Connect4Medicare Transforms into Connect4Insurance

Connect4Medicare Transforms into Connect4Insurance

Connect4Medicare Transforms into Connect4Insurance
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From October 1, 2023, the name that has become synonymous with simplicity, innovative, and efficient Medicare quote, compare and enrollment—Connect4Medicare—will be known as Connect4Insurance. This change is more than just a brand transformation—it’s a commitment to continue offering agents unrivaled insurance services while aligning with evolving regulatory frameworks set forth by CMS.

The Reason for the Change

The driving force behind this rebranding is the 2024 Final Rule for Medicare Advantage and Part D. This new directive has been instituted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide a standardized approach to Medicare services across the nation. A significant facet of this rule is that it prohibits the use of “Medicare” in any third-party market organization’s (TPMO) business name, logo, or URL. The initiative is designed to mitigate any potential confusion among consumers seeking CMS-endorsed Medicare services.

The Impact and Importance of the 2024 Final Rule

The introduction of the 2024 Final Rule necessitates that TPMOs undergo rebranding efforts to remain compliant. It’s a rule that carries substantial weight in the industry, underlining CMS’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Medicare Advantage and Part D services, while promoting transparency for beneficiaries.

By changing its name from Connect4Medicare to Connect4Insurance, our organization is not just adhering to this rule but also leading the way in embracing change. This proactive approach showcases our unwavering dedication to providing exceptional services while maintaining regulatory compliance.

What Connect4Insurance Represents

While the name Connect4Medicare served us well, we believe that Connect4Insurance better encapsulates our broad array of services and commitment to connecting consumers with the right insurance solutions.
We’re not just about Medicare—we’re about a holistic approach to insurance. We offer an extensive range of services encompassing Medicare, ancillary health such as dental and hospital indemnity, life insurance, and more. This name change allows us to extend our reach, ensuring we cater to a more diverse demographic, without compromising our core values and principles.

Conclusion

We at Pinnacle Financial Services will keep pushing for excellence and innovation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to serving our agent partners, and we are enthusiastic about the possibilities that this change offers. Be assured that nothing about our mission or service quality has changed as a result of our name change. Our main goal is still to give our agent and agency partners the newest technological solutions so they can link their customers with the insurance products that are most suited to their particular needs.

FAQ’s

Do I need to take any action now or on October 1?

No. Our IT team will complete this transition behind the scenes so it’s completely seamless for you.

Will my Consumer PURL site have different features after the change?

No. Connect4Insurance will provide the same functionality for agents as Connect4Medicare.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

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Medicare HRA’S

Medicare HRA’S

Medicare HRA’S
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Medicare, a federal health insurance program largely for people 65 and older, works hard to raise the standard of care it offers its participants. The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) is one important instrument that has been incorporated into its framework. Beneficiaries who comprehend the HRA and its implications will be better able to make decisions concerning their health.

What is a Health Risk Assessment (HRA)?

Medicare beneficiaries fill out an HRA, a questionnaire that asks them detailed questions about their lifestyle, medical history, and health-related habits. The assessment’s goal is to locate any potential health problems, such as ailments that could worsen if not treated right away. This proactive strategy guarantees that people get the proper care at the appropriate time, potentially preventing serious health difficulties in the future.

Why is it Important?

  • Individualized Care Plans: Using the findings from the HRA, healthcare professionals can design a personalized care strategy that takes into account the beneficiary’s particular requirements and risks. Better health outcomes and more individualized care are the result.
  • Prevention: Prompt intervention can delay the onset of some diseases or ailments by identifying risk factors early. For instance, nutritional recommendations or guidance on blood sugar monitoring may be given to someone with a family history of diabetes and particular lifestyle choices.
  • Cost savings: Over time, taking preventative action and getting help right away can save a lot of money. Hospitalizations and expensive treatments are reduced when prospective health problems are addressed before they become serious.

