Selling senior insurance products is a rewarding yet challenging career, especially during peak selling seasons such as the Medicare Annual Enrollment period. As an insurance agent in this field, staying focused and maintaining productivity throughout the AEP season is critical to closing sales, meeting targets, and providing exceptional service to clients. Here are some tips…
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In May 2023, the Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS), a contractor for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that handles Medicare Part A and B claims, experienced a significant data breach. The breach impacted approximately one million Medicare beneficiaries, prompting CMS to issue new Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) and Medicare cards to…
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The Medicare Supplement, also known as a Medigap Plan, Birthday Rule is gaining traction nationwide. At this time, nine states have already adopted this opportunity. The lucky nine states are California, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Oregon. What is this Birthday Rule, you ask? The Birthday Rule allows existing Medicare Supplement policyholders…
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By: Libby Elliott, Broker Sales Specialist For years, I have been saying it is time to add Ancillary Products to my portfolio. And for me, it has always been hard to keep a new habit. I came from the Ancillary world as I sold AFLAC for ten years before I moved to the Medicare Arena.…
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As an agent, you will come across Medicare beneficiaries that already receive Extra Help or even qualify for Extra Help but are not receiving it. If they’re not receiving it, it’s likely because they haven’t had an agent like yourself to assist them through the process. To familiarize yourself with the program, Extra Help is a federal…
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When you meet with your clients, do you know right away what plan or product will suit them? Using your Fact Finder Sheet (ask us about this!), you should be able to identify what you can offer your client. In some cases, it may make sense to offer a Medicare Advantage plan to your clients,…
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CMS has announced the commission rates for Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, and Referral fees for 2024! This shows an increase for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan commissions from last year. If you have any questions about what this means, please contact the UIG Brokerage Team by calling (800) 878-1058, ext. 1380, or email…
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With AHIP opening on June 21st, that can only mean one thing: Certifications for 2024 are here too! Here’s a list of what we know so far as to when these carrier certifications have opened up: Aetna: June 28, 2023 Anthem: June 28, 2023 Blue Cross of Michigan: July 13, 2023 Centene/Wellcare: July 11, 2023…
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Nobody likes losing a sale, but it’s inevitable in the life of an insurance agent. Realizing why you lost the sale is essential to not only overcome the loss, yes, it can deflate us, but also to learn from your mistakes so that it doesn’t happen when there are things you can do to control it.
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Cancer affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives. It could be themselves, or someone they are close to. Statistics from the American Cancer Society tell us that there are nearly 160k new cancer cases a month, in all age groups. This cancer risk increases for individuals who have a family history, a history…
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Libby Elliott, one of our Broker Sales Specialists discusses how she went from not offering dental products to her clients to changing her mindset. There are many misconceived notions of selling dental plans, and most agents have their own thoughts on this topic. As an agent myself, I always thought they were too time-consuming to…
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Having an effective strategy for client retention will take your business to the next level. Do you have a strategy in place? Remember, hope is not a strategy. Your strategy does not need to be complicated or expensive. Just one that works for both you and your clients. Here are a few tips to find…
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This year, 4.2 million people turn 65. Are you on the right track to helping these seniors? Knowing what to do at certain times of the year helps keep agents on track, and the ability to push forward, at the right times. Agents know what to do leading up to AEP season, including certifying and…
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Every year from January 1 – March 31, a new Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs. But, what can agents do during OEP?
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Libby has been on the Broker Sales team at UIG for over 4 years now and brings lots of fun, heart, and excitement to our team. She values the relationships she builds with not only her team but also the agents she works with. Many of you may already know her, but for those of…
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United Insurance Group Agency would like to announce the new Vice President of the Brokerage Division: Shawn Holcombe.
