News & Blog

Mutual Trust Life - New Automated Underwriting and Risk Analysis

News

New Applications Required After April 30, 2024
For producers not using easy@pp


In February, Mutual Trust Life Solutions introduced Automated Underwriting and Risk Analysis, or “AURA”, for all states except California. The new application and associated underwriting questionnaires are accessible through the Agent Website. We will not accept prior versions of the fillable application after April 30, 2024.

Producers who plan to complete the fillable applications must review additional updates to the filing process here.

For easy@pp users, no action is needed. AURA has integrated seamlessly with our easy@ppelectronic application platform, eliminating additional underwriting questionnaires and significantly streamlining the experience through advanced logic like reflexive questioning. We encourage you to submit applications electronically where possible, as these updates, and any others, are automatically applied in easy@pp upon implementation.

We hope you are enjoying the benefits of AURA, which include:

  • Improved Accuracy – ensures applications are received in good order.
  • Increased Consistency – treatment of underwriting rules will be consistent for every case.
  • Technological Advancement – demonstrates our commitment to our goal of straight-through-processing!

2025 MAPD/PDP Producer Certification Training

Medicare

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

Ameritas Increases Dental Access Network by 5,100 Access Points

Carrier Updates

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/

 

New employer pre-sale marketing assets

Here are newly updated marketing assets that help you introduce your clients to Ameritas and our differentiators.
 
GR206 – About Ameritas Employer Brochure (8-page)
GR206 PPT – About Ameritas Employer PowerPoint Presentation
GR6656 – About Ameritas One-page Brochure
NY versions will be available soon.
 
Here’s what’s new

  • The 8-page brochure and PowerPoint presentation lead with Dental and Vision, Employee Benefits Expertise and address employers’ biggest challenges upfront.
  • All pieces promote our expertise in using plan-specific reporting to help customers’ plans evolve with their changing needs.
  • The one-page brochure focuses on company stability, unique plan designs that evolve, and our dental network – a brief but powerful message for trade shows or initial touchpoints.
  • Script notes consistent with the 8-page brochure content are included with PowerPoint presentations for added detail.

 
Watch for updates about new pieces to promote our dental network and industry specific benefits, and assets to use when quoting plans.

Contact your Ameritas sales representative to learn more.

BenefitEd education benefits programs

How to help your clients attract and retain more educated, motivated employees

Employers can offer BenefitEd programs to help their employees with student loans reduce the time it takes to pay back student loans and afford future education. This could be the differentiator your clients are looking for in their benefits packages, especially for jobs that require a formal college education.

Read about how Thriveworks, a nationwide mental health provider, used BenefitEd’s products to recruit and retain their mental health professionals, and how your clients could benefit, too.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) Updates

Carrier Updates

Dear Valued Agents,

We hope this message finds you well.

We are reaching out to provide you with an update regarding current 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.

Sincerely,

Alignment Health

 

ARIZONA
  1. State Declaration: Excessive Heat
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 8/11/2023
    3. SEP End Date: Ongoing
    4. Counties Affected: Maricopa

 

CALIFORNIA
  1. State Declaration: February 2024 Storms
    1. See Declaration HERE 
    2. SEP Incident Date: 2/4/2024
    3. SEP End Date: Ongoing
    4. Counties Affected: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sonoma
  2. State Declaration: January 2024 Storms
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 1/23/2024
    3. SEP End Date: Ongoing
    4. Counties Affected: San Diego, Ventura, San Mateo, Santa Cruz
  1. Federal Declaration: FEMA DR-4758-CA Severe Storm and Flooding 
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 1/21/2024
    3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: San Diego
  1. State Declaration: LA I-10 Highway Fire
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 11/11/2023
    3. SEP End Date: Ongoing
    4. Counties Affected: Los Angeles
  1. State Declaration: Hillary Tropical Storm
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 8/18/2023
    3. SEP End Date: Ongoing
    4. Counties Affected: Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura
  1. State Declaration: Winter Storms
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 3/1/2023
    3. SEP End Date: Ongoing
    4. Counties Affected: Alameda, Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Yolo, Ventura
  1. State Declaration: December 2022 - January 2023 Storms (Atmospheric River)
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 12/24/2022
    3. SEP End Date: Ongoing
    4. Counties Affected: All California Counties

 

FLORIDA
  1. State Declaration: Impacts of Crisis in Haiti
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 3/15/2024
    3. SEP End Date: 7/31/2024
    4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota
  2. State Declaration: North Florida Tornadoes
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 1/9/2024
    3. SEP End Date: 7/31/2024
    4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval
  1. State Declaration: Impacts of War in Israel
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 10/12/2023
    3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota
  1. State Declaration: Tropical Storm Idalia
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 8/26/2023
    3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota
  1. State Declaration: Illegal Migration
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 1/6/2023
    3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota
  1. State Declaration: “Hurricane Nicole” (Amended)
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 12/13/2022
    3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota
  1. State Declaration: “Hurricane Ian” (Amended)
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 9/22/2022
    3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

 

NORTH CAROLINA
  1. State Declaration: Severe Weather Event
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 1/8/2024
    3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: Chatham, Johnston, Wake, Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson, Davie, Wilkes, Buncombe, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania, Avery, Henderson, Madison, Orange

 

TEXAS
  1. Local Declaration: El Paso City - Migration Crisis
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 2/29/2024
    3. SEP End Date: 5/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: El Paso
  2. State Declaration: Drought
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 9/21/2023
    3. SEP End Date: 5/31/2024
    4. Counties Affected: El Paso, Hudspeth
  1. Local Declaration: El Paso City Disaster - Migrant Crisis
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 5/1/2023
    3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
    4. Counties Affected: El Paso
  1. State Declaration: Renewed/Amended “Border Security" Disaster
    1. See Declaration HERE
    2. SEP Incident Date: 5/31/2021
    3. SEP End Date: 5/31/2024
    4. Counties Affected: El Paso, Hudspeth

 

 

Clarification About APC Withdrawal Information

Carrier Updates

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.

Self-Service tools for Aetna Medicare Brokers

Carrier Updates

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.

News

Blog

logo

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

Find us on Google Maps

Helping Talented Agents Close More Sales

Follow Us: