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Cigna | CSB Update: Have seen our latest Med Supp product updates?

Cigna | CSB Update: Have seen our latest Med Supp product updates?

Cigna | CSB Update: Have seen our latest Med Supp product updates?
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CSB Update

Timely news from Cigna Healthcare Supplemental Benefits

Have we got news for you!

Happy Summer! Get ready: The inaugural edition of Broker Insights, a monthly digest for all of our Medicare brokers, will launch on August 29, and will come to you every fourth Thursday! The first issue will focus on the tools and information you need for a successful AEP in a quick highlights format. You’ll continue to see the CSB Update on the second Thursday of each month.

We’re thrilled to bring you this new resource and look forward to hearing your thoughts on it this fall. And as always, we thank you for your partnership!

Be sure to check CignaforBrokers > My Messages often, as we frequently post essential training, tool and other updates there.

Did you know?

A new Medicare Supplement (Med Supp) product resource is now available! Go to Cignaforbrokers > Resource Center > Product Info/Center to view product launches by state, including all associated materials (application, brochure, and Outline of Coverage/Rates).

This comprehensive page also includes links to our Product Availability chart, Agent Guide, Declinable Drug List and Height and Weight Chart – all current Med Supp essentials in one handy spot.

Updates and action items

Announcing a new Med Supp product in Montana

Get ready for improved rates and value in Montana (MT)! Cigna National Health Insurance Company is launching on July 22. Get everything you need to start selling then here.

Please note: CHLIC MT will no longer be available for sale as of August 9, 2024. Applications must be signed by August 8, 2024, and in our office by August 23, 2024.

Cross-selling to boost retention

Want to up your customer retention game? As cited in this email, when customers own two or more policies, they are more loyal than if they own just one!

Listening to your customers’ needs, combined with learning more about and how to cross-sell all Cigna Medicare products, may increase the likelihood of meeting your customer retention goals.

Medicare Advantage Certification is live

2025 Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan certification is up and ready to go! Visit Producers’ University directly or via Cignaforbrokers (with the appropriate login) to get started.

This email includes a wealth of information on breezing through certification requirements, including:

  • What to expect in this year’s certification
  • Your easy path to 2025 certification
  • Other highlights

Get certified and get ready for AEP selling opportunities!

The CHLIC transition

As a reminder, the Cigna Healthcare CHLIC Transition broker information page is now on Cignaforbrokers > Resource Center > Product Info/Center (and is also available here). We’re keeping this page up to date with FAQs, consent periods by state, on-demand trainings in English and Spanish and with samples of state policyholder Notice of Transfer packets and second/reminder notices as mailed.

Have questions that this page doesn’t cover? Contact the ARC at the number below. 

State updates

The following Medicare Supplement insurance and Supplemental Health plans are experiencing rate adjustments in the noted charter(s) and states:

Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC)

7/1/24: Nebraska, Washington

8/1/24: New Mexico (Rate Hold: High F), Rhode Island (Rate Hold: High F), West Virginia (Rate hold: High F)

Cigna National Health Insurance Company (CNHIC)

7/1/24: Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Rate hold: High G), North Carolina (Rate hold: A), Wisconsin

8/1/2024: Alabama, Connecticut (Rate hold: all plans), Michigan, New Jersey, South Dakota, Utah

Flexible Choice Dental, Vision and Hearing 

7/1/24: Mississippi

Trainings and webinars

Visit CignaforBrokers >Training for comprehensive training information and links, including pre-recorded webinars designed for your convenience. Remember: You’ll need your Producers’ University login to access.

Helpful links and resources

CignaforBrokers

(log in for access)

Express App

(log in for access)

Phone

The Agent Resource Center (ARC)

877-454-0923

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM CT

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today 1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@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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Cigna | CSB Update: Have seen our latest Med Supp product updates?

Cigna | Medicare Transaction Update for Brokers

Cigna | Medicare Transaction Update for Brokers
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Medicare transaction update for our brokers

See below for an important update.

 

As you know, Health Care Service Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cigna’s Medicare Advantage, Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D, and CareAllies businesses. We expect the transaction to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

We are excited about this transaction and the value it will deliver to members following closing. We want to assure you, our valued broker partners, that we appreciate your continued partnership and remain committed in servicing and supporting you during this transition and post-closing. 

