Should I have Medicare Supplement policies sent to me as the agent or direct to the client?

Many agents, with their busy schedule, may choose to have policies sent straight to the policyholder to save delivery time. However, this can create situations that the agent may want to avoid. Here are some advantages to having the policy sent to the agent first:  

• Verify that the carrier has entered the client’s basic information correctly: Name address etc.
• Verify that the carrier has enrolled the client in the proper plan
• Enables the agent to make copies of key policy pieces, like the schedule page
• Since many carriers require delivery receipts it allows the agent to send instructions for completion
• Allows the agent to send extra business cards for referrals and other product information when mailing the policy

As agents we are always looking for ways to add value to our clients, these added touches of delivering the policy either in person or by mail gives us additional selling opportunities.

(This article was written by Dan Mangus of Senior Marketing Specialists.)

Reserve Your Spot in the Medicare Suite - Register Today

UPDATE: Did you miss the webinar? Good thing we recorded it! . 
If you have any questions after the webinar give us a call at 1-800-689-2800.

  

It's 2013, the election is over, we avoided the Fiscal Cliff, the Affordable Healthcare act has been upheld by the Supreme Court. So, back to business as usual....RIGHT????

Friday, February 1, 2013 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST

 

What about????

• Larger A+ carriers dominating the Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage markets
• Fewer, IF ANY, smaller carriers planning Medicare Supplement market entry due to inability to capitalize reserves without re-insurance
• The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have three proposals on the table to prohibit first dollar coverage for Medicare Supplements with proposed caps of $7,500 out-of pocket, EVEN WITH A SUPPLEMENT!!!
• More than 2,000 hospitals — including some nationally recognized ones — will be penalized by the government starting in October 2012 because many of their patients are readmitted soon after discharge.

At Senior Marketing Specialists we have the answers. Join us for our new webinar:

SURVIVING MEDICARE CHANGES IN THE LUXURY OF…. THE MEDICARE SUITE SUITE #2013

This may be the most important webinar you attend this year!!!! Hope to see you there.
 

  

Space is limited.Reserve your Webinar seat now!

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Senior Marketing Specialists Explains the New Oregon Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule

Dan Mangus, National Sales Director and Chris Duncan, Western Region Marketer for Senior Marketing Specialists discuss the changes and the subsequent opportunities for agents regarding Oregon's new Medicare Supplement birthday law.

 

For more information, please contact Chris Duncan at 800-689-2800 x335 or by email, chrisduncan@smsteam.net

 

GUARANTEED ISSUE LIFE INSURANCE STILL AVAILABLE

Effective January 31, 2013 Presidential Life, a leader in sales for Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance in the Senior Market, will discontinue ALL SALES OF NEW BUSINESS!!!

At Senior Marketing Specialists we have enjoyed a great partnership with Presidential Life but due to their acquisition by Athene Annuity & Life Insurance and discontinuing sales of life insurance, we are promoting our new partner for Guaranteed Issue Whole Life.  

SINCE OVER 20% OF THE SENIORS CANNOT QUALIFY FOR TRADITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU, THE AGENT???

·         A guaranteed issue life insurance policy for your clients that pays you RENEWALS!!!

·         Issue ages up to age 80 (varies by state)

·         NO HEALTH QUESTIONS!!!

·         Up to $25,000 face amount

·         Policy can never be cancelled

·         Rates can never be increased

With over 90%* of those over 65 having at least one chronic Illness there is a huge market for Guarantee Issue final expense insurance, actually small face amount life is the fastest growing ancillary product in the senior market today.

In fact over 20% of those over 65 can only qualify for life insurance if it is guaranteed issue. Who are they going to purchase it from? Will it be you? We have the perfect product!

What may seem like negative statistics can have a powerfully positive affect on you income!

Call us (1800-689-2800) TODAY at Senior Marketing Specialists to find out more!!! We’ll even pay your license fee!!!

(This article was written by Philip Warren of Senior Marketing Specialists.)

BREAKING NEWS....AGENT ALERT: YOUR CLIENTS WILL NEED MORE HELP IN 2013….

BREAKING NEWS....AGENT ALERT

 YOUR CLIENTS WILL NEED MORE HELP IN 2013….

