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2023 Social Security Increase

2023 Social Security Increase

2023 Social Security Increase
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2023 Social Security is set to increase for approximately 70 million Americans. The cost-of-living adjustment, also known as COLA, will increase 8.7% beginning in January 2023.

2023 Social Security Increase

According to the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Kilolo Kijakzi, 2023’s COLA adjustment is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that there is more support for older Americans. On average, this increase will equate to more than $140 per month.

Impact on Medicare Agents

Starting in January, along with the decrease in Part B premiums, Medicare beneficiaries are going to have more money in their pockets for the first time in years. This is going to allow agents to be able to offer and cross-sell products that can help cover gaps in their client’s coverage. Life insurance, hospital indemnity, and dental/vision plans are great starting points when discussing gap coverage options. If you utilize a generic scope of appointment (SOA), hospital indemnity and dental, vision, and hearing products can be discussed during your Medicare appointment!

Where does Pinnacle Financial Services come in?

Pinnacle Financial Services is a full-service “FMO” that is dedicated to helping agents across the country grow their book of business. We have a dedicated sales support team, the best training in the industry, and technology to make your sales a breeze. Don’t hesitate, to call our team today to get your AEP jump-started.

Need leads in a hurry? Check out our Lead Star Program

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

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

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Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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2023 Medicare Part B Premiums

2023 Medicare Part B Premiums

2023 Medicare Part B Premiums
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2023 Medicare Part B premiums are set to lower for the first time in years. Beneficiaries can expect some relief in their premiums at the start of the new year. This news couldn’t come at a better time given the current state of the economy.

2023 Medicare Part B Premiums

Monthly Medicare Part B premiums for 2023 will decline from $5.20 to $164.90. This is the base amount which can always be adjusted lower, or higher, depending on your income. Although $5.20 may not sound like much, this is a stark difference compared to the 14.5% jump that occurred from 2021 to 2022. Half of this increase was mainly due to a reserve being established as a way to cover a new Alzheimer’s drug that was launched during that time.

Impact for Medicare Agents

Anytime there is a decrease in premiums, this gives clients more expendable income. Although $5.20 may not sound like a lot, this can open the door for cross-selling various products that may have just been a tad out of reach. Products like a stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) or even a hospital indemnity could go for close to the amount the client is saving on their part B premium. Not to mention, most clients won’t even know they are saving money as these premiums are typically automatically deducted from their social security before it ever hits their bank accounts. This is a great opportunity to let them know of the savings while you are helping them with their yearly plan determinations (Annual Enrollment Period or AEP).

Where does Pinnacle Financial Services come in?

Pinnacle Financial Services is a full-service “FMO” that is dedicated to helping agents across the country grow their book of business. With the new Final Rule in place that requires all calls to be recorded, Pinnacle has you covered! We offer multiple, $0 cost options to ensure you stay compliant through the busy season. Give us a call today to ensure you are trained and ready to go for 2023 AEP!

Need more guidance? Check out our AEP Toolkit

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@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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2023 Medicare Certifications

2023 Medicare Certifications

2023 Medicare Certifications
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2023 Medicare certifications have officially kicked off with the launch of AHIP (America’s Health Insurance Plans) and NAHU’s (National Association of Health Underwriters) certifications this week. Typically, agents won’t begin the process until week 2 when the major carriers begin to launch their own specific training for the 2023 season.

What is AHIP and NAHU?

AHIP stands for American Health Insurance Plans and was established in 2003 through a merger of the Health Insurance Association of America and the American Association of Health Plans. AHIP offers Medicare training that is accepted by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and nationally by all Medicare insurance carriers.

NAHU stands for National Association of Health Underwriters and is a non-profit professional association that was established in 1930. NAHU has chapters all over the country that are organized to promote common business interests to those who are engaged in the sale of health insurance products and services. In 2021 they launched their own version of AHIP’s Medicare training to compete with the other organization. You can find all the details on that here.

2023 Medicare Certifications: Current Dates to Remember

In planning for 2023 AEP, it is important to plan out and take all required certifications in a timely fashion. So far, AHIP and a handful of national carriers have announced the dates of when the new training will be available for agents. Here is a list with corresponding dates:

AHIP: June 20th

NAHU: June 22nd

United Healthcare: June 27th

Humana: June 28th

Anthem: June 28th

Aetna: June 29th

Wellcare: July 19th

Where does Pinnacle Financial Services come in?

