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

Director of Agent Training

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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

Director of Agent Training

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Cancer Insurance

Cancer Insurance

Cancer Insurance
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Who does not know someone who has had a cancer diagnosis? Cancer can quickly become financially devastating for any family.  Having a cancer insurance policy is a great way that families can protect themselves from the financial hardships cancer can cause.  Having a lump sum cancer can also pay for other expenses that traditional health insurance won’t cover such as experimental treatments, travel expenses, or even everyday bills.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. If you’ve ever had cancer or know someone who has, you’re well aware of how this disease can impact the lives of everyone it touches.

Selling Cancer Insurance

Selling cancer insurance might not be the main focus of an insurance agent but with Cancer being the 2nd leading cause of death in the United States, your clients would certainly be interested in discussing it. More than half of U.S. cancer survivors have stated they have high medical costs and stress from worrying about paying their medical bills. Some have even delayed medical care due to the costs.

Adding Cancer Insurance

Even if you are on a Medicare plan there are still some gaps in the coverage. This is where a good lump-sum cancer plan can help. The cancer policies will pay cash to the client that can be used to pay for things that private insurance will not cover.

There may very well be other related expenses that aren’t covered by your health insurance that having cash from a cancer plan can assist with paying. They include:

  • Co-pays
  • Deductibles
  • Out-of-network providers
  • Travel costs for treatment
  • Child care

Lump Sum Cancer Insurance

When adding a cancer plan it’s important to consider the different types of plans. The most popular is known as a “lump sum” cash benefit. Once diagnosed with cancer your clients will receive a lump sum cash payment. You are also able to add a cancer rider to a hospital indemnity plan packaging a more robust benefits package for your clients.

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 are 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 representative today at 1 (800)-772-6881 x7731 or email sales@pfsinsurance.com.

Director of Sales | Health

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Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Connecticut

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Connecticut

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Connecticut
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So, we all know the rules, right? You cannot say anything is the BEST that would be using a superlative! Not many changes this year so limited plan disruption with all the carriers staying pretty strong. It is a tit-for-tat in comparing and adding benefits to determine what is a good fit. Also, keep in mind network differences with some clients needing a PPO and others just fine with an HMO.

However, let’s break down the Medicare Advantage Plans in CT to help you guide clients.

HMOs: Requires you to stay in a network and only covered when out of network in an emergency situation.

PPOs: You can receive care from any provider in or out of the network BUT you will pay less when staying in the network. Out-of-network providers have to agree to treat you and must be opted into Medicare.

DSNP: You can have BOTH Medicare and Medicaid

MAPD Plans in CT

(These are popular plans not ALL available plans/carriers)

Carrier Lead Plan Premium Deductible Network PCP Specialist Inpatient Outpatient Lab Rx
Aetna Essential Elite $0 $1,000 PPO $0 $40 *$175 days 1-5 *$65-$295 $0 $0 Ded
Anthem Access Select $0 $0 INN
$750 OON only
PPO $5 $45 $325 days 1-6 $325 copay $15 *95 T3-5
Carepartners Access PPO $0 $1,000 PPO
Limited in network providers
$0 $45 *$795 per stay *$200-$300 $0 $0 Ded
Connecticare Choice 3 $0 $195 HMO $0 $45 *$490 days 1-3 *$300-$395 $0-$15 $0 Ded
UHC Choice Flex $0 $0 PPO $0 $45 $395days 1-5 $295-$395 $0 $0 Ded

Note all benefits run on a calendar year

*Deductible Applies

INN=In network

OON=Out of network

Ancillary Benefits

Carrier Lead Plan Hearing Aids Dental Vision Fitness OTC
Aetna Essential Elite $0-$1799 copay Nations Hearing $1000 (100% anywhere) $250 Reimbursement Silver Sneakers $75 per Quarter
Anthem Access Select $1000 max $750 allowance $125 allowance Silver Sneakers $35 per Quarter
Carepartners Access PPO Copays $250-$1150 $1,000 allowance $150 allowance Silver Sneakers $65 per Quarter
Connecticare Choice 3 N/A Preventive included comprehensive must be purchased $500 allowance Silver Sneakers $75 per Quarter
UHC Choice Flex $175-$1225 copay $500 allowance (DVH Flex Card) $100 allowance Renew Active $40 per Quarter

This is not including the DSNP options for your clients as well as not representing EVERY MAPD plan in CT. Goes to show there is a lot out there to choose from and conducting a needs analysis with your clients is really the best first step. When the benefits are close in cost share it may boil down to the ancillary benefits

This is quite a bit to review and understand so why not reach out to us to help you!

