The 2025 Medicare Certification Training will be available to producers beginning in June.

Ameritas Increases Dental Network by 5,100 Access Points

Ameritas dental plan members will soon have a larger network of access points. Through a new network-sharing arrangement with United Concordia, Amertias Classic and Classic/Plus will increase their dental network access points by more than 5,100.

This shift will improve their overall network utilization by approximately 2%. The expansion gives Ameritas dental plan members access to more money-saving network providers than ever before.

Through the enhanced nationwide dental network providers and out-of-pocket savings of 30 -45%, this is an opportunity for clients to offer their employees a comprehensive dental plan they will actually use.

To learn more about Ameritas and available plans, including the dental network expansion, reach out to your Ameritas sales representative or visit https://explore.ameritas.com/producer/ameritas-sales-team/

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs). This information is crucial for assisting Alignment Health Plan clients during emergencies. Please review your state's active SEP declarations and the additional information provided below.

-Alignment Health

Beginning on January 1, 2025, Ascension Personalized Care (APC) will no longer offer insurance plans. Client coverage will continue through December 31, 2024, at which point members are eligible to find new insurance during the Open Enrollment Period.

APC plans to send print and digital communications directly to clients beginning July 1, 2024. These letters will explain the withdrawal, continued coverage throughout the year, and options for finding new insurance next year to ensure members understand the impact and feel supported through Open Enrollment.

Agents will receive copies of these communications before their clients and are asked not to share these materials or other information with members until after July 1.

At this time, agents or members are not needed to take action.

Members can only enroll in or change plans outside of Open Enrollment if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Members can qualify for Special Enrollment based on certain life events, like marriage or having a baby. APC's removal of its health plans from the marketplace at the end of the year does not qualify members for Special Enrollment.

Agents looking for a new carrier to move current APC clients to can call Messer Financial Group for assistance at 866-568-9649.

Producer World offers several self-service tools agents can use to help clients. These mechanisms can assist members with ordering ID cards and submitting inquiries. Other time-saving options are also available.

The NAIC Best Interest Standard was enacted in New Hampshire on February 16, 2024. There are two updates necessary to conduct business.

Required Training

• Life insurance producers licensed on or after February 16, 2024, must complete an annuity training course that meets the newly adopted INS 305 requirements before selling annuity products.
• Life insurance producers licensed before February 16, 2024, and who completed the annuity training course before January 1, 2024, will have until August 16, 2024, to complete the annuity training course, which meets the requirements of the newly adopted INS 305.
• Life insurance producers who were licensed before February 16, 2024, and who completed the annuity training course that meets the requirements of the newly adopted INS 305 on or after January 1, 2024, will be deemed by the department to be compliant with the rule's new training requirements.

New Disclosure Form

• A new state-required disclosure form is available to help agents describe the nature of their client relationships.

The Department of Insurance in New Hampshire granted carriers a 60-day grace period, between February 16 and April 17, 2024, to become compliant with the new requirements of the INS 305. During this time, the Department withheld enforcement action against carriers to allow carriers time to comply with the new requirements. Agents who have not completed the training within the allotted time will have their commissions withheld until training is complete. All producers on the application must complete the continuing education and product-specific training.