Medicare HRA’s Agent Compensation

As an agent of Pinnacle, you are easily able to quote and enroll your clients on our Connecture and/or Sunfire platform. In both of these platforms, you are given the opportunity to complete the HRA’s right after the enrollment. Agents will also get paid to complete, so it is a win/win situation. The amount of payment can vary, so make sure you speak to a Pinnacle Medicare representative to get all the details.

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, top-notch support service, and personal sales and marketing from the very start. There is no sales quotas or commitments that you need to make to us, as we just want to help you grow your business. This is a win-win opportunity for all of us, so what are you waiting for? Join us at the top!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Director of sales | health

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1 (800) 772-6881
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Why Cancer Insurance is Important

Why Cancer Insurance is Important

Why Cancer Insurance is Important
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You might ask, why is cancer insurance important to consider? Cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of people worldwide, with over 19 million new cases diagnosed each year, according to the World Health Organization.

The impact of cancer is not just limited to the physical and emotional toll it takes on patients and their families, but also the financial burden of treatment and care. Cancer insurance, also known as critical illness insurance, is a type of coverage designed to help offset the high healthcare costs associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.

How Cancer Insurance Works

Cancer insurance typically pays out a lump sum benefit to the policyholder in the event they are diagnosed with cancer, regardless of their age or whether they have a family history of the disease. This lump sum benefit can be used to cover a range of expenses, including medical bills, travel costs, and lost income due to time off work.

The risk of cancer is a reality for many families, with certain types of cancer having a higher likelihood of occurrence in certain age groups and populations. Breast cancer, for example, is more commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 50, while prostate cancer is more common in men over 60. Additionally, certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a diet high in processed foods can increase the risk of developing cancer.

Selling a Cancer Plan

When asking about your clients’ needs it will be important to bring a few things into the conversation. You may want to ask your clients if cancer is something that runs in their family or if they are tobacco smokers. These are important questions to ask even asking them if so, how were the medical bills handled? Providing your clients with knowledge of how a cancer plan can help with these expenses and proper medical treatment will help you find the right plan for them.

Benefits of Cancer Insurance

While cancer insurance cannot prevent the occurrence of cancer, it can provide peace of mind for families who may be at higher risk due to their age or family history. By having a cancer plan in place, families can feel more prepared to handle the financial strain that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

One of the primary benefits of cancer insurance is that it can help cover the costs associated with treatment and care. Cancer treatment can be incredibly expensive, with costs for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery often running into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even with health insurance, out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles and copays can quickly add up.

Cancer insurance can also help cover indirect costs associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. For example, if a patient needs to travel to receive treatment, cancer insurance can cover the cost of transportation and lodging. Additionally, if a patient needs to take time off work to receive treatment or recover, cancer insurance can provide a source of income to help offset lost wages.

It’s important to note that cancer insurance is not a substitute for health insurance. Rather, it is designed to supplement existing coverage and provide additional financial support specifically for cancer-related expenses. It’s also important to carefully review the terms of any cancer insurance policy before purchasing to ensure that it covers the types of cancer that are most relevant to your individual circumstances.

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, top-notch support service, and personal sales and marketing from the very start. There is no sales quotas or commitments that you need to make to us, as we just want to help you grow your business. This is a win-win opportunity for all of us, so what are you waiting for? Join us at the top!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Director of sales | health

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

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

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2024 Medicare Certification

2024 Medicare Certification

2024 Medicare Certification
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Medicare products and regulations change yearly. As a result, new plans come on the market, and existing plans may enhance/change their structures. The best time to get started is ASAP, even if the next open enrollment period is months away.

Step One:

Complete AHIP or if you choose to instead the NABIP Certification. Most all carriers require AHIP and as a heads up, not all accept the NABIP Certification.

Below is a breakdown of the two:

AHIP:

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.

NABIP:

NABIP stands for National Association of Business Insurance Professionals 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. 2 years ago, NABIP launched its own version of AHIP’s Medicare training to compete with the other organization.

