Call Recording Requirements
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CMS has required the recording of ALL phone interactions between agents and consumers discussing Medicare advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. Recordings must be stored for 10 years. You must records ALL calls in their entirety beginning on October 1, 2022.
MedicareCENTER will give you the capability to record your calls for FREE and will provide storage along with the capability to download them at any time. |
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Request Marketing Materials
Request Marketing Materials
Marketing Requirements
On May 9, 2022 CMS put into place the following rules for marketing and communications with regard to offering Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans for 2023. When marketing these plans the following language must include the message below. If you have materials from us that you use to market these products be sure to request updated content to be compliant.
“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.”
The message above must be:
- Verbally conveyed within the first minute of a sales call.
- Electronically conveyed when communicating with a beneficiary through email (email signatures), online chat, or other electronic means of communication.
- Prominently displayed on agent/agency websites and in email signatures.
- Included in any marketing materials, print materials and advertising.
Checklist Review
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Finish any contracting you may have started, complete it and review any carriers you wish to add. Carriers have blackout dates where you can no longer move your contract.
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Be sure to complete your AHIP training. Many carriers offer discounts, but you must access the training through the carriers' agent websites to receive that discount.
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Complete all product training. You'll get notified by the carrier when you’re eligible to being selling. Watch your Inbox carefully for important emails.
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Carrier Resources
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aetna
Contracting transfer blackout dates: 10/1 - 12/31 elevance (Anthem)
Contracting transfer blackout dates: 10/1 - 12/31 wellcare
Contracting transfer blackout dates: 10/1 - 12/8 |
silverscript
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cigna
Contracting transfer blackout dates: 9/1 - 12/31 united healthcare
Contracting transfer blackout dates: 9/1 - 12/31 |
MAPD & PDP Commission Rates
Product |
Region |
2022 Initial |
2023 Initial |
% |
2022 Renewal |
2023 Renewal |
% |
MAPD |
National |
$573 |
$601 |
4.89% |
$287 |
$301 |
4.88% |
MAPD |
CT, DC, PA |
$646 |
$678 |
4.95% |
$323 |
$339 |
4.95% |
MAPD |
CA, NJ |
$715 |
$750 |
4.90% |
$358 |
$375 |
4.75% |
MAPD |
PR, USVI |
$394 |
$411 |
4.31% |
$197 |
$206 |
4.57% |
PDP |
National |
$87 |
$92 |
5.75% |
$44 |
$46 |
4.55% |
Note: insurance carriers are not required to pay the maximum commission rate.
Referral fees: MA $100 and PDP $25.
Referral fees: MA $100 and PDP $25.
Access training for both Medicare and Fraud and Waste and Abuse (FWA). AHIP's online program gives you the background to make informed decisions on Medicare, including plan options, marketing, enrollment requirements, and FWA guidelines.
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What you'll learn & FAQs
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The standard cost of AHIP certification is $175, but most carriers will offer a $50 discount making your cost $125. You have 3 attempts to get a passing score of 90% for the final exam. Some carriers will even allow you to pay another $175 and take the test 3 more times. Your certification lasts 12 months and you must re-certify each year. You can download slides from each module for review and take practice quizzes. The actual exam is open book, so you can rely on your notes and practice quizzes to help you. The final exam is made up of many questions from the review quizzes which is helpful. You have 2 hours to complete the final exam, but the training modules are not timed, allowing you to pace yourself. Most agents complete the final exam in less than 2 hours and it contains 50 questions. Most carriers require AHIP certification before you can take their training to sell their Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plans. There are a few exceptions, but it is definitely recommended that you complete AHIP Certification if you plan on selling Medicare Advantage or PDP plans. You can transmit your scores directly from your AHIP account. You can also log into the carrier site where you would like your score transmitted and use their internal links to connect to AHIP’s website to transmit your score. Once you’ve completed your certification and exam, you will receive a link to a printable copy of your certificate. |
What can your clients do during AEP?
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1. Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa)
2. Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan 3. Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn't have drug coverage to one that does offer drug coverage (or vice versa) |
4. Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)
5. Switch from one Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) to another PDP 6. Drop Medicare Prescription Drug coverage completely |
Medicare Supplement applications:
Type of application - AEP doesn’t mean the application is automatically Open Enrollment or Guaranteed Issue.
Open enrollment applies only to persons who are first enrolling in Medicare Part B or turning age 65.
Guaranteed Issue applies only to Medicare beneficiaries who are losing (or disenrolling) in their current health care coverage under a qualifying Guaranteed Issue provision and these applications must include proof of credible coverage which supports the qualifying Guaranteed Issue event. (Guaranteed Issue provisions vary by state; if in doubt, call underwriting before taking a Guaranteed Issue application. And, don’t forget to attach the proof of credible coverage to the application.)
Underwritten applies to all other applications, where the applicant must answer all of the health questions.
Proof of credible coverage is required for all Guaranteed Issue applications and must be attached to the application (including an e-App). The document must be from each applicant’s current health insurer, include each insured’s name, and include the date each applicant’s current coverage will end.
Correct Medicare ID Number and Social Security Number – Record the Medicare ID number exactly as it is shown on the applicant’s Medicare ID card; don’t assume these numbers are always the same.
Open enrollment applies only to persons who are first enrolling in Medicare Part B or turning age 65.
Guaranteed Issue applies only to Medicare beneficiaries who are losing (or disenrolling) in their current health care coverage under a qualifying Guaranteed Issue provision and these applications must include proof of credible coverage which supports the qualifying Guaranteed Issue event. (Guaranteed Issue provisions vary by state; if in doubt, call underwriting before taking a Guaranteed Issue application. And, don’t forget to attach the proof of credible coverage to the application.)
Underwritten applies to all other applications, where the applicant must answer all of the health questions.
Proof of credible coverage is required for all Guaranteed Issue applications and must be attached to the application (including an e-App). The document must be from each applicant’s current health insurer, include each insured’s name, and include the date each applicant’s current coverage will end.
Correct Medicare ID Number and Social Security Number – Record the Medicare ID number exactly as it is shown on the applicant’s Medicare ID card; don’t assume these numbers are always the same.