With two weeks remaining until the end of AEP, we want to ensure you are getting the most from the Ascend Enrollment Platform. Using Ascend provides many advantages, including the ability to compare 2023 plans side-by-side, view benefit details, search for providers, pharmacies, and drugs, and send Quick Quotes!

Included in this communication are some additional reminders that will help you be more efficient when enrolling members into our plans. Topics include:

• Comparing and Quoting Plans
• Contactless Enrollment Tools
• Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility Verification
• Value-Based Enrollment (VBE) 

Compare and Quote Plans

Ascend offers the ability to compare providers, pharmacies, and drugs across all plans available within the enrollee’s zip code.

• REMINDER: Verify the selected provider is in the network and a PCP for the plan enrolling into by looking for the PCP flag on the provider search screen and the green check mark on the plan compare. Please reference Ascend Provider Search Quick Start for additional details.
• Reference Ascend Pharmacy Search Guide for help comparing pharmacy and drug costs.

Quick Quotes— Send a quote to a potential enrollee to help them decide to enroll in one of our great plans. Please reference Ascend QuickQuote for additional details.

Contactless Enrollment Tools

• Send for Signature —Utilize the Send for Signature feature to allow the member to complete the enrollment themselves at a later time. Please reference Ascend Send for Signature App for additional details.
• RATE— Record calls using Remote Agent Telephonic Enrollment (RATE) in the Ascend Mobile App. Please reference Ascend Rate_QuickStart Guide for additional details.

Check Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility

Ascend has enhanced the Medicaid search functionality to better assist you in confirming Medicaid eligibility, MSP levels (e.g., QMB, SLMB, etc.), and identifying which D-SNP your member is qualified to enroll in.

Enhancements have also been made to the Benefit Eligibility Query (BEQ) to confirm Medicare eligibility. Some of the updates made include verifying the plan the member is currently enrolled in, the last time a SEP was used, etc.

For more information regarding Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility verification, please reference this previous communication.

Value-Based Enrollment (VBE)

As a reminder, Wellcare has recently INCREASED the payment incentive on 2023 AEP Value Based Enrollments (VBE) for Health Risk Assessment (HRA) completions. 

Please reference this previous communication for additional details on this exciting opportunity.

This Weekly News communication will provide information on the following topics:

• Broker Portal Application Upload – Uploading applications within Centene Workbench
• VBE/HRA Reminders – Increased admin payment opportunities, important tips and reminders
• Ascend Enhancements – Medicaid and Medicare verification available in Ascend
• Wellcare Highlighted Plans – Plans that appeal to the broader Medicare population
• Legacy Wellcare ID Cards – Re-carding for members enrolled in Legacy Wellcare plan
• Vendor Benefit Cards – Timeline of mailing of supplemental benefit card issuance
• Request For Information (RFI) – Resolving incomplete enrollments

Uploading Applications into Centene Workbench – New!

We’re excited to inform you that Centene Workbench has recently been updated to provide functionality that allows you to upload electronic versions of enrollment applications on the majority of health plans offered through Centene Corporation (exceptions apply).

Please review the Centene Workbench Upload Application Guide to learn more about how to submit your enrollment applications.

Please Note: Applications can take 1-2 hours from upload to confirmation of receipt. Please check back frequently to confirm your submitted applications reflect an Application Received status in Centene Workbench.

VBE/HRA Reminders – 2023 Annual Enrollment Period

Wellcare has recently INCREASED the payment incentive on 2023 AEP Value Based Enrollments (VBE) for Health Risk Assessment (HRA) completions though Ascend or Sunfire:

• $225 administrative payment for eligible D-SNP/C-SNP enrollments.
• $75 administrative payment for eligible MA/MAPD enrollments.

Below are some key reminders to take note of when completing VBE/HRAs.

• If completing an application outside of Ascend, Sunfire, or you cannot capture a VBE directly after enrollment, you can utilize the PY2023 Enrollments Standalone VBE Link.
• Please remember that in order to receive payment/credit, you must fully complete the HRA by clicking Submit which will be followed by an HRA confirmation number.

Resources

• PY2023 Enrollments Standalone VBE Link
• 2023 Ascend Integrated_Standalone VBE Guide for Brokers

Please review the prior communication for further details so you can take advantage of this exciting opportunity by completing your VBE/HRA in Ascend and Sunfire today!

Ascend Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility Checks

Enhancements have been made within Ascend to Medicaid and Medicare verifications!

Medicaid Verification

Ascend has enhanced the Medicaid search functionality to better assist you in confirming Medicaid eligibility, MSP levels (e.g., QMB, SLMB, etc.) and identify which D-SNP your member is qualified to enroll.

• Reminder: Michigan, Oregon, and Washington are not currently integrated within the Medicaid search feature in Ascend at this time.

Medicare Verification

Enhancements have been made to the Benefit Eligibility Query (BEQ) to confirm Medicare eligibility. Some of the updates made include verifying the plan the member is currently enrolled in, the last time a SEP was used, etc.

• Reminder: You can check LIS values in all states!

Utilize the enhanced BEQ feature to verify Medicare Eligibility today!

Note: You must be logged in as an agent to utilize these features under the “Extra Help” screen prior to comparing plans.

care Key Highlighted Plans

Wellcare continues to offer plans in 36 states that meet the needs of a variety of beneficiaries with competitive benefits:

• Value-conscious shoppers may look for $0 or low-premium plans.
• Those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid can choose a D-SNP plan, many with a Healthy Foods Card and $0 Prescription drugs.
• Plans have been specifically designed to work with those who receive the Low-Income Subsidy, those with certain Chronic conditions, and those who would like to receive some or all of the Medicare Part B premium in their Social Security check.
• Veterans or others who may get their Prescription drugs covered by another source and may benefit from our MA only plans.
• HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, and PFFS plans allow members to choose a network type based on their needs.
• Stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) are available for those who choose to stay with Original Medicare but want to lower their drug costs.

You can learn more about these plans by viewing the Portfolios at a Glance site, under Plan Details to see the highlighted plans with key benefits by market.

Legacy Wellcare Member ID Cards Issuance

All members enrolled in Legacy Wellcare health plans will receive a new member ID card this year. The new ID cards will omit the ID card year, allowing the new card to be used year over year for members continuing with their health plan.

Mailing of the ID cards will begin mid-November and is targeted to be completed by mid-December, so members have their new card in hand by January 1st.

Vendor Benefit Cards Issuance – Flex Benefits, OTC Items, Healthy Foods

Wellcare continues to provide additional supplemental benefits that are helpful to members in their healthcare journey. Members enrolled in select plans may have access to additional benefits that help pay for items that are important to them. These include flex benefits for Dental, Vision, and Hearing, Over Counter items, and a Healthy Foods benefit offered on D-SNPs.

The below table provides a timeline of when vendor benefit cards will be issued for receipt by members eligible for the benefit(s).

Request For Information (RFI)

Request for Information (RFI) status occurs when a submitted application is either incomplete or contains incorrect information. To avoid processing delays or application denial, please ensure you provide accurate and complete information.

You will be informed through email and text message if you have applications in RFI status. Please be on the lookout for these notifications and act promptly to resolve them. Important: RFIs must be resolved within 21 days of application receipt from the member, or the application will be denied.

The RFI Resource Page contains further instructions on how to resolve RFIs.