Pinnacle Financial Services is a full service “FMO” that is dedicated to helping agents across the country cultivate and grow their book of business. It is essential to be prepared for the upcoming 2023 Medicare AEP season, and we have the tools here for your success! We offer the best back-office support in the industry, personalized lead and marketing plans, and a nation agent trainer to help guide you through the certification process. Give us a call today to set up a 2023 pre-certification call to ensure you are done and ready to go!

Need more guidance? Check out our AEP Toolkit

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@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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Personalized Insurance Websites

Personalized Insurance Websites

Personalized Insurance Websites
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It has become increasingly clear to agents that they need to have personalized insurance websites to help facilitate their online business. There are many ways or variations to accomplish this, but the two most utilized would be a 3rd party created a website and a unique link that is attached to a domain via forwarding.

Why Do You Need a Personalized Insurance Website?

Since the Covid pandemic, sales have changed all across the world. For insurance professionals, there has been a necessity to increase their online presence for face-to-face weary clients. This especially holds true within the senior market products, which were the heaviest hit with rules and regulations for an extended period of time. Although these restrictions have opened up over the past year, some clients have been less reluctant to allow people in their homes. This makes it immensely important to have a client-facing, personalized insurance website to market to online shoppers.

How Do You Get a Personalized Insurance Website?

There are 2 main ways to have a personalized website, which is to either have one developed by a 3rd party or yourself or have your domain forwarded to a personal link. Having your website developed by a 3rd party is a great option if you have some money to throw into it, but this can be a very pricey option. While developing a website yourself has become easier with website creation tools through the likes of Wix or WordPress, it can be very time-consuming and frustrating. Having a domain forwarded to a personal link is the least costly option, but also the least customizable option. If you are an independent agent looking to expand your online presence, you can reach out to me HERE to help decide your best course of action!

Where does Pinnacle Financial Services come in?

Pinnacle Financial Services is a full-service “FMO” that offers you some of the best technology in the business, like our proprietary Connect4Medicare platform, and can help you build your optimal online ecosystem. Our Connect4Medicare platform gives all of our partnered agents a personal link at no additional cost. All it takes is to reach out to one of our sales directors and we can have you set up in as little as 24 hours. Don’t delay! Call us today!

Need Medicare leads? Learn about our many Lead Opportunities!

Make sure to check out our brand-new podcast as well! Click Here

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@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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Social Media Marketing 2022

Social Media Marketing 2022

Social Media Marketing 2022
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The Covid-19 pandemic altered the way our society utilized social media marketing. Prior to 2020 social media was utilized for marketing, but not to the extent it is now. The restrictions state governments implemented on face-to-face interactions made social media marketing paramount to sales agent’s success moving forward.

What is Social Media Marketing?

Investopedia defines social media marketing as “the use of social media and social networks to market a company’s products and services. Social media marketing provides companies with a way to engage with existing customers and reach new ones while allowing them to promote their desired culture, mission, or tone.” Basically, social media marketing is a way to utilize online social networks to generate business.

Where do you use Social Media Marketing?

Whether you are an individual or a business, you have a robust amount of options at your disposal. The most prominent network over the past decade has of course been Facebook. Facebook has an immense amount of customizability that can accommodate just about any type of business you may have. If you do not have a Facebook business, you can check out a webinar I’ve done on how to do so Here! Of course, there are plenty of other platforms as well that work well, such as; LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube/Google Business to name a few.

How to use Social Media Marketing?

How to use social media marketing is a fairly debatable topic. Depending upon which platform you are using, this will change drastically. All of them have their pros and cons and I would recommend trying them all to see what works. Most sales agents will be utilizing multiple of these platforms to help build, what I like to call, their “Online Ecosystem.”

Where does Pinnacle Financial Services come in?

Pinnacle Financial Services is a full-service “FMO” that offers you some of the best technology in the business, like our proprietary Connect4Medicare platform, and can help you build your optimal online ecosystem. All it takes is to reach out to one of our sales directors and we can have you set up in as little as 24 hours. Don’t delay! Call us today!

Need Medicare leads? Learn about our many Social Media Lead opportunities!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

National Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@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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