Main Office:
2401 Sardis Road North, Suite 110
Charlotte, NC 28227
Texas Office:
9441 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy Suite 512
Dallas, TX 75243
Mississippi P&C Office:
180 Canal Place
Philadelphia, MS 39350
News & Blog
CMS is issuing a guidance regarding Medicare Part D coverage of chronic weight management products, also known as anti-obesity medications (AOMs). With the introduction of new AOMs to the market, questions have arisen regarding Part D coverage of these products. Specifically, we have been asked whether these products may be covered by Part D when they receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an additional medically accepted indication.
The statutory definition of a covered Part D drug at section 1860D-2(e)(2) of the Social Security Act (the Act), excludes certain drugs and uses – specifically, those that may be excluded by Medicaid under section 1927(d)(2) of the Act. This includes “agents when used for anorexia, weight loss, and weight gain.” Since the beginning of the Part D program in 2006, all drugs when used for weight loss have been excluded from basic coverage.
CMS is clarifying that AOMs that receive FDA approval for an additional medically accepted indication, as defined by section 1927(k)(6) of the Act, can be considered a Part D drug for that specific use. For example, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that receives FDA approval for chronic weight management alone would not be considered a Part D drug. If this same drug also receives FDA approval to treat diabetes or reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight, then it would be considered a Part D drug for those specific uses only. Unless provided as a supplemental benefit, Part D coverage is still not available for AOMs when used for chronic weight management in patients who do not have the additional medically accepted indication.
In instances when an AOM receives approval for an additional medically accepted indication during the contract year, Part D sponsors may include such drugs on their current Part D formularies as they can be covered under Part D for that use. These drugs will be added to the Formulary Reference File (FRF) at the next available opportunity. Utilization management tools such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits that are approved by the Pharmacy & Therapeutics committee may be applied at the point-of-sale at the same time the drug is added to the formulary. Part D sponsors may consider using prior authorization for these products to ensure they are being used for a medically accepted indication. When an AOM receives approval for an additional medically accepted indication mid-year, CMS will evaluate FDA labeling and updated treatment guidelines (if available) when reviewing formularies for the upcoming year.
If you have any questions concerning this memorandum, please send an e-mail to
Liberty Bankers Insurance Group
Enhanced Agent Portals Are Live
Effective Friday, March 15, the Agent Portals for American Benefit Life Insurance Company and Capitol Life Insurance Company have been updated. The redesigned interfaces have a fresh new look and serve as an excellent resource for all your business needs. Plus, they are easy to access on your desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone.
To view the enhanced Agent Portals, please click on the links below and login in with your Agent ID and password.
If you have questions, please reach out to a Liberty Bankers team member or visit www.lbig.com.
Advantages of New eSignature Process
Effective Monday, March 18, Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Company will introduce new updates to the eApp process including a new signature method.
The new signature method is safe and easy to use. Plus, it streamlines the process for you and your client. The process eliminates a voice signature and introduces a type-to-sign option.
Additional eSignature Details
Currently, you are asked whether your applicant is physically present with you during your appointment. When "yes" is selected, you are prompted with two options – Telephone Signature (two minute call during eApp) and Type-to-Sign (face-to-face only).
We are replacing these options by asking the applicant to give you the "secret code" that is emailed or texted to them. When the code is entered and validated by the eApp system, it serves as proof that the applicant received the authorization and agrees to the Rx check. After, an electronic signature is applied to the HIPAA authorization document which is available to download.
Additionally, our Telephonic application is a great alternative for applicants that do not have an email address or cell phone number.
If you have questions about these updates, please reach out to their Agent Support team at 214-245-5292.
Liberty Bankers Life Insurance
Plus Series Product Line is Approved in New States
Hospital Indemnity: Indiana
Accident/Cancer/Critical Care/Heart & Stroke: Montana, Mississippi, Tennessee
Effective Thursday, March 14, 2024, Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Company's expanded supplemental health product line will be available in additional states. Hospital Indemnity Plus coverage is now available to start selling in Indiana. Additionally, Accident Plus, Cancer Plus, Critical Care Plus, and Heart & Stroke Plus is now available in Montana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
If you are currently contracted to sell the Plus Series product line, do not forget to register to have access to the Agent Portal at AGENT.LBIG.COM. If you are not currently contracted, please contact your upline.
Aetna Senior Supplemental
Aetna now offers Recovery Care - Short Term Facility Care Insurance Plans in Pennsylvania.
Sales materials are now available to download/order. Just go to the agent side of AetnaSeniorProducts.com and click Products > Order Supplies.
It's easy to start selling
Get quotes on the go, straight from your phone with our free mobile app. It’s easy to install the app on your mobile device from both the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store. Just search for "Quotes on the go."
Note: The last application submission and signature date for the existing Nursing Facility Care plans in Pennsylvania will be May 28, 2024.
National Association of Dental Plans
NCD Elite by MetLife is now available in New York and Connecticut!
- Broad range of max benefits: $1,500, $3,000 and $5,000
- High Basic coinsurance of 80% in the first year
- No waiting periods on Preventive and Basic care
- Large national network
- Quick and seamless claims process: most claims processed within 24 hours!