EVEN WHEN COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS

Earlier this year, prior to AEP and the Medicare Supplement sales season, we at Senior Marketing Specialist published the article below; Why Cash is King, Hospital Indemnity Insurance. In three short months the landscape has changed in the senior market and we have seen significant growth in the sale of indemnity products with CASH benefits paid directly to the clients. What’s changed???

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have three proposals on the table to prohibit first dollar coverage for Medicare Supplements with proposed caps of $7,500 out-of pocket, EVEN WITH A SUPPLEMENT!!! 

• 2013 Medicare deductibles have increased for both Part A and Part B!!!
• Medicare Supplement Plan K has an out-of pocket of $4,800 for 2013!!!
• Medicare Advantage Maximum Out-of-pocket can run into thousands of dollars!!! 

Both our independent agents and our career agents at Barnes Group are using this product to supplement their client’s coverage, even when they have programs that supplement Medicare!!! 

Here’s a reprint of the original article:

Why Cash is King
Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Indemnity insurance plans were one of the first health plans to ever be sold in this country. A very simple concept, if you have an illness or accident and accrue medical bills we, the insurer, will pay you a set dollar, indemnity, amount based upon the policy provisions for coverage. 

Many policies in the health insurance field today are so complicated in their benefit structure that even I, with 30+ years’ experience, have a have a hard time understanding what is covered and how much am I going to get paid. The Hospital Indemnity Policies being offered today are a classic example of knowing what you’re buying and understanding the benefits. These policies provide cash to the policyholder that can be used for any number of items after they have been confined to a hospital: 

• Paying health insurance deductibles, whether underage, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement.
• Paying for Home Care
• Paying for charges not covered by other insurance.
• Paying bills at home.
• Paying for housekeeping while you recover.  

Many of these policies also offer riders to pay for doctors, surgery, cancer, and prescription drugs.  In most cases the cash indemnity is paid to the policyholder direct and they can then use the money as they see fit. The underwriting is minimal and premiums are affordable, starting at just a few dollars a month. Even those on a fixed budget may able to afford this coverage.

The largest medical bills that a person receives are when they end up hospitalized for illness or accident. So, why not insure that risk and make sure you have the money when you need it the most, after being confined to a hospital for illness or accident. After all, CASH IS KING!!!

Your clients will have medical bills that exceed the payments made by Medicare, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage. Today we have a solution and we at McNerney Management Group, along with our subsidiaries Senior Marketing Specialists and Barnes Group will be developing new products and solutions to help to help you and your clients in 2013!!!

(This article was written by Philip Warren of Senior Marketing Specialists.)

The Medicare Reality

Consumers Have Spoken:

THEY PREFER KEEPING THEIR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS!!!

Every year at this time some agents watch anxiously awaiting the rate increases that come annually from companies for Medicare Supplements. Some even begin to schedule appointments in order to “help their clients save money”.  

With the advent of larger companies entering and dominating the Medicare Supplement market: Central States Indemnity, Aflac, United HealthCare, Continental/Aetna, and Mutual of Omaha, we at Senior Marketing Specialists are seeing this old way of thinking becoming less of an issue. Here’s why:

AHIP commissioned American Viewpoint, Inc., to conduct a national survey of Medicare supplement (Medigap) policyholders. As in past years, the survey asked enrollees about their satisfaction and experience with their coverage.

Here’s what CMS and Medicare tell the client:

Your Medicare health or prescription drug plan can change how much it costs and what it covers each year. Even if your plan’s cost and coverage stay the same, your health or finances may change. Review your plan each year to make sure it will still meet your needs. If you’re satisfied with your current coverage, you don’t need to change plans. www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050

So???

• Should you see your client every year? Absolutely
• Should they switch their Medicare Supplemental Coverage? Depends on their circumstances
• Do they need other coverage’s: Hospital Indemnity Plans, Home Health Care Plan, Final Expense? Quite possibly!!!

At Senior Marketing Specialists we have a unique tool to help you find out what your clients TRULY need this year, our  “Medicare Supplement Prospect Warm Up”.  This was designed after 30+ years of field experience from our sister career agency The Barnes Group.

As we approach 2013 let’s take a look at how we are working with our clients and find new and better ways to serve our clients.

(This article was written by Philip Warren of Senior Marketing Specialists.)