"Partnering with IFG empowers agents to build their own brand under our brokerage. We provide the resources you need to achieve success. We believe in a systematic and duplicate approach to building business, which is why we are able to replicate a high level of success time and time again." 

- Tyler Rees, Founder, and CEO of Innovative Financial Group

Let's Grow!

An Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Checklist is an excellent tool for new and veteran agents to ensure they're on track to hit their goals this busy selling season. Innovative Financial Group (IFG), having worked with thousands of independent agents, we believe these are the basics for a successful AEP.

With that said, here are eight items to check off your list before October 15th! 👊

1.  Are you RTS (Ready To Sell)?

If an IFG agent sells through SunFire, you must complete ALL carrier certifications by September 30th. Each Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescriptions Drug Plan (PDP) carrier requires agents to certify with them so that you can offer complete and up-to-date plan information to clients and prospects. First, go to www.IFGAgenttools.com to find links to Medicare Carriers. Then, log in to see their individual RTS (Ready To Sell) programs. 

2. Are you AHIP certified?

AHIP certification is an industry-recognized method of proving you have completed the required Medicare training courses that allow you to understand how to sell Medicare insurance in a way that's within the compliance regulations set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Go to www.linktr.ee/teamifg to find the AHIP link.

3. Have you reviewed your carriers' First Look?

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the plans your carriers are rolling out for the upcoming year. This valuable information provides a number of benefits: 

• establishes you as an expert in your field

• you gain an overall picture of the marketplace

• gives you insight into which plans to recommend to a new prospect

• better equips you to advise existing clients on whether or not to stick with their current plan

IFG has provided links to the leading Carriers' "First Looks" with the plan updates and information. Click the links below to get started. 

• Humana https://firstlook.humana.com/FirstLook/Homepage?Year=2023

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

• WellCare https://www.wellcarefirstlook.com/plan-details/

• Anthem https://drive.google.com/file/d/1irpRvRIaZ5Bop_3_JNBpKY4AgGydRgQw/view?usp=sharing

• Cigna https://content.carevalue.com/carrier-documents/2023/Cigna/Cigna%202023%20First%20Looks.pdf

• Aetna https://firstlook.aetna.com/

• GTL https://eapp.gtlic.com/

• Heartland National https://www.hnlicagent.com/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F

• Bankers Fidelity https://agent.bflic.com/Login/Login?usrtyp=A

4. Do you have a marketing plan?

Traditional marketing includes print advertising, social media, and email marketing. The IFG Marketing plan offers this and more. Our CRM helps agents organize their leads and contacts and respond through automation, easy-to-use email, and text messaging. In addition, our affiliate Lead Store (LeadStoreMarketing.com) can help you target and grow your prospect base to broaden your SOI affordably and with regional accuracy. Go to https://ifgagenttools.com/ to learn more about the IFG Marketing plan.

5. Have you ordered supplies?

Waiting until AEP to order business cards and other supplies can be a recipe for disaster, mainly when today's circumstances/factors create delivery delays. If possible, order more supplies than you need and order in advance. IFG now offers an array of branded materials for agents to use in the field. Folders, business cards, shirts, and jackets to help identify you with our national brand can help build client confidence. If you are an IFG agent, you have a full-time design staff and marketing department at your disposal. Email AHeitchue@TeamIFG.com to learn more about your design and branding options.

6. Does your technology work for YOU?

Agents unfamiliar with online quoting tools or customer relationship management systems (CRMs) may find the prospect of managing these technologies daunting when, in fact, they are often quite intuitive to use. For example, the IFG CRM is a performance-driven system that incorporates a call recording feature, which helps agents meet new compliance requirements within the same method they use to quote and enroll. A robust CRM such as this may have a slight learning curve, but rest assured, we have support staff on hand ready to provide one-on-one assistance.

Go to https://ifgagenttools.com/ to learn more about our agent tools.

• Sunfire Matrix

• CSG

• PTC Digital Form

• Extra Help Application

• IFG CRM

7. Do you have a plan for client checks/follow-ups?

Because this is the time of year when clients can switch plans (and therefore switch agents, too), retention should be a high priority entering the Annual Enrollment Period. Be sure to review the current plan for each existing client, determine whether or not a plan change is needed, and contact your clients to schedule plan reviews, prioritizing clients most likely to switch their current plan. We have field tools that can help you get to the heart of your client's needs. For more information, go to https://ifgagenttools.com/field-documents to download our 2023 Medicare Plan Review document.

8. Have you considered a retention program?

Keystone Health Care Coordination is an IFG-managed service created for agents by agents. Offering a NO-cost solution for your clients, ensuring they know and understand their policy and how to best utilize their Healthcare plan. Our Care Advocates help patients with specialist referrals, Insurance eligibility, coverage, and deductible explanation. They even schedule appointments to help your client navigate the healthcare system for better outcomes. Better outcomes mean satisfied clients. For more information on how to enroll your agency, go to https://www.keystonehealthcare.org.

Your success is our success!

Download your checklist:

AEP Agent Checklist is now available for download. Click the link below to begin your process of preparation. ⬇️

https://ifgagenttools.com/field-documents