And that's IN ADDITION the outstanding service and support you and your clients receive from NCD and MetLife!
Don't Delay: Start Selling NCD Elite by MetLife Today!
American National Insurance
New Annuity Suitability Form Required March 13th
Effective March 13, a new version of the 4465 form series, the Annuity Suitability form, will be required for all new annuity applications.
To ensure a smooth transition, all applicable electronic platforms will be automatically updated to accommodate the new form. ExpertForms will be updated on the same day, providing you with the latest tools for your annuity sales process.
Please Note: Beginning March 13, the old version of the form will no longer be accepted. It is crucial to use the updated form to avoid potential delays in business operations. Remember to check the revision date on the bottom right corner of the form, which should be marked as RV 12-23.
New revision dates will be applied to the following affected forms:
- 4465-NAIC RV 12.23
- 4465-NAIC-MN RV 12.23
Access the new suitability guide here!
In addition to this change, the 4394 form series will be removed for annuity new business only. Moving forward, ExpertForms will be transitioning to the industry standard:
ACORD 1035 EXCHANGE / ROLLOVER / TRANSFER eFORM
This change will align paper with our electronic applications and help the annuity new business team streamline these requests on one form.
Attention Oregon Agents:
New form available starting March 13: 11207-OR
Wellabe
New application requirements
Beginning April 1, 2024, you will be required to provide the Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for all new Health and Final Expense insurance applicants. This requirement will help streamline the application process by improving instant-decisioning and straight-through processing. SSNs and ITINs are a reliable and universal way to verify a person’s identity and will allow them to determine if someone already has coverage while reducing the number of duplicate accounts. Wellabe will also be able to properly identify household discount allocation for customers with multiple policies and verify coverage threshold.
If you have any questions, please call Wellabe's agent support at 800-547-2401.
American Equity
American Equity is proud to offer simple, transparent products at competitive rates within the industry. They remain committed to helping our contract owners protect their retirement dollars.
GuaranteeShield 3 & 5 Rates
Their rates on GuaranteeShield 3 & 5 fixed annuities will change effective Wednesday, March 13.
For clients to qualify for the current rates, applications along with cash or 1035/Transfer paperwork must be received by 5:00 p.m. CT on March 12, 2024, and transfer funds must be received by 5:00 p.m. CT on April 11, 2024.
|
Premium Band |
3 Year |
3 Year |
5 Year |
5 Year |
|
$10,000-$99,999.00 |
4.70% |
4.50% |
4.80% |
4.60% |
|
$99,999.01-$249,999.00 |
4.95% |
4.75% |
5.05% |
4.85% |
|
$249,999.01 and higher |
4.95% |
4.75% |
5.05% |
4.85% |
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Plans
2024 Florida rate information is now available for AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans insured by UnitedHealthcare® Insurance Company (UHIC).
Effective June 1, 2024, the rates in Florida will change. Please click on the button below to view rates for new enrollees with initial plan effective dates of June 1, 2024, to May 1, 2025.
Head over to Jarvis
Jarvis is your one-stop shop for information, including premium rates, premium rate percentages, and more! Find state-specific rate information on Jarvis under Knowledge Center > Portfolio Overview > Medicare Supplement Plans > Rates and Underwriting > Choose a State > Annual Rate Change.
Find helpful resources
Use LEAN™ for an easy enrollment experience or continue to use your state’s current Enrollment Kit until new ones become available, remembering to quote the applicable rate based on the requested plan effective date.
Find state-specific Enrollment Kits and Producer Handbooks on the Sales Materials Portal, accessible viaJarvis.
Find AARP Medicare Supplement Plans state-specific trainings on Jarvis under Knowledge Center > Training & Certifications, then under the Training Calendar header, click on Local Market Training. You can also access trainings HERE .
Check out Learning Lab within Jarvis to discover helpful guides, job aids, on-demand learnings, and more.
Member billing information
New Personalized Billing is here! Members who pay by check will receive the individual monthly account statement by mail monthly. Members who pay by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), pay annually, or otherwise, will receive a statement by mail only when something on their account changes or action is required. Members can also view their statement online.
Here to help
For questions, contact the Producer Help Desk (PHD) at
Manhattan Messenger/Golden Link - MAC (MD)
Please click here to view Golden Link's Medicare Supplement rate change.
