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CMS Puts the Kibosh on Misleading Medicare Advantage Sales Pitches

-“Secret shoppers” found that 80% of agent calls with clients were inaccurate or insufficient. After reviewing thousands of complaints about “confusing, misleading, and/or inaccurate” Medicare Advantage ads, and using “secret shoppers” to document deceptive telephone sales pitches, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is putting its foot down on Thursday. Kathryn…

Medicare Part B Premium Increase for 2022 isn’t the Largest Ever

Medicare Part B Premium Increase for 2022 isn’t the Largest Ever

Medicare’s Part B monthly premium for 2022 will increase by $26.60, the largest dollar increase in the health insurance program’s history, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Nov, 12. Standard monthly premiums for Part B will cost $170.10 in 2022, up from $148.50 in 2021. Medicare Part B covers doctor visits,…

Health insurance agents who serve the senior market will soon begin their training for Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP). Elie Harriett, co-director, Medicare Services, with Classic Insurance & Financial Services Co., recently provided some of the information agents need to know to effectively serve their clients.
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Health insurance agents who serve the senior market will soon begin their training for Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP). Elie Harriett, co-director, Medicare Services, with Classic Insurance & Financial Services Co., recently provided some of the information agents need to know to effectively serve their clients.

Many of the general rules governing Medicare remain the same, said Harriett, though some plans and benefits will change. Some rules are specific to agents while others may be helpful to their clients. However, Harriett said, there are always a few general rules agents need to know when dealing with clients. Here is an overview…

5 opportunities Social Security’s new statements offer advisors, participants

5 opportunities Social Security’s new statements offer advisors, participants

Social Security statements already served as handy tools. But the changes that the Social Security Administration is rolling out will help advisors and clients even more. Advisors who have never used their clients’ Social Security statements to provide a clearer picture of how much they will get when they retire have been missing an opportunity, according to advisors and financial planners interviewed….

Claiming Social Security: Too many think it’s “as simple as flipping a switch”
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Claiming Social Security: Too many think it’s “as simple as flipping a switch”

Lack of knowledge about Social Security is like getting a new job but not asking when you would start and how much you would make. When it comes to Social Security benefits, many Americans may be leaving a lot of money on the table – but financial professionals and employers can help with that, according to…