This is from Coventry last night. The part I highlighted in red is what is going to make it hard for me to help as many clients as I can in the short time frame that CMS has given us.
I get calls from referrals all the time and although I do have an office, 75% are in home appointments because of the 5 county area I work. I make appointments alot of the time the same day and as I am driving from each appointment. This rule makes it near impossible to see people in a timely manner. These are peple that call me and now I am supposed to send them a SAC form for them to sign before I can go and see them which for the most part will be a week later.
What happens when I get a call on Dec. 30th and someone wants help? I almost want to be the example, do my job as usual, have people sign the SAC form and explain the ridiculous rules that CMS is setting and if I get in trouble tell them to take away my license and let me bring all my clients as witnesses on my behalf to testify that all I have done is help them out with all the confusion that CMS has caused with their many rules.
Scope of Appointment Agreement
§
If an appointment is requested by the beneficiary, you must disclose all product types
to be discussed, i.e. MA, MAPD, PDP, PFFS, during the appointment.
to be discussed, i.e. MA, MAPD, PDP, PFFS, during the appointment.
§
The beneficiary must agree to the scope of products to be presented to them prior to
the appointment date.
the appointment date.
§
The agent must secure the scope of appointment documentation prior to the
appointment.
appointment.
§
The Agreement must be in writing (signed by the beneficiary) or a recorded oral
agreement if made by phone.
agreement if made by phone.
§
The Appointment Forms must be a Coventry/CMS approved document.
§
§
Forms may NOT be completed at the time of presentation. A beneficiary cannot
agree to scope of appointment by phone and then sign a form at the beginning of
agree to scope of appointment by phone and then sign a form at the beginning of
the sales presentation. CMS prohibits forms signed at the appointment.
§
§
If you are unable to record a telephonic agreement of the scope of appointment,
you must mail an Appointment Form to the beneficiary in order for their
you must mail an Appointment Form to the beneficiary in order for their
completion and return to you prior to the appointment date. The form must be
returned to the agent prior to appointment.
§
returned to the agent prior to appointment.
§
Plan or agent documenting the agreement is not acceptable, whether done in
writing or using an electronic contact documenting system. Must have signed
Appointment Form or recorded oral agreement.
writing or using an electronic contact documenting system. Must have signed
Appointment Form or recorded oral agreement.
Ok, I have vented a bit. I have written all my Senators and Congressman and now I am going to write a letter to the editor to all the papers in my area. I want to let people know what the hell is going on. What profession has to jump through hoops like this plus being told that we cannot make a decent living?