Cigna’s Medicare businesses and HCSC remain separate companies until closing. Medicare plans will continue to be offered and sold under each company’s respective brand(s) for the 2025 plan year. We will continue to evaluate integration between both companies beyond the 2025 timeline.

Since the transaction is expected to close in 2025, there will be no changes to Medicare Advantage plan benefits or premiums in plan year 2025 for either company (Medicare Supplement plans will follow state filings). HCSC and Cigna members will remain enrolled in and covered by their existing HCSC/Cigna plan upon the close of the transaction in 2025 for the duration of the 2025 plan year. 

The Group Retiree Business will remain business as usual and your HCSC and Cigna representatives respectively will be in contact with you along the way for all of the exciting changes this brings to the market, for you and your clients.

Both Cigna and HCSC are committed to a smooth transition and ensuring the continuity of service for our valued broker partners as well as continuity of service and access to care for our customers following the close.

We look forward to keeping you informed and following up with additional updates as they become available.

Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to our members. 

FAQs

If my customer is enrolled in a Cigna Medicare Advantage plan for the 2025 plan year, what will happen to that plan when the transaction closes? Will the customer automatically be transitioned to plan offered through a division of HCSC?

  • Customers will remain enrolled in and covered by their existing Cigna plan upon the close of the transaction in 2025 for the duration of the 2025 plan year. There will be no changes to plan benefits or premiums in plan year 2025.

Will the closing trigger a special election period for my customers?

  • No, a special election will not be triggered. Customers will remain on their existing plan and coverage.

After close, will HCSC offer plans – Medicare Advantage, Supplemental Benefits or PDP – in markets where Cigna Medicare operates today, but HCSC does not?

  • Yes. We will provide updates as information becomes available.

    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today 1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@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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    Cigna | CSB Update: Have seen our latest Med Supp product updates?

    Cigna | CHLIC transition beginning for policyholders in Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, and Tennessee

    Cigna | CHLIC transition beginning for policyholders in Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, and Tennessee
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    Announcing the CHLIC transition in Iowa, Maryland, Louisiana and Tennessee.

    What you and your customers need to know.

    The CHLIC transition is about to begin in Iowa (IA), Louisiana (LA), Maryland (MD) and Tennessee (TN). As referenced in this email, Cigna Healthcare Supplemental Benefits will mail Notice of Transfer packets to Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC) Medicare Supplement insurance policyholders; in these states, this will occur starting on July 2.

    What this means to you

    Once we have documented consent, we will begin the policy transfer process for CHLIC policyholders who reside in IA, LA, MD, and TN to MedCo Containment Life Insurance Company (MCLIC). As we will maintain all Agent of Record information with those policies, and as CHLIC is no longer available for sale in these states, this aspect of the CHLIC transition should be of minimal impact to you.

    What this means for your customers

    •  Notification: The Notice of Transfer packets provide policyholders with information about the transition, including a mail-in response card to consent to or reject it. Please note: You may not provide consent on behalf of a policyholder but may encourage them to review their packet and return their consent response to ensure that it is recorded.
    • Consent rule: In IA, LA, MD and TN, policyholders have 90 days to consent to or reject the transition. If no response is received after 60 days, Cigna will issue a second notice. No response at 90 days is considered deemed consent. 
    • Transfer: When a policyholder’s consent response is received, we will store it and move their policy into a transfer queue. Once a policy has transferred from CHLIC to MCLIC, the policyholder will receive a Certificate of Assumption as a record of the transfer, and a new MCLIC ID card. There will be no interruption to service or changes in policy terms. Consent processing times may vary – watch for updates as referenced below.

    Please note: Policyholder consent requirements are based on applicable regulations for the state of residence (vs. the state of policy issuance), to afford consumer protections of that state regarding consent to the transfer.

    Need more information?

    We’ve established a CHLIC transition broker information resource page just for you, containing:

    • FAQs, including the latest on consent processing timelines,
    • on-demand trainings, and
    • other Transition Updates, including sample state policyholder notices as issued.

    Be sure to bookmark/Favorite this page for convenient access to this resource.

