National Contracting Center
Search
Close this search box.

How to Talk to Your Clients About Medicare

At National Contracting Center, we like to help our agents focus on what matters-their clients. We know explaining what Medicare is and how it works can be a little tricky. We’ve put together an article which gives an overview of the components of Medicare. Feel free to share our blog, or even take a print out of the information below for your clients!

In the United States, there are a total of 53.8 million Medicare beneficiaries. That’s a staggering number, especially when you consider there are 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 everyday! It’s expected that by the year 2030, there will be 76 million senior citizens using Medicare-related plans to help with the ever-increasing cost of healthcare and prescription drugs.

Given these statistics it is easy to see why it is important to know what Medicare is, and what it covers. So, just what is Medicare? Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older; people with certain disabilities; or people with End-Stage Renal Disease.

A person qualifying for Medicare has three basic options: Medicare A & B; Medicare Advantage; or Medicare Supplements.

Medicare A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Medical Insurance) covers 80% of your healthcare costs, leaving you responsible for the other 20%. There is not an out-of-pocket max, meaning there is no cap on how much you will have to pay. Medicare part A is without cost if you have worked at least 10 years, and you’ve paid into Social Security. Medicare part B can cost anywhere from $120.00 to $335.00 per month, depending on your taxable income (cost may vary by year).

When it comes to covering the 20% Medicare A & B does not cover, you have several options. The first is called Medicare Advantage, or part C. Advantage plans are private insurer plans that can include prescription drug costs and co-pays, with an out-of-pocket max and a potential premium that varies by carrier, plan, and region. You are responsible for all plan costs, unless you find other ways to subsidize them.

Medicare Supplements are just as the name implies – supplements to help you cover expenses Medicare parts A and B do not cover. The cost of a Medicare Supplement policy varies by age, sex, region, and carrier. How much you pay is dependent on the plan you choose. Medicare Supplement plans have the benefit of more coverage compared to Advantage Plans depending on the plan you choose: example: you might be able to go to the doctor with little or no restrictions compared to being tied to a network through a Medicare Advantage Plan.

With a Medicare Supplement, you will want to consider a separate plan for prescription drug costs. Remember the “A,B, C’s” we just introduced? Well, a Prescription Drug plan is known to Medicare as Part “D” Prescription Drug Plans, also known as PDPs. PDPs can help you cover the cost of prescriptions. Medicare Supplements do not typically cover the cost of prescriptions, whereas some Medicare Advantage Plans do. Prices vary for standalone Prescription Drug Plans not typically available with a Medicare Advantage Plan, (depending on the carrier and plan you choose).

Need More Guidance?

The NCC Team is here to help! We offer sales training in the form of webinars, videos, and written guides. Agents who work with us have access to dedicated Sales Support and Training teams who are invested in your success.

Share This

Latest Posts

Categories

Follow Us

To get alerts like this with news, tools, and information to grow your business, subscribe to our newsletter or RSS feed, or follow us on social media.

pop up circle

Aetna

 

Aetna is an American managed health care company that provides traditional and consumer-directed health care insurance and related services, such as medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, long-term care, and disability plans, primarily through employer-paid insurance and benefit programs1. Aetna is a proud CVS Health company and shares a common purpose with CVS Health: bringing their heart to every moment of your health. Aetna believes that everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their best health, which is known as health equity. Aetna is committed to improving the environment, addressing health inequalities, investing in people’s health, acting with integrity and protecting against health care fraud and abuse.

Clover Health Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Clover Health. AHIP certification must be completed separately.

Clover Health Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Clover Health Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Clover Health. AHIP certification must be completed separately.

Clover Health Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Medicare Sales Training Guide

This comprehensive 64-page guide covers senior insurance sales from all angles, from licensing to sales.

“Medicare 101” details coverage types, benefits, eligibility requirements & more!

WellCare Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for WellCare. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • Passing score is 85%.
  • 3 attempts.

WellCare Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

WellCare Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for WellCare. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • Passing score is 85%.
  • 3 attempts.

WellCare Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Shared Health of MS Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Shared Health of MS. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • More information coming soon!

Shared Health of MS Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Shared Health of MS. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • More information coming soon!

Devoted Health Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Devoted Health. AHIP certification must be completed separately.

Devoted Health Certification Links, Guides, Contact Info

Devoted Health Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Devoted Health. AHIP certification must be completed separately.

Devoted Health Certification Links, Guides, Contact Info

Humana Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Humana. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • English Cert/Recert is now open.
  • To access this training you will login at www.Humana.com, then click on the “Get Certified/Recertify” button from the Humana Vantage home page.

  • If you have completed the Humana PY23 Certification and are currently certified to sell Humana Medicare products, the deadline will be 5:00 pm Eastern on Thursday, November 30, 2023, to complete the PY24 Recertification.

  • Spanish Cert/Recert will be launching later in the summer. More information coming soon.

Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Humana Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Humana. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • English Cert/Recert is now open.
  • To access this training you will login at www.Humana.com, then click on the “Get Certified/Recertify” button from the Humana Vantage home page.

  • If you have completed the Humana PY23 Certification and are currently certified to sell Humana Medicare products, the deadline will be 5:00 pm Eastern on Thursday, November 30, 2023, to complete the PY24 Recertification.

  • Spanish Cert/Recert will be launching later in the summer. More information coming soon.

Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Cigna Medicare Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Cigna Medicare. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • Passing score is 85%. You have 3 attempts.

Cigna Medicare Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Cigna Medicare Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Cigna Medicare. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • Passing score is 85%. You have 3 attempts.

Cigna Medicare Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

BlueCross BlueShield of TN Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for BlueCross BlueShield of TN. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • More information coming soon!

BlueCross BlueShield of TN Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for BlueCross BlueShield of TN. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • More information coming soon!

Amerigroup Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Amerigroup. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • Passing score is 90%.
  • 3 attempts.

Amerigroup Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Amerigroup Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Amerigroup. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • Passing score is 90%.
  • 3 attempts.

Amerigroup Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Aetna Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Aetna. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • The 2024 Individual Medicare Producer Certification for MA, MAPD, PDP and SNP launches on Wednesday, June 28, 2023

          Aetna Medicare will offer two certification options:

  • Aetna Medicare Compliance Training: Certifies producers to sell Aetna only (AHIP alternative)
  • AHIP Medicare Training: Certifies producers to sell for mulitiple carriers, including Aetna. 

 

Aetna Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails

Aetna Producer Certification Requirements for 2024

  • Details refer to certification for Aetna. AHIP certification must be completed separately.
  • The 2024 Individual Medicare Producer Certification for MA, MAPD, PDP and SNP launches on Wednesday, June 28, 2023

          Aetna Medicare will offer two certification options:

  • Aetna Medicare Compliance Training: Certifies producers to sell Aetna only (AHIP alternative)
  • AHIP Medicare Training: Certifies producers to sell for mulitiple carriers, including Aetna. 

Aetna Certification Links, Guides, Phone Numbers, Emails