Now that AEP is over, it’s time to prepare to help your clients during the new Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP).
It’s time to ensure you have defined a way to track your business while continuing to help individuals make changes during the OEP. We’ve put together a few tips to help you wrap up AEP business and get started managing your OEP clients.
Did you organize your AEP Book of Business?
It’s time to review all of your submitted enrollments and make sure your documents and files are in order. Choose a method of organization that will help you easily find the information needed (e.g., a simple spreadsheet or your CRM). Each record should contain information and enough details to help you know what to expect in commission payout and help you manage your book throughout the year. Don’t forget to keep this and all other member information secure! Here are some of the items we recommend including in your personal business tracker:
- Member name
- Member date of birth
- Medicare ID number
- Member address
- Member phone number
- Carrier name(s)
- Product(s) selected
- Date of signature on the application(s)
- Date of application submission(s) to carrier(s)
- Indicate of Replacement or New to Medicare*
- Amount of expected commission
*Note: This identifier will help you determine the amount of commission that is owed.
Having this resource will also help you verify that each of your enrollments has been processed and that you are the agent of record. You can also utilize the tools provided by carriers, as some offer an online business tracker. Make sure the information displayed on your Agent Portal matches the information you’ve identified for your personal records. If the carrier’s portal is missing any of the enrollments you’ve submitted, then reach out to Agent Pipeline staff to help inquire on the missing enrollments. This resource also allows you to expedite any commission issues over to Agent Pipeline’s Broker Escalation Team to assist you with any audits regarding your commission payouts. We can help you compare paid policies, and escalate any issue on your behalf.
Additionally, this resource will help you manage your clients who may be experiencing “buyers remorse” and are looking to make a change to their Medicare Advantage plan during the OEP. Remember, this year, the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period has been replaced with the new Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period and beneficiaries can make changes to their plan if they meet certain qualifications.
The New Medicare Open Enrollment Period will run from January 1 through March 31st of every year. If your clients are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, they’ll have a one-time opportunity to:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
- Drop their Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare Part A & Part B
- Sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Plan (if they return to Original Medicare)
There are also new marketing guidelines that you must follow during the new Medicare OEP. We have several resources available from Agent Pipeline’s Compliance Board to assist you with information regarding do’s and don’ts during the OEP season. You can reach out now to learn more about these rules for solicitation and what activities are considered “marketing.”
For more guidance on other business focal points after AEP, give us a call to learn more at 800-962-4693. You can also click here to schedule a one-on-one consultation with our Marketing department to discuss launching your 2019 – 2020 Marketing Strategy for a year of successful lead generation.
