Medicare beneficiaries who reside in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties are eligible for an extension to the Emergency and Major Disaster Special Election Period (SEP). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the extension for beneficiaries who were prevented from submitting an enrollment request as a result of the fires. This SEP also includes people who don’t live in affected counties but who rely on help making health care decisions from friends or family members who do live in the impacted California counties.
Beginning on December 8, after the close of the Annual Election Period (AEP), eligible individuals can enroll, dis-enroll or switch MA/MAPD plans through March 31, 2019. Enrollments are effective the first of the month after the plan receives the enrollment request.
Only those beneficiaries who did not make an election during AEP are eligible for the extension. Since the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is running at the same time as the SEP, the SEP should be used first. If the beneficiary uses the OEP first, they will not have the SEP available to them. If they use the SEP first then later change their mind about their election, the OEP is still available to them.
Agents/brokers should ask for proof of residence to determine if an individual resided in an affected area at the start of the incident, but can accept an attestation if an applicant states that his or her documents were destroyed or are not accessible. When there are questions about eligibility, CMS will make the determination. Review this CMS fact sheet for more info.
MORE MEDICARE
CMS Floats New Part D Proposal
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has floated a plan for Medicare Part D to lower prescription drug costs for beneficiaries. Currently, Medicare plans are required to cover all or “substantially all” drugs in six protected classes. As part of the new proposal, plans would be allowed to exclude protected drugs with price increases that are greater than inflation, as well as certain new drug formulations that are not a “significant innovation” over the original product.
CVS Acquires Aetna
Aetna is now a standalone business unit of CVS. Karen Lynch, who has been president of Aetna is now the president of the Aetna unit of CVS. CVS Health is reportedly paying $70 billion to Aetna shareholders, and it is also taking responsibility for $8 billion in Aetna debt.
Ring in the New Year with CAHU Webinar
Join CAHU on January 16 at 3p.m. to hear from CAHU’s Vice president of legislation, Jim Morrison, and CAHU’s legislative advocate, Faith Borges, to discuss how the elections will impact healthcare in California. Register now
On Dodger Baseball and Life Insurers
By now you might know that the Los Angeles Dodgers and the life insurance industry are having a strange relationship. In 2012, a group of insurance companies associated with Guggenheim Partners LLC provided at least $300 million to help the firm’s chief executive and co-investors buy the Los Angeles Dodgers for a record $2.15 billion.
The insurers implicated include Guggenheim Life, a life insurer, and Security Benefit, which manages some $30 billion, among others. At the time of the deal, Andrew Ross Sorkin in The New York Times wrote:
“Using insurance money — which is typically supposed to be invested in simple, safe assets — to buy a baseball team, the ultimate toy for the ultrarich, seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen.” https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/04/09/a-costly-toy-subsidized-by-others/
Indeed, a suit was filed. In 2014 Guggenheim’s Dodgers connection came under scrutiny after two annuity holders sued, accusing the firm of using the insurance companies to buy the Dodgers, and hiding the transactions in regulatory filings. The suit was quickly withdrawn, however, but did attract scrutiny from insurance regulators, who ultimately concluded nothing was amiss.
Well, the deal is in the news again. The Wall Street Journal now reports that team Chairman Mark Walter, along with Magic Johnson and other owners, have pledged personal holdings to support insurance companies connected with Guggenheim Partners.
Smart Harbor Integrates Smart Digital with HawkSoft’s Insurance Agency Management System
Smart Harbor, a digital technology solutions provider for insurance agents, announced that it has integrated Smart Digital with HawkSoft’s agency management system. Smart Harbor’s digital ecosystem provides agencies with mobile-responsive websites, automated smart forms, chat, automated social media content distribution, local market SEO, online directory listings, and email marketing solutions. The integration with HawkSoft’s agency management system allows sales opportunities, including prospect information, quoting and policy requests to populate HawkSoft seamlessly, enabling agents to process new business faster and more efficiently. Smart Harbor’s announcement follows the recent introduction of its Smart Producer solution which provides a guided, personalized mobile shopping experience. https://smartharbor.com/
Must Read: Cal Broker’s Coverage of Voluntary Benefits in our December Issue!
There’s a post up on EBN that says voluntary benefits will continue to be popular in 2019. The benefits are seen as the key for many benefit managers looking to lower costs and maintain value by providing flexibility to a diverse workforce. Don’t miss the December print issue of Cal Broker. It’s jam-packed with voluntary benefits coverage, including our annual survey of voluntary benefit providers. Don’t get the magazine? Contact Lex@calbrokermag.com.
Newsweek Ranks Colonial Life No. 1 in Customer Service for DI
Newsweek has recognized Colonial Life as one of America’s Best Companies for Customer Service for 2019. Colonial Life was named the top customer service provider in disability insurance. Way to go, Colonial Life!
NAC3 Cryptocurrency Conference
December 8, Las Vegas
Come hang with Crypto Bobby, Ready Set Crypto, the Crypto Street Podcast crew and many more. This event’s focus will be on investment and how to take your gains to the next level in the current market. Register now for the early bird rate of $97. More info here.
LAAHU Holiday Party
Dec. 18, Traktir Restaurant, Tarzana, 4:30-7:30pm
Register here.
PIMA’s 2019 Industry Insights Conference
January 24-27, 2019, Margaritaville Beach Resort, Hollywood, Florida
Registration is now open for the Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA) Industry Insights Conference. The conference will host expert speakers from leading companies around the country including Facebook, Forrester and Action Surge. Conference promises to explore new product and distribution trends; emerging markets that harness growth in new areas; social marketing to drive insurance business; marketing to Millennials and Gen Z; and an insurance industry overview of blockchain. Early bird registration and housing deadline is December 14, 2018. Visit PIMA’s conference page for more details and to register or call 817-569-7462 (PIMA).
LAAHU Annual Conference — Save the date!
April 17, 2019
New Location: Skirball Center
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
LAAHU’s Annual Conference is the largest in the state and includes updates from DC, breakout sessions for IFP, small group, large group and medicare. It’s a don’t miss! More info to come soon.
IICF Global Conference — Save the date!
June 12-14, 2019, New York City
