4Medicare platform will offer a text to enroll feature for 2021 AEP! In these uncertain times with COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Pinnacle Financial Services recognizes we need to do everything in our power to help agents grow their business. Our business has changed in that the traditional face-to-face meetings have been limited or unable to be done (depending on your state). More and more carriers are trying to find ways for agents to see and enroll clients remotely to continue business as normal. This feature will allow you to do that and not narrow down your choices in what carrier you can use.

The only equipment your client needs is a smartphone. Basically, the agent sends a link via text message to the client. This text will include the scope of appointment (SOA), a pre-filled application, and an authorization code to access the enrollment. The client will type the code in and hit the view quote button. After entering the authorization code that was sent, the plan will be displayed for the client to agree to enroll in. After the client checks the box next to the policy, they then sign the signature page with a stylus, mouse, or finger. The last step is to hit the submit button, and the application is sent back to the agent to send on its way.

Pinnacle Financial Services wants to be your partner in your success! This new feature is simple, easy, and convenient for both you and the client.  Not to mention, Connect4Medicare is offered at no cost to any agent that contracts with us. Outside of the best technology in the industry, we offer exclusive lead programs, personalized support, and training, and all of the top contracts. Don’t wait before it’s too late. Join us at the top!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | healthsales@pfsinsurance.com

Dustin Ofsharick

Dustin Ofsharick

Director of Sales - Health

x7706 | dofsharick@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage

Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage

Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage
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There are over 10,000 people who are turning 65 every day. The decisions these seniors have to make can be stressful and have a lasting impact on their retirement. Thankfully, Pinnacle Financial Services has the tools available to help you guide your clients through this process. There is a great difference between Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Prescription Drug plan options that are available to your clients. Let’s discuss the primary differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans.  

Medicare Supplement plans, which are also known as Medigap plans, is defined as a plan meant to supplement Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and are sold by private companies. Medicare Supplements plans may even cover services that Original Medicare does not, like travel outside the United States. These plans have no network, so your client is able to see any doctor in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. Plan options can range anywhere from a plan A to a plan N , which will vary on a state by state basis. There is a premium associated with these options, which does not include your Part B premium, and they do not have drug coverage built-in.

Outside of Special Election Periods (SEPs) or new to Medicare clients, there is an underwriting process much like life insurance that your client would need to pass in order to qualify for coverage. There are no enrollment periods for Medicare Supplements and clients can enroll at any time if they can pass the medical underwriting. Medicare Supplements give your clients peace of mind by paying more upfront in premiums while having less exposure to medical expenses like in-patient hospital copayments.

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, are defined as a Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide your client with all of their Part A and B benefits. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer Part D, known as MAPD, while also adding extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing. Medicare Advantage premiums can be as low as $0 while having varying forms of copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Options for these plans can vary by state, but the 2 most popular options are HMO and PPOs. Typically, these will have some form of a network that you will be subject to follow, as well as a service area. While there can be more upfront liability to customers due to the many forms of cost-sharing, Medicare Advantage plans do have a maximum out-of-pocket limit, which varies by plan and state, that will protect your clients from spending over a certain amount per year.

Pinnacle Financial Services has an abundant amount of technology that is available to all of our agents that will not only help quote your clients but also allow you to enroll them electronically over the phone. If you are struggling getting leads, we can help you there too. We have many Medicare orientated lead options including a guaranteed return lead mailer that we have agents using all across the country. Our back-office support can help you with any of your submitted cases while you continue to focus your efforts on getting sales. Tired of working with an upline that makes promises they can’t keep? Partner with Pinnacle Financial Services today – you won’t regret it.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Dustin Ofsharick

Dustin Ofsharick

Director of Sales - Health

x7706 | dofsharick@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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Medicare Electronic Scope of Appointment

Medicare Electronic Scope of Appointment

Medicare Electronic Scope of Appointment
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When selling Medicare Advantage an agent needs to obtain a scope of appointment (SOA) prior to discussing any plan information. What is a scope of appointment? A scope of appointment is a form that an agent must have a Medicare beneficiary complete, prior to an appointment, designating exactly what products they wish to discuss. You may obtain a scope of appointment in various ways. One way is through a generic paper form, approved by CMS, that all carriers must recognize. You can also use carrier-specific forms as well. The other option, which has grown in popularity over the years, is electronic or e-scopes.

An e-scope is basically a digitized version of the paper scope. Depending on the program, these setups can vary, but all must follow and be approved by CMS. These can be emailed and signed by the client at their leisure. At Pinnacle Financial Services, we always recommend using a generic scope if possible (link here). Generic scopes typically have other cross-selling opportunities listed, like hospital indemnity products, that can be sold during a Medicare appointment.

To set the bar higher, Pinnacle Financial Services has an online enrollment system called Connect4Medicare. Connect4Medicare allows you to enroll clients into Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and even Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) electronically all in one place. This software even has an e-scope built-in. Agents that contract with Pinnacle Financial Services receives access to this for free- no hidden fees! Instead of using each carrier website with numerous logins, it is all condensed into one convenient site.

With the current restrictions on our country with the Coronavirus hindering our ability to be around people, electronic platforms will become extremely detrimental to business. For the e-scope, all the client needs are an email address for the scope to be sent to and to e-sign. You can also have them sign it in person for a face to face visit as well!

Partner with Pinnacle Financial Services to get access to all these great tools and more!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Dustin Ofsharick

Dustin Ofsharick

Director of Sales - Health

x7706 | dofsharick@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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