(NOTE NOT ALL CARRIERS WILL ACCEPT THIS)

Make sure you save a PDF of the completion certificate for either Certification as you may need that document when completing Carrier Certifications next. Some may have shown up as an option to transmit the results, but some may not be equipped for that.

Step Two:

Each carrier requires you to do training with them now to become certified to sell for the next year. Even if you are not actively selling you will need to remain appointed to keep your renewals. Some carriers may give out product details and others may not, but all will require you to go through some basic compliance reminders. So, you know the testing requirements are because Medicare Advantage is regulated by the government. Agents/brokers must be licensed in the State in which they do business, annually complete training and pass a test on their knowledge of Medicare and health and prescription drug plans, and follow all Medicare marketing rules

Step Three:

Attend a kickoff. Whether you are attending your FMO kickoff or individual carrier meetings these can be a great opportunity to ask questions, engage with your broker managers, and deep dive into the products. This is not “required” but I would recommend it. You may hear questions being asked that you didn’t think of. Being clear on the products to avoid any confusion during open enrollment is a smart step in preparation.

 Let Pinnacle help you navigate this!

Go here for the AHIP Discount takes $50 off! You can also contract with the carriers and view their first looks:

Pinnacle Annual Enrollment Period Medicare Toolkit

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

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5-Star Medicare Advantage plans

5-Star Medicare Advantage plans

5-Star Medicare Advantage plans
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5-Star Medicare Advantage plans are a year-round opportunity for both clients and sales agents. Although the 5-star plan designation is scarce throughout the country, there are still various opportunities depending on what state you and your client are in!

What are Star Ratings, and How do They Impact Plans

Medicare star ratings are basically a plan’s overall performance and quality based on data that is provided from the prior year. The scale is numbers 5 to 1, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor. The 5 categories that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) uses to review plan performances are:

  1. Customer Service
  2. Plan Responsiveness
  3. Management of Member Complaints
  4. Preventative Service (Health outcomes of members)
  5. Chronic Condition Management

These ratings impact both the plan sponsor offering them and the clients choosing/staying with them. Plan sponsors benefit from having highly-rated plans by receiving higher rebates and quality bonus payments. This allows them to offer additional supplemental benefits (extras like dental, vision, and hearing), lower to no premiums, and help with future improvements to plan quality. Plans with low stars run the risk of having the contract terminated altogether.

For clients, having a 5-star plan gives them two things. The first is peace of mind. The higher the star rating for a plan, the more confidence they have when choosing that plan. The second is potential special enrollment opportunities. A 5-star Medicare Advantage plan receives a special enrollment period that lasts from December 8th to November 30th every year. This allows the client to make a one-time switch to that plan if it’s available in their service area.

Where does Pinnacle Financial Services come in?

Pinnacle Financial Services is the only “FMO” in the country that has access to a special Institutional-equivalent, 5-star plan available in 30 states across the country. This is an exciting opportunity to market a product that the external distribution channel has never sold. Not to mention, we offer the best technology in the business, back-office support, and training. Don’t hesitate to call us today about how to get set up for this unique opportunity!

AEP is around the corner! Check out our AEP Toolkit

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

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2023 Medicare Advantage Commissions

2023 Medicare Advantage Commissions

2023 Medicare Advantage Commissions
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2023 Medicare Advantage Commissions have been announced. Commission increases will take place for 2023 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D sales per the announcement by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, (CMS). Click Here for announcement.

 

FOR CA AND NJ

  • Initial MA commissions increased from $715/member/year to $750/member/year.
  • Renewal commissions increased from $358/member/year to $375/member/year.

FOR CT, DC, AND PA

  • Initial MA commissions increased from $646/member/year to $678/member/year.
  • Renewal commissions increased from $323/member/year to $339/member/year.

FOR PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

  • Initial MA commissions increased from $394/member/year to $411/member/year.
  • Renewal commissions increased from $197/member/year to $206/member/year.

In all other states, initial MA commissions increased from $573/member/year to $601/member/year. Renewal commissions increased from $287/member/year to $301/member/year.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

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1 (800) 772-6881
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