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While the Medicare Industry continues to evolve, IFG continues to provide to our agents/agencies all the relevant information that you need to stay abreast of the changes and ahead of the game.  

The October edition of the Innovative Financial Group (IFG) Monthly newsletter includes an Innovative Interview with Humana's Channel Development Director, Matt Leitterman, and Retail Sales Leader, Steven Farmer, as they discuss the incredible benefits of adding Medicare Supplements (Med Supp) and Dental, Vision, and Hearing (DVH) plans to your portfolio. Plus, important Sales Integrity reminders regarding personal information requests, chain of enrollment call recording and TPMO to TPMO beneficiary data sharing.

Please connect with your IFG team to discuss your sales goals for this upcoming AEP. We are here to help you. IFG Regional Sales Manager Hotline | 910-834-6780. 

Innovative Interview with Humana Medicare Supplemental Insurance Team

Innovative Financial Group's (IFG) Adam Rees welcomes Humana's Channel Development Director, Matt Leitterman, and Retail Sales Leader, Steven Farmer, into the recording studio to discuss the incredible benefits of diversifying your insurance products with Medicare Supplements (Med Supp) and stand-alone Dental, Vision, and Hearing (DVH) plans.

Why Med Supp? With the healthcare landscape constantly evolving, having Med Supp in your toolkit means you’re equipped to provide comprehensive coverage that fills the gaps left by Original Medicare. It’s all about giving your clients peace of mind and comprehensive care!

Plus, did you know integrating DVH plans alongside Med Supp policies allows clients to customize their healthcare packages fully? This could mean more choice, better coverage, and happier clients!

Watch this and other Innovative Interviews on the IFG Blog page or subscribe to our IFG YouTube channel for notifications and more.

Sales Integrity Reminders

Only Zip Code is Required to Receive Plan Options 

As a reminder, zip code is the only personal information that an agent may require a beneficiary to provide to receive information on plans available in the service area. While agents are permitted to ask for other data (i.e., name, address, Medicare ID), these are not required data elements to look up available plans in a service area.  If a beneficiary is only comfortable providing their zip code, the agent must assist with providing available plan information using the zip code information provided.  

Chain of Enrollment Call Recording

In the Final Rule, CMS reaffirmed that call recording remains a compliance requirement for interactions within the ‘chain of enrollment’. The following calls with members and prospects are considered part of the chain of enrollment:

Calling leads, scheduling appointments, collecting Scope of Appointment forms, educational calls/presentations, calls/presentations, collecting medication and pharmacy information, provider discussions, telephonic enrollments, and verification calls (calls made post enrollment to confirm understanding and intent to enroll).

Note: This list is not all-inclusive and there may be other calls within the chain of enrollment that require recording.

Chain of enrollment calls made using web-based technology such as WebEx, Zoom, Skype, and similar also require call recording as CMS considers these technologies to be akin to a traditional telephonic discussion.  TPMO to TPMO Beneficiary Data Sharing

Beginning October 1, 2024, personal beneficiary data collected by a TPMO for marketing or enrolling them into a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan may only be shared with another TPMO when prior express written consent is given by the beneficiary. Prior express written consent from the beneficiary to share the data and be contacted for marketing or enrollment purposes must be obtained through a clear and conspicuous disclosure that lists each entity receiving the data and allows the beneficiary to consent or reject to the sharing of their data with each individual TPMO.

·      TPMOs may share personal beneficiary data with other TPMOs for marketing or enrollment purposes only if they first obtain express written consent from the beneficiary.

·      One-to-One express written consent must be obtained separately for each TPMO that receives the data through a clear and conspicuous disclosure that lists each entity receiving the data and allows the beneficiary to consent or reject to the sharing of their data with each individual TPMO.

·      TPMOs are restricted from selling or sharing any person’s personal data with another company that meets the definition of a TPMO without prior express written consent. TPMOs can get permission to share a beneficiary’s data with multiple entities if the beneficiary is able to select each entity separately. In its commentary to the Final Rule, CMS provides the following example: “For example, through a clear and conspicuous disclosure on a website, a TPMO could provide a check box list that allows the beneficiary to choose each TPMO that they want to hear from.” While a check box system is not required, CMS does want beneficiaries to have the ability to pick and choose which TPMOs (if any) will receive their data.

Please refer any questions to Compliance@teamifg.com.

Go the Distance

Innovative Financial Group (IFG) is excited to share that our teams in conjunction with the MarketPOINT #gothedistance Community Impact initiatives, collectively worked over 63 VTO (Volunteer Time off) hours from August 21 to 28 at the Good Shepherd Center (GSC) in Wilmington, North Carolina. During our two weeks of service, team members (Clay Waterbury, Sam Pynchon, Scott Robertson, Lynse McNeil, Asia Hynes, Kelly Nelson, Chandler Smith, Brianha Powers, EJ Myers, Marques Pagan, and Alice Heitchue) prepared and served over 1,400 lunches in the GSC soup kitchen and sorted food for distribution from local grocery stores for the GSC Second Helpings food salvage program.

The Good Shepherd Center's mission is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and foster transition to housing. Committed to working with other caring individuals to effect systemic change, GSC provides programs that help support and transition individuals into housing:

1.    Soup Kitchen: Provides over 89,000 meals annually.

2.    Second Helpings: Salvages over 700 tons of food from grocery stores each year and redistributes it to the hungry in our community.

3.    Sgt. Eugene Ashley Center: Offers housing for Veterans and men with disabilities.

4.    Day Shelter: Provides access to showers, clothing, transportation, and health services. 

5.    Night Shelter: Features 118 beds for men, women, and families.

6.    SECU Lakeside Reserve: Supplies affordable housing for chronically homeless adults with disabilities.

Last year, Good Shepherd Center rehoused 208 homeless men, women, and children to safe, stable, and affordable housing—an increase from 175 in 2022. IFG is proud to serve a long side GSC for a lasting positive impact on the lives of those in need. TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More

Upcoming Training Webinars

Take advantage of the upcoming training opportunities offered by IFG:

Agent Activation CRM Training

Ready, set, learn! 'LIVE' CRM Training & Tech Support calls are now available every Tuesday at 11 am and every Thursday at 1 pm EST.

Visit https://ifgagenttools.com/crmtraininghub to select and register for your preferred CRM training, and access our top-notch tech and service support team, ready to assist you with your IFG CRM.

Medicare in the News

Urgent Care or ER? With ‘One-Stop Shop,’ Hospitals Offer Both Under Same Roof - KFF Health News
8/2/2024

Turning 26 and Struggling To Find Health Insurance? Tell Us About It. - KFF Health News
8/26/2024

Feds Killed Plan To Curb Medicare Advantage Overbilling After Industry Opposition - KFF Health News
8/27/2024

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