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The Indiana Department of Insurance has updated its requirements for recommendation and sale of annuities based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ model law. Effective March 9, 2024, producers, when making a recommendation of an annuity, must act in the consumer’s best interest under the circumstances known when the recommendation is made, without placing the company’s or producer’s financial interest ahead of the consumer’s. To meet this requirement a producer must exercise reasonable diligence, care and skill to know the consumer’s financial objectives, understand the available recommendation options, have a reasonable basis to believe the recommended options effectively addresses the consumer’s financial situation and communicate the basis of the recommendations. The producer must make reasonable efforts to obtain consumer profile information before an annuity is recommended and consider the types of products that the producer is licensed to sell that address the consumer’s financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives. Additionally, the producer must consider the consumer profile information, company characteristics, product costs, rates, benefits and features in determining whether an annuity effectively addresses the consumer’s financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives. The importance level of each of these care obligation factors can vary depending on a case’s facts and circumstances. Each factor must not be considered in isolation. The producer must have a reasonable basis to believe that their client would benefit from certain features of the annuity, such as annuitization, death or living benefit or other insurance-related features. In the case of an exchange or replacement of an annuity, the agent must consider the whole transaction, which includes considering whether the consumer will incur possible adverse effects such as surrender charges, new surrender period, the loss of benefits or be subject to increase fees. The producer must also consider if the replacing product would substantially benefit the consumer compared to the replaced product and if the consumer has had another annuity exchange or replacement within the preceding 60 months. A producer is not required to obtain a license other than a producer license with the proper line of authority to sell insurance in Indiana to meet the obligations set out in this update. This includes, but is not limited to, any securities license, however the producer must not offer advice or provide services otherwise subject to securities laws, or engage in other activities necessitating additional professional licenses. Before recommending or selling an annuity, the producer must prominently disclose certain information to the consumer on a form substantially similar to this. This information includes description of the relationship’s scope and terms with the consumer and the producer’s role in the transaction, an affirmative statement on what products the producer is licensed and authorized to sell and to which carriers the producer is contracted. The producer must also describe the sources and types of compensation that the producer can receive and disclose a reasonable estimate of the amount of compensation to be received by the producer. On request of the consumer or the designated representative, the producer must disclose a reasonable estimate of the cash compensation that the producer will receive, which can be set out as either a range of amounts or percentages; and whether the compensation is a one-time compensation or multiple occurrence amount. Either before or at the time the producer recommends or sells an annuity, the producer must have a reasonable basis to believe that the consumer has been informed of the annuity’s features, which includes potential surrender period and surrender charge; potential tax penalty if the consumer sells, exchanges, surrenders or annuitizes the annuity; any annual fees; limitations on interest returns, potential charges for riders or other options of the annuity and similar costs. The producer must identify and avoid, or reasonably manage and disclose, any material conflicts of interest such as conflicts related to an ownership interest. At the time of recommendation or sale, the producer must make a written record on the basis for the recommendation based partially on information supplied by the consumer. If the consumer does not elect to provide personal information, the producer must obtain a consumer-signed statement similar to this. Should the consumer decide to purchase an annuity not based on the producer’s recommendation, the producer must obtain a consumer-signed statement on a form substantially similar to this. The requirements associated with a best-interest obligation to a consumer extends to any producer who “exercised material control or influence in making a recommendation” and who have or will receive direct compensation resulting from the recommendation or sale even if the producer has had no direct contact with the consumer. Providing or delivering marketing or educational materials, product wholesaling or other back-office product support and general producer supervision are not considered to be “material control or influence.” A producer has no best-interest obligations to a consumer related to an annuity transaction if no recommendation is made, a recommendation was made prepared on information from the consumer that was materially inaccurate, the consumer declines to provide relevant profile information and the annuity transaction is not recommended or the consumer decides to enter into an annuity transaction that is not based on a producer recommendation. Neither the insurance carrier nor an agent can dissuade, or attempt to dissuade, a consumer from truthfully responding to the company’s request for confirmation of the consumer profile information, filing a complaint or cooperating with the investigation of a complaint. Producer Training An insurance producer may not solicit the sale of an annuity product unless the producer has adequate knowledge of the product to recommend and the producer is in compliance with the company's standards for product training. A producer who engages in the sale of annuity products must complete a one-time, four-hour training course approved by the Department of Insurance. Producers who hold a life insurance line of authority on July 1, 2024, and who desire to sell annuities must complete this training mandate by September 9, 2025. Individuals who obtain a life insurance line of authority on or after March 9, 2024, may not engage in the sale of annuities until the annuity training course has been completed. The annuity training course or courses must cover the following topics:
Training providers must cover all topics listed in the prescribed outline and may not present any marketing information or provide training on sales techniques or provide specific information about a particular insurer's products. Additional topics may be offered in conjunction with and in addition to the required outline. An agent who has completed a Division-approved annuity training course before July 1, 2024, must, by January 1, 2025, complete either a new 4-hour training course or an additional one-time, one-credit training course approved by the department of insurance and provided by the Division-approved education provider on appropriate sales practices, replacement and disclosure mandates. The satisfaction of the training requirements of another state that are substantially similar to the provisions listed above are deemed to satisfy the training mandates of Indiana. The satisfaction of the components of the training mandates of any course with components substantially similar to the provisions listed above are deemed to satisfy the training mandates of Indiana. Producers must maintain or make available to the Commissioner for five years records of the information collected from the consumer, including disclosures made to the consumer, summaries of oral disclosures and other information used in making the annuity recommendations. If you have a hierarchy of producers, you must share this e-mail with any producers who may not have received it. If you have questions regarding this compliance update, please contact the Indiana Department of Financial Regulation at (800) 457-8283 or on-line at https://faqs.in.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new. |