There have been changes looming with Medicare Supplements for many years. They are finally here, taking effect January 1, 2020. The changes are brought about by the Medicare Access and CHIP Re-authorization Act of 2015, or MACRA for short. As the LTC/Med Supp Supervisor at Underwriters Marketing Service, I wanted to share with you what MACRA will mean to your Medicare clients.
What changes where there?
For Medicare Supplements your clients won’t be able to purchase a plan that covers the Part B deductible ($185 for 2019) as of January 1, 2020 (Plans C,F, HDF). For your clients that already have one of these plans, nothing will change. They can keep their current plan, and it will cover the deductible. For clients enrolling in Medicare with effective dates January 1, 2020 or later, plans C,F and HDF will not be available.
What about clients coming off group coverage (Guarantee Issue)?
Prior to MACRA taking effect, clients in a Guarantee Issue period could not purchase Plan G. After 1/1/2020, Plans D&G will be the products available for Guarantee Issue.
Are new plans coming?
Right now a High Deductible Plan G is being developed and should be ready for launch by the end of the year to replace the High Deductible Plan F currently offered.
If you have any questions about the upcoming changes, please reach out to Terri
here at UMS and we can guide you through the alphabet soup of Medicare! Medicare supplements can be a great door opener to new clients, a referral source and a service to offer your current clients! Ask us about our marketing postcards and see how we can help you start spreading the word.