Work with one of the best Medicare FMOs in the business! Click here to get started

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Regional Vice President

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Agent Call Recording Solutions for Medicare Sales

Agent Call Recording Solutions for Medicare Sales

Agent Call Recording Solutions for Medicare Sales
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Final Rule goes into effect for Contract Year 2023.  In essence, AEP businesses with a 1/1/2023 effective date for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D will be required to follow the new guidelines.

CMS FINAL RULE 2023- SUMMARY OF MARKETING CHANGES

The following is a summary of the changes published.

All field agents must begin recording all marketing phone calls that are part of the chain of enrollment with beneficiaries

The disclaimer “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. “must be conveyed as follows:

  • Verbally conveyed within the first minute of a sales phone call.
  • Electronically conveyed when communicating with a beneficiary through email, online chat, or other electronic means of communication.
  • Prominently displayed on third-party marketing organization websites
  • Included in any third-party marketing organization marketing materials, including print materials and television advertisements.

TPMOs are defined by CMS as organizations and individuals who are compensated to perform lead generation, marketing, sales, and enrollment-related functions as part of the chain of enrollment. (The steps taken by a beneficiary from becoming aware of a Medicare plan or plans to make an enrollment decision). TPMO also includes independent agents/brokers.

Pinnacle Financial Services is providing several all-in-one solutions free of charge to our agent partners through Connecture, SunFire and MyMedicareBot.

These voice Recording Enrollment Systems are now available to agents of Pinnacle Financial Services through our proprietary Connect4Medicare platform.

Seamlessly record your calls and stay compliant with the new CMS regulation.  The call recording systems through Connect4Medicare are FREE for all agents with Pinnacle Financial Services. Stores recordings automatically for the 10-year required period.

Pinnacle Financial Services is your one-stop for all the technology you need to quote, compare and enroll your Medicare clients. Use any of the approved compliant platforms depending solely on your preference. 

To receive access, please make sure you are contracted and certified for all of your Medicare carriers through Pinnacle Financial Services.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Vice President | Marketing

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Annuities and Income in Retirement

Annuities and Income in Retirement

Annuities and Income in Retirement
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What is the best way to produce income in retirement? Do you rely on a company-sponsored retirement plan, your own Individual Retirement Account, a Pension, Social Security, Brokerage account, or rental income? How about an annuity and income in retirement? This consideration has many nuances to consider and is something that is different for each individual’s own circumstances. But the only solution that provides guaranteed income for life, like Social Security, is the annuity, as more and more pensions are being phased out or are non-existent.

Retirement Income

So, what does that mean by income in retirement? Well, in its basic form it is the transition from relying on a salary, or earnings to pay for the necessities of life, and now relying on income in retirement from savings, investments, possible rental income, or a new career or part-time work.

The considerations must be this. Do you need to strive for the highest accumulation now that you are approaching, or are already in retirement, or do you look for more guarantees? It is recommended that no matter what your personal circumstances are that a portion of your savings should provide a level of guarantees, and that would incorporate the annuity for income in retirement.

Retirement Replacement Income

A simple way to help determine your need is this. First register on www.sss.gov/myaccount. Once there you will be able to see your estimated benefit based on your FRA(Full retirement age). Once you have obtained this number determine how much of your pre-retirement salary you want to replace. Quick example: If you are making $100,00 a year, one example would be replacing 60%, or $60,000, or $5,000 a Month. You can now calculate how much you would need to put into the annuity to produce this amount for life. Now assess your fixed expenses and determine how much will come from Social Security, and how much additional you will need to feel comfortable from a living standpoint. If Social Security is exclusively being spent to take care of your fixed expenses, then you need the additional buffer that an annuity will provide for lifetime retirement income.

Retirement Costs

Whatever your circumstances are costs are going up not just to live. Healthcare, travel, and housing are just a few things that continue to increase. Having an annuity as a part of your retirement plan can give you the peace of mind necessary to outlive what you have saved.

If you need an expert to explain and suggest options with annuities that can provide the guaranteed income for life in retirement that a client or yourself would benefit from, contact the experts at Pinnacle Financial Services, to provide important insight and solutions.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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

Senior Sales Director | Life, Annuity, & LTC

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