    CHLIC transition broker information page

    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today 1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@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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    Cigna | CSB Update: Have seen our latest Med Supp product updates?

    Cigna |  Producers’ University is now available in Spanish!

    Cigna |  Producers’ University is now available in Spanish!
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    A Spanish version of Producers’ University is available along with a library of new resources.

     

    You asked, we listened! Producers’ University, your one-stop shop for all Medicare training resources, is now available in Spanish!

     As part of our dedication to creating an industry-leading broker experience for you, we’re excited to better serve our Spanish-speaking brokers with these new tools and resources available prior to AEP 2025.

    Features of Producers’ University in Spanish:

    Toggle between English and Spanish

    Upon login, you can switch to Spanish on any page within Producers’ University by using the (ES) toggle link in the upper right-hand corner.  

    Search the site in Spanish

    You can search for content in Spanish.

    View/download Spanish materials

    We have over 25 new Spanish resources available today and will continue to add more throughout the year.

    You can find the Spanish resources in the ‘Resource Center’ or ‘Centro de Recursos’ under ‘Spanish Translated Materials’ or ‘Materiales traducidos al español.’

    The job aids now available in Spanish include:

    • 10 Reasons to Sell Cigna Healthcare MA Plans
    • 2024 Dental Benefit Options
    • Cigna Healthy Today FAQs
    • ConnectureDRX Training Guide
    • Low Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Program
    • Rules of Engagement
    • Making Sales Stick
    • And much more!
    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today 1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@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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    Cigna | CSB Update: Have seen our latest Med Supp product updates?

    Cigna | Important updates

    Cigna | Important updates
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    Updated compliance requirements and other reminders below.

     

    Revised Scope of Appointment (SOA) paper form

    We’ve revised our SOA paper form. This revised form includes an area where you can document exceptions to the 48-hour waiting period. Log in to Producers’ University to download/view the form.

    Please begin to use the revised form as soon as possible, but no later than July 1, 2024. The use of older versions of the Cigna Healthcare SOA paper form should be discontinued immediately.

    Background: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires agents to document the scope of a personal marketing appointment at least 48 hours before the appointment to ensure an understanding of what will be discussed between the agent and the Medicare beneficiary or their authorized representative.

    The 48-hour waiting period is waived for:

    (1) SOAs completed during the last four days of a valid election period and

    (2) unscheduled in-person visits (walk-ins) initiated by the beneficiary.

    The SOA form must be completed in its entirety and retained for 10 years. It must also be provided to Cigna Healthcare upon request.

    Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) application tips

    In order to ensure your PDP customer applications are processed correctly and in a timely fashion, please ensure you are following the tips below.

    • Remember to sign and date your applications at the bottom. Broker sign dates are required for PDP applications. Applications with missing dates cannot be processed correctly and will result in delays. 
    • Please do not fax your PDP applications to our Medicare Advantage fax number. The correct PDP fax number is 1.800.735.1469.  
    • We encourage you to contact the automated phone number, 1.800.222.6700, 24-48 hours after fax submission to confirm receipt of the faxed application.
    • All customer applications must be submitted through the broker portal (CignaforBrokers.com), not the consumer portal. You will not receive commissions if you submit an application via the consumer portal.
    •  If you are having issues completing online enrollments for your customers in the broker portal, please contact our Cigna Agent Resource Line (CARL) at 866.442.7516. 

    Common PDP application mistakes

    In addition to following the tips listed above, please avoid the common errors found on PDP applications below.

    • Complete all required data fields on the application unless marked as optional.
    • When submitting an application using a SEP, please ensure that the proper election type is being utilized. Pay close attention to SEPs that require an end date. These dates and election types need to be accurate, or it could cause a delay in processing and/or could possibly cause the enrollment application to be denied.
    • Ensure that the plan, effective dates, and Member Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) are listed correctly on the application.

    Sign up for direct deposit

    If you haven’t already, we encourage you to sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments, or direct deposit, as soon as possible. Signing up is easy! Just follow the steps below:

    After signing up, please allow up to 30 days for EFT to become effective. Once it’s effective, you’ll be glad you enrolled!

    For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today 1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@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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