Plan Advisors Blog

AEP is just around the corner and with things looking pretty different this year due to the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to be prepared. Success is still achievable, but it might be a little more difficult than years past. Seniors are still in need of coverage, now more than ever.

The Annual Election Period and Open Enrollment Period are both fun times to be an insurance broker. It might not be your first thought, but selling Medicare in retail locations, like Walmart or CVS, can be great for your business and allow you to help people with Medicare questions. Keep reading for some tips on how to sell Medicare at a store kiosk.

Employers are often an underutilized resource in the Medicare industry. If you're not capitalizing on your relationship with local businesses to build your book of business then you're missing out! Employers offer a direct pathway to people turning 65 or retiring soon. This space is ripe with potential to build your book of business. We put together a guide to help you connect with employers to educate employees nearing Medicare age.

Medicare-aged adults have always been harder to market to digitally. We’re talking websites, social media, email, etc. Traditionally, anything online just isn’t their thing. There are fewer click-throughs and lower open rates, and even less success. Every year, though, things change just a little bit as technology advances and new waves of people hit 65.

In the wake of COVID-19, so many of our meetings, events, celebrations, and more, have been moved online. Even though businesses are starting to reopen and we are all trying to move back to work or find new ways of doing business, in many cases, it is still best to maintain distance, especially for the senior population you serve. That being said, we know many brokers rely on events to educate their community and build their book of business. Here is our guide to hosting virtual events, so that you can still connect with clients.

With so many digital marketing and sales tools available, the transition to increased virtual work can feel overwhelming. Not only can choosing which tool to use be a time-consuming process, but then you have to learn how to use that tool effectively. 

Selling over the phone allows brokers a lot of flexibility. While telephonic sales are gaining popularity right now, they can also get you into trouble if you don’t take the time to ensure you’re being clear and thorough in your sales calls. Both CMS and individual carriers monitor broker performance for compliance. Failure to follow an approved script, failure to provide direct contact information, and failure to follow up are a few of the ways sales allegations can arise. Keep reading for best practices to avoid telephonic sales allegations.

You may have heard that VA benefits and Medicare don’t work together. While that’s technically true, it doesn’t mean your clients should skip enrolling in Medicare when they become eligible. So why do so many veterans go without enrolling in Medicare? Oftentimes, they don’t know that the VA actually recommends veterans enroll in Medicare to fill in coverage gaps. 

If you’re like most Medicare agents, you’ve likely found yourself in a lull when it’s not the annual election period from mid-October to early December. 

TRICARE is a healthcare program for active-duty and retired uniformed services members and their families. When TRICARE members turn 65 or otherwise become Medicare-eligible, they have the opportunity to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B. It's important to help your clients understand the advantages of having both TRICARE and Medicare coverage.