We're Working to Help You Retain
Medicare Advantage Members in 2010!
As part of the retention program this year, we are beginning to reach out to all Medicare Advantage members to encourage continued membership for the 2010 Plan year. We feel that educating members is the best way to assist you with retaining these members!
Outbound courtesy calls are starting to be conducted to all Medicare Advantage members1. These calls remind plan members that they will soon be receiving their 2010 Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), if they haven't already, assist in reviewing their benefit changes for this year, and answer any questions they may have. Click here for the 2010 Medicare Advantage Outbound Retention Call script . Within the consultation, we will also help members to evaluate their benefit needs for the coming plan year to determine if any other Today's Options plan would be a better fit for their health needs or their budget so they can make an informed decision. (Note: If a member decides to make a plan change, we will assist them in this transaction. The original writing agent, if actively contracted, will continue managing the account and will receive all due commissions. Commissions within the agent hierarchy will not be impacted. Call center representatives are not licensed agents and are not paid any commission or incentive for these calls.)
Also, throughout the Annual Enrollment Period, we will be reaching out to members through various mailings to further strengthen retention. PFFS members will soon receive a mailing that assures them that Today's Options will be available in 2010. The goal of the mailing is to communicate the stability of our PFFS plans for 2010 and help conserve business. Samples of member communications are attached here ( Core Market Letter; Non-Core Market Letter ) for your viewing.
These efforts help reinforce the kind of support, coverage and care members can count on as a result of yours and our services. So be sure to remind clients that you are there for them now and, if they so choose, in 2010 to help them meet their healthcare needs.
Medicare Supplement/Medicare Select Deductibles and Coinsurance Amounts Will Increase Effective January 1, 2010, Medicare Part A and Part B deductible and daily coinsurance amounts will increase. (These amounts are updated annually with formulas set by law.) As a result, our Medicare Supplement plans will automatically be adjusted to cover those increased amounts. Please let Medicare Supplement clients know that their plan coverage will be raised.
For Medicare Supplement plans in 2010, deductibles have increased as follows:
Medicare Part A
Deductible: $1,100 per benefit period
Medicare Part B
Deductible: $155 per year
Click here for a detailed chart of the coverage increases.
Medicare Education
An Informed Consumer Makes Better Choices.
When you conduct Educational seminars, you may discuss the basics of Medicare and available Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans since people with Medicare may get health care coverage in several ways.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided two presentations, one about Medicare in general and another about Medicare Advantage plans and other Medicare plans, to help clear any confusion regarding Medicare options. Click the links below to access these helpful guides and feel free to present them to consumers at Educational events.
The presentations may also be used at Marketing events, provided the specific plans are discussed following the general presentations.
Remember: You may not discuss specific plans or conduct any marketing at Educational events.
Medicare 101
Medicare Advantage Plans and Other Medicare Plans
Verification Calls - When the Client Says
"I wish to cancel"
New Member Verification Calls are made to enrollees to confirm that the enrollee or applicant understands the plan. If an enrollee should decide that he/she does not want to continue to enroll in the plan, a notification email will be sent to the writing agent. The agent may then contact that enrollee, complete another Scope of Appointment Form to meet with the Medicare beneficiary and address the enrollee's concerns and continue to complete another application if he/she decides to re-enroll.
As a friendly reminder, please be aware of the New Member Verification Call Changes:
- Agent scheduling of Verification Calls is no longer required for enrollments with 2009 or 2010 effective dates.
- Reference numbers are no longer provided and do not need to be written on the New Member Acknowledgement form.
- Agents must inform enrollees of the pending Verification Call and may not be with the enrollee during the verification call.
- When spouses enroll together, a designated spouse may complete the call on the couple's behalf.
Verification Calls are now being conducted through a domestic call center. Outbound calling hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Saturday in all time zones.
