CMS

Posted October 14th, 2015 in Producers, Employers

The 2016 Medicare Part D annual enrollment period will begin on October 15, 2015 and run through December 7, 2015. Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a Part D drug plan or make changes to existing coverage during this time period. Enrollment can be done through a stand-alone drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that integrates coverage for medical and drug expenses.      

Posted January 3rd, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

President Obama had previously announced that individuals could keep their health plan for another year if they received a cancellation letter in the mail. But he ultimately left this decision up to each state to decide. There were several states that chose not to allow these health plans to be continued for another year. As a result, several individuals are being forced to find new coverage.

Posted September 27th, 2013 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released proposed regulations about a new Basic Health Program that will be available starting in 2015. The Basic Health Program will be a lower cost alternative for people that cannot afford health plans in the insurance exchanges, such as those people that fall just outside of Medicaid eligibility. 

Posted September 10th, 2013 in Producers

Part II of the registration process for insurance producers to sell coverage in the Federally-Facilitated and State Partnership Exchanges has officially launched.  Part II only needs to be completed by producers who wish to sell in the individual market

Part II is expected to take approximately 30 minutes to complete and requires identity proofing on the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Enterprise Portal.

Posted August 13th, 2013 in Producers

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the first part of the certification process required for producers to sell insurance products in federally facilitated and state partnership exchanges.

There are different requirements that must be completed depending on the products that the producer wishes to sell. Please note that some courses are highly recommended but not required. 

Posted May 8th, 2013 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a statement on April 30, 2013 that the public exchange applications, officially referred to as the Marketplace Consumer Applications, have been revised.

The Invidual Short Form is now just three pages in length. The Family Form is also said to have been reduced by about two-thirds its original length.

Posted April 30th, 2013 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

What will the exchanges look like? What are the exchange deadlines? How will subsidies and payments be processed? There constantly seems to be questions about the health insurance marketplaces, also known as the exchanges.

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a progress fact sheet about the exchanges on April 22, 2013. This new information provides additional details about eligibility and enrollment, plan management, financial management, consumer support and more.

Posted April 8th, 2013 in Producers

Last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released proposed regulations about the role of Navigators. The new guidance provides some clarification about the role of Navigators, but it has several producers questioning how they will be compensated for their services next year.

Navigators are organizations that will provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance.

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