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What is Aetna’s Think Agent?

What is Aetna’s Think Agent?

What is Aetna’s Think Agent?
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As of March 31st, 2022, Aetna has discontinued use of the Ascend platform and moved to an entirely new enrollment platform called “Think Agent”. Think Agent is a new electronic enrollment app that offers an optimized enrollment experience for you and your clients. You can use the website version on your laptop or computer, or you can download the app version to use Think Agent on any mobile device, including cell phones.

Think Agent Features include:

  • Full enrollment capabilities
  • Offline enrollment intake
  • Integrated MBI validation
  • Medicaid status check
  • Health Risk Assessment (HRA) available
  • E-kit (email) enrollment option
  • Scope of Appointment via email and text
  • Provider search
  • Drug cost estimator tool
  • Ready-to-sell status verification

How To Get Think Agent:

Step #1: Request access
Once you’re ready to sell, you can download the Think Agent app from the Apple and Google Play stores. It’s compatible with Android 5 or greater, version 11; or IOS 11.0 or greater, version 14.5. After downloading, click “Sign Up” to submit your request for a new user account.

Or, if you wish to use the desktop version instead, please visit https://app.thinkagent.com, and click “Sign Up.” You will be asked to provide your name, National Producer Number, and email address.

Step #2: Complete your registration
Please allow 24-48 hours for us to process your request. Next, you’ll receive two registration emails:

  • The first email will contain your username to log in to Think Agent.
  • The second email will contain your PIN. You’ll need it to finish setting up your account.

After receiving both registration emails:

  • Log in using your username.
  • Enter your PIN (note that the PIN is case sensitive) and click “Validate.”
  • Create a password.
  • Choose a security question from the drop-down,

type an answer, and click “Submit.”

Ascend was disabled on March 31st. If you have not downloaded the Think Agent application, you need to do so as soon as possible. There are still national training webinars ongoing, so be sure to get out to the training site, www.aetnamedicareagenttraining.com to RSVP for one that is convenient for you

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Nick Palo

Nick Palo

Assistant Vice President - Health

x7728 | npalo@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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The Best Hospital Indemnity Plan to Sell During AEP

The Best Hospital Indemnity Plan to Sell During AEP

The Best Hospital Indemnity Plan to Sell During AEP
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The best hospital indemnity plans to sell during AEP without question would be GTL’s Advantage Plus and the new Advantage Plus Elite. Hospital Indemnity Plans are a critical product in every Medicare agent’s portfolio. Pinnacle offers regular webinars teaching agents how to properly add a Hospital Indemnity Plan to the sale of a Medicare Advantage plan in order to cover the many out-of-pocket expenses their client can incur.

What is a Hospital Indemnity Plan?

Hospital indemnity insurance is a supplemental insurance plan designed to pay for the costs of hospital admission that may not be covered by other insurance. The plan covers clients who are admitted to a hospital or ICU for a covered sickness or injury. Hospital Indemnity Plans or “HIP” can be especially critical for seniors as many seniors especially the DSNP population do not have enough savings to cover unplanned medical bills. These plans pay cash directly to the client regardless of whether they end up incurring the out-of-pocket expense or not. The payments can be used for anything the client deems necessary such as copays, deductibles, or even things such as transportation, food, rent, or utilities.

Why You Should Sell GTL’s Advantage Plus:

  • Easy to use E-app
  • Guaranteed Issue Ages 64 ½ – 65 ½
  • 1, 3, 6, 10 & 21 day benefit periods available
  • $100 to $750 daily hospital confinement benefit
  • 60-day restoration of benefits
  • Hospital observations covered
  • Lump-sum cancer rider
  • Dental/vision rider
  • Additional lump sum hospital rider
  • Ambulance rider
  • Guaranteed renewable for life as long as premiums are paid
  • Skilled nursing rider

Help Your Clients & Get Paid During AEP:

Doing what’s best for your clients should always be your top priority. But it sure is nice when doing what’s best can also benefit you, especially during the busiest time of the year for a Medicare agent. GTL pays one of, if not the highest commission in the industry on their hospital indemnity plans, and the best part…. They pay all throughout AEP!! Reach out to your marketer today to find out more about how to get licensed to sell GTL’s Advantage Plus products.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Nick Palo

Nick Palo

Assistant Vice President | Health

x7728 | npalo@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 Basics

Medicare Basics

Medicare Basics
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Medicare is individual health insurance offered to U.S. citizens and other eligible individuals based on age, disability, or qualifying medical condition. The Medicare Basics is more complicated than some would think. Medicare coverage includes Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare) offered by the federal government, and Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D prescription drug coverage, which are offered by private insurance companies such as UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, etc. Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans are also offered by private insurance companies and help pay for some out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare Part A and Part B do not pay.