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Many of our agents are hosting Medicare Educational Presentations this time of year. These presentations offer agents a great way to speak with their local communities on what they need to know about Medicare, and also is a great way to get their names out for potential prospects. Our agents are hosting these presentations at:…
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Every day the news outlets come out with stories of how seniors are being taken advantage of. This involves phone scams, door-to-door scams, and of course online scams. As agents, we never want to hear our clients have fallen victim to Medicare Fraud. Being their agent, it’s important to remind your clients of what they…
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With AEP less than 90 days away, we want to make sure you are well on your way to a successful season! Are you contracted with the right carriers (we can help you decide!)? Have you taken AHIP yet (we’ve all taken it and can give you some tips!)? How about product certifications? Have you…
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There were over 8.8 million Veterans who are aged 65+ in the US in 2019. Even though these Veterans have access to free or almost free healthcare through the VA, they may still benefit from Medicare. This gives you an opportunity to sell to this target market. Having Medicare opens the doors to a wider…
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Last month, CMS announced the 2022 Maximum Broker Commissions for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D. These new numbers show an increase from 2021 for the maximum commissions allowed. Take a look at the chart below to see what these numbers are. When looking at these numbers, please remember, insurance providers are not required to…
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It’s the time of year again! Carrier certifications for AEP 2022 are starting this month! We’ve compiled a list here as we know it, and we’ll keep updating it for you, so check back again if you’re looking for a certain carrier! AHIP Certification – June 21Aetna Certification – June 29Anthem – June 30BCBSM – July 15Cigna –…
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Certifications are right around the corner! Do you know which certification course you’re going to choose? Many of the national carriers only accept AHIP, so choose wisely when deciding on this. NAHU has a list of carriers that accept their certification: Carrier Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC – pending Anthem Atrio Health Plan Blue Cross and…
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You’ve set the appointment, drove 20 minutes to get there, spent 45 minutes at the appointment, made a sale, and you’re done, right? Wait a minute…there is an opportunity to talk about other benefits for them. They may have a procedure they would like to get done but haven’t yet due to their insurance not covering…
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There are many FMO’s out there that want your business. Knowing how they differ from each other is the hard part, but trusting they will provide the support they promise can be even harder. UIG is committed to providing the support you need to succeed in the Medicare market. Our immediate release policy is proof…
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One of the advantages of working with UIG is the time we put in to making sure our agents have the most update to date information on what products and plans they should be selling to their clients. Every year, CMS publishes Medicare Advantage enrollment numbers, and UIG crunches the numbers and creates the reports…
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If you’re just getting started in the insurance industry, you may hear other Medicare Insurance agents talking about their FMO and you may be wondering if you need an FMO too. There is so much information out there when you’re first starting off, but finding the right FMO for you may be one of the…
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If you’re like us, you weren’t really sure how AEP 2021 was going to go given the Covid-19 pandemic. There were many obstacles agents had to overcome from learning to work remotely with remote enrollment processes, video meetings, and even how to meet with clients safely if they wanted to meet in person. It’s been…
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This year was quite a bit different than seasons in the past given the pandemic we are currently facing. But our agents never cease to amaze us. Agents learned to adapt to the new technology offered from carriers for remote selling, spoke with clients via Zoom videos, met clients outdoors instead of indoors, and masked…
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We know you’ve been busy during this AEP season, working seven days a week in many cases. But you are in the home stretch with just about a month left, and then you can rest. You should do a few things before AEP ends to make sure you keep the clients you have or gained…
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The year 2020 has been a tough year for so many of us. Whether you’ve been impacted by COVID through your health, loved ones health, income, stability, or not, there is still so much we can be thankful for. When times are tough, it’s sometimes hard to recognize the positives in our lives. But they…
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UIG offers support for agents in so many ways. Marketing is just one aspect of the services offered. We have a team comprised of marketing professionals to provide appointed agents with tools they need to market their business: Need a flyer designed? We’ve designed flyers for agents for educational events, questions on Medicare, pertinent topics…
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Business has changed drastically over the last 6 weeks because of COVID-19. Things we were used to doing, we’re not able to do anymore. This leaves us wondering, what should I be doing for my business and what can I do? The UIG Brokerage team has come up with some ideas to help you stay…
