AHCP Blog (5)

New CMS Guidance on AI in Medicare Advantage Plans

Published: February 29, 2024

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued guidance on its final 2024 Medicare Advantage rule, detailing new regulations on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Medicare Advantage plans. This rule reflects CMS's efforts to balance innovation in AI with the need for ethical and patient-centric healthcare delivery.

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Capitalizing on Special Enrollment Periods: Opportunities Post-Open Enrollment

Published: February 22, 2024

Now that the Open Enrollment Period has concluded, you might think it's time to kick back and relax for a few months. Not so fast! There are numerous situations that allow individuals to sign up for health insurance outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period, meaning there are still plenty of opportunities to assist clients. This article, based on the comprehensive guide from CMS titled Understanding Special Enrollment Periods, will help you navigate these critical periods to better serve your clients. You may want to share the guide with clients who are eligible for an SEP.

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New Year, New Insurance: Why January Is the Perfect Time to Sell Life Insurance

Published: January 10, 2024

The beginning of the year brings with it a sense of renewal and resolution, making early January an opportune time for clients to evaluate and enhance their life insurance coverage. With a little prodding from agents, clients can take important steps to secure their loved ones’ futures.

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Why Slowing Down During Open Enrollment Is a Good Idea

Published: January 5, 2024

During the busy open enrollment period, health insurance agents often find themselves racing against the clock, trying to assist as many clients as possible. However, this rush to move from one client to the next, though seemingly efficient, might not always be the most effective approach. Slowing down and investing more time in each individual client interaction can provide significant benefits for both the client and the agent. Here are a few reasons why:

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The AEP Is Over, But There’s Still Plenty to Do

Published: December 20, 2023

As we wave goodbye to the Annual Election Period (AEP) for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, which concluded on December 7, you might be tempted to wind things down and enjoy the holidays. And while it is important to take a breather and spend time with loved ones in the coming weeks, it's also important to recognize that there’s still plenty of work to do. While the AEP is the busy time of year for many of us, the close of this period brings with it new opportunities, particularly in the individual market.

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Surviving the Fourth Quarter Frenzy

Published: November 30, 2023

For agents and brokers, the fourth quarter of the year—marked by countless renewals, new enrollments, and client interactions—can feel like a whirlwind. With the overlap of the Annual Election Period for Medicare beneficiaries, the individual open enrollment period, and the most popular renewal time for group clients, managing time effectively and maintaining efficiency becomes crucial. So how can agents navigate this busy season, ensuring they meet their clients' needs without compromising their own well-being?

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Premium Tax Credit Calculators

Published: November 16, 2023

If you sell individual health insurance plans, then you no doubt know about the enhanced premium tax credits available through the end of 2025. During COVID, the tax credits were increased and the subsidy cliff (the 400% income level after which tax credits are not longer available) was eliminated for two years; these enhanced credits were later extended for an additional two years.

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Finding the Best Medicare Plan for Your Clients

Published: November 10, 2023

The Annual Election Period (AEP) is an important time of year for both insurance agents and the clients they serve. The AEP provides clients with an opportunity to review, assess, and make informed choices about their Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Unfortunately, many clients view this more as a chore than an opportunity because they are bombarded with ads on TV and by mail and the number of options can make the entire process seem overwhelming.

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Individual Plan Offerings in 2024

Published: November 3, 2023

As you probably know, 2023 saw the introduction of several “standardized” individual health plans designed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The 2023 Marketplace Rule from HHS required health insurers to offer “standardized QHP options designed by HHS at every product network type…, metal level, and throughout every service area that they offer non-standardized QHP options.” At the time, HHS “did not propose to limit the number of non-standardized plan options that issuers can offer but noted that” the Department would consider “whether it would be appropriate to do so in a future plan year.”

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DACA Recipients Could Soon Be Eligible for Premium Tax Credits

Published: October 13, 2023

There are more than 800,000 DACA recipients in the United States. DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, was created by executive order during the Obama Administration and allows certain undocumented individuals who came to the United States as children to temporarily stay in the country, obtain work permits, and be protected from deportation.

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