Original Medicare Part A: Hospital coverage

What’s covered:

Hospital stays and inpatient care, including:

  • A semi-private room
  • Hospital meals
  • Skilled nursing services
  • Care in special units, like intensive care
  • Drugs, medical supplies, and medical equipment used during an inpatient stay.
  • Lab tests, X-rays, and medical equipment used as an inpatient.
  • Operating room and recovery room services
  • Some blood transfusions in a hospital or skilled nursing facility
  • Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation services after a qualified inpatient stay.
  • Part-time, skilled care for the homebound
  • Hospice care for the terminally ill, including medication to manage symptoms and control pain.

What isn’t covered:

  • Personal expenses while hospitalized, like a TV or phone service.
  • Most care outside of the United States
  • Custodial care (care that helps with daily life activities, like eating and bathing)
  • Long-term care
  • Days spent in a psychiatric hospital beyond certain set limits.
  • Hospital stays beyond certain set limits.

Original Medicare Part B: Medical coverage

What’s covered:

  • Doctor visits, including when you are in the hospital.
  • Annual wellness visits and preventive services, like flu shots and mammograms
  • Clinical laboratory services, like blood and urine tests
  • X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, EKGs, and some other diagnostic tests
  • Some health programs, like smoking cessation, obesity counseling, and cardiac rehab
  • Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services
  • Diabetes screenings, diabetes education, and certain diabetes supplies
  • Mental health care
  • Durable medical equipment for use at home, like wheelchairs and walkers
  • Ambulatory surgery center services
  • Ambulance and emergency room services
  • Skilled nursing care and health aide services for the homebound on a part-time or intermittent basis

What isn’t covered:

  • Eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses
  • Hearing tests or hearing aids
  • Dental exams, cleanings, X-rays, or routine dental care
  • Acupuncture
  • Most prescription drugs

Part B coverage limits: Preventive services and screenings are covered on set schedules, like a yearly flu shot. Other services and supplies must be medically necessary to diagnose or treat a disease or condition.

Private insurance companies, like UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana & others, offer even more coverage options:

  • Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans
  • Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans
  • Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans

What do Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover?

  • All the benefits of Medicare Part A*
  • All the benefits of Medicare Part B
  • Most include prescription drug coverage
  • Most have extra benefits you can’t get from Medicare Parts A and B, such as:
    • Routine dental care
    • Eye exams, eyeglasses, and corrective lenses
    • Hearing tests and hearing aids
    • Wellness programs and fitness memberships
  • Plan options with and without provider networks
  • Limitations on annual out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services
  • Premiums to fit different budgets.

To run Medicare Advantage comparisons, quote, and enroll clients be sure to check out Pinnacle’s Connect4Medicare Online Enrollment Platform.

What are the features of Medicare Supplement plans?

  • Helps cover some out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not pay.
  • See any doctor who accepts Medicare patients.
  • No referrals needed to see a specialist.
  • Coverage that goes with you anywhere you travel in the U.S.
  • Guaranteed coverage for life. 

As long as premiums are paid on time and there has been no material misrepresentation on the application. Rates are subject to change. Any change will apply to all members of the same class insured under your plan who reside in your state/area.

What Medicare Supplement plans are available?

Medicare Supplement plans are often called “Medigap.” There are ten standardized Medicare Supplement plans.

Each plan has a letter assigned to it. Each Medicare supplement plan offers the same basic benefits.

Plans F and G are also offered as high-deductible plans by some insurance companies in some states. If you choose this option, this means you must pay for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments, deductibles) up to the yearly deductible amount of $2,370 in 2021 before your plan pays anything.

Note: In Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, there are different standardized plan options available.

Only applicants first eligible for Medicare before 2020 may purchase Plans C, F, and high deductible F.

What does each Medicare Supplement plan cover?

Each of the Medicare Supplement plans offers a varying level of coverage. See what plans match up with the coverage you want by running quotes on our free Medicare quoting tool. 

The chart below shows the percentage of the benefit paid by each of the standard Medicare supplement plans. Some plans may not be available. Only applicants first eligible for Medicare before 2020 may purchase Plans C and F.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Nick Palo

Nick Palo

Assistant Vice President | Health

x7728 | npalo@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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What is PillPack Pharmacy

What is PillPack Pharmacy

What is PillPack Pharmacy
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If you’re not aware of what PillPack pharmacy is, now is the time to get up to speed. PillPack is a full-service pharmacy owned by Amazon Pharmacy that sorts your medication by dose and delivers directly to the client’s door. They simplify the process of managing medications through a combination of convenient packaging, modern technology, and personalized service. PillPack has become an excellent alternative for clients who have significant amounts of medications to take at different periods of the day. It also helps substantially for clients that may have trouble opening the pill bottles or reading which medication is which.

