COVID-19 Policies & Procedures
We continue to take all necessary precautions as outlined by the CDC and Health departments to ensure the health and well being of our employees. We encourage all of our agents to do the same, and to follow recommended guidelines by the CDC to ensure you remain healthy. If you come to our offices, we require a temperature check and face mask to be worn during the duration of your visit. If you have symptoms of COVID we request that you reschedule your visit.
Online tools continue to be the best resource during these challenging times and electronic applications are the most effiicient way of submitting business. If you haven't submitted business with e-Apps and need assistance, please reach out to us or visit our e-App page for guides, video tutorials and instructions for our carriers' e-App processes. Many carriers do NOT require clients to have email addresses when submitting electronic applications. Voice signatures are now a part of telephonic and electronic applications as well. Carriers have put new rules and guidelines in place due to COVID-19. If you have questions about submitting business for a specific carrier, please contact us. If you need online tools to help you maintain your business, please visit our Tips of the Trade page.
Online tools continue to be the best resource during these challenging times and electronic applications are the most effiicient way of submitting business. If you haven't submitted business with e-Apps and need assistance, please reach out to us or visit our e-App page for guides, video tutorials and instructions for our carriers' e-App processes. Many carriers do NOT require clients to have email addresses when submitting electronic applications. Voice signatures are now a part of telephonic and electronic applications as well. Carriers have put new rules and guidelines in place due to COVID-19. If you have questions about submitting business for a specific carrier, please contact us. If you need online tools to help you maintain your business, please visit our Tips of the Trade page.
COVID-19 Updates
Continue to adhere to State and local guidance as well as complementary CDC guidance, particularly with respect to face coverings. Studies show COVID-19 vaccines are safe and very effective. A 3rd vaccine was just authorized for use in the U.S. Keep up to date at coronavirus.gov.
CONTINUE TO PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
PEOPLE WHO FEEL SICK SHOULD STAY HOME
CONTINUE TO PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
- Continue to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces and after being in public.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
- Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
- Use face coverings while in public, even if you've been vaccinated
PEOPLE WHO FEEL SICK SHOULD STAY HOME
- Do not go to work or school.
- Contact and follow the advice of your medical provider.
Insurance Carriers' Response to COVID19
Licensing
Please check with your local Department of Insurance about licensing updates.
Click on a specific state for their department of insurance site.
Click on a specific state for their department of insurance site.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers a test to see if your client has coronavirus (officially called coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19).
Your client's costs in Original Medicare
They pay nothing for this test.
What it is
Tests done to help your client's doctor diagnose or rule out a suspected illness or condition. In some circumstances, a home health nurse, laboratory technician, or an appropriately-trained medical assistant may give your client this test in their home.
Things to know
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibody test
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers a COVID-19 antibody (or “serology”) test.
Your client's costs in Original Medicare:
They pay nothing for this test.
What it is:
This FDA-authorized test helps see if your client has developed an immune response and may not be at immediate risk of COVID-19 reinfection.
Things to know:
How to stay up to date:
Source: Medicare.gov
Your client's costs in Original Medicare
They pay nothing for this test.
What it is
Tests done to help your client's doctor diagnose or rule out a suspected illness or condition. In some circumstances, a home health nurse, laboratory technician, or an appropriately-trained medical assistant may give your client this test in their home.
Things to know
- Medicare covers these tests at different locations, including some “parking lot” test sites.
- Medicare also covers COVID-19 antibody tests.
- Medicare also covers preventive tests and screenings to help prevent, find, or manage a medical problem.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibody test
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers a COVID-19 antibody (or “serology”) test.
Your client's costs in Original Medicare:
They pay nothing for this test.
What it is:
This FDA-authorized test helps see if your client has developed an immune response and may not be at immediate risk of COVID-19 reinfection.
Things to know:
- Medicare covers these tests at home.
- Medicare also covers COVID-19 tests.
- Medicare also covers preventive tests and screenings to help prevent, find, or manage a medical problem.
How to stay up to date:
- Coronavirus.gov is the source for the latest information about COVID-19 prevention, symptoms, and answers to common questions.
- CDC.gov/coronavirus has the latest public health and safety information from CDC and for the overarching medical and health provider community on COVID-19.
- USA.gov has the latest information about what the U.S. Government is doing in response to COVID-19.
- Medicare covers the COVID-19 vaccine
- Protecting yourself & others
- Coping with stress
- Medicare covers related needs
- Telehealth & related services
- Other ways Medicare is helping
Source: Medicare.gov
Life Insurance & COVID-19
The application process and underwriting criteria have not changed substantially during the pandemic; however, some carriers have added additional steps to submitting applications. For example, some carriers are requesting policy holders sign a statement of health verifying they do not have COVID-19. Check with the carriers you're appointed with to see what new steps (if any) they've put into place for submitting Life and Final Expense policies.
ExamOne Update
APPS Update
APPS' priority has always been the health and safety of both examiners and the insurance applicants.
APPS continues to securely operate our national and local offices. Rest assured we are taking phone calls, emails, and updating case status to keep you up to date in these unprecedented times.
We are addressing the coronavirus challenge and its heightened concerns, and we have taken a number of additional measures under the guidance of the United States Center for Disease Control.
The CDC information on COVID-19 can be located at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html. This is a highly fluid situation that we will continue to monitor, and we will update procedures as the situation warrants.
APPS Update
APPS' priority has always been the health and safety of both examiners and the insurance applicants.
APPS continues to securely operate our national and local offices. Rest assured we are taking phone calls, emails, and updating case status to keep you up to date in these unprecedented times.
We are addressing the coronavirus challenge and its heightened concerns, and we have taken a number of additional measures under the guidance of the United States Center for Disease Control.
The CDC information on COVID-19 can be located at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html. This is a highly fluid situation that we will continue to monitor, and we will update procedures as the situation warrants.
Leads During the Pandemic
|
Everyone is online more than ever right now, so this is the perfect time to utilize Facebook leads. Instead of spending money on postage for mailers, consider running an ad on Facebook to target your specific demographics in your geographic area. With Facebook leads, you get your leads within hours and download them to your computer.
Facebook leads also promotes your agency and gives you brand exposure, opening up the avenue for even more clients. When creating your Facebook ad to generate leads, you can even add a 'Click to Call' option allowing leads to get in touch with you immediately. |
|
Zoom Sessions
Join any of our private screen share sessions where we will login to the carrier's website and submit an electronic application for Medicare Supplement from start to finish. Become versed in submitting your business electronically. It's the fastest and most efficient way to submit applications.
Or, if you need assistance with running quotes in our Resource for Rates quoting tool, we'll walk you through that process.
Ask questions in real time, view our computer screen and get the help you need to use these tools effectively. Sign up for a session below and download the free Zoom software for your private session. When the download completes, install the software on your computer and wait for our email invitation link to join your private session. Zoom is also available in the App Store and on Google Play if you want to join a meeting from your phone or tablet.
Or, if you need assistance with running quotes in our Resource for Rates quoting tool, we'll walk you through that process.
Ask questions in real time, view our computer screen and get the help you need to use these tools effectively. Sign up for a session below and download the free Zoom software for your private session. When the download completes, install the software on your computer and wait for our email invitation link to join your private session. Zoom is also available in the App Store and on Google Play if you want to join a meeting from your phone or tablet.
|
|
|