OEP/AEP 2014 - Same Benefits….BUT NEW SERVICES???

As the Medicare Advantage program matures we are experiencing a flattening of the various benefits offered by carriers. Why? A Medicare Advantage Plan is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits.* The amount of money paid to the carriers is generally a set amount and the benefits they provide only have so much flexibility based on the carrier’s negotiated payments to the various medical providers.

What we at Senior Marketing Specialists are seeing is a true uptick in the services (not to be confused with Part A and Part B benefits) designed and provided by the carrier to help the Medicare recipient stay healthier and give agents a competitive advantage. This includes items like: Silver Sneakers, 24 Hour Nurse Hotline, Vision and Dental Discounts. The one service that stands out is UnitedHealthCare’s HouseCalls. UnitedHealthCare’s HouseCalls program is allows the carrier and the Medicare recipient to:

• ·      review the member's health conditions
• ·      answers health-related questions,
• ·      identifies potential health issues,
• ·      and suggests specific topics the member may want to discuss with their primary care physician.

Call Senior Marketing Specialists today to find out how UnitedHealthCare’s HouseCalls program can help your clients and increase your sales this 2014 OEP.

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

*http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans/medicare-advantage-plans.html