How Widely Available is this Service?

Most of the top carriers including Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Cigna, and many others are currently working with PillPack to help meet the needs of their clients. PillPack is available to use with these carrier’s MAPD and PDP plans.

How Does it work?

PillPack works directly with the doctors and insurance companies just as any other pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens would. Each month the client’s medications, vitamins, and any OTC products are sorted into packets based on the times of day they are supposed to be taken. Once sorted the PillPacks are delivered to the clients ready to take. They will also fulfill prescriptions for Inhaler creams or any other bottled medications. All prescriptions would be on automatic refill, so the client has one less thing to worry about. The client is provided with a dispenser that is loaded with the PillPack and they can simply pull out their current dosage as needed. They are also provided a convenient travel pouch for when they are away from home. They also have pharmacists available 24/7 for any questions that may arise for the clients.

Where do I find more information?

Reach out to one of Pinnacle’s Marketers to go over any questions you may have and find out how to get your clients set up with PillPack today!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Nick Palo

Nick Palo

aSSISTANT vISE pRESIDENT | hEALTH

x7728 | npalo@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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What is the Best E&O Insurance

What is the Best E&O Insurance

What is the Best E&O Insurance
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What is the Best E&O Insurance?

Errors & Omissions insurance from carriers like Calsurance or NAPA protect insurance agents (and other professionals) from any actions that might make them liable against claims of negligence or failing to perform their duties. An important question to ask is, what is the best E&O insurance? The purpose is to protect you and your assets from lawsuits should a claim ever arise. Examples of what an E&O policy could cover are:

  • Work Mistakes and oversights
  • Undelivered services
  • Accusations of negligence
  • Missed Deadlines
  • Customer injuries or property damage
  • Employee Injuries
  • Employee discrimination lawsuits
  • Damage to Business Property
  • Attorney costs & Damages awarded to plaintiff

Some things that may not be covered are circumstances where an agent willingly was fraudulent or deceitful. Essentially, as you could imagine the policy will not cover any type of illegal activity. One thing to note is E&O also does not cover any penalties regarding unapproved marketing materials. If you decide to utilize custom marketing pieces that are not previously approved, make sure to reach out to Pinnacle’s compliance team to assist with getting materials approved by a carrier or CMS.

Things to Know Before Choosing Your Policy

There are different types of coverage required for agents depending on the types of products you offer to your clients.

Life & Health Insurance Agents E&O: Errors & Omissions insurance is for those who offer life and health policies, including disability insurance coverage. These E&O plans can be further broken down into coverage for newly licensed agents and experienced agents.

Medicare Only Life & Health Agents E&O: If an agent specializes in offering only Medicare insurance plans—such as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement insurance, and/or Medicare Part D prescription drug plans—Errors & Omissions coverage can be purchased for this area only, which can help to keep the premium low and prevent you from paying for coverage that you do not need.

Property & Casualty E&O: This coverage is not required for any products Pinnacle offers but is another option that agents should be looking at as a lot of our agents do offer these products. Calsurance & NAPA both offer this coverage.

How Much E&O Insurance Protection Do You Need?

When choosing an Errors & Omissions policy, it is important to determine how much coverage you may require. In doing so, you should first examine your current financial situation in terms of the assets you own, along with the income you earn. In this case, consider what you could stand to lose in the event of being sued by a client.

It is also important to consider the services that you perform, and approximately how many transactions you do each year. For instance, if you perform the same action(s) for many years—not knowing that it was wrong—and then you get sued by multiple clients, how much could you lose in total? In this instance, be sure that you factor in this additional potential risk.

Pinnacle’s Discounted E&O Coverage for Agents

Pinnacle has taken the time to shop E&O carriers for you and negotiated the best discount available through Calsurance. In most cases the discount Pinnacle has setup for their agents should be the best deal you will find. In certain instances for brand new agents or agents who are within their first two years and are earning less than $100,000/year in commissions NAPA has a program that may be a little more affordable. Calsurance has been the most common choice for most agents offering Medicare & Life products. Their 1MM/1MM policy is only $400 per year and covers the standard requirements for most carriers and products. You can browse the specimen policies and different coverage options on Pinnacle’s site here. If you need any assistance in enrolling or choosing the correct policy for your needs reach out to your Pinnacle Marketer today!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Nick Palo

Nick Palo

Assistant Vice President0 - Health

x7728 | npalo@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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