2021 Thoughts on Medicare Certification

Things to pay attention to when doing your recertification. (Yes, I know some of you took it the second that it came out.) Most wait to get the discounted rate when going through a carrier, which is $125. I recommend running through Anthem's website - www.medicaremegastar.com/bcbs and it opens TODAY, June 30, 2019!

AHIP Timing: New Kids- plan to do one section a day over a course of days cause it’s REALLY boring! It will take you about 12-14 hours to complete including the exam. 

Recerts- it will take you 4-6 hours approx. You will need to click into EACH section to download the slides and then you are required to take the quizzes at the end of each section. It is not pass/fail but I recommend taking the quizzes seriously as those are the test questions.

Please note: You can purchase Continuing Education credits for an additional fee prior to taking the exam and it is OPEN BOOK. If you do not pass the AHIP, please reach out to me and I will help you. Cost Plans and PFFS questions are still on the exam.

I would highly recommend downloading the slides for each section and acing to your desktop for reference. I refer to these DAILY when working with agents.

• To do this: click into the actual course and advance a few slides.
• Then click “download slides” on the left side of the page
• Then click the floppy disk to save to your desktop. I recommend setting up a folder for “2021 AHIP” on your desktop for easy reference.

Section 1 has been updated with this information on End Stage Renal Disease now being covered by Medicare Advantage plans.

Section 2 has information regarding the various Plan designs. Medicare Savings Accounts are now offered in the majority of states by Lasso. If you are interested in adding this product, please reach out to me.

Section 3 has been updated with current part D changes for how to explain the gap better.

Section 4 has more and better examples plus clarification on what you can do/not do on social media. Note: You CANNOT call yourself AHIP or Medicare certified. Agent referral fees and guidelines have been changed. 

Section 5 has much more about Open Enrollment Period and the rules surrounding it. There is also more about OEPNEW and the SEP restrictions for LIS/Dual. 

Once your AHIP is complete, please download and save a copy of your certification certificate. I would also recommend sending to me or your upline. You will be able to quickly upload and transmit your AHIP results to the various carriers using the links below.

Anthem certification took another 1 hour. A new kid should plan for about 2-4. 

I would highly recommend starting make time to get these certifications done and out of the way. This allows you to pre-order AEP supplies early. Humana needs it complete by 7/15 to pre-order and Anthem needs it complete by 8/30.

Other Carriers:

Wellcare/Centene/Allwell – has a licensing addendum that must be completed IN ADDITION TO the annual certifications and must be done by 9/30 https://centene.cmpsystem.com/ext/ahip/login.php

Aetna/Silverscript – is you are appointed with both, certification is now one link.  https://aetna.cmpsystem.com/ext/ahip/login.php

United Healthcare - https://www.uhcjarvis.com/content/jarvis/en/sign_in.html#/sign_in

·        Make sure to upload your AHIP at the start or you will be required to do their training which covers the material that AHIP already did.

·        To take advantage of the additional $50 per application for DSNP products, you are required to complete the Health Risk Assessment Training Elective Certification.

Humana - https://www.humana.com/logon/ Please complete prior to July 15th to pre-order 2021 supplies

There are several new carriers and products for this upcoming year. Devoted Health and Cigna will be entering the Cleveland market. If you are interested in either product, please reach out to me. Based on the Early Look for Devoted Health, it looks VERY viable. We are having webinars on 7/2 at 10 am and 7/7 at 3 pm.

Product Training and Other classes:

Early looks are only there to give you an idea of what is coming. They can and WILL change. 

For TLC Insurance Group Agents: Early Look with Anthem is 7/1 at 1, Humana is 7/23 at 4 pm, Aetna is 7/30 at 1 pm. UHC looks to be late as well.

Formal 2021 Product roll outs will be in September and via webinar over several days. Stay tuned for more detail.

Last, for those of you who work with me, I have several classes coming up:

7/2 – Devoted Health Early Look – 10:00 a.m. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocOqvqT0oHNNdHIPsVQFH9ZHjK9mWwfrZ

7/7 - Devoted Health Early Look – 3:00 p.m. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItc-2gpj4iHtB_87PUCABaan7b2F8uLghS

7/8 – Dedicated Certification Day – Cleveland office and via zoom for any questions that you make have from 10 am-4 pm.  Please reach out to me if interested

7/9 – New Kids – How to have the sales conversation from 10- noon. This will be the LAST time that I offer this course this year. It will be held at the Cleveland TLC office.

8/5 - 2021 In-depth Review of Medicare Changes & Early Look Review

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdeiprDwrH9HkrBkeLSI5_fAbhcbNwomz

Here’s to another fantastic Annual Enrollment Season! Please feel free to reach out if you need anything. My phone number is 216-644-6032!