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Archive for March, 2009

Admiral Life Insurance Company Announces a Medicare Supplement Rate Increase for the State of South Dakota (SD)

Posted in Uncategorized on March 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

The rate increase for South Dakota has been approved.  The effective date for the rate increase is June 1, 2009. To access the rates for South Dakota, visit our “Resource Center” and Select Admiral as the Company and Rates as the Resource.

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The Future of (Original) Medicare Fee for Service: Accountable Care Organizations (ACO’s)

Posted in CMS on March 15, 2009 | 1 Comment »

I’m starting to see the Term “Accountable Care Organizations” or ACO cropping up more and more.  So, I thought I might give my readers a “heads up” to be on the lookout for this concept. Recently, MedPAC researchers argued for the use of ACO’s in order to reduce spending and improve quality of care.  Here [...]

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Information on One Time Economic Recovery Payment for those Receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad Retirement and Veterans benefits; $250 Payment

Posted in CMS on March 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Here is a leaflet published by Social Security regarding the one time payment which was authorized by the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” Basically, your clients receiving any of the above benefits (with some limited exceptions) should be automatically getting this payment by the end of May 2009.  If they don’t receive the payment by June [...]

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Universal American Still Has No Word from CMS On First Year Commissions

Posted in Insurance Companies, Medicare Advantage, Universal American Companies on March 12, 2009 | 23 Comments »

Universal American expected to hear from CMS regarding reporting of Medicare Advantage enrollments that are considered First Year Enrollments and therefore qualify for full commissions.  They still have not heard any updates regarding this subject.

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United HealthCare Announces that previous 1099′s contain incorrect amounts

Posted in Insurance Companies, United Health Care on March 11, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Previous 1099′s sent by CHCS Services did not accurately reflect 2008 payments.  They are reissuing the 1099′s to the field on Friday, March 13th.

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Medicare Advantage 2009 Open Enrollment Period will End on March 31st, 2009

Posted in CMS on March 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

The 2009 Open Enrollment Period will end on March 31st, 2009.  As this year’s OEP comes to a close, keep in mind that you must receive, sign and date all applications BEFORE midnight, March 31st, 2009 in order for your client to get a April 1st, 2009 effective date and avoid the “lock in”. Remember, [...]

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Conseco Responds to “Going Concern” issues Raised by Auditor

Posted in Uncategorized on March 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

I’m optimistic that Conseco will get an Unqualified Opinion in two weeks.  Here are some facts presented by Steve Stecher, President of Conseco Insurance Group.  march-3-communciation-regarding-press-release_cig-sales Conseco’s issues are at a holding company level.  The underlying insurance companies remain well-capitalized.  This question should be answered by March 17th!

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Wellcare Files 10-Q for Q1, Q2 and Q3 of 2008; Full Year End Results are Delayed

Posted in Uncategorized on March 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Wellcare filed it’s unaudited financial statements for the first 9 months of 2008 and is delaying the issuance of the full year 2008 results. Aside from it’s regulatory issues with CMS and the Florida Department of Insurance, it appears that May 13th, 2009 will be a key date for the company from a liquidity standpoint.  [...]

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President Obama Nominates Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services

Posted in CMS on March 4, 2009 | 1 Comment »

There are a large number of articles on this, however, I think the New York Times/AP story gives a brief account of Gov. Sebelius’ political career as Insurance Commissioner and then Governor of Kansas and some of her key decisions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) [...]

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CMS Issues February 24th Letter on “Pay for Referrals” Practices on Medicare Advantage; Letter Mentions the Second Payment for New to Medicare enrollees with little detail

Posted in CMS, News on March 3, 2009 | 9 Comments »

I recently found this letter from CMS to Medicare Advantage Health plans dated last week where CMS warns health plans about the practice of “Pay for Referrals”.  (Click to view:  cms_2009_02_24) I had never heard of any companies who were doing this.  I even called a few contacts and no one seemed to know what [...]

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