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As we are all getting used to the “new” way of doing things, and the need to become more familiar with the how’s of conducting business online, it’s important to know you can talk to clients face-to-face to educate them on Medicare, even right now. We’ve come up with some information on how you can…
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The slogan “We’re All in This Together” has been used over and over again during this pandemic. We’re seeing it on social media, TV commercials, marketing materials, written in chalk on sidewalks and driveways, and even written on windows and doors throughout our communities with hope to provide comfort to others, and even to ourselves.…
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There has been a lot of articles lately that are warning seniors to be aware of Medicare scams that are aimed at taking advantage of them during the pandemic. Have you contacted your most vulnerable clients to let them know of these scams? It might be a good time to reach out to them and…
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As we all are doing our part to ‘flatten the curve’, we’re learning a different type of work. At UIG, the Brokerage team, along with the Operations team, is getting accustomed to working remotely from the safety and comfort of our own homes. We’ve asked each member of the Brokerage Team for some tips to…
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What is one of the advantages of working with UIG? We do the work for you! CMS publishes Medicare Advantage enrollment numbers but the files are large and complex and difficult to interpret. We spent the last few weeks crunching the numbers and creating reports for our agents showing which carriers won and lost membership…
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As we ring in the new year, it’s always a good time to plan a review of your accomplishments and even your struggles of the previous year. Did you meet the goals you set for yourself? Did you struggle in certain areas? Do you need more training? Are you offering a complete product portfolio? Your review…
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Time is flying by, right? With just 17 days left of AEP season, you’re finally starting to see the light, ever-so-slightly. We know you’re exhausted from being in the thick of client meetings, phone calls, and paperwork 24/7. But, never fear, we’re here to remind you, we can help you! Does your client have questions…
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Right now, Medicare Insurance agents are at the height of their busy season with AEP in full swing. For some independent insurance agents, this can lead to an increased stress level. During these periods, it’s important to remember to take care of yourself and learn the best ways for you, as an individual, to manage…
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Kathy Springer, of Springer Senior Solutions, Inc. in Dallas, Georgia celebrated a Ribbon Cutting for her business with Paulding County Chamber of Commerce. Kathy has been with UIG for approximately 5 years on the Career Division, and just recently joined the Brokerage Division after deciding to venture out on her own. Her mission, for over…
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CMS is continuing to work on improvements for the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period, and have already announced a few updates to the new Medicare Plan Finder system. More updates are expected in the coming weeks. CMS has released updated Q&As, now with this list of MPF improvements that are planned to be in place by…
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Whether you like to golf, need to work on your swing, like to mingle with other agents and carriers, or are only here for the food, you won’t want to miss this event! UIG will be hosting an AEP Kickoff event at Top Golf in Auburn Hills, MI on Wednesday, September 18th from 2pm –…
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Vacations are over, kids are almost back in school, certifications and AHIP are close to being completed, you know what’s next: AEP SEASON! Over the course of the summer, we’ve been updating you on what you need to know for product certification dates, First Look information for national carriers, what UIG can offer you to…
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Everyone likes extra money in their pocket, right? Well, UIG has two simple AGENT INCENTIVE PLANS for new and existing agents to help put more money in their pockets. You can earn $50 for referring an agent to UIG, after they have sold their first policy, and if you contract with a new carrier or move…
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After the need for a career change, Matt Shembarger ran into a friend at a family graduation party who gave him some valuable information which changed his life. Matt’s friend suggested he look into becoming a Life Insurance Agent. At this point in my life, he thought, I’ll give it a try! Fast forward to…
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Have you been wondering what the advantages are to using a Field Marketing Organization (FMO)? If you are a seasoned insurance agent, or just starting out in the industry, United Insurance Group can do more for you than you may realize. There are certain myths that agents may think will happen when partnering with an…
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Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized policies that will increase plan choices and benefits for Medicare Advantage, starting in plan year 2020. Because we know you’re busy, here is what you need to know about this change.
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On April 1st CMS published the final call letter for Medicare Advantage which indicates Medicare Advantage reimbursement rates will rise on average by 2.53%, a little less than a 1% increase over the draft call letter. This is a good thing and in general would mean we will see a positive impact on rates and…
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