CMS | Releases 2023 Projected Medicare Basic Part D Average Premium

CMS | Releases 2023 Projected Medicare Basic Part D Average Premium

CMS | Releases 2023 Projected Medicare Basic Part D Average Premium
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that the average basic monthly premium for standard Medicare Part D coverage is projected to be approximately $31.50 in 2023. This expected amount is a decrease of 1.8% from $32.08 in 2022.

CMS releases the projected average basic monthly Part D premium—calculated based on plan bids submitted to CMS—annually to help beneficiaries understand overall Part D premium trends before Medicare Open Enrollment, when they can select from plan options for the upcoming benefit year.

The Medicare Part D program helps people with Medicare pay for both brand-name and generic prescription drugs. Part D remains one of Medicare’s most popular programs, with more than 49 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled for prescription drug coverage. CMS continues to analyze changes to the Part D program carefully, and engages with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvements, particularly for reducing costs.

CMS is also releasing additional information—such as the Part D national average monthly bid amount—to help Part D plan sponsors finalize their premiums and prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment. Medicare Open Enrollment for coverage beginning January 1, 2023 will run from October 15 to December 7, 2022. CMS anticipates releasing the 2023 premium and cost-sharing information for 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in September 2022.

For more information on the Part D national average monthly bid amount, the Part D regional low-income premium subsidy amounts, the de minimis amount, the Medicare Advantage employer group waiver plan regional payment rates, and the Medicare Advantage regional preferred provider organization benchmarks, visit: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/MedicareAdvtgSpecRateStats/Ratebooks-and-Supporting-Data.html.

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Sons of Norway | Newsletter: July 2022

Sons of Norway | Newsletter: July 2022

Sons of Norway | Newsletter: July 2022
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Guaranteed Issue is Back in CA

Guaranteed Issue is once again available for sale in the state of California. Our systems are ready for you to write. And… hint, hint… we will have more news about our remaining products very, very soon.

What’s It Worth?

Did you know that you can access cash values for your client’s policies in the agent portal? Follow the link below for the step-by-step process.

Client Service Forms – Even Easier

Access to client service forms is now even easier. All of our forms are hosted in one place. Hit the button below for easy access and don’t forget to bookmark the link!

The Agent Portal is Always Open

Training videos, approved client materials, sell sheets, underwriting guides and so much more are at your fingertips 24 hours a day. Click the button below for some quick link options to get you what you need, anytime!

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Dial one number to access all of your insurance needs. Click the button below to learn more!

Did you know?

Did you know that Sons of Norway offers LIFETIME renewal commissions on ALL of our Life Insurance Products*. Yes, that includes Guaranteed Issue. *Subject to terms of Agent Agreement

Come Along with Us

If you haven’t registered yet, join us for Sons of Norway’s monthly update webinars for all our agents. During these events, we also share:
  • Important Product Updates
  • Sales Ideas
  • Operational Enhancements
  • Training Updates
  • Special Guests 
We highly recommend you register as you will receive the replay regardless of attendance. All events will take place from 11:00-11:30 AM CT.
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Anthem | Register Now for AEP 2023 Roadshows in Missouri

Anthem | Register Now for AEP 2023 Roadshows in Missouri
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Don’t miss your chance to learn about Anthem Medicare Advantage Plans for AEP 2023!

    Our Medicare Advantage Strategy for AEP 2023 has been designed to better support your clients and help you achieve record sales! Each AEP Roadshow is tailored to show you what’s new for AEP 2023 and how to sell more in your state. Reserve your spot TODAY to learn more about:

    • Planned county expansions (where applicable)
    • New product offerings and plan improvements (where applicable)
    • Expanded Insulin Savings Program
    • Improved Dental offerings
    • Simplified Social Determinants of Health offerings
    • Single Pre-Paid Benefits Card on a proven MasterCard platform for plans with OTC, Flex Account, or Healthy Grocery benefits
    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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    Athene | Pennsylvania adopts new Best Interest Suitability Regulation

    Athene | Pennsylvania adopts new Best Interest Suitability Regulation

    Athene | Pennsylvania adopts new Best Interest Suitability Regulation
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    Pennsylvania has adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) revisions to the Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation (#275) effective June 20, 2022. The revisions impose new requirements on both producers and insurers. Most notably, producers are required to act in the best interest of the consumer when recommending an annuity purchase by meeting Best Interest Obligations defined by the regulation.

    Here’s what you’ll need to do to meet your Best Interest Obligations for Pennsylvania. We will continue to update you as additional states adopt the new regulation and approve training courses.

    Required training

    As part of the Best Interest Standards, Pennsylvania has implemented the following regulatory training requirements:  

    • If you were licensed in Pennsylvania and completed model law training before June 20, 2022, you must complete the 1-hour best interest supplemental training course or the new 4-hour training course on or prior to December 20, 2022.
    • For those licensed on or after June 20, 2022, the new 4-hour training course will be required before selling annuities.

    Training is available through the RegEd platform. Once completed, RegEd will notify Athene that you have satisfied your requirement. While Athene will accept training through other platforms, you will need to provide Athene with proof of completion.

    Forms and materials

    As previously announced, the following Athene suitability forms have been updated to comply with best interest obligations:

    Please note: Your organization may not use Athene suitability forms. Be sure to check with your back office for guidelines.

    If your organization uses Athene suitability forms, the revised forms listed above will be required in all states (except FL, MN, and NY, which have state-specific forms), whether the new suitability regulation has been adopted or not.

    New – Appendix A

    With the adoption of the Best Interest Standard, Pennsylvania will require the use of an Insurance Agent [Producer] Disclosure for Annuities form, often referred to as “Appendix A”. For your convenience, we’ve created a version of Appendix A (22712, Ver. 12/20) for you to use.

    Important Processing dates for Athene suitability users

    For those that use Athene suitability forms, we will require a version of Appendix A (Athene’s form or another version that matches the regulation’s prescribed form) to accompany all applications received by Athene on or after market close (3 p.m. CT) on June 20, 2022.

    Please note: Appendix A must be signed by both the producer and customer(s).

    All new or revised materials and forms are available now on Athene Connect for all states (except FL, MN, and NY, which have state-specific forms) and should be used immediately.

    Applications with outdated or missing forms that do not fall within the guidelines above will be considered “not in good order.” Be sure to use up-to-date materials when offering Athene annuities.

    Still, have questions?

    For additional information, and to get a better understanding of Athene’s considerations during the suitability review process, please familiarize yourself with our producer guidelines and helpful tips:

    Thank you for your business. As the market leader in fixed indexed annuities, we’re driven to outperform so your clients can retire confidently. For product and sales support, contact the best Sales Desk in the business at 888-ANNUITY (266-8489).

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    NGL | EssentialLTC – Product Introduction Guide

    NGL | EssentialLTC – Product Introduction Guide

    NGL | EssentialLTC – Product Introduction Guide
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    If you know someone who is interested in selling EssentialLTC, the Product Introduction Guide is an excellent source of high-level information for prospective agents.

    The guide touches on several key points of what makes EssentialLTC a comprehensive LTC product and includes information on NGL, popular product features, popular riders, and product details.

    See how EssentialLTC can help your clients by visiting the Agent Resource Center and downloading a copy under Reference Guides. Or download it by clicking the image above.

    For agent, inquiries contact your dedicated Agent Services Team at 888.505.2332 or status@ngl-essentialltc.com. For sales, questions contact the Long Term Care Sales Team at LTC@nglic.com.

    Thank you.

    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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