What are the rules this week regarding appointments to sell PDP plans? (not asking about MA's). I have not kept up with it for the last few weeks.
Suppose I talk to a client on the phone about a med supp and also ask about PDP and they say they would like to discuss that as well. Am I good to go as far as just meeting with the client to discuss the supp and the PDP or are there special rituals, permission slips, and notes from your mamma required?
Assume that I am talking to the client as a result of a med supp lead based on their response or initiative. Not talking about coldcalling.
Thanks.
Winter
------------------------------------ Spending Our Way to Prosperity
What are the rules this week regarding appointments to sell PDP plans? (not asking about MA's). I have not kept up with it for the last few weeks.
Suppose I talk to a client on the phone about a med supp and also ask about PDP and they say they would like to discuss that as well. Am I good to go as far as just meeting with the client to discuss the supp and the PDP or are there special rituals, permission slips, and notes from your mamma required?
Assume that I am talking to the client as a result of a med supp lead based on their response or initiative. Not talking about coldcalling.
Alright. Then what are the requirements in the scenario that I presented?
If they ask you about a PDP plan while you are on the phone, you can schedule the appointment to talk to them about the plan. If you record the call, you are good to go. If you don't record the call, you must have them sign a Sales Appointment Confirmation Form prior to discussing the PDP.
It seems that all the companies are now saying that we can get the form signed at the appointment so long as we do it before discussing anything about PDP or MA.
If they ask you about a PDP plan while you are on the phone, you can schedule the appointment to talk to them about the plan. If you record the call, you are good to go. If you don't record the call, you must have them sign a Sales Appointment Confirmation Form prior to discussing the PDP.
It seems that all the companies are now saying that we can get the form signed at the appointment so long as we do it before discussing anything about PDP or MA.
It seems that all the companies are now saying that we can get the form signed at the appointment so long as we do it before discussing anything about PDP or MA.
This is not what I am hearing. Seems like most companies are now saying we must have the form signed and returned to us before we meet with the client.
This is not what I am hearing. Seems like most companies are now saying we must have the form signed and returned to us before we meet with the client.
The interpretation lies with the meaning of "before".
What happens to the form after the prospect signs it? Isn't that the most important part?
I have been told that we are to just put it in a safe place and keep it for an extended period of time. I have a lot of things that I have in a really safe place. So safe that now I can't even find them.
That sounds like a good place to keep the forms to me.
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Medicare Supplement Sales Training and Coaching.
"The Perfect Contact Management Program (CMP) for the Insurance Professional" www.YourInsuranceOffice.com
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The interpretation lies with the meaning of "before".
I would have agreed with you until I got an email from Universal American on Monday with an updated appointment form and CMS regulation which stated:
"Scope of Sales Appointment Confirmation Form. This form must be signed by the beneficiary and mailed back to the agent before the agent enters a home. This form may not be picked up by agent upon entering the Medicare beneficiary's home for appointment, nor dropped off at a home for them to sign."
I find these regulations absolutely incredulous. There is no question the goal is to get the agents out of the way so all this business can be written directly by the carriers.
I would have agreed with you until I got an email from Universal American on Monday with an updated appointment form and CMS regulation which stated:
"Scope of Sales Appointment Confirmation Form. This form must be signed by the beneficiary and mailed back to the agent before the agent enters a home. This form may not be picked up by agent upon entering the Medicare beneficiary's home for appointment, nor dropped off at a home for them to sign."
I find these regulations absolutely incredulous. There is no question the goal is to get the agents out of the way so all this business can be written directly by the carriers.
Was the part that you quoted the actual CMS reg or the companies interpretation of it?
I would have agreed with you until I got an email from Universal American on Monday with an updated appointment form and CMS regulation which stated:
"Scope of Sales Appointment Confirmation Form. This form must be signed by the beneficiary and mailed back to the agent before the agent enters a home. This form may not be picked up by agent upon entering the Medicare beneficiary's home for appointment, nor dropped off at a home for them to sign."
I find these regulations absolutely incredulous. There is no question the goal is to get the agents out of the way so all this business can be written directly by the carriers.
Yes, that is Pyramid's stricter interpretation of the rules. Other companies are not saying that. Just one more reason for me to not write Today's Options anymore. As though I needed another reason.
Of course, the captive Pyramid agents are not following these rules. One of them called one of my clients yesterday. The lady didn't get a name so that I could report them, but, it's happening. Seems Pyramid's compliance is just as bad as their customer service.
