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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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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    Clover Health | Planned Medicare Advantage Expansion for 2023

    Clover Health | Planned Medicare Advantage Expansion for 2023

    Clover Health | Planned Medicare Advantage Expansion for 2023
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    Clover currently offers its MA plans in 209 counties where it cares for approximately 85,000 members. Clover’s planned expansion will make its MA plans available in 220 counties across eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. As part of its focus on sustainable membership growth, Clover will be exiting two of its smaller markets, the counties of El Paso, Texas, and Pima, Arizona.

    2023 Certifications are Open!

    • You will receive your unique 2023 certification code from your upline. Don’t know your upline? Log in to Miramar:Agent to find out!
    • Completing your 2023 certifications will also certify you to sell 2022 plans.
    • New to Clover Health and don’t have an upline? Reach out to contracting@cloverhealth.com to learn more!
    • Once you are RTS (ready to sell) for 2023 – register for a Clover Health Broker Orientation for an overview of Clover, key benefits and the Clover website.

    2023 Certifications Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Miramar:Agent?

    • Miramar-agent.com is Clover Health’s certification platform. For agents to become certified to sell our 2023 Medicare Advantage Products, an agent is required to pass our 2023 Certification Program through Miramar: Agent.

    When I log into Miramar:Agent – it asks for a unique code. What is that?

    • Your upline has the unique code you will need to add to Miramar. Please reach out to your upline. Once you have this code you can complete 2023 certifications. 

    I’m having issues with Miramar: Agent. Who can help?

    How do I find out who my upline is?

    • Log in to Miramar: Agent, look under Groups with the Clover Health plan.

    2023 First Look Events Are Here

    Learn about Clover Health’s 2023 plans & benefits and meet our local team. Clover Health is hosting events throughout all of our service areas.

    Find one near you and RSVP today! 

    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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    NAHU | Now Available: PY2023 Medicare Advantage Certification

    NAHU | Now Available: PY2023 Medicare Advantage Certification

    NAHU | Now Available: PY2023 Medicare Advantage Certification
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    If you are looking to complete your annual Medicare Advantage training, NAHU should be your first stop. Created by agents for agents, the NAHU PY2023 Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Compliance Requirements Certification program meets all CMS requirements. Plus, our training program provides free CE credits. This educational value comes at a standard cost of $100.

    Benefits of choosing NAHU’s PY2023 certification training:

    • The course was written by agents for agents
    • Designed not just to check the training box, but to provide real value to you in your business every day
    • The standard cost is $100
    • The convenience of a private online library accessible 24/7 with easy navigation
    • Mobile-friendly technology
    • Live Student Services Help Desk at (844) 257-0990 or professionaldevelopment@nahu.org
    • Free CE credits
    • A certification logo to market your accomplishment
    • Opportunity to be part of a Medicare community advocating for agents/brokers

    Please check your state’s CE approval status and rules prior to purchasing the course.

    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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    Wellcare | Best Practices for Provider Selection

    Wellcare | Best Practices for Provider Selection

    Wellcare | Best Practices for Provider Selection
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    Attention Valued Partner,

    In our continuous efforts to ensure members are assigned the correct provider upon enrollment, we wanted to share some best practices for you to keep in mind when assisting your members. Following these tips to select the correct provider during the enrollment process can increase member satisfaction, ensure timely access to the member’s Primary Care Provider (PCP), and minimize member abrasion.

    Document accurate and complete PCP information on enrollment applications to avoid PCP auto-assignment.

    • Ensure that the correct Provider Identifier has been entered in the enrollment applications. Please see the table below for Provider Identifiers according to health plans:
    • Verify the contract status of the provider (PCP/Specialist) based on the selected plan, as the provider might not be in-network with all Wellcare plans in the area.
    • Ensure that the provider has a Primary Care Provider (PCP) indicator to be assigned as the member’s PCP on the application. To avoid auto-assignment and member abrasion, do not assign a provider without a PCP indicator.

    Note: On the Wellcare website (www.wellcare.com), providers who qualify as PCPs can be identified by the indicator Primary Care Provider: Yes.

    Ensure the Provider is In-Network

    A specific PCP may not be in-network with all plans within the area. You must certify that the PCP is in-network with the plan selected for enrollment.

    • PCPs may be looked up through the Ascend Web/Mobile Application Provider Lookup tool or through the health plan website.
    • If using an alternate enrollment platform, use the provider search tool built into its system. If unsure about the enrollment tool being used, default to the plan website’s provider search tool to verify the provider’s network status with the plan selected for enrollment.

    If determined a provider is not in-network, explain beneficiary options.

    Important notes for the following plan types:

    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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    Aetna | AEP Readiness! Get Certified to Sell Aetna before October 15

    Aetna | AEP Readiness! Get Certified to Sell Aetna before October 15

    Aetna | AEP Readiness! Get Certified to Sell Aetna before October 15
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    Certification is the first step to sell 2023 Aetna products this AEP – let’s get you prepared!

    Planning to sell individual Aetna MA/MAPD or SilverScript PDP products this AEP? You’ll need to get certified before the October 15 deadline.

    New this year! As an alternative to AHIP training, Aetna now offers a no-cost, Aetna/SilverScript-only certification option for agents who want to sell only Aetna MA/MAPD or SilverScript PDP products, exclusively!

    Certification Options

    This year, there are two certification options to choose from.

    AHIP Medicare Training
    Certification option #1

    • This option includes AHIP Medicare training, along with several Aetna-specific training courses (available in English and Spanish).
    • AHIP Medicare training is discounted if taken directly through AetnaMedicareProducerCertification.com.
    • Cost: $125.

    Aetna/SilverScript-Only Training
    (NEW! No-cost Option) Certification option #2

    • This new option allows you to bypass the AHIP Medicare training component and complete an alternative Aetna/SilverScript-only training instead, along with several Aetna-specific training courses (available in English and Spanish).
    • This no-cost certification option is for agents who want to sell only Aetna MA/MAPD or SilverScript PDP products, exclusively.
    • Cost: $0.

    We’re Here to Help

    Have questions? Contact Aetna Medicare Broker Services at 1 (866) 714-9301 or BrokerSupport@aetna.com.

    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

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