First of all, make sure when you look at the rules about SOA that you note the date. The rules have relaxed a bit since last month. MOST carriers are now saying "just get the SOA signed before you start your presentation." Also, the SOA form has changed.... the new ones are much more simplified. Destroy the old ones.
Secondly, if you are discussing Med Sups and the client needs a PDP, they only need to initial the box for PDPs. Regardless, make a copy after they sign, and include it along with your application submission for the PDP. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP EITHER THE ORIGINAL OR A COPY OF THE SOA FOR YOUR FILES.
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To be truly independent, an agent should not be dependent on a government bureaucrat for contracts or commissions.
First of all, make sure when you look at the rules about SOA that you note the date. The rules have relaxed a bit since last month. MOST carriers are now saying "just get the SOA signed before you start your presentation." Also, the SOA form has changed.... the new ones are much more simplified. Destroy the old ones.
United Health is not saying that. What is the CMS rule? The carriers and the clerks that work on their support lines are mostly dumbos. Their interpretation of the rule will not buy you any protection with CMS if is not the right interpretation.
CMS really putting the screws on the PDP plans. AARP has gone from $85 per policy down to $20...it's not worth pursuing anymore....the Scope of Sales Appointment Confirmation Form is a joke........
It's hard to believe how serious everyone is taking CMS. It's the Federal government. You remember them, the ones who can't do anything right, least of all be accountable.
We are expected to keep the appt form in case they ever need it to prove we did something. Do you really think that CMS is going to spot check with the seniors about the form? LOL. CMS has to be as badly run as FEMA and all the rest.
I don't know what they are trying to do to us, but I'm not just going to sit back and do nothing. There are other ways to make money without dealing with CMS and still help seniors.
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"People who think they know it all really annoy those of us who do"
It's hard to believe how serious everyone is taking CMS. It's the Federal government. You remember them, the ones who can't do anything right, least of all be accountable.
We are expected to keep the appt form in case they ever need it to prove we did something. Do you really think that CMS is going to spot check with the seniors about the form? LOL. CMS has to be as badly run as FEMA and all the rest.
I don't know what they are trying to do to us, but I'm not just going to sit back and do nothing. There are other ways to make money without dealing with CMS and still help seniors.
No...I doubt very seriously CMS will spot check with the seniors.
I'm ticked off because I've done well since November 15th writing PDP plans and my commission has gone from about $800 bucks on the sales I've made down to about $350.
My market is mainly med-supps...life....don't care for MA's...have never written one. I enjoy selling PDP's...their easy to sell. Don't like what the government has done. Maybe they'll bail me out w/a few billion.
I would have agreed with you until I got an email from Universal American on Monday with an updated appointment form and CMS regulation which stated:
"Scope of Sales Appointment Confirmation Form. This form must be signed by the beneficiary and mailed back to the agent before the agent enters a home. This form may not be picked up by agent upon entering the Medicare beneficiary's home for appointment, nor dropped off at a home for them to sign."
I find these regulations absolutely incredulous. There is no question the goal is to get the agents out of the way so all this business can be written directly by the carriers.
I just got in and I have an email from UHC saying that I can get the SOA signed at the beginning of an at home appointment.
I just got in and I have an email from UHC saying that I can get the SOA signed at the beginning of an at home appointment.
Universal America is way off on this sales prevention tool. They have added to it the ridiculous additional requirement to send in the SCOPE (mouth wash) with the application! This is not a CMS requirement!
I sold 5 UHC SH agent friendly plans today! I made a net $16. per year per member ($80) due to the new replacement level commissions. Also sold one Med Supp and a PDP. Whoopee!
I also sold Zero incredibly difficult to deal with Universal American's. My point is with all this crap thrown at us we all need to look at the carriers whom support our efforts. Universal is looking worser every day!
It's hard to believe how serious everyone is taking CMS. It's the Federal government. You remember them, the ones who can't do anything right, least of all be accountable.
We are expected to keep the appt form in case they ever need it to prove we did something. Do you really think that CMS is going to spot check with the seniors about the form? LOL. CMS has to be as badly run as FEMA and all the rest.
I don't know what they are trying to do to us, but I'm not just going to sit back and do nothing. There are other ways to make money without dealing with CMS and still help seniors.
We probably have little to worry about until a complaint is filed by a client, or something brings attention to the agent by CMS. If this happens, I think you will possibly see an audit of the agents entire business. These forms had better be a part of our saved documents.
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Joe Moore
National Senior Benefits
Asurco Insurance Marketing www.finalexpenseagents.comwww.shenagents.com
PO Box 1954, Morristown, TN 37816
1-800-226-1004, 1-423-581-1004